Opening Minutes of the Game

Great question. I don't have an answer to that one.

Can a team without a proven jump shooter make it out of the first round?

If they had more players like Andre Iguodala that don't need to rely on a jump shot to score points (consistently)... then yes.

If the 76ers were able to play the Raptors or Hawks in the first round, then I think they would have made it to the second round. Detroit may have been late to show up at the party, but they are still a championship caliber team and could win the title this season.

I'm biased. I want the Celtics to win it all and like their chances. But if the Celtics can't pull it off, I think the Pistons have a great chance at another title.

The Sixers deserve a ton of credit for even making it a series. This was one of few playoffs series that I got right. I predicted the Pistons winning this one in 6. Unless the Jazz win tonight, this will be the only series that I predicted right. Except I had no idea the Sixers would take a 2-1 lead in the series. I never saw that coming.

But considering the Sixers are supposed to be in the process of rebuilding, I'd say they are doing very well for themselves and certainly can build on the team that they have. They look like they are on their way to becoming a contender in the East in a couple more years.

Congrats to the Pistons for moving on in the playoffs, and for the 76ers for making some noise in the playoffs and making a series out of it.