The Boston Celtics just wrapped up their second seven game series victory today with a 97-92 win over the Cleveland LeBrons, er, Cavaliers. The game was really defined by the duel between King James and Paul Pierce, in a scene reminiscent of the famed seventh game duel between Larry Bird and Dominique Wilkins in 1988 (one of the people there for that game; Celts coach Doc Rivers as a Hawk. Go figure). While LeBron scored 45 and kept his team close (many would say unfairly, but still), Pierce came up with a career-defining game at the right time. With Garnett having a quiet double-double (13 points and 13 boards) and Ray allen invisible again, Pierce scored 41 and showed the heart of a champion today.

Now, the Celts advance to the Eastern Finals against the Detroit Pistons, a team that has had nearly a week to rest (especially good for Chauncey Billups) and prepare. Despite the disparity between the teams, both arer playing for their legacies. Boston (and specifically Garnett) are playing for a much-needed title to restore some of the Celtic pride, while the Pistons need a title to stamp themselves as a team to be remembered as more than an interesting footnote. But only one will earn a chance at the ring. With that in mind, let's see where each team stands in matchups:

Point Guard: Doc Rivers finally wised up and played Eddie House over Sam Cassell the last two games of the series, and House played well. He and Rajon Rondo need to step up more against Billups (assuming he's healthy). In the one game the Pistons won over the Celtics, Billups won the game with free throws he drew using his infamous "win it for me, referee!" style. Rondo must take it at Billups (especially early in the series, while Billups is rusty), and as for Detroit, use Rodney Stuckey to spell Billups and perhaps match up on Rondo when Chauncey is out.

Shooting Guard: Hopefully, the Pistons watched how Cleveland neutralized Allen and will use the same style. I think Richard Hamilton has the advantage because Allen will be run ragged at both ends by Hamilton, who was the major key to the Pistons' wrapping up of Orlando in 5 the last round. Maybe the C's will counter by moving Pierce onto Hamilton, but the Pistons win here.

Small Forward: After more than holding his own with LeBron, Pierce faces a different challenge with Tayshaun Prince, who is a much better jump-shooter than King James was. Prince is also a better defender, and won't allow Pierce the space to shoot those jumpers he hit today. Pierce should (and probably will) counter with more drives to the hole, and that will balance things out.

Power Forward: Did you notice that P.J. Brown scored ten points today? Unlike Cassell, Brown has helped a lot in terms of adding toughness and leadership to the front line. Still, all things here begin with Garnett, and the task of defending him will fall to Jason Maxiell and Antonio McDyess. I say let Maxiell be the starter and body him early, then bring in McDyess to take advantage of backups Leon Powe and Glen Davis; he can be a more effective scorer that way.

Center: The biggest key of this series. Why? Rasheed Wallace has the potential to dominate young Kendrick Perkins, who is suseptible to early foul trouble. But it depends on Rasheed's willingness to play a little more on the block; if he's content to hoist awful threes, consider this a wash.

Coaches: This may be the first playoff series where the coaches will have little impact on the series. Niether Rivers nor Flip Saunders is an elite X's-and-O's coach, so it depends on if Rivers sticks with House over Cassell, and if Saunders can stay out of the way of his team.

Prediction: The Celts will win game one because the Pistons are rusty. Then, Detroit wins game 2 (yeah, they'll end the C's home court winning streak). Then, they'll take game 3, but Boston will fight back to win games 4 & 5. The Pistons win game 6, forcing yet another game seven in Boston. Only this time, Billups and Hamilton have big games, and The Pistons win the series in seven games.

Note: I am not homering here; the C's need to win on the road,, and the Pistons aren't a one-man gang (Cleveland) or a weak team (Atlanta). They should win in seven.