In the Playoffs Nothing is Guarenteed, Just Ask L.A., Chicago, and the Spurs

Just when we think we’ve got this whole playoff thing figured out, we get a night like last night. The Celtics were suppose to go into Chicago last night for another battle for the ages, Dallas and San Antonio were suppose to give us another Texas shootout, and Los Angeles was suppose to drag Utah up and down the court slapping them around the along the way. Surprisingly, none of that happened.

The city of Chicago honored their NBA Rookie of the Year Derrick Rose before the game by laying rose petals all over the arena, and presenting him with his trophy and his mother with flowers, all while his family was in attendance.  Unfortunately the Celtics weren’t there to celebrate. Paul Pierce came out and hit his first six shots and going 9 of 15 overall setting the pace for the Celtics out the gate.

Pierce also went 4 for 8 from the 3-point line and finished the game with 24 points. Once again Rajon Rondo, who has been the only consistent killer on the Celtics lineup, didn’t disappoint scoring 20 points while snatching down 11 rebounds. Oh and in case you didn’t know the 6’1 second year point guard leads the Celtics in that category in the playoffs. Ray Allen chipped in 18 points of his own while shooting 3 for 4 from the 3-point line.

Big Baby Glen Davis continued his impressive play by putting up impressive numbers like 14 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assist, and 6 steals. I know the world keeps saying KG brings things to the table that can’t be replaced and that’s true, but Davis is doing enough to take the pressure off Allen and Pierce.  The proof is in the score as the Celtics won 107-86.

This marked the first time in the series that the Bulls failed to score 100 points, and the reason is simple poor shooting for Chicago at 37.5 percent and great defense from Boston. Ben Gordon only had 15 points, and John Salmons was held to 14. Poor Rose was only able to hit on 4 of his14 attempts scoring only 9 points in the loss. Boston now leads the series 2-1 with game four taking place Sunday afternoon.

Now let’s talk about the Texas massacre. Dallas came out with nothing but domination on their minds and it showed as they beat the breaks off the Spurs to the tune of 88-67. At one point the Spurs were down 40 points and truth be told this game was over before half time. 

The Mavs let Tony Parker have his way in the paint scoring 38 points in game 2. This time Dallas shut down the lane and held Parker to just 12 points after shooting 5 for 14. Tim Duncan only had 4 points and 2 rebounds, and with Manu Ginobli out the Spurs had no chance of getting back into that game.

Aside from Dallas playing defense (something I never thought I’d write) they shot well as usual. Dirk Nowitzki went 8 for 12 scoring 20 points while Josh Howard added 17. Other players in double figures included JJ Barea with 13 and Jason Terry and Brandon Bass with 10 a piece. The defensive shocker was the 8 blocks the Mavs had while closing down the paint. Dallas leads this series 2-1; game four takes place Saturday in Dallas.

Last but certainly not least the Lakers finally allowed the Jazz to hang around just long enough to steal a game. You had a feeling this was going to be a different game when Carlos Boozer snatched 11 rebounds down in the first quarter breaking the previous record for rebounds in a quarter held by Karl Malone and Greg Ostertag. He then went on to tie Malone’s record for most rebounds in a playoff game with 22 total.

Since we’re on the subject of rebounding a major reason behind the Jazz win was in fact the rebounding. Utah out rebounded the Lakers 55-40. But that wasn’t the only reason as your man Kobe went 1 for 10 in the first half and 5 for 24 for the game still managing to score 18 in the loss. At the half the Jazz led by 4, but that’s why they play 2 halves.

In the 3^rd quarter the Lakers went on a 25-8 run, which caused Jazz coach Jerry Sloan to put in his entire second team, and low and behold led by Matt Harpring’s 10 points in 13 minutes, the Jazz went on a 25-8 run. Boozer had 23 points to go with his rebounds, while Deron Williams added 13 points including the game winner to give the Jazz an 88-86 win.

Ronnie Brewer scored 12 points and Kyle Korver had 11. Along with scoring, and controlling the boards, the Jazz played great defense holding the Lakers under 37 percent from the field. Pau Gasol had 20 points and 9 rebounds and Lamar Odom had 21 points of his own to go with his 14 rebounds.

 Lakers fans across the world figured with the return of Andrew Bynum the Lakers were automatically in the finals. Funny thing is L.A.’s savior fouled out in the 3^rd quarter. Who fouls out in the 3^rd quarter? If he’s struggling now in the first round what’s he going to do against other teams like Houston with Yao Ming, or Portland’s Lamarcus Aldridge? Don’t sleep on Denver, and Dallas either because these teams could give Bynum trouble just the same.

 Expect Kobe to come out on fire in game four, but the rest of the team better be ready, because as we all saw on Thursday, and have seen all season long the Jazz are dominant at home. Game four takes place this Saturday night.