Milwaukee Bucks/Miami Heat: Game 2
– First time you need to make a choice about which playoff game you watch. Starting with this one, but guessing how I think it will go, I assume most of my attention will go to Celtics/Knicks.
– The Heat are giving off the same vibe they did during the latter part of their long win streak. It seems like they feel they don’t need to try for the first three quarters because they can just hit the gas in the fourth and put teams away.
– That strategy works fine against the Bucks. It will not work in the Eastern Conference Finals or the NBA Finals, but I am sure the Heat know that. Right now, it is probably just hard to get pumped for lesser competition.
– So the Bucks lose by double digits when Brandon Jennings and Monta Ellis play great. When Jennings and Ellis struggle and other players step up, they still lose by double digits. Simplified: The Bucks need the best game from everyone in the lineup to even make it close with the Heat.
– Time for the Bucks to win four straight (according to Brandon Jennings).
To read Kyle's thoughts from tonight's other two games, click after the jump.
Boston Celtics/New York Knicks: Game 2
– Carmelo Anthony called this game a “must win” for the Knicks. I like that he wants to keep his team focused and take every game seriously, but I honestly do not think the Knicks will face a “must win” game in this series.
– Any shooter will tell you to shoot yourself out of a slump and not get discouraged by a slow start and a bunch of missed shots at the beginning of the game. That was a pretty rough second quarter for Melo, but you just knew he was going to bounce back.
– Kenyon Martin misses a dunk after getting fouled. Everyone is smiling and hugging. The Knicks have that swagger right now.
– The Celtics played with the Knicks for 3 out of 4 quarters, but the third quarter was a slaughter, 32-11. There is your difference.
– First two games have been rather disappointing. When Boston and New York lock horns in any sport, you expect to see a strong rivalry. These first two games have not looked like they are being played between rivals. Maybe the Celtics can make it a series once they return home, but I doubt it.
Golden State Warriors/Denver Nuggets: Game 2
– I was predicting this would be a four- or five-game series before David Lee’s injury. Now the Warriors are minus Lee and the Nuggets are plus Kenneth Faried. I do not have high hopes for Golden State tonight. (Spoiler alert: I was wrong)
– Just like I say when one of my fantasy football running backs gets a carry (even if it is for a yard)… POINTS!!!
– The advantage of having the “two best shooters on the planet” (according to Kenny Smith): The Nuggets were going on a comeback run, had all the momentum and the crowd going. Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson hit back-to-back three-pointers and *poof* all the energy is gone.
– Was just thinking how I wish Steph Curry had played this well in Game 1 when I picked him for my playoff survivor league and he rolls his ankle. With Golden State controlling the game, I am surprised he returned so quickly, but I guess he is feeling fine.
– Faried probably would have been better off sitting this game and getting his conditioning back. He just looks a step slower than normal.
– The Warriors really could not miss tonight. Denver’s crazy home win streak comes to an end. Now they will have to win at least one on the road to win the series. I am still betting they do.
