The tides change now, in the form of the setting for each series. Two games have been played in each, and things are getting good, so let’s see what the change of scenery does to each individual instance…
The Spurs Look Unbeatable
A little-known stat ran off on TNT pre-tip: The last three teams to sweep the first two rounds in the NBA Playoffs have lost their conference finals. Yet someone forgot to tell the San Antonio Spurs that.
It was the Manu Ginobili Show in Game One; he had 26 points, leading the way for San Antonio, during his 34 minutes of playing time. Ginobili created instant offense for the Spurs throughout a game in which their offense was failing to click to its full potential.
Because of the sputtering of the machine known as the Spurs, the Thunder led at the half, and they owned the third quarter, but in the fourth and final—and most important—quarter, San Antonio took control and essentially took that momentum right into Game Two.
Tim Duncan’s even looked a little more fired up in Game Two; sure he had 16&11 in Game One, but Game Two he filled up the stat sheet in typical Timmy D fashion: 11/12/6/4 blocks. Tony Parker was on fire, as well, with 34 points and 8 dimes.
But the real story is how unselfish the Spurs are playing, and because of it, they look unbeatable; they just do. I mean, you can only throw your hands up in the air screaming, “How do you stop this?” so many times until you realize that no one really knows.
Kevin Durant dropped 31 on them, James Harden had 30&7, Russell Westbrook added 27/7/8—and the Thunder still lost by nine points in Game Two. Sadly, I don’t know if they have anything more than that much production in them.
It’s why I hate the Spurs—you just cannot figure them out, but they’re better than your team—intelligence trumps everything else: It’s the one thing in this life that’s the hardest with which to live.
Maybe in Oklahoma City the Spurs will finally lose a game in the playoffs for the first time this second season, but don’t hold your breath…
I’ll believe it when I see it; no sooner
Heat Up 2-0 Headed to Bean Town
Boston may have come storming back to end the first half of Game One, but then Miami took it all back; furthermore, the Heat discovered another weapon in Shane Battier in the first game of this series, not a good sign for the Celtics.
The home court could prove useful for Boston’s chances, however, even if the only way that they’ll have a shot in this thing is winning both games in the Garden.
I can’t see that happening the way they’ve been playing. They could’ve, should’ve, and normally would’ve won Game Two, yet they didn’t. Paul Pierce fouling out for the second time in three games didn’t help, because you could tell they missed him in the closing moments of regulation, and the Celtics really needed him in OT.
Rajon Rondo scoring 44 points didn’t garner them a victory, so it’s hard to see a scenario in which Boston emerges on top of this one.
Looks like San Antonio and Miami—something everyone will watch, but I’m sorry, no one will like how that one’ll end. Just saying…
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