Saturday 4/28
Washington v Cleveland (Cavaliers up 3-0) – LeBron James and his ‘mates haven’t been super spectacular in any game thus far, but you have to give them credit for taking care of business. The Wizards gave them their best shot in Game 3 and Cleveland still made it look rather easy. I have to admit that I’ll be impressed if the Cavs are able to complete their first sweep as a unit on Monday earning themselves some precious rest.
The one major thing to take away from this series for Cleveland has been the play of Zydrunas Ilgauskas. Big Z has come to life in the post season averaging 18.7 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.33 blocks while shooting 61.8% from the field and 82.4% from the line. All those numbers are up from his regular season averages of 11.9 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 1.26 bpg, 48.5% & 80.7%. This gives the Cavs a legit third (maybe second) option and possibly the best low post presence remaining in the East as they move forward. Bron and coach Mike Brown both have to be smiling about that.
Denver v San Antonio (Spurs up 2-1) – Even though the Nuggets have a chance to tie the series up on Monday, I get the feeling that SA has taken control for good. Denver isn’t fracturing apart like I thought they might, but they also have not displayed the ability to play smart enough to close out games against a club that executes like the Spurs do. Robert Horry filled the inside production void along side Tim Duncan in Game 3. “Big Shot Bob” had 10 points, 6 rebounds, 3 blocks and 2 steals, assists & daggers. Love him or hate him, Horry does have that knack to make back breaking shots, even on nights when he looks terrible.
Allen Iverson is up to his old tricks shooting 40.3% in the series while averaging 22.3 shot attempts per game. He’s also committing 3.3 turnovers a night while handing out only 4.7 assists (a 1.4 assist to turnover ratio). Nothing like a low percentage gunner! Carmelo Anthony is shooting 46.7% overall, but he too is averaging 20 shots and 3 turnovers per game while sporting a 3 to 1 turnover to assist ratio. As good as they can look at times, I still have questions about how two guys that like to fire away and don’t make their teammates better can coexist over 82 games.
Utah v Houston (tied 2-2) – The Jazz really took it to the Rockets in Salt Lake, and people wonder why home court advantage is so important in the NBA. Anyway, it looks Utah’s superior depth is rising to the surface as this series’ deciding factor. The always solid Matt Harpring has been joined by Gordan Giricek, Paul Millsap and Jarron Collins. While Houston coach Jeff Van Gundy only seems to trust Juwan Howard and Luther Head.
As the series switches back to Toyota Center the pressure is squarely on the “other” Rockets to step up and perform. Whether it be Shane Battier, Rafer Alston, Howard or Head, somebody has got to support Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming. I suspect playing at home will give those four “others” more confidence to get the job done, just like it did for the Jazz role players in Utah. Overall I still this series going the full seven, with T-Mac’s greatness carrying the day when the chips are down.
The one major thing to take away from this series for Cleveland has been the play of Zydrunas Ilgauskas. Big Z has come to life in the post season averaging 18.7 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.33 blocks while shooting 61.8% from the field and 82.4% from the line. All those numbers are up from his regular season averages of 11.9 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 1.26 bpg, 48.5% & 80.7%. This gives the Cavs a legit third (maybe second) option and possibly the best low post presence remaining in the East as they move forward. Bron and coach Mike Brown both have to be smiling about that.
Denver v San Antonio (Spurs up 2-1) – Even though the Nuggets have a chance to tie the series up on Monday, I get the feeling that SA has taken control for good. Denver isn’t fracturing apart like I thought they might, but they also have not displayed the ability to play smart enough to close out games against a club that executes like the Spurs do. Robert Horry filled the inside production void along side Tim Duncan in Game 3. “Big Shot Bob” had 10 points, 6 rebounds, 3 blocks and 2 steals, assists & daggers. Love him or hate him, Horry does have that knack to make back breaking shots, even on nights when he looks terrible.
Allen Iverson is up to his old tricks shooting 40.3% in the series while averaging 22.3 shot attempts per game. He’s also committing 3.3 turnovers a night while handing out only 4.7 assists (a 1.4 assist to turnover ratio). Nothing like a low percentage gunner! Carmelo Anthony is shooting 46.7% overall, but he too is averaging 20 shots and 3 turnovers per game while sporting a 3 to 1 turnover to assist ratio. As good as they can look at times, I still have questions about how two guys that like to fire away and don’t make their teammates better can coexist over 82 games.
Utah v Houston (tied 2-2) – The Jazz really took it to the Rockets in Salt Lake, and people wonder why home court advantage is so important in the NBA. Anyway, it looks Utah’s superior depth is rising to the surface as this series’ deciding factor. The always solid Matt Harpring has been joined by Gordan Giricek, Paul Millsap and Jarron Collins. While Houston coach Jeff Van Gundy only seems to trust Juwan Howard and Luther Head.
As the series switches back to Toyota Center the pressure is squarely on the “other” Rockets to step up and perform. Whether it be Shane Battier, Rafer Alston, Howard or Head, somebody has got to support Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming. I suspect playing at home will give those four “others” more confidence to get the job done, just like it did for the Jazz role players in Utah. Overall I still this series going the full seven, with T-Mac’s greatness carrying the day when the chips are down.
posted by D$ at 8:46 AM
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