The Bucks/Pistons, Grizzlies/Mavs and Lakers/Suns play tonight. Here’s what happened last night:
Washington 89, Cleveland 84 (series tied, 1-1)
On the heels of his triple double in Game 1, much was expected of LeBron James in Game 2, and the King just didn’t deliver. He did go for 26 points and nine boards, but turned the ball over TEN times and shot a miserable 7 of 25 (28%) from the field. His biggest mistake, however, occurred with his team down five with 1:35 remaining. Eric Snow had just made a great play to force a jump ball and actually beat Antonio Daniels for the tip. LeBron went after the ball lackadaisically at first, ultimately throwing it directly to Gilbert Arenas for an easy layup. What’s worse, Arenas got fouled, and he put the Wizards up eight, effectively putting the game out of reach. The Cavs wasted a great game from Drew Gooden, who is one of the league’s most underrated power forwards. He went 11 for 12 from the field, scoring 24 while grabbing 16 rebounds. Washington’s “Big 3” went for 72 points on 46% shooting, yet the Cavs still could have won the game.
New Jersey 90, Indiana 75 (series tied, 1-1)
Vince Carter shrugged off criticism of his shot selection in Game 1 to drop 33 points on 12 of 20 shooting in Game 2, leading the Nets over the Pacers in a “must-win” game. Jason Kidd only scored six points, but dished out 13 assists and grabbed 11 rebounds to tally an unlikely double-double. Five Pacers scored in double figures, but the team shot only 35% from the field, and that marksmanship isn’t going to win very many games. Still, the Pacers have to feel good about going home with the series tied.
San Antonio 128, Sacramento 119 (OT) (Spurs, 2-0)
The Kings should have won this game. They were leading by three with four seconds to play when Manu Ginobili drove the lane and found an open Brent Barry behind the arc. Barry’s shot caught all rim, bounced up in the air, and went through the hoop, forcing an overtime, which the Spurs dominated. Mike Bibby made a rookie mistake of drifting too far towards the basket when, with his team down three, he should have been standing right next to Barry. Who cares if Ginobili is driving to the basket? When you are up three, stay on your man! The win would have been huge for the Kings, especially considering the absence of Ron Artest, who was serving a one game suspension for an elbow he delivered to the head of Ginobili in Game 1. Bibby’s mistake is of the series-changing variety, and the Kings have to win both games in Sacramento to have a chance of advancing.
