First, Oklahoma City vs. Los Angeles.
The Thunder led this game for roughly 46 of 48 minutes. My main reaction to their loss was exasperation.
If there's one obvious thing we've learned in the playoffs, it is that no lead is safe. Nobody can hold a lead and the losing team is always on the verge of a comeback (with one notable exception being Portland against San Antonio).
OKC was apparently not aware of this very obvious trend. And to me, that has to fall on Scott Brooks' head.
Of course, at this point it's merely an embarrassing loss.
There's also the matter of Kevin Durant turning the ball over multiple times in the fourth. And the appalling lack of defense being played.
Durant was covered by Chris Paul, a player 10 inches shorter, if we're being generous and saying that Paul is actually 6' tall.
Frankly, the whole thing was a mess and if the Thunder somehow manage to lose this series I'll be surprised if Brooks returns as head coach. I'm not a proponent of firing a coach just for the sake of it; there ought to be some quantifiable reason for it. In the Thunder's case, I think they've reached a plateau and it's time for another guy to come in and take them to the next level. Because I don't think they're going to reach it as is.
The series is tied 2-2. Game 5 is Tuesday.
Last, Indiana vs. Washington.
Now that the Pacers are leading the series decisively, I feel much better about my bad feeling that I had after they won Game 2.
Washington really screwed up by letting Indiana into this series. Now instead of winning in five as they ought to have, they're going to lose in five.
I have no confidence in Washington's ability to come back, especially when Games 5 & 7 are in Indiana. Not that they've been that bad on the road; they've probably been better on the road than at home. Still, this team doesn't look like it's built for comebacks given the tenuous nature of its offense and defense.
People in the media weren't all that confident in Randy Wittman when the playoffs started. I doubt that's changed much. I certainly haven't seen anything to change that perception. Beating the Bulls in five is one thing, but allowing the previously moribund Pacers to win three in a row is something else, and it is not good.
At any rate, what looked like a team that was a lock to make the conference finals is now a team that will likely be done shortly.
Indiana leads 3-1. Game 5 is Tuesday.
Later today, Game 4 in Brooklyn and San Antonio. With a win, the Spurs sweep the series and move on to the next round, where they'll likely have a nice long rest.
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