NBA Playoff round-up

Heading into the weekend action there are some interesting series...more than I would have thought there would be in Round 1.

Here's a quick peek at last night.

#1 Los Angeles 101 - #8 Oklahoma City 96

LA was stunned on the homecourt of the Thunder amidst a "blue-out" which was pretty cool looking. The white-out is over played. Everyone has a white out, probably because white tees are cheaper. OKC ownership figured, fuck it - we're in the playoffs and these fans deserve it, and went with the color tees. The house was rocking and OKC fed off the energy all the way to a win.
The Durantula put the lockdown on Kobe late and blocked a critical jumper and then scored on the following possession. Onions. Kevin Durant is a stud, and will be for years to come.





#1 Cleveland 106 - #8 Chicago 108

Cleveland as well was shocked by a #8 seed on the road, as Chicago took it to the Cavs for a win in game 3. Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa. I don't think they'll win another game in this series. Everyone can steal one on the home floor, but I think the Cavs will take game 4 and then 5 at home to wrap it up.

Lebron was basically raped by Noah on a box-out near the end of the game, and for once didn't get a call. His gripes were legitimate, but futile. Anthony Parker had a decent look at a LONG three to win it at the buzzer, but it clanged off the side of the rim as time expired.



#3 Phoenix 108 - #6 Portland 89

Portland home game, game 3 in the series, pumped up home crowd, series tied 1-1...FAIL. Suns came out of the gates on fire and had 66 at half-time. As mentioned yesterday, they go as J-Rich goes and he was pretty good yesterday with 42 points. Said Richardson, "I was surprised they kept leaving me open." Yea, so was everyone else watching the game.

On another note, this has been the chippiest of the series thus far and I think we may get an altercation in one of the next couple games. Andre Miller was quoted after the game as saying they need to come out and rough 'em (Suns) up more. Play more physical. This could get interesting. Amare needs to be careful though, as he almost let Aldridge bait him into a Garnett-like elbow and an automatic ejection and suspension. The Suns don't need that.




TONIGHT!

#4 Boston at #5 Miami, @ 7:00 pm EST on ESPN

Boston looks to take a commanding lead with a game 3 win on the road. KG will be the cowboy in the black hat so-to-speak tonight as I'm sure the Miami crowd will be booing the shit out of him. Having watched KG throughout his career he seems like the kind of guy who would feed off that and have a big game. So Heat fans may just want to give him the silent treatment.

Prediction - See game preview post!


#2 Dallas at #7 San Antonio, @ 9:30 pm EST on TNT

The Spurs head home after stealing game 2 in Dallas. Tim Duncan came up huge in the last game, and the Spurs will need more of that and less of the pouty confused "I didn't foul him" face if they want to take control of this series.
Mavericks fans hope for a game 1 like effort out of Dirk who tends to be hot and cold in the playoffs. He seems to have huge games and weak games. Another big game from Caron Butler, maybe 15-20 points, would be huge for Dallas as well. And Kidd cannot shoot 1-7 again.
I would not be shocked if Dallas comes out and steals back a win on the road. This series could easily go 7 games.

Prediction - Dallas 94 - San Antonio 89
Jason Terry goes bonkers in the 2nd half, knocking down every J within sight. Duncan lays a stinker.



#4 Denver at #5 Utah, @ 10:30 pm EST on ESPN2

The Nuggets look to regain control over this series after letting it slip a little from their grasp with a game 2 loss in Denver. The series shifts to Utah, where the Jazz always play well. They were 32-9 there this year, and averaged nearly 8 more points per game on the home floor, 107.6 PPG.

Deron Williams will have to continue his stellar play for Utah to have a chance. Okur will be missed, especially late in games when they need threes. Korver can shoot, but doesn't always work well without the ball to get open.
On the Denver side, they need Melo to continue being Melo - an elite NBA scorer and playmaker. He got a little out of control in game 2 trying to do to much. Hopefully, Chauncey can finally step up and take a little pressure off of Melo.

Prediction - Denver 103 - Utah 110
DWill and Booze both put up double-doubles.