2014 NBA Playoffs, Day 18

The other two second round series started yesterday in the NBA.

Much like the late game on Monday, they were not close.

First, Brooklyn vs. Miami.

I was a bit concerned coming into this one.  Brooklyn won all four regular season meetings (for what little that's worth) and has two players that were thorns in the side of the Heat.  Pierce and Garnett very clearly dislike the two-time defending champs.  But they hadn't really beaten them, either.

Another fact that was pointed out is that the Heat haven't lost a playoff series since the 2011 Finals.

At any rate, Miami had little trouble knocking the rust off or laying a beatdown on Brooklyn.  That said, it was close at the end of the first half.  Maybe that's something we can look forward to happening again?

And maybe Miami will pull away in the second half just like they did last night.  That would not surprise me at all.

Also, it wouldn't surprise me if Brooklyn took Game 2.  That just seems like something that would happen, no matter how little sense it makes.

Miami leads 1-0.  Game 2 is Thursday.

Last, Portland vs. San Antonio.

This one wasn't close from the end of the 1st quarter.

But in the second half, there were some possessions that indicated that Portland will make a better game of it next time.  We'll see.

As far as last night goes, that's a forgettable performance.  In fact, seeing how badly Portland played in general makes me wonder how the Rockets lost to them in six.  After all, the Rockets swept the Spurs in the regular season.

And there I've fallen down a rabbit hole.  A rabbit hole made by a very stupid rabbit.  My apologies.

I fully expect Aldridge and Lillard to digest whatever they learned from this game and come back stronger.  Still, given the result, it's difficult for me to back off of my Spurs in 5 prediction.  So I'm not backing off of it.

Plus, it looks like Parker can get his shot any time he wants, from basically any spot on the court.  And the effort put forth by San Antonio's bigs cannot be overstated.  Baynes and Splitter were all over the court getting rebounds and steals, turning defense into offense.  More often than not, Leonard and Parker were the beneficiaries, with those turnovers turning into easy points.

San Antonio leads 1-0.  Game 2 is Thursday.

Later today, Game 2 in Indiana and Oklahoma City.  The home teams are down 1-0 and looking to get back into their respective series.