2014 NBA Playoffs: Heat and Trailblazers take 2-0 lead, Mavericks even series against Spurs
On Wednesday night in the NBA the remaining second games were played and once again the level of play did not disappoint.
The league continued its series of announcements by awarding Phoenix Suns’ point guard Goran Dragic as the Most Improved Player for the season 2013-14. With three awards down there are still three to go and it is no surprise that everyone is awaiting the announcement of the KIA MVP award for the season after seeing the constant debates between Kevin Durant and LeBron James.
Back to the Playoffs, here is all you need to know of another three-game night in the league:
Miami Heat vs Charlotte Bobcats (Miami win 101-97 and lead series 2-0)
LeBron James
The Bobcats can forget about winning even a single game this series until they find a way to stop LeBron James. Unfortunately for them, they have no defender who is good enough to make James work for his points on the night. Michael Kidd Gilchrist gives his best on every defensive possession but it is just not enough to stop the King.
The game was much closer than it seems from the score as the Bobcats were three down and had 10 seconds to go on the game clock but Dwyane Wade stole the ball to cap off a victory for the Miami Heat. It was a victory dominated by King James, as he recorded 32 points, 6 rebounds, 8 assists and 4 steals.
Al Jefferson dealing with a sore left foot played through the pain for 40 minutes on the court, contributing 18 points and 13 rebounds. Kidd Gilchrist led the Bobcats in scoring by recording a double double of 22 points and 10 rebounds.
As tough as this game was, this series should be done and dusted in four or five games.
San Antonio Spurs vs Dallas Mavericks (Dallas win 113-92, series tied 1-1)
Shawn Marion and Monta Ellis led the Mavericks in steals and points in the upset Game 2 victory over the Spurs
Looks like the top seed in either conference will have a tough time getting rid of the eighth seeds. Indiana Pacers were struggling heading into the post-season so nobody was surprised to know that the series was tied between them and the Hawks; however, the Spurs had a league-best regular season record, a 60-win season, and seemed to have no noticeable flaw to exploit in their game.
We know how balanced a side the Spurs are but turnovers got the better of them in this game. They never had control of the game and five points was the closest they could reduce the Mavericks’ lead to. They gave away 24 through turnovers alone, allowing the Mavs to snap a 10-game losing streak against the Spurs.
The Mavericks were led by Monta Ellis’ 21 points and Shown Marion’s 20 points who shared 6 steals between them, on a night of balanced scoring where five players scored in double figures. The Mavericks now have the home court advantage by grabbing one on the road as they head home for the next two games. If they stay focused to the task they will certainly back themselves to go ahead in this series, as seen in the words of point guard Jose Calderon.
“It feels great, but it’s nothing to celebrate. It’s one win to one. If we work and keep playing as a team, we will be able to get another one in the third game.”
Houston Rockets vs Portland Trailblazers (Portland win 112-105 and lead series 2-0)
The Portland Trailblazers follow the Washington Wizards as the second road team to take a 2-0 lead in the series. The Trailblazers haven’t lead a series 2-0 since the Playoffs in 2000.
It was a tale of two halves for Dwight Howard as he completely dominated his match-up with Robin Lopez entering the locker room at half-time with 25 points, but struggled to continue his form in the second half. The perimeter players on the Rockets team struggled the entire game with the duo of Chandler Parsons and James Harden combining only for 33 points on a combined inefficient 11-of-34 shooting performance.
Meanwhile the Trailblazers stuck to LaMarcus Aldridge and his current hot form. He killed the Rockets in both games in contrasting ways. While in the first game he drove to the basket and got layups, in Game 2 he played excellent pick and pop basketball, shooting 18 of 28 from the field for 43 points. He also tallied 8 rebounds and 3 blocks in a performance which made him the first Trailblazer since Clyde Drexler to score 30+ plus points in consecutive Playoff games.
Looking at the play in both games and the tight grasp that the Trailblazers currently hold in the series, it seems possible that they can seal the series without having to fly back to Houston.
http://youtu.be/fpcn-LhkJe0
Finally, here are the top 5 plays of the night:
http://youtu.be/9gA2hvwUoV8