Saturday 5/12
New Jersey v Cleveland (Cavaliers up 2-1) – After being killed on the backboards in the first two games, the Nets out rebounded Cleveland 43 to 30 overall and 11 to 5 on the offensive glass in scratching out their first victory of the series. Jason Kidd was phenomenal once again tallying his second triple-double of the post season (23 points, 14 assists, 13 rebounds & 5-6 on 3-pointers). Kidd had that look in his eye from the start, like he would not let NJ lose, and he didn’t.
The Cavs had a few chances to get back in the game and possibly steal this one, but every time they’d get within striking distance they’d make a succession of silly mistakes. Bad shots, careless turnovers, stupid fouls, you name it they did it. It’s tough to win on the road in the playoffs performing like that. To make matters worse, LeBron James was 5-16 from the field in scoring his career post season low of 18.
The onus is now on Cleveland coach Mike Brown to adjust his offensive sets because the Nets Lawrence Frank had him pegged in Game 3. Frank was calling out the Cavs plays from the sidelines in the second half and telling his players where to be and what to do. I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that Brown’s job may be on the line here. If Cleveland were to go on and lose this series because of his lame offense, that could be the final nail in his coffin.
San Antonio v Phoenix (Spurs up 2-1) – This series shifted into a whole ‘nother gear in Game 3 as it became apparent that these two clubs do not like each other. That’s a good thing too. The NBA needs a genuine rivalry and what could be better than having it between the league’s two best squads? Tim Duncan (33 points, 19 rebounds & 3 blocks) proved that Kurt Thomas could not stop him, but it was the appearance of Manu Ginobili that had the biggest impact on the outcome. After “El Contusion” was raked across his left eye by Shawn Marion he was visibly angry and went on to score 10 points in the final 1:58 of the 3rd quarter. That finishing flourish pretty much secured the momentum for SA for the remainder of the contest.
Amare Stoudemire managed to log only 21 minutes due to foul trouble after shooting his mouth off in the media calling Ginobili and Bruce Bowen “dirty players”. (Note: Amare still had 21 points.) There’s enough blame to go around however as Steve Nash had an off night missing his first nine shots, going scoreless in the first half and not hitting a shot from the field until the 5-minute mark of the 3rd quarter. Said Nash, “I just had a bad game, and it's frustrating to have it in such a big game but it happens from time to time.”
I have to wonder how the Suns are going to play in Game 4 because this series has definitely taken on a tenor that the Spurs prefer. Phoenix wants and needs to play fast but I get the feeling that they suddenly want to prove that they can slug it out in the trenches with SA, and that’s a mistake. The first five minutes of play Monday will tell the tale.
The Cavs had a few chances to get back in the game and possibly steal this one, but every time they’d get within striking distance they’d make a succession of silly mistakes. Bad shots, careless turnovers, stupid fouls, you name it they did it. It’s tough to win on the road in the playoffs performing like that. To make matters worse, LeBron James was 5-16 from the field in scoring his career post season low of 18.
The onus is now on Cleveland coach Mike Brown to adjust his offensive sets because the Nets Lawrence Frank had him pegged in Game 3. Frank was calling out the Cavs plays from the sidelines in the second half and telling his players where to be and what to do. I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that Brown’s job may be on the line here. If Cleveland were to go on and lose this series because of his lame offense, that could be the final nail in his coffin.
San Antonio v Phoenix (Spurs up 2-1) – This series shifted into a whole ‘nother gear in Game 3 as it became apparent that these two clubs do not like each other. That’s a good thing too. The NBA needs a genuine rivalry and what could be better than having it between the league’s two best squads? Tim Duncan (33 points, 19 rebounds & 3 blocks) proved that Kurt Thomas could not stop him, but it was the appearance of Manu Ginobili that had the biggest impact on the outcome. After “El Contusion” was raked across his left eye by Shawn Marion he was visibly angry and went on to score 10 points in the final 1:58 of the 3rd quarter. That finishing flourish pretty much secured the momentum for SA for the remainder of the contest.
Amare Stoudemire managed to log only 21 minutes due to foul trouble after shooting his mouth off in the media calling Ginobili and Bruce Bowen “dirty players”. (Note: Amare still had 21 points.) There’s enough blame to go around however as Steve Nash had an off night missing his first nine shots, going scoreless in the first half and not hitting a shot from the field until the 5-minute mark of the 3rd quarter. Said Nash, “I just had a bad game, and it's frustrating to have it in such a big game but it happens from time to time.”
I have to wonder how the Suns are going to play in Game 4 because this series has definitely taken on a tenor that the Spurs prefer. Phoenix wants and needs to play fast but I get the feeling that they suddenly want to prove that they can slug it out in the trenches with SA, and that’s a mistake. The first five minutes of play Monday will tell the tale.
posted by D$ at 9:39 AM
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