This is the Hangover. We get basketball-wasted all the time. Yes, we recap the NBA every night in our own way.
(PHOTO CREDIT: NBA.)
#7 INDIANA PACERS 87 @ #2 TORONTO RAPTORS 98
EAST First Round – Game 2 – Series is TIED, 1-1
The Raptors jumped on the Pacers early. The lead grew to 18 before Paul George did his thing again. The halftime deficit became five.
The Pacers hung around before the bench broke the game open in the fourth quarter. While Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan combined for 9 for 31, guys like Cory Joseph (16 pts) and Patrick Patterson picked up the slack. Joseph might be the best player for the Raptors so far in the series. CoJo for President of Canada!
Still, you have that shaky feeling for Toronto. Now we go to Indy for two games on their home court.
BEHIND THE LINES
Jonas Valanciunas (TOR): 23 pts, 15 rebs.
Paul George (TOR): 28 pts.
#6 DALLAS MAVERICKS 85 @ #3 OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER 84
WEST First Round – Game 2 – Series is TIED, 1-1
The Mavericks looked overmatched in Game 1 but this time around, they took it to the Thunder. It helped that Kevin Durant couldn’t get it going all game (7 for 33) from the field.
Dallas roared with an 8-0 run to take the lead from OKC. And with the game tied at 81, Raymond Felton (who had played well all game) made a lay-up to give the Mavs the lead. Wesley Matthews would follow it up with a breakaway lay-up after the ball got loose.
A cold Durant made a three to cut the deficit down to one with 9.5 seconds left. With no timeouts from either team, Felton missed both free throws. On the other end, Westbrook and Durant missed point blank shots but Steven Adams made the putback. Unfortunately, the refs went to replay, and the ball was still in his hand when the lights went on the glass.
BEHIND THE LINES
Raymond Felton (DAL): 21 pts, 11 rebs.
Russell Westbrook (OKC): 19 pts, 14 rebs, 6 assts.
Kevin Durant (OKC): 21 pts (7/33 FG), 9 rebs.
#8 HOUSTON ROCKETS 106 @ #1 GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS 115
WEST First Round – Game 2 – WARRIORS lead series, 2-0
Stephen Curry did not play due to his injured ankle. But, really, it didn’t seem to matter.
Klay Thompson was aggressive and was able to counter James Harden‘s output from the line. Andre Iguodala took care of business from the arc and Shaun Livingston did his damage from the midrange. It just didn’t feel like the Rockets were in it even when the game got close. It was a three-point game at the start of the fourth and the Warriors built the lead to 16 late. The Dubs would hold on for the 2-0 series lead.
This would be an easier loss to swallow for the Rockets if the MVP played. I mean, whatever it is they’ve been swallowing the entire season. Also, you guys think Dwight Howard using Stickum is bad? Harden probably uses it, too. On his feet. I mean, you see this guy play some defense. Or lack thereof.
BEHIND THE LINES
Draymond Green (GS): 12 pts, 14 rebs, 8 assts.
Klay Thompson (GS): 34 pts (15/16 FT).
James Harden (HOU): 28 pts (13/15 FT), 11 assts.
Dwight Howard (HOU): 12 pts, 10 rebs.
WATCH THIS PLAY
Justin Anderson does his best Michael Jordan impression with this putback dunk after a free throw.
(VIDEO CREDIT: NBA.)
Follow Rey-Rey on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass for all tweets about the NBA and terrible pop music. Also, check out his podcast, Rey-Rey Is Fundamental.
us on FaceBook! Thank you!