Month: May 2006 (Page 11 of 20)

Miami 102, New Jersey 92 (Heat leads series, 3-1)
One thing’s for sure – if the Heat can get a combined 80 minutes out of Dwayne Wade and Shaquille O’Neal, they’re tough to beat. O’Neal stayed out of foul trouble, generating an efficient 16 points and eight rebounds in the middle, while Dwayne Wade made shots all over the court en route to 31 points, seven rebounds and eight assists. Udonis Haslem and Antoine Walker each chipped in 20 points. In fact, the entire team played pretty well – they shot 53% from the field. Barring an injury to one of their two stars, the Heat are going to advance.

L.A. Clippers 114, Phoenix 107 (series tied, 2-2)
The Clippers shot 49% from the field and outrebounded the Suns 55-37, and the game was still tight in the fourth quarter. But the Clippers got big shots from Elton Brand and Sam Cassell down the stretch and were able to tie the series with the win. Brand (30/9/8) and Cassell (28/11/9) each flirted with a triple-double, while Corey Maggette tallied 18 points and 15 rebounds in his first start in the playoffs. L.A.’s series chances took a blow when center Chris Kaman showed up with an injured shoulder, and it is unclear if he will be available for Game 5 on Tuesday. The Clippers have the advantage in the series, but they still go through long stretches without giving Elton Brand a touch in the post and, not surprisingly, that’s when the Suns make a run. This series looks like it will probably go seven games.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have numerous reasons for wanting to win game four. A win would put pressure on the Pistons, a win would be sentimental for the Hughes family, and now an even better one, a win would prove Rasheed Wallace wrong.

After losing a close battle with LeBron James and the Cavs, Wallace proclaimed that Monday would be the last game this year in Cleveland for the Cavaliers. He proceeded to predict that the Pistons would “kick their butts” in game four. This type of prediction is exactly what Cleveland needed to keep their heads in the game. The pressure clearly has shifted to the Pistons after winning the first two games.

The Cavaliers need to show the same patience and determination as in game three and tie this series up. Detroit, still the decided favorite, would have to start second guessing themselves if this young and inexperienced Cleveland team won two in a row.

Cleveland 86, Detroit 77 (Pistons lead series, 2-1)
All due respect to the Cavs, the Pistons just aren’t playing well in Game 3’s this year. In the first round, it took a 124-104 loss to the Bucks in Game 3 of that series to wake the Pistons up. Yesterday, behind another LeBron James playoff triple-double (21/10/10), the Cavs took advantage of a lackluster performance by Detroit to take Game 3. James scored 15 points in the final period, taking over the game when it mattered most. The win is especially impressive considering that the team was playing the game without Larry Hughes, who was with his family after the death of his younger brother. Flip Murray started in his stead and provided 13 points and seven rebounds in over 45 minutes of playing time. The Pistons were hampered by poor shooting from Rasheed Wallace (3-11), Chauncey Billups (6-15) and Tayshaun Prince (4-10), while committing 16 turnovers in the loss. Cleveland will have the opportunity to even the series in Game 4 on Monday.

Dallas 104, San Antonio 103 (Dallas leads series, 2-1)
Maybe the Mavericks do know how to win the close ones. Things were looking a little grim when Brent Barry hit a wide open three to give the Spurs a 98-95 lead with 3:08 to play. But Dallas fought back and caught a break when Dirk Nowitzki stepped on Tim Duncan’s foot. Nowitzki twisted his ankle, but Duncan was called for his sixth foul and had to leave the game. Nowitzki was hobbled for the rest of the game, but was able to make several key plays to give his team the win. The Mavericks almost squandered the victory when Jerry Stackhouse was fouled with 0:02 to play. After missing the first free throw, he tried to miss the second free throw intentionally, but failed to hit the rim on the attempt, so the Spurs got the ball near midcourt. Without a timeout, the Spurs threw a long pass to Robert Horry, who stumbled as he attempted the game winner, which missed its mark. Tim Duncan finished with 35 points and 12 rebounds, and is having a great series. Manu Ginobili finally looked like his old self, dropping 24 with a series of aggressive drives to the basket. Dirk Nowitzki led the Mavericks with 27/15, including 21 of 24 (88%) from the free throw line. But it was the play of the Mavericks’ 2004 first round draft pick, Devin Harris, that made the difference in the game. He scored 24 points by going to the hole relentlessly, and contained Tony Parker (15 points on 6-16 shooting) on the other end of the court. Dallas could take control of the series with a win at home on Monday.

The comparison of LeBron James and Kobe Bryant continues to grow as the Cavaliers compete in the playoffs. LeBron is showing the world that a player can be an All-Star without being selfish and continue to keep the whole team involved in the game.

LeBron had a triple double in a critical playoff game against one of the best defensive teams in the NBA. James didn’t force the game, he waited until the openings came, then he attacked. The openings were either a shot or a perfect pass to a teammate for an easy lay-up. This type of team play is what is separating James and Bryant when it comes to comparing their contributions to their team.

Kobe Bryant and LeBron James are both great players, but team play is what wins championships. This is why the Cavaliers will be in the Finals before the Lakers.