Despite losing Dwight Howard after a couple of dumb fouls late in the game, the Magic still managed to outlast the Bobcats and win Game 3, 90-86. Jameer Nelson was the difference, scoring 32 points on 21 shots, including a crucial fourth quarter jumper in the lane.
Stick a fork in the Bobcats. They’re just about done.
The matchups are set and the first round starts this weekend. In the East, the top four teams — Cleveland, Orlando, Boston and Atlanta — seem like good bets to advance, while in the West, I wouldn’t be shocked if the bottom four seeds — Utah, Portland, San Antonio and Oklahoma City — were to make the second round. Here’s a quick look at each series:
Cavaliers vs. Bulls
It’s not often that a team that had a 10-game losing streak end in mid-February recovers and makes the postseason, but that’s exactly what the Bulls have done, winning 10 of their last 14 to capture the final playoff spot in the East. Chicago has the tools to make this a series, and with Shaquille O’Neal coming back from a long break, there’s a chance this could go to six or seven games. But in the end, Cleveland should have plenty of firepower to put the Bulls away.
Celtics vs. Heat
If there’s going to be an upset in the East, this will probably be it. The C’s have limped into the playoffs, losing eight of their last 13 games. Meanwhile, the Heat went 18-4 in February and March, but were just 4-3 against teams with winning records. Boston swept the season series despite Dwyane Wade’s terrific numbers (34-5-9, 50% shooting), so if anyone else steps up, the streaking Heat have a good shot at stealing the first or second game and gaining control of the series.
Hawks vs. Bucks
If Andrew Bogut were healthy, I’d pick Milwaukee, but the Bucks are going to have a tough time winning a seven-game series against a pretty good Atlanta team that has won 13 of its last 19 games. The Bucks’ defense could keep the games (and the series) close, but the Hawks should have enough to move on.
Magic vs. Bobcats
Orlando is peaking at the right time, going 19-3 in February and March. However, one of those losses was at home against Charlotte. The Bobcats are playing well too — they’re 16-7 over their last 23 games. Both teams are excellent defesively; they’re tied for first in defensive efficiency (points per 100 possessions), so expect a few tight games. But Orlando just has too much talent.
Contrary to previous reports from Adrian Wojnarowski and Peter Vescey, Larry Brown says he’s staying in Charlotte.
“We’re getting ready for the playoffs,” Brown said. “I love my team. I love coaching. I’m 70 years old. I want to coach for Michael Jordan. That’s where I’m at. I’m happy here.
“It’s no fun being away from my family and [wife] Shelly. That’s always going to be the case. But I love what I’m doing.”
What else is he going to say?
I’m sorry, but I am not going to buy Brown’s story unless he opens next season as the head coach of the Charlotte Bobcats. This guy doesn’t stay in one place for too long. In fact, the only place he has stayed for more than four seasons is Philadelphia.
Photo from fOTOGLIF
The New York Post is reporting that Larry Brown has received permission from Bobcats owner Michael Jordan to take over the Philadelphia 76ers.
Coincidentally squared, Next Town Brown, I’m informed, has received approval from Bobcats owner Michael Jordan to return home, home on the range — Philadelphia — where his wife, school-age children and the antelopes still play, to re-take control of the 76ers from top to bottom.
Larry Brown in a dual coach/GM role? This ought to be good.
I think it’s safe to say that the Sixers are a mess. They won’t have any significant cap room until the summer of 2011, and the Elton Brand signing hasn’t exactly worked out.
Still, there is some talent here — Jrue Holiday, Marreese Speights and Thaddeus Young are nice prospects and Andre Iguodala is a good all-around player. Brown has a history of raising the level of bad franchises, but he doesn’t have a long-term outlook and typically burns out pretty quickly. How does that work when he’s the general manager?
Like I said, this ought to be interesting.
Update: Adrian Wojnarowski is reporting that the Clippers are another possibility.
I like the Bobcats’ approach heading into their Wednesday night game against the Chicago Bulls, who will need a win to stay ahead of the Raptors for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
The Charlotte Bobcats are now locked in as the No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference and will have nothing tangible to play for Wednesday night against the Chicago Bulls, who will be fighting for their playoff lives.
But with so much at stake for the visiting team two nights from now in Charlotte, Larry Brown says he’ll use his regular rotation — although Gerald Wallace’s availability will be somewhat of a question mark — for reasons of integrity.
“That’s too important to both teams. We owe it to the league to do the right thing,” Brown said as his Bobcats earned their 44th victory of the season — and the first postseason berth in franchise history — by defeating the New Jersey Nets 105-95 Monday night in the final NBA game at the Meadowlands.
Kudos to Larry Brown and the Bobcats for playing this game like it means something, because it does.
Maybe they were inspired by the Lady Cats.
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