NBA Playoffs Update: TNT can’t catch a break
Posted by John Paulsen (04/23/2009 @ 12:14 pm)
Two more games on TNT, two more double-digit wins. The Heat beat the Hawks, 108-93, to even up the series at 1-1 and the Nuggets beat the Hornets, 108-93 (that’s not a typo, both games had the same final score), to jump out to a 2-0 lead in the series.
Meanwhile, NBA TV had the best game of the night (again) with Orlando’s 96-87 win over Philly to even the series at one apiece. Here are a few random observations from Wednesday night’s action:
- Dwight Howard fouled out with 11 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks, but couldn’t catch a break with the refs. Nice job by Courtney Lee (24 points), Hedo Turkoglu (16 points) and Rashard Lewis (16 points) to pick up the slack and get the win without their big man. Howard’s backup, Marcin Gortat, had six rebounds and two blocks in 18 minutes.
- Lee is looking like the real deal. He might be a little small for a shooting guard, but he’s listed at 6’5″, so who knows. He’s averaging 21 points in two playoff games, can knock down the three and can finish at the rim. Not bad for the #22 pick in the draft.
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Sixers shock Magic
Posted by John Paulsen (04/19/2009 @ 7:38 pm)
The Philadelphia 76ers were down by 14 points heading into the fourth quarter, and they managed to outscore Orlando 35-19 in the final period to spring the upset. Andre Iguodala is a difficult matchup for Hedo Turkoglu, but with time running down in regulation, the Turkish forward forced the “new AI” into a tough shot, but Iguodala nailed it to give the Sixers the lead for good, 100-98. On the previous possession, Donyell Marshall hit a HUGE three-pointer (with 0:34 to play) to tie the game at 98-98. (Truth be told, I didn’t even realize that Marshall was still in the league.)
How did Orlando lose this game? Dwight Howard had 31 points and 16 rebounds, but Turkoglu and Rafer Alston combined to shoot just 7 for 23 from the field. Three-point shooting was the difference — Orlando shot 5 of 18 (28%) from long range while the Sixers knocked down 7 of 12 (58%) attempts. Iguodala had a great game, posting 20 points, eight rebounds and eight assists. Lou Williams pitched in with 18 points.
The Magic miss Jameer Nelson. Rafer Alston is a serviceable replacement, but he’s no Jameer. Rashard Lewis needs to play better as well. Fifteen points, three rebounds and three assists is a decent line, but not for a guy making more than $17 million per season.
