NBA Playoff Journal (May 4)
by Larry Ness
The Celtics collapsed in the second half of their Game 1 at Cleveland with the Cavs but that was not to be the case in Game 2. Boston led 52-48 at the half but instead of getting steamrolled in the third quarter, like they did in Game 1 after leading by 11 at the half, turned the tables on the Cavs last night. Boston outscored Cleveland 31-12 in last night's third quarter and even a 15-0 run by the Cavs late in the game was not enough. Boston held on to win 104-86 and the series is now tied at one game apiece. Rondo tied his own team playoff record with 19 assists while Allen led six Boston players who scored in double digits with 22 points. The biggest surprise came from Rasheed Wallace, who made 7-of-8 FGs while scoring 17 points (Wallace had averaged just 3.5 PPG through Boston's first six playoff games).
LeBron looked "uninterested" for much of the game but as always finished with a decent line, 24-7-4. However, after dismissing any "elbow issues" after his excellent Game 1 effort (32-7-7), one has to wonder if he's OK. Mo Williams scored 14 points in the third quarter of Game 1 (had 20 for the game) but his Game 2 performance (1-of-9 FGs, scoring just four points) continued the erratic play he showed in Chicago's opening round series vs the Bulls. Against Chicago, Williams made 52.5 percent of his shots in Games 1, 3 and 4 but just 19.0 percent (4-of-21) in Games 2 and 5.
The Spurs and Suns opened their Western Conference semifinal series last night with the Suns taking a 1-0 lead by winning 111-102. The Suns are now 17-3 SU and 15-4-1 ATS at home since the All Star break (including the postseason). In looking at the box score, it reminded me of a "three-on-three" game from the playground. Ginobili had 27 points, Parker 26 and Duncan 20 for San Antonio, as the team's "Big Three" accounted for 73 of the Spurs' 102 points (71.6 percent). Nash led the Suns with 33 points with Richardson netting 27 and Stoudemire 23. Those three Suns combined for 83 of their team's 111 points (74.8 percent).
Four games into the second round, home teams are 3-1 SU and 2-2 ATS, upping the mark of home teams to 35-14 (.714) and 31-18 ATS (63.3 percent) in the postseason to-date. My math was off in yesterday's journal (I misstated the first round record on totals) but I'm back on target now, as three overs and one under to open the second round has the current postseason at 23 overs, 24 unders and two pushes. The "Zig Zaggers" won with the Celtics Monday night, giving them a 20-18 ATS mark.
Atlanta (East's No. 3 seed) was the lone team to be pushed to a seven-game series in round one, while Orlando (East's No. 2 seed) was the lone team to sweep an opening round series. That combo has these two teams being the last second round series to get underway. The Magic last played a week a ago Monday (last home was April 21) and could be 'rusty,' while the Hawks must improve on their playoff run of 2-10 SU and ATS on the road since 2008. Orlando is a minus-750 favorite win the series and is favored by nine points (total is 192) in tonight's Game 1 (8:05 ET on TNT). The Lakers host the Jazz at 10:35 ET (also TNT), leading the series 1-0. As everyone knows by now, LA has won 15 consecutive games vs the Jazz at Staples Center, including seven playoff wins. LA is favored by 5 1/2 points and the total is 199.
Good luck...Larry
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