Here's a look at the series as we stand heading into tonight.
Safe to say there are some things playing out a little differently than I predicted.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
#1 Cleveland - #8 Chicago (Cleveland 3 - Chicago 1)
This one is all done, much like the Celtics series, and one of four 3-1 series out of all the playoffs. A little different from 2009 which saw a number of playoff sweeps.
Chicago managed to steal one behind a monster 20-20 effort from Joakim Noah. He must be reading this blog and drawing energy from all my criticism. Whatever. He still sucks and Cleveland is going to round two, and he can go play in the waves with topless models again. I just hope there are cameras there again as well.
#2 Orlando - #7 Charlotte (Orlando advances 4-0)
The only sweep in the playoffs so far. Orlando mopped the floor with the Bobcats. Jameer Nelson has been playing very well so far, and Orlando is getting nice efforts from their support guys while the defense keys on Dwight Howard. Howard's game, much like Shaq in his prime, bores me to tears although it is pretty effective. I'm just not really into post-up big men. Orlando should be able to advance to the Eastern Conference finals when they face the winner of Atlanta/Milwaukee. Atlanta has done nothing to prove that they can beat Orlando, and has been dreadful on the road.
#3 Atlanta - #6 Milwaukee (Atlanta 2 - Milwaukee 2)
Give the Bucks some credit, they are hanging in there against an opponent most gave them no chance against (me included). They've defended their home court twice as we head back to Atlanta for game 5. I believe Charles said on NBA tonight that Atlanta is 1-19 road playoff games. That's not a good trend. It's not a series until a home team loses, but even if Atlanta survives on all home wins they won't be able to do that in round two. At what point is this team going to step up and prove they are a player in the East? Or maybe they just aren't. We will see.
#4 Boston - #5 Miami (Boston 3- Miami 1)
See the DP post. This one is done. Light up a stogie for Red. Wade had his one explosion which I predicted in game 3. It happened one game later, but I doubt it will happen again.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
#1 Los Angleles - #8 Oklahoma City (LA - 2 Oklahoma City 2)
Nothing would make me happier than to see OKC take game 5 in Los Angeles and head home to their raucus arena with a chance to steal the upset of the decade in the NBA. That being said, I have a feeling this one could just be all home wins. Unlike, the Atlanta series, however, I do think the Lakers have a good shot at advancing beyond round two should they survive on home court. It looks like Utah would be their next opponent, and I think that is a better match-up for them. Utah plays slower and is less athletic, though like OKC they play excellent at home. Basically, the Lakers really need to wake up. If they bow out early get ready for all the excuses in the world. Kobe, Phil, Fish, Odom. They'll all be whining about one thing or another. And the Lakers fans will be whining as well. Here's hoping! Go Thunder!!
#2 Dallas - #7 San Antonio (San Antonio 3 - Dallas 1)
Well, well, well. Who woulda guessed another good Spurs playoff team. This team is always in the thick of it as long as the Big (sorta) 3 and Popovich are involved. Ironically enough, the Big (sorta) 3 haven't been all that stellar. Rather fringe contributors George Hill and Dajuan Blair have been studly. This series is extremely physical which definitely favors San Antonio. Dallas is letting the physical play bother them, and they're reacting foolishly. Compound that with the poor shooting of the Mavs (especially Jason Kidd) and you get a 3-1 series lead for the Spurs.
Phoenix is really hoping for Dallas in round 2 as San Antonio has been their bugaboo of the last 5 years or so.
Oh yea...what is that maxi pad Ginobli has on his nose? That is the biggest band-aid ever!
#3 Phoenix - #6 Portland (Phoenix 3 - Portland 2)
The Blazers have shown up in this series, much more than I thought they would. In their two victories they've dictated the pace and style of the game. However, in the three losses Phoenix has been able to impose their will on Portland. Andre Miller has been killer so far, knocking down J's and driving to the hoop, and generally making Steve Nash look like the worst defender in the league (which he is). Phoenix slowed him a little with a combo of Hill and J-Rich on him, but he's still been effective. The Blazers got a boost from Brandon Roy's heroic return just days after surgery in game 4 to even the series. However, in game 5 he was basically useless as Phoenix came storming back from a huge 1st quarter deficit to take the win by a wide margin, and command of the series. In 2-2 game 5 winners of that game win the series over 80% of the time. So things are looking up for the Suns.
As I'm writing this, Channing Frye is on the local radio and when asked about fellow St. Mary's HS alum Jerryd Bayless, Frye said, "He plays hard, and that's all I'll say about that." These two teams do not like each other, and if Phoenix comes out big early on in game 6 look for Portland to start getting chippy.
#4 Denver - #5 Utah (Utah 3 - Denver 1)
As predicted, Utah went home afte stealing game 2 in Denver and took a 3-1 series lead. Denver just hasn't looked right since game 1. Carmelo has more offensive fouls in the last 3 games than anyone I can remember. His spin-o-rama move in the paint and hard charging ways on the break have been getting him into trouble, as Utah has clearly made that part of their game plan. Chauncey hasn't been his spectacular playoff self, and on the other side D-Will has been superb and Boozer plus the other Jazz role players have been terriffic. It all adds up to a likely Utah series win, and possibly another match-up against the Lakers. LA beat Utah in round 1 last year.
TONIGHT!
Boston, Cleveland and Dallas all look to close out round 1 tonight.
Miami @ Boston, 7:00 pm ET on NBATV
Chicago @ Cleveland, 8:00 pm ET on TNT
San Antonio @ Dallas, 9:30 pm ET on NBATV
Oklahoma City @ San Antonio, 10:30 pm ET on TNT
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