So the first day of the PLAYOFFS are in...and by the looks of it we are in for some crazy series'. Teams that played last night were the (1) BULLS vs. (8) PACERS, followed with (2) HEAT vs. (7) 76ERS, (4) MAGIC vs. (5) HAWKS and concluding the night with (3) MAVERICKS vs. (6) BLAZERS.
Overall the PLAYOFFS aren't disappointing..not that I'm saying that it would be but every single game could have been pre-determined as all the higher seeds came out on top except for one exception, the ORLANDO MAGIC.
Even with their star studded center, DWIGHT HOWARD #12, pouring in a game high 46 points and 19 rebounds, the ATLANTA HAWKS pulled of a win in ORLANDO with a final score of 103-93. In the early stages of the game you could tell that there was a definite mismatch when it came to the PG's in NELSON and HINRICH , who by the way had an amazing game (13pnts shooting 60% from the field) since being traded by the WIZARDS. NELSON was held of in the first half not making too much noise, but as always he came alive in the second half, hitting a couple of threes cutting the deficit to single digits, however the HAWKS were resilient and kept countering with 3 balls of their own and picking up a buncha "and 1's" to keep ahead of the home team. It's not a fluke win if anyone is to think how the HAWKS pulled it out cause they did it 3 out of the 4 games this season against the MAGIC. One thing that the MAGIC need to address in order to get through this series is free throws, making them count that is. I mean the difference between the teams was 9.1% which is really on a points perspective a chunk! Hitting free-throws are key, anyone who knows basketball, knows that it's your deal breaker when it comes down to the end of the game. If the MAGIC can turn it around on that note, they should have no problems to get through, aswell they need more productivity out of ARENAS, RICHARDSON, and TURKOGLU. Three key asserts acquired through the blockbuster trade over the season. Productivity from these three would help them propel through this series. On other notes watch for JAMAL CRAWFORD of the HAWKS as playing the role of the "x-factor"...one phrase "natural scorer", and for the MAGIC...RYAN ANDERSON playing a bigger role to help HOWARD in the paint and stretch out the perimeter shooting.
On to the next...BULLS and their front man running for MVP...22 year old, DERRICK MARTEL ROSE. Man this kid is just 3 years into the league and taking it by storm, to say that the BULLS won on team performance is lightly addressing what mister ROSE brings to this team. With 1:27 to play in the 4th QTR and 99-97 in favor of the PACERS, ROSE took over hitting a jumpshot to tie and then in the next play, penetrating the D kicking out to KYLE KORVER, who hit a go ahead 3. The BULLS pulled of a comeback, winning 104-99.
The HEAT won their game 97-89, they had a slight scare as the 76ERS pushed for a comeback but couldn't pull it of, however they fought hard and THADEUS YOUNG had an amazing performance (20 pnts 11rebs). This series looks like it will be over soon unless the HEAT begin to slip like they did in their last couple games in the season..but then again its hard to say because this is the PLAYOFFS and the "intensity" level has just been "kicked up a notch..BAM!!*(Emeril)
The MAVS pulled of what was a great game between two of the hottest names in the league..the grizzled aged veteran, DIRK "DIGGLER" NOWITZKI who dropped 28pnts along side 10 rebs, and the highly still getting better as the game goes..LaMARCUS ALDRIDGE who had 27 pnts and 6 rebs. This series looks like its gonna be a battle between a strong poised veteran team against a hungry "not about to get out of the first round" TRAIL BLAZERS team.
So far so good..I'd say..the NBA PLAYOFFS are living up to what its been leading up to, with the super trio in south beach to the lighting quick artist in ROSE..can't wait to get my dose of day 2..stay posted..its the kid..JUMPMAN20..PEAACCE!!..
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