Memphis - Oklahoma City
As Zach Randolph goes, so do the Grizzlies. After his monster Game 1 against the Thunder, Randolph hit just 2 of 13 shots in 39 minutes and failed to pull down double digit rebounds as the Grizzlies lost 111-102 evening the series up at one game apiece.
The Thunder bench will play a key role in this series. In Game 1, the Thunder's bench finished with 16 points and 6 rebounds on 5 of 15 shooting. In Game 2 James Harden alone had 21 points, Nick Collison had 7 boards and Eric Maynor hit 6 of 7 from the field. The Thunder reserves finished with 48 points and played a key role in Oklahoma City's win.
Boston - Miami
Miami's Big Three is doing a better job of getting to the line than Boston's Big Three so far this series. In Game 2, Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh shot 32 free throws. Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen combined to shoot 4. The point differential here ends up being 19 points, a huge edge for the Heat.
LeBron James and Dwyane Wade are giving the Celtics all kinds of problems. 60 points, 7 rebounds and 10 assists in game 1, 63 points, 15 boards and 5 assists in Game 2. The Heat have averaged over 100 points a game in the series, and as expected, the dynamic duo of Wade and James have played a major role in that. During the regular season, the Celtics led the NBA allowing just 91.1 points per game. The Celtics have to make some kind of adjustment on defense, or this series will be over quickly.
Chicago - Atlanta
When the Bulls play defense, they win. In Game 2, they held the Hawks to just 33.8% shooting (compared to 51.3% in Game 1). Jamal Crawford (2/10), Al Horford (3/12), Marvin Williams (2/9) and Josh Smith (4/14) all struggled from the field in Game 2 and Joe Johnson saw his production go from 34 points in the opener to just 16 tonight. Additionally, the Bulls dominated the glass outrebounding the Hawks 58-39. All of the Bulls starting frontcourt finished with double digit rebounds: 11 for Boozer, 12 for Deng, 14 for Noah.
The Bulls could really use an upgrade at the two-guard. Keith Bogans is the starter and has just 9 points in the series, and then off the bench Kyle Korver hit just 1 of 9 shots in Game 2, and Ronnie Brewer has just 8 points in the series. Can you imagine if they had a Joe Johnson type player to complement Rose in the backcourt?
LOS ANGELES - DALLAS
10% shooting from the 3-point line and 55% shooting from the free throw line is not the way to win a basketball game. The Lakers hit just 2 of 20 3's and missed 9 of 20 free throws in their double digit loss at home to the Mavs. The Laker bench went 0 for 9 from behind the arc and 0 for 3 at the charity stripe. The Lakers missed 15 3s in a row to start the game before Kobe Bryant hit one with 2:43 to play.
Ron Artest is still Ron Artest. With less than a minute to play, Artest clotheslined J.J. Barea and was ejected and now faces a possible suspension for Game 3. Some things just never change.
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