Courtesy of Inner-City Newspaper
The first round of the NBA playoffs
were riveting, but now the second round is in full swing. These are my
assessments and predictions for the second round, based on where things stand
as of May 7, 2013:
Oklahoma
City vs Memphis
The Thunder just are not the same team without Russell Westbrook. Obviously. The Grizzlies have looked like the better team in each of the first two games, and the only reason the Thunder won game one was a monster performance in the fourth quarter by Kevin Durant. In game two, Durant also excelled (36 points, 11 assists, nine rebounds). But no one else could help shoulder the scoring load, evident by the fact that their second leading scorer (Serge Ibaka) only had 11 points. Memphis also did what they should have done in game one: control the paint. They outscored OKC in the paint 50-30, and outrebounded them 43-35. OKC led both categories in game one. Memphis is far more physical, and the Thunder's big men cannot match up to Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol. I still believe that the Thunder have the advantage because of the offensive firepower that they can potentially show on a given night. Durant understands that his role as a scorer has increased in the absence of Westbrook, but Kevin Martin must be his co-pilot. Martin scored 25 in game one, but only scored six in game 2. Durant is a superstar, but he cannot singlehandedly carry the team. Memphis should be able to win this series, but they still are not a great shooting team. They also took advantage of the fact that OKC turned the ball over 19 times in game two. The biggest surprise of game two was Memphis PG Mike Conley. He had 26 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists. This is a fantastic game, but do not expect to see that stat line again. Memphis' lack of outside shooting will make it difficult for them to pull away in games that they clearly seem to be in control of. Kevin Durant is the best player in this series, and he must play like such in order for OKC to win this series. I fully expect him to do so. OKC in 7.
New York vs Indiana
The Knicks struggled mightily in game one, having been completely outplayed by the Pacers in a 102-95 loss. Much of this can be credited to the emotion of closing out the Celtics, but the Knicks looked stagnant nonetheless. In game two, however, they flipped the script and won 105-79 in game two. Indiana played decently, but they went ice cold in the fourth quarter. The Pacers should be able to win the battle down low, but 13 and six points from David West and Roy Hibbert respectively is not going to cut it. They scored 20 and 14 respectively in game one. The Knicks have the advantage in this series because Carmelo Anthony is taking advantage of his matchup offensively with David West. Anthony's shooting percentage is diminished when he settles for jumpshots too often. Indiana head coach Frank Vogel called a questionable timeout with 3:05 left in the third quarter right after a run where Indiana went from being down 13 to being up two. He also took Roy Hibbert out at this point. New York took over after this, and they were dominant in the fourth quarter. Indiana will look better in the future, but the Knicks scoring ability will give them the edge. A cause of concern for Knicks fans, however, is J.R. Smith. He only shot 4-15 in game one, and 3-15 in game two. He has not been effective lately, and he should not be taking so many shots if he is missing. The catalyst for the Knicks has been Iman Shumpert. His lockdown defense and timely scoring have been key. If the Knicks can play decent defense, they will be able to score enough to win. The Knicks are the superior team in the talent department, and that will be what lifts them to the Eastern Conference Finals. Knicks in 6.
Miami vs Chicago
The Bulls shocked the sports world by defeating the defending champion Miami Heat 93-86 in game one. Chicago has been a challenge to Miami all year, and they ended Miami's 27-game winning streak in the regular season. In game one, there were times where Miami became too enamored with isolation basketball. Even though the ball did not move as much as Miami would have liked, there is a good reason. Their shooters struggled, which may be due to the layoff from their previous series. Chris Bosh went 3-10, and both Ray Allen and Shane Battier went 2-7. The Heat like to play up-tempo basketball, but Chicago did not allow the pace to speed up. Nate Robinson played terrifically like he has all playoffs, and he took over this game. He scored 27 points and racked up nine assists. He was the best player on the floor that particular night, and that cannot be the case for Miami. Not to mention the fact that he got 10 stitches in his mouth. LeBron played well, but he needs to play better. Dwyane Wade needs to step up as a legitimate second option, and he can be inconsistent these days. The Bulls were the tougher team in this game, which is not surprising. Miami is still the better team, and they should win this series. They need to shoot better, however. The Bulls, as evident from the Nets' series, like low scoring games. When Miami cannot make shots, this plays right into the Bulls' style. Chicago is fantastic defensively, and they can get enough offense to win those kind of games. Miami averaged 102.9 points per game in the regular season. If they can score close to that now, then they will win this series. There is no chance that Bosh, Allen, Cole, Battier are as cold for the rest of the series as they were in game one. Also, James will guard Robinson more moving forward, which should keep Robinson from running roughshod all over Miami. Every single game of this series will be competitive, but Miami will find their way offensively. Miami in 7.
San Antonio vs Golden State
Game one of this series was an instant classic. San Antonio was down by 16 with four minutes to go in regulation, before they stormed back and won in double overtime. Golden State exhibited their offensive prowess with great performances by Steph Curry (44 points, 11 assists), Harrison Barnes and Klay Thompson (19 points each), and Jarrett Jack (15 points). But Manu Ginobili and Danny Green took over for the Spurs late, and they found a way to win. This is extra impressive considering that Tim Duncan left in the fourth quarter due to a stomach virus. Curry played like a man possessed in the third quarter, but he struggled down the stretch. San Antonio put Kawhi Leonard on Curry in the fourth, and he was able to shut him down. I expect Leonard to guard Curry more often in game two. This was an adjustment made by Spurs' coach Gregg Popovich, and great coaches always are able to make adjustments. Tony Parker helped handle the scoring load for the Spurs as well, scoring 28. San Antonio could not hit shots in the first half, shooting only 38 percent. But they showed their experience, and their unwillingness to lose. This is the type of loss that could kill a team's confidence, but Steph Curry does not seem worried. In his postgame interview, he harkened back to the devastating loss his team suffered in game one against Denver, but expressed that they won the series. The Warriors have been underdogs all year, and they are equipped to deal with adversity. With that said, game one was a bad loss for them. They had the opportunity to make a statement, and they failed to do so. Regardless of what Curry says, the Spurs will clearly have momentum moving forward in this series. The Warriors have young legs and uncanny scoring ability, but the Spurs have the experience. If Curry can be held in check, than Golden State has no chance in this series. San Antonio will find a way to do so. San Antonio in 6.
The Thunder just are not the same team without Russell Westbrook. Obviously. The Grizzlies have looked like the better team in each of the first two games, and the only reason the Thunder won game one was a monster performance in the fourth quarter by Kevin Durant. In game two, Durant also excelled (36 points, 11 assists, nine rebounds). But no one else could help shoulder the scoring load, evident by the fact that their second leading scorer (Serge Ibaka) only had 11 points. Memphis also did what they should have done in game one: control the paint. They outscored OKC in the paint 50-30, and outrebounded them 43-35. OKC led both categories in game one. Memphis is far more physical, and the Thunder's big men cannot match up to Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol. I still believe that the Thunder have the advantage because of the offensive firepower that they can potentially show on a given night. Durant understands that his role as a scorer has increased in the absence of Westbrook, but Kevin Martin must be his co-pilot. Martin scored 25 in game one, but only scored six in game 2. Durant is a superstar, but he cannot singlehandedly carry the team. Memphis should be able to win this series, but they still are not a great shooting team. They also took advantage of the fact that OKC turned the ball over 19 times in game two. The biggest surprise of game two was Memphis PG Mike Conley. He had 26 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists. This is a fantastic game, but do not expect to see that stat line again. Memphis' lack of outside shooting will make it difficult for them to pull away in games that they clearly seem to be in control of. Kevin Durant is the best player in this series, and he must play like such in order for OKC to win this series. I fully expect him to do so. OKC in 7.
New York vs Indiana
The Knicks struggled mightily in game one, having been completely outplayed by the Pacers in a 102-95 loss. Much of this can be credited to the emotion of closing out the Celtics, but the Knicks looked stagnant nonetheless. In game two, however, they flipped the script and won 105-79 in game two. Indiana played decently, but they went ice cold in the fourth quarter. The Pacers should be able to win the battle down low, but 13 and six points from David West and Roy Hibbert respectively is not going to cut it. They scored 20 and 14 respectively in game one. The Knicks have the advantage in this series because Carmelo Anthony is taking advantage of his matchup offensively with David West. Anthony's shooting percentage is diminished when he settles for jumpshots too often. Indiana head coach Frank Vogel called a questionable timeout with 3:05 left in the third quarter right after a run where Indiana went from being down 13 to being up two. He also took Roy Hibbert out at this point. New York took over after this, and they were dominant in the fourth quarter. Indiana will look better in the future, but the Knicks scoring ability will give them the edge. A cause of concern for Knicks fans, however, is J.R. Smith. He only shot 4-15 in game one, and 3-15 in game two. He has not been effective lately, and he should not be taking so many shots if he is missing. The catalyst for the Knicks has been Iman Shumpert. His lockdown defense and timely scoring have been key. If the Knicks can play decent defense, they will be able to score enough to win. The Knicks are the superior team in the talent department, and that will be what lifts them to the Eastern Conference Finals. Knicks in 6.
Miami vs Chicago
The Bulls shocked the sports world by defeating the defending champion Miami Heat 93-86 in game one. Chicago has been a challenge to Miami all year, and they ended Miami's 27-game winning streak in the regular season. In game one, there were times where Miami became too enamored with isolation basketball. Even though the ball did not move as much as Miami would have liked, there is a good reason. Their shooters struggled, which may be due to the layoff from their previous series. Chris Bosh went 3-10, and both Ray Allen and Shane Battier went 2-7. The Heat like to play up-tempo basketball, but Chicago did not allow the pace to speed up. Nate Robinson played terrifically like he has all playoffs, and he took over this game. He scored 27 points and racked up nine assists. He was the best player on the floor that particular night, and that cannot be the case for Miami. Not to mention the fact that he got 10 stitches in his mouth. LeBron played well, but he needs to play better. Dwyane Wade needs to step up as a legitimate second option, and he can be inconsistent these days. The Bulls were the tougher team in this game, which is not surprising. Miami is still the better team, and they should win this series. They need to shoot better, however. The Bulls, as evident from the Nets' series, like low scoring games. When Miami cannot make shots, this plays right into the Bulls' style. Chicago is fantastic defensively, and they can get enough offense to win those kind of games. Miami averaged 102.9 points per game in the regular season. If they can score close to that now, then they will win this series. There is no chance that Bosh, Allen, Cole, Battier are as cold for the rest of the series as they were in game one. Also, James will guard Robinson more moving forward, which should keep Robinson from running roughshod all over Miami. Every single game of this series will be competitive, but Miami will find their way offensively. Miami in 7.
San Antonio vs Golden State
Game one of this series was an instant classic. San Antonio was down by 16 with four minutes to go in regulation, before they stormed back and won in double overtime. Golden State exhibited their offensive prowess with great performances by Steph Curry (44 points, 11 assists), Harrison Barnes and Klay Thompson (19 points each), and Jarrett Jack (15 points). But Manu Ginobili and Danny Green took over for the Spurs late, and they found a way to win. This is extra impressive considering that Tim Duncan left in the fourth quarter due to a stomach virus. Curry played like a man possessed in the third quarter, but he struggled down the stretch. San Antonio put Kawhi Leonard on Curry in the fourth, and he was able to shut him down. I expect Leonard to guard Curry more often in game two. This was an adjustment made by Spurs' coach Gregg Popovich, and great coaches always are able to make adjustments. Tony Parker helped handle the scoring load for the Spurs as well, scoring 28. San Antonio could not hit shots in the first half, shooting only 38 percent. But they showed their experience, and their unwillingness to lose. This is the type of loss that could kill a team's confidence, but Steph Curry does not seem worried. In his postgame interview, he harkened back to the devastating loss his team suffered in game one against Denver, but expressed that they won the series. The Warriors have been underdogs all year, and they are equipped to deal with adversity. With that said, game one was a bad loss for them. They had the opportunity to make a statement, and they failed to do so. Regardless of what Curry says, the Spurs will clearly have momentum moving forward in this series. The Warriors have young legs and uncanny scoring ability, but the Spurs have the experience. If Curry can be held in check, than Golden State has no chance in this series. San Antonio will find a way to do so. San Antonio in 6.
No comments:
Post a Comment