Month: May 2006 (Page 16 of 20)

San Antonio 87, Dallas 85 (Spurs lead the series, 1-0)
After Friday night’s road victory against the Sacramento Kings, the Spurs had to turn around and play the early game today, hosting the well-rested Dallas Mavericks in the marquee series of the league’s second round. The game was nip and tuck the entire way, with neither team leading by more than eight points. On the final play, Dallas was down two when Jerry Stackhouse caught the ball on the baseline. For reasons unknown, he chose to dribble the ball out to the three point line instead of taking a dribble towards the basket for an uncontested 12-foot jump shot. He must have thought that his team was down three, which is quite the rookie mistake for the 31 year-old to make in such a crucial situation. His desperation three was contested by Manu Ginobili and it didn’t even graze the rim. Stackhouse led the Mavericks with 24 points, while Dirk Nowitzki tallied 20 points and 14 rebounds. Tim Duncan was extremely aggressive offensively and defensively, scoring 31 points and grabbing 13 rebounds. Tony Parker chipped in with 19 points and four assists.

Detroit 113, Cleveland 86 (Pistons lead series, 1-0)
While the Spurs were able to shake off the disadvantages of a quick turnaround, the Cavs were not so fortunate to play Game 1 at home. Cleveland led 12-7 in the first quarter, but it was all downhill from there. Tayshaun Prince (24 points) led a balanced Pistons attack that featured six players in double figures. Prince’s total is impressive considering he covered LeBron James for most of the game. James had a good game (22 points), but not by the considerable standards he’s set for himself in these playoffs. Taking away James’ shots, the rest of the Cavs shot a miserable 39% from the field. Larry Hughes continues to be MIA, scoring only eight points on 4-13 shooting. This can’t continue if the Cavs hope to have any chance in the series.

Cleveland 114, Washington 113 (OT) (Cavs win series, 4-2)
I can’t imagine sitting the entire game, only to be inserted on my team’s final possession in overtime, and be expected to make the game-winning shot. But that’s what Mike Brown expected of Damon Jones, and he delivered, allowing the Cavs to advance to the second round. Before the heroics of Jones, LeBron James once again led the way tallying 32 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. The Wizards got another great game from Gilbert Arenas (36 points, 11 assists, five boards), who has established himself as one of the NBA’s most effective offensive players. But back to LeBron. He still has a tendency to settle for long range jump shots leading up to crunch time, but when the game is on the line, he’s usually going to the hole. He needs to continue to attack the rim relentlessly if Cleveland is going to have a realistic shot of advancing past round two. The team also needs to get Drew Gooden and Zydrunas Ilgauskas involved on the post if they hope to score consistently on the Pistons, who are a far better defensive team that Washington. Lastly, Larry Hughes needs to remove his head from his ass and provide some decent spot up shooting to help his team. He went 3-17 in Game 6, and most of his shots weren’t even close.

San Antonio 105, Sacramento 83 (Spurs win series, 4-2)
Everyone is acting like it was only a matter of time before the Spurs dispatched the Kings. If not for a very fortunate bounce on a Brent Barry three-pointer in Game 2, the Kings could have easily been up 3-2 looking to close out the series at home in Game 6. But the champs are the champs and you can’t deny the effort and execution they put forth Friday night. The game was close until halftime, but the Spurs broke away in the third quarter and were able to coast for much of the second half. Tony Parker continues to play well, scoring 31 and leading six Spurs in double figures. San Antonio goes on to play Dallas in a matchup of the two best teams in the West.

Meanwhile, Sacramento has all their stars signed for next season except for Bonzi Wells, who will have some suitors in free agency after a terrific series against San Antonio. He averaged 23/12, while shooting 61% from the field. Otherwise, the team has a nice core group with Mike Bibby, Brad Miller, Ron Artest, Kenny Thomas, Shareef Abdur-Rahim and Kevin Martin. All they need to do is resign Wells or find a shooting guard in the draft or free agency. If they keep this group together (and keep Rick Adelman) they should find themselves somewhere in the #4-#6 range heading into the playoffs next season.