NBA Playoffs Game 2 (Cont'd)

A few more teams go at it in Game 2 of the First Round tonight. Before we get into those games, let's take a look at the action from last night.

Cleveland 112 - Chicago 102
Kirk Heinrich guarding Lebron James. Uhhhhh...what? 16-23, 40 points, 8 boards and 8 assists. That's what you get, Chicago. Apparently the strategy was let Lebron get 40 and let Jamario Moon shoot 3s without anyone within 10 feet of him. Vinny Del Negro is an idiot.

In other news, Joakim Noah, despite having a good game really needs to shut up. He's not doing himself any favors talking all this mess. He was given the opportunity to back off his statements on Cleveland but didn't and instead dug a little deeper, talking abotu how It's not cool, and no one wants to go there on vacation, etc. Weak dude. The people in Cleveland know their city sucks, which is more than I can say about Chicago and its murder rate. You don't have to rub it in their face...otherwise Lebron rubs his nuts in your face. Like this!

That's how you throw down, son!




Utah 114 - Denver 111

This series just got pretty interesting. Considering how good Utah is at home, I won't be shocked if they head back to Denver with a commanding series lead.


This guy looks like the son of his father and his father's sister! But, that's a nice dunk!


I mentioned in the preview for this one that Kyle Korver would probably be counted on for more perimeter looks, and that proved to be true. He only made one of two, but it was a big one, giving Utah a lead they wouldn't give up with under two minutes to go. My boy, Deron Williams, stepped up huge with a 33 point, 14 assist effort to lead the charge for Utah.
This game featured a pretty wild stretch of 3 or 4 consecutive offensive fouls late in the game. That's not really here nor there, but I just found it bizaar. I've never seen anything like that.
Denver really slipped up letting this one get away, because Utah is usually dominant on their home floor. Those Mormon's will show up in bunches to support their squad and it gets loud in there during the playoffs. If Denver wants to stay alive they have to steal one back in game 3 or 4.
Melo was good, but had a couple costly turnovers on offenseive fouls.
Someone needs to wake up Chauncey. He was just 4-11 from the floor and even missed a critical free-throw late - very uncharacteristic of him. A career 89% FT shooter.


TONIGHT!

#6 Milwaukee @ #3 Atlanta @ 7:00 pm ET on NBATV

Milwaukee will need a repeat performance from Brandon Jennings (Does that guy have a cool nickname yet? He needs one.) And they'll need big efforts from Salmons or someone else to hope for a win.
In the end Joe Johnson, Josh Smith, Al Horford and Jamal Crawford should be too much for MIL to handle.

Prediction - Atlanta wins by single digits.



#5 Miami @ #4 Boston @ 8:00 pm ET on TNT
See earlier post.

Prediction - Boston wins big.



#6 Portland @ #3 Phoenix @ 10:00 pm ET on NBATV

Phoenix needs a win in a real bad way after game one left a sour taste in the mouths of Suns fans. Portland media and fans are real high on their horse after only one game, so look for Phoenix to come out with energy and send them packing back to Portland to prepare for game 3. I don't think Hill, Richardson and Dudley will all shoot that poorly again. And even if just one or two of them knock down a few more J's that could be the difference.
That being said, Portland still should not be overlooked. And Grant Hill and J-Rich will likely share duties on Andre Miller who made Nash his sex slave in game 1.

Prediction - Suns in a rout.


#8 Oklahoma City @ #1 Los Angeles @ 10:30 pm ET on TNT

The Zombie Sonics need THe Durantula to show up tonight if they hope to steal on at teh Staples Center. It seems like Jackson's comments about him getting favorable treatment from the refs may have gotten to his head. Silly, rookie. The Zen Master strikes again. If it's not in his head, it may be in the refs' heads. Either way, Durant needs to revert back to his old ballin' ways and they better hope Kobe doesn't wake up from his game 1 coma.

Prediction - Lakers win going away. Starters rest in 4th, and it may end up being closer than it really was.