Archive for May 14th, 2012

WATERCOOLER CHAT: NBA PLAYOFF WEEKEND RECAP

BASKETBALL

Saturday night was a big night for the Lakers in Staples Center.  They blew a 3-1 series lead, allowing the Nuggets to climb back to a 3-3 tie.  Not only that, but the Nuggets have discovered how to gel on all cylinders.  They’re playing as a perfect cohesive unit, and suddenly look very hard to beat.  But, as everybody knows, Kobe is very difficult to take down on his home court — especially in a deciding game.  The game started off close, but soon the Lakers would climb higher.  Pau Gasol got his game into gear, putting up 23 points and 17 rebounds as the Lakers big-men established their dominance.  In the second half, the Nuggets actually were able to climb back into the game behind stellar play from their speedy point-guard, Ty Lawson (24 points).  But, in the end, with the Lakers pulling away, Kobe hit a clutch-three to seal the deal.  He even got a pat on the rear from Lakers fan Justin Timberlake.  The Lakers will now take on Durant and the Thunder in Round 2.  LA Lakers 96, Denver 87.
And on Sunday, it was Game 7 between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Memphis Grizzlies.  Memphis has had a resilient run rebounding from a 3-1 series deficit to tie it up at 3 a piece and bring the series back to Memphis.  The Clippers were also pretty banged up as both their stars Chris Paul and Blake Griffin weren’t at 100%.  All things pointed towards the Grizzlies stealing the series back from the Clippers, but the Clippers had no intention of leaving early.  The first half was neck and neck, with Chris Paul getting it done for the Clips and big man Marc Gasol excelling for the Grizz.  But, in the second half, the Grizzlies weren’t playing their best basketball, and allowed for the Clippers to stay in the game.  You can’t do that against Clips, because… in the 4th quarter, the Clippers outside shooters got hot and suddenly the Clippers found themselves up 10, and there was no looking back.  Los Angeles takes the game, and will move on to play the Spurs in the second round.  LA Clippers 82, Memphis 72.

Next up, it was Game 1 of the Miami Heat and the Indiana Pacers.  Miami is on a mission this year.  Anything short of hoisting up the championship trophy at the end of the season will be considered a failure.  This game was also on the heels of LeBron winning his 3rd MVP award.  That puts him in an elite class of players that have won 3 MVPs.  Abdul-Jabar has the record with 6 MVP awards (not exactly easy).  Surprisingly, the Pacers kept this one close the entire way, but, in the end, you have to remember that the Heat have Bosh, Wade, and LeBron, and it’s very tough to shut them down.  The Heat did their ‘fast-break’ thing, and suddenly found themselves up by a decent margin in the closing minutes.  LeBron had 32 points on the night to take the game.  But, make no mistake, this series will be a battle.  Miami 95, Indiana 86.

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