SPURS, LAKERS, HEAD FOR SWEEP

 

Well, after Game 1 of the NBA playoffs first round, there were eight teams who looked to have an advantage of one form or another. However there was still a Game 2 to play in the same arena and then there was Game 3 complete with a change of scene. No we'd have a better idea of where each series was going and which teams would be headed for the conference semis.

In the West, Game 2 of the Spurs-Suns series was in San Antonio. The Suns came out firing in the first half and looked to turn the series on it's head and even though the Spurs started a comeback in the second quarter, the Suns still led 61-54 at half time. The Spurs came out all guns blazing in the third though with Tony Parker leading the way on 32 points, the Suns couldn't close the gap in the fourth, Spurs won 102-96.

The series switched to Phoenix for Game 3 but the Spurs hit the ground running, doing their main work in the first quarter with Parker again proving unstoppable and backed up by Tim Duncan. The Suns had no response in the second half either, well OK they outscored the Suns in the fourth but by then it was way too little too late! Spurs won 115-99 and a very unlikely sweep is on the cards.

Game 2 of the Lakers-Nuggets series was in LA. Well the Nuggets gave the home side a game in the first quarter, leading 22-16 at one point but the Lakers still lead at the first buzzer. And after that, they pulled away smoothly, with particular help from Kobe Bryant who was red hot in the fourth quarter, finishing with 49 points! Lakers won 122-107.

The series switched to Denver for Game 3. Well the Nuggets may have opened the scoring 2-0 but other than that, there was no home court advantage to be found! The Nuggets tried to concentrate on defence but if you're main men are off form then defence alone won't win you the game. Kobe led the way with 22 points, Luke Walton came off the bench for 15, Lakers won 102-84 and the Nuggets are freaking out!

Elsewhere, the Hornets beat the Mavs 127-103 in New Orleans before the Mavs replied with a 97-87 win once the series switched to Dallas for Game 3. The Jazz beat the Rockets 90-84 in Houston before the series switched to Utah, and the Rockets pulled off a 94-92 win in Game 3 though the Jazz still led the series 2-1 after three games though now all bets are off.

In the East, the Celtics lead their series with the Hawks 2-1 with the Hawks having preventing a sweep by winning Game 3 in Atlanta 102-93. The Pistons beat the Sixers 105-86 in Game 2 in Detroit but a still in trouble, the Sixers having won Game 3 in Philadelphia to lead the series 2-1. The Raptors saved their skin by beating the Magic 106-94 in Toronto though the Magic still led the series 2-1 after three games and the Wizards beat the Cavs 106-72 in Game 3 in Washington though the Cavs still led the series 2-1 after three games.

Click here to visit the Basketball archive

Comments go here

Click here to return to sports homepage

Click here to return to Matt G's homepage