Mark Jackson has been telling everyone that his young Golden State Warriors are a better team than the one they’re facing in the Western conference semifinals. After the first two games, it’s hard to disagree with him. Their game 2 win was a direct continuation of their dominance in the series opener, with Klay Thompson taking over the role of unstoppable shooter, while Stephen Curry went through the motions and a horde of different players guarding him. More
While Tim Duncan isn’t having the easiest of time so far in the Western Conference semifinals, completely forgetting about the number one reason the San Antonio Spurs are four-time NBA champions in the fourth quarter might have been the biggest mistake Gregg Popovich, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili made in their game 2 loss. More
Sometimes, teams fall apart, and they can’t avoid a huge loss. The Chicago Bulls, already shorthanded due to old and more recent injuries, might have to do without two more players, at least for the next game. Taj Gibson and Joakim Noah let the humiliation of being in the franchise’s biggest playoff loss ever get to them, not to mention some of the calls by the referees, getting themselves ejected, which might be costly in the long run. More
Revenge and evening the series on their minds, the Miami Heat went to work and early and got the job done quickly. LeBron James did all of his damage and scoring in the first half, leaving some of the best assists we’ve seen this postseason for the very long garbage time, while Ray Allen and others got a chance for the franchise to finish with their biggest playoff win ever. More
It was clear the Miami Heat would be fired up in Game 2, but no one knew that the Chicago Bulls would stop playing near the end of the second quarter, losing in an embarrassing fashion (115-78), their worst defeat in postseason history, heading back to Chicago in a 1-1 tied series, as LeBron James didn’t even need to score in the second half. More
Those who thought that on the merit of having Kevin Durant alone the Oklahoma City Thunder might be favorites in their series against the Memphis Grizzlies were proven wrong in the first game, and were probably fully convinced after game 2, in which the visitors stole home court with a convincing 99-93 win, dominating the fourth quarter through the fantastic Mike Conley and Marc Gasol. More
Rust, fatigue or too much rest. Those are the usual excuses when a better team, the Miami Heat, coming off a first round sweep, falls at home against the Chicago Bulls, missing too many players to be taken too seriously, but comes away with a shocking win to open their conference semifinals series, thanks to nothing short of a heroic performance from Jimmy Butler, Joakim Noah, Nate Robinson and Marco Belinelli. More
Hoping that their two wins over the San Antonio Spurs during the regular season mean it’s an equal playing field, the Golden State Warriors enter their first semifinals series in six years as the lowest seed remaining in the playoffs, basing their faith and excitement on the incredible shooting Stephen Curry has delivered so far, infecting the rest of his teammates in the belief this is a special season. More
Is there a chance for the Chicago Bulls, with so many injured players and coming off an exhausting first round series to pull off the upset? The fact that the Miami Heat struggled against them through the regular season might prove to be the only thing that keeps them going, but eventually, it’s going to be very hard even imagining them making it through a best-of-seven series against LeBron James and a very well rested bunch of NBA champions. More
Without Russell Westbrook, it seemed like the Oklahoma City Thunder were doomed. But Kevin Durant just happens to be one of the most unstoppable players in the NBA, even when he’s on his own. Kevin Martin remembered he used to be a big time scorer, and over the last two games has carried the Thunder along with Durant, helping set up the ground for the fourth quarter turnaround and snatching game 1 away from the Memphis Grizzlies. More