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Matt On Sports | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Let The Games Begin... | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Posted by Matt Hanna | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Only a month ago, many NBA followers were predicting this would be one of the most competitive and memorable playoffs ever. Every contender had a story. Would the Lakers put aside their issues and fight for a common goal? Would the Spurs continue their resurging dominance? Would KG get to the second round? How far would the Kings collapse? Could the Nets 3-peat the East? Would the East even matter? And then, the first round came... And continued, and continued... Finally ending without any drama or significant moment to cling to. Sure the first round offered a seventh game, but it was hard to find anyone outside of Miami or New Orleans who found it truely compelling. Many looked to the second round of the playoffs to finally bring forth "can't-miss" match-ups and games. Although most of the first few games were blowouts, recently the action has been everything any NBA fan could hope for. The Timberwolves-Kings series has been the most entertaining thus far. Game 2 was a rollercoaster ride, but only turned out to be an appettizer for the best game of the playoffs so far, game 3 in Sac-town. Garnett's heads up play, glaring at the shot clock as time was running out in overtime, and clutch shot was a moment that proves there is nothing like NBA playoff basketball. As this series resumes Wedsenday night, I fully expect (as predicted) the Timberwolves to continue their fine play. I hate to repeat common belief, but the Kings are indeed soft. I cannot see them refocusing and being able to deal with their most recent losses in games 2 and 3. The Timberwolves will come out with a passion and a fury to put this series away. Game 5 is all T'wolves, its just a matter of which road game, 4 or 6, they win that will determine how long this series lasts. As dead as the Kings seem, the Nets looked even worse after a horrific game 1, and a 2nd half collapse in game 2. However, New Jersey had something to hang their heads high on, they were able to build a sizeable lead against the Pistons in game 2. That may have given them the confidence that they needed. Combine that with a roucus home crowd, Larry Brown's comments and a championship spirit, the Nets have all the momentum heading into game 5. Game 5 should be highly competitive and a nail biter, but I am predicting a Nets victory. I predicted the Nets to win in six and I don't see that changing. The Lakers are another team that is now back from the dead. Falling behind 2-0, and looking completely lost, the Lakers have bounced back and shown a desire to win that they have not shown in a long, long time. This year's series is erie simliar to last year. How ironic would it be if this year, Horry hits his game 5 buzzer-beater 3-point attempt, only this time to BEAT the Lakers. This series has become just too close to call. About the only certainty in the NBA playoffs anymore is entertainment and drama. No complaints here. |
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May 11th, 2004 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||