CAVS, LAKERS, NUGGETS, 2-0 UP
So far eight matches had been played in the 2009 NBA playoffs and eight teams had won. That was just Game 1 though. Game 2 is equally crucial in deciding the destiny of a series. If you're a home team that's won Game 1, then you still need to win Game 2 to stop the opposition from nicking homecourt advantage. If you're a home team that's lost Game 1, then you're already in deep trouble, if you don't win Game 2 then you've probably blown the series as the next two games will be on the other teams floor. And if you're the road team, then it's another chance to do some damage to supposedly superior opponents. Make or break for everyone.
In the East, the Cavs faced the Pistons in Cleveland. Well the Pistons weren't in the early stages of the game, the Cavs not only took an early lead, it was up to double digits less than five minutes in. Still, the Pistons did come up with some kind of damage limitation before the end of the first. Further damage limitation was all the Pistons could do in the second quarter though and even that only lasted for so long. The Cavs consolidated their double digit lead and despite some scoreless periods led 46-32 at half time. LeBron led the way on 16 points and the Pistons needed a serious effort to turn this game in their favour. Doable but unlikely.
Well the Pistons opened the second half with a couple of free throws but their were going to need to do better than that. With nearly four minutes left in the third quarter the gap was up to twenty points and thee Cavs were coming close to making it thirty points with a quarter still to go. Game over surely. And yet in the fourth quarter the Cavs rallied even if it was too little too late. Still, they brought the gap down to single figures, they were only down by seven with less than four minutes on the clock. The Cavs were not going to thrown this one away though, they went for one last run and came out 94-82 winners. LeBron led with 29 points, backed up by guard Delonte West on 20.
Out West, the Lakers faced the Jazz in LA. The Lakers opened the scoring before the Jazz tied it at 2. That was as close as they got. What came afterwards was a very high scoring first quarter and the Jazz couldn't keep up, the Lakers lead was at double figures with more that six minutes left in the first. The second quarter proved to be a lot tighter and the Jazz did cut into the gap on multiple occasions but the Lakers always had a response and the Jazz came in at half time knowing that they had to do better, though they did end the half on a 6-0 run. The Lakers led 66-55 at half time with Pau Gasol their leading man on 13 points. Could the Jazz step it up.
In the third quarter, the Jazz did enough to stay in the game, bringing the gap down on multiple occasions in the third but the Lakers always had a response and a late three pointer meant that they were able to restore their double digit lead before the third buzzer went. The Lakers looked to shoot their way out of trouble early in the fourth...and yet the Jazz did not go away. The Lakers had a three minute drought in which the Jazz cut the gap down to three. And yet the Lakers were still able to pull away at the end. The final score was 119-109, Kobe the leading scorer for the Lakers on 26 points. The Jazz now have to defend their home court to avoid getting swept.
The Nuggets faced the Hornets in Denver. The Nuggets made the early running the Hornets certainly made a fight of it, leading 25-22 with just over a minute remaining in the first quarter before the Nuggets replied with a 5-0 run to lead at the first buzzer. The Hornets weren't turn yet though, turning the game around again early in the second, but this time when the Nuggets retook the lead, they made sure they got themselves clear air. The lead hit double digits at one point, a couple of Hornet free throws cut the gap down before the half time buzzer but the Nuggets still led 52-44 with Chauncey Billups leading on 18 points. Hornets still in the picture though.
In the second half the Hornets kept fighting and managed to cut the gap down to five with less than eight minutes left in the third. The Nuggets were able to restore a double digit lead but the Hornets soon cut the gap again to keep things competitive going into the fourth. Not that it remained so for long in the final quarter. The gap rose to twenty three with less than eight minutes left though the Hornets again rallied. This time around it proved to be too little too late though. The Hornets were able to do some damage limitation but still the Nuggets won the game 108-93 with Billups leading the scoring on 31 points, backed up by Carmelo Anthony with 22. Impressive work from the Nuggets given that these are their first two playoff wins since '07. In fact this is already looking like their best playoff run since 1994!
Elsewhere, the Spurs beat the Mavs 105-84 in San Antonio but the damage has already been done, the series is 1-1 and the Mavs have effectivly stolen home court advantage. The Blazers beat the Rockets 107-103 but likewise, the Rockets control the series now. Back East and the Celtics beat the Bulls 118-115 in Boston but still have it all to do. The Magic beat the Sixers 96-87 in Orlando but they're another big side still in trouble. The Heat beat the Hawks 108-93 in Atlanta to turn that series around. It's the Heat's first playoff win since '06 and it gives them homecourt advantage for the rest of the series. Now the Hawks really have to win in Miami.
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