HAWKS, GRIZZLIES, LAKERS, MAVS COMPLETE CONFERENCE SEMI LINEUP
The 2011 NBA playoffs first round was just about coming to an end. Game 1 saw eight teams, including some unexpected ones, gain an initial edge. Game 2 saw five of those teams consolidate that advantage. Game 3 saw a switch in location but still, four teams remained unbeaten. Game 4 saw one of those teams, the Celtics, unexpectedly sweep the Knicks to become the first team to secure a spot in this season's Conference semis. Game 5 saw another change of location and the Bulls, Heat and Thunder join them in the latter stages. Game 6 saw another change of location though, and four conference semi final spots were still up for grabs.
In the East, the Magic faced the Hawks in Atlanta. Well the Magic led 12-10 with 6:26 left in the 1st but the Jawks still pulled away to lead at the end of the first buzzer. The Magic were treading water at best in the 2nd quarter and going into half time they certainly need to find an extra gear. The Magic certainly weren't able to find that gear in the third quarter and as the buzzer went on that period it looked as though an upset was on the cards. Yet in the 4th quarter Orlando's superhhero showed up in an attempt to save the day. Once again though, Superman cannot do it on his own. The Magic had the three point opportunity and they blew it. Joe Johnson grabbed 23 points. The Hawks won the game 84-81 and the series 4-2. They face the Bulls in the conference semis.
Out West, the Spurs faced the Grizzlies in Memphis. Well the number 1 seed again had their backs against the wall and led 2-0 with 11:10 left in the 1st but the home side were in no mood for mercy. In the 2nd quarter the Spurs certainly tried to get a comeback going but couldn't quite turn the game around before half time. The Spurs tie the game early in the third but they needed to do better than that and again the Grizzlies had an answer. The Spurs weren't quite done yet and retook the lead in the last few minutes of the match and yet it was Zack Randolph that got it done. He grabbed 31 points, the Grizzlies won the game 99-91 and buried the number 1 seed to the tune of 4-2. Awesome achievement. They face the Thunder in the conference semis.
The Lakers faced the Hornets in New Orleans. Well the Hornets led 8-4 with 8:25 left in the 1st but the Lakers came back to grab the edge before the first buzzer. The Hornets weren't done yet and went on to retake the lead midway through the 2nd quarter but the Lakers again had an answer for that and looked solid at half time. In the 3rd quarter the Hornets started to run out of fuel and the Lakers lead hit double digits but a comeback wasn't completely impossible. A comeback certainly proved to be undoable though, the Lakers were able to cruise their way through the final minutes, Kobe Bryant grabbed 24 points, the Lakers won the 98-80 and the series 4-2. Their quest for a repeat three-peat goes on.
The Mavs faced the Blazers in Portland. Well the Blazers were certainly in no mood to lie down and didn't let the Mavs get off the ground in the 1st quarter, leading 27-19 at the end of the period. In fact, at one point in the second quarter the Blazers had a double digit lead but the Mavs then managed to turn the game around before half time and in style. In the 3rd quarter...well how many three point threats do the Mavs have? Too many for the Blazers it seemed and the gap hit double digits. In the 4th quarter, the Blazers attempted a comeback and came very close but the Mavs weren't going to let them off. Dirk Nowitski grabbed 33 points, the Mavs won the game 103-96 and the series 4-2. They face the Lakers in the conference semis.