The rest of the series started yesterday in the NBA playoffs. So let's recap Day 2, shall we?
First up, Dallas vs. San Antonio.
81-71. Then, oops! Dallas scores four points the rest of the way and San Antonio ends up winning by five.
It obviously doesn't help when Nowitzki and Ellis are bricking shots almost every trip, but then the Mavs' curious lack of defense showed its ugly head.
Case in point, they couldn't stop drives to the basket. And when they managed to divert them, a big man would catch the ball in the paint and put up a shot for an and-one or just get the two foul shots. Not the most pleasing beginning to a series, without a doubt.
Dallas hasn't won in San Antonio in a little while, and that streak doesn't look to be in much jeopardy. Then again, they could still pull it out and take back home-court advantage. Who knows?
Game 2 is on Wednesday. Why the delay? Who knows?
Next, Charlotte vs. Miami.
The two-time defending champions are pretty good. Even when they went up by 20 and subsequently lost that lead, they weren't looking anything but poised and ready to win.
Apparently, the strategy to conserve Dwyane Wade through the regular season has worked out. He didn't look tired or injured in Game 1 and his presence obviously bodes well for Miami's presumed attempt at winning a third title in a row.
Also, it doesn't hurt Miami's cause that Al Jefferson was injured in the game. Even with the injury, he was damn near unstoppable, though. True, his shooting percentage after the injury was much lower, but as long as he's out on the floor he's creating a matchup problem that Miami really has no answer for.
Then again, does Charlotte have an answer for Wade or LeBron? Doubtful.
Game 2 is on Wednesday.
Next, Washington vs. Chicago.
I guess the Wizards are legit? It seems hard to believe, really. But Nene looked unstoppable and the Bulls' offense, as usual, was falling off a cliff. Or fell off a cliff. Or looked like someone who has just fallen off a cliff.
The Bulls' offense is putrid. And their defense was only slightly better.
But this isn't really about the Bulls. It's about the Wizards, a team that has been out of the playoffs for a while and now suddenly looks like they can win a series and give the next opponent they face some trouble. Then again, it's hard to jump too far based on one game. They could come out in Game 2 and get stifled by the Bulls' usually solid defense and just look ridiculous.
Game 2 is on Tuesday. Why not Wednesday? I guess Hump Day is too good for this matchup.
Finally, Portland vs. Houston.
First mistake: blowing a ten-point lead with four minutes to go.
Second mistake: allowing LaMarcus Aldridge to score 46.
Third mistake: allowing Damian Lillard to score 31, especially what he put up in OT.
As a Rockets fan, this game was especially painful, because the Rockets had chances to win and just wilted. When the game went to OT, I didn't like their odds. And then Patrick Beverley fouled out, which just made things worse. Predictably, Lillard became unstoppable at that point, which basically won the game for Portland at a time when they should have had no shot.
More good news for the Rockets: Patrick Beverley has a sprained right knee. This will definitely impact the series, even if he can play through it. What was looking so promising is quickly turning sour.
Again, though, it's only one game, so if the Rockets win Game 2 it looks a bit better. But if they go to Portland down 2-0, it could be trouble sooner rather than later.
Game 2 is on Wednesday, because both teams apparently need two days off even when they're not traveling.
Later on today, Game 2 in OKC and Los Angeles.
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