Archive for April 25th, 2011

WATERCOOLER CHAT: HEAT DIDN’T CLOSE, KNICKS OUT, HORNETS TIED

BASKETBALL

What a wild weekend for the NBA playoffs.  We saw the Pacers win a game against Chicago, Oklahoma City take a commanding 3-0 lead over Denver AND #8 seed Memphis take a 2-1 lead over the #1 seed in the NBA!! (San Antonio).  It’s been action-packed.  And Sunday… even more!

First, Miami was hoping to close and sweep the Sixers.  But… they would have to do it in front of a raucous Philadelphia crowd.  This would not prove easy.  LeBron had an amazing game with 31 points and 7 rebounds, and it looked like Miami was going to cruise again and roll on to the second round.  But, the fighting spirit of the 76ers kept them in the game AND kept the score very close in the final 2 minutes (which is when anything can happen).  So, down by 1, their guard, Lou Williams, hit a long range 3 with a hand in his face to put the Sixers up by 2.  That begged the question… who will take the last shot for Miami?  This has not been their bread and butter this season.  The answer this time:  LeBron, who threw up a brick.  Tough break for Miami, as they will most likely seal the deal on their home floor (not necessarily a bad thing), but will put them on less rest heading into the second round.  Philadelphia 86, Miami 82.

And, if Miami does get to the second round, which team will they play?  Remember, the New York Knicks started off the season pretty hot.  They were jelling, and were led by Amare Stoudemire.  Then, they were plagued by rumors of a Carmelo Anthony trade that eventually came true.  This resulted in trading their core guys for a superstar and a solid point-guard in Chauncey Billups.  Unfortunately though, they got swept in the first round of the playoffs.  Kevin Garnett and the Celtics  steamrolled over the Knicks in Madison Square Garden.  Garnett finished with 26 points and 10 rebounds.   Knicks fans can only hope that they turn things around in the off-season, which might mean a coaching change.  Boston 101, NY Knicks 89.

And late Sunday night, it was Game 4 between the LA Lakers and the New Orleans Hornets.  From the get go, people were writing off the Hornets.  Then… they won the first game of the series in LA.  Great, but they fell behind 2-1, and people wrote them off again.  So last night, Chris Paul and Hornets came out strong, knowing they needed to even things up at 2 if they wanted to have a chance.  Chris Paul played out of his mind, netting a triple-double (27 points, 15 assists, 13 rebounds).  And, in the end, the Lakers had a chance to catch up, but Pau Gasol dropped a pass from Kobe, and Kobe showed his anger and frustration right in the middle of the court.  Then, the Hornets’ Jarrett Jack hit a clutch floater and sealed the game.  Wow!  Now, we’re tied and headed back to LA.  New Orleans 93, LA Lakers 88

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