CAVS, NUGGETS, LOOK UNSTOPPABLE

 

 

The 2009 NBA playoffs had reached the conference semi finals stage and for many teams, that meant a reality check. Game 1 saw four teams take the first step to the conference finals but there were some surprises in that group. Game 2 saw two team put further distance from their opponents while the bigger names that had stumbled in Game 1 were able to bite back. Game 3 however saw a switch of location. For those who had caused a shock in the first two games, it was time to really put pressure on their opponents. For those under pressure, it was make or break. And for those cruising, it was a chance to finish the series off quickly and get more rest for the next round.

In the East, the Cavs faced the Hawks in Atlanta. Even on their home court, the Hawks were held scoreless for the first two minutes of the game, and though the Hawks came back late on in the quarter, the Cavs looked untouchable by the time the first buzzer went. The Hawks made a stronger start to the second quarter though, going on to lead 36-30 with 6:17 left in the half and let the Cavs slow ate into that lead and turned the game back around just before the buzzer. LeBrom landed a free throw to give the Cavs a 47-46 lead at half time, leading his team on 22 points. It was certainly the strongest that the Hawks had looked so far in this series.

The Cavs responded to the second quarter scare by putting on a surge early on in the third, and yet the Hawks recovered this time, leading 65-64 with 3:45 left in the quarter. The Cavs replied by ending the quarter with an 8-0 run though. That run pretty much ended the game. The Hawks never looked like turning the game back around in the 4th, the Cavs took a double digit lead with less than eight minutes on the clock and went on to cruise their way to a 97-82 win. LeBron dominated the match with an amazing 47 points. "King James" has now surely becme the leader of the NBA's elite. Zydrunas Illgauskas backed him up on 14 points. Credit to the Hawks for effort this time around but they're going to need to find another gear if they're not to get swept.

Out West, the Nuggets faced the Mavs in Dallas. The Mavs needed to make up for lost time and held the Nuggets scoreless for the first two minutes of the game, going on to lead 17-11 with 2:38 left in the 1st quarter only for the Nuggets to get their act together well enough to tie the game at 20 by the end of the quarter. The Mavs continued to be the stronger team in the second quarter though only for the Nuggets to hold the Mavs scoreless for over two minutes, allowing them to take the lead for the first time with just over five minutes left in the half. The Mavs came back but not by enough and the Nuggets led 48-45 at half time with Carmelo Anthony leading the team with 19 points.

The first minute of the third quarter was scoreless though and it was the Mavs that got the first bucket of the second half. The Nuggets held on for a while but the home side eventualy turned the game back in their favour with less than four minutes left in the third and ended the quarter with an 80-79 lead. That was a recipe for a tight 4th quarter with the Mavs seemingly securing the edge but the Nuggets were always within striking distance and it was the number 2 seed that hit the winning three pointer with just one second on the clock. Final score 106-105 with Chauncey Billups leading the Nuggets on 32 points, the Mavs understandably very gutted indeed about that result.

Elsewhere, the Lakers beat the Rockets 108-94 in Houston to lead that series 2-1. A great result for the Lakers as it means they retake control of that series and with Yao picking up an injury, the Rockets may have their work cut out from here on in. Back in the East, the Magic beat the Celtics 117-96 in Orlando. Not only does that make this the Magic's best playoff run since Shaq was playing for them, it means that the Celtics are in serious trouble and now really have to win Game 4 if they want to keep theirtitle defence going. Whatever happens, Game 4 certainly looks as if it's going to be tasty with a lot of teams needing a result.

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