Philadelphia 76ers (82) vs Boston Celtics (81)

Series tied 1-1

May 12, 2012; Boston, MA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers shooting guard Evan Turner (12) shoots the ball against Boston Celtics power forward Kevin Garnett (back) during the first half of game one in the Eastern Conference semifinals of the 2012 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-US PRESSWIRE

This is they type of the series the Celtics wanted. Grind it out. Nothing pretty. Just ball and grits. And usually when the Celtics are in a dog fight, they out execute their opponents 9 out of 10 times and win the game on experience. Last night was one of the one time the Celtics couldn’t get their stuff together and ended up losing. If Garnett and Allen hadn’t hit two threes in the last 14 seconds, then the Sixers would have won by four at least. But this game was ugly. Yeah it was close at the end, but the third quarter was atrocious. Both teams were clanking shots for at least a good five minutes. It wasn’t until a 14 point run the Sixers put together that helped both sides put in some baskets. And it was pretty interesting that it would be the “Vet” team would be the one that couldn’t out execute this young team. All the talk had been how the Sixers had let Game 1 slip through their hands and right at the end of the game, this is where the Celtics wanted them. Keep it close, run their stuff, score their baskets. But unlike Saturday, these Sixers bounced right back and made key shots when they needed them. None of them bigger than the shot clock buzzer beater by Levoy Allen and a stumble lay-up by Evan Turner that proved to be the winning shot. And of course, the controversial (depends if you are Sixer or Celtic fan) offensive foul called on Kevin Garnett. Everybody on both sides were surprised with the call, even the Sixers. Many NBA analysts were dismayed that it would even be called, but Garnett had been already called for two moving screens. The analysts claim that Doug Collins had worked the officials all game and that finally they called Garnett for a moving screen. But at the end of the day, it should have been the players who should have an effect on the outcome of the game and not the officials. Whether or not that call was right, the official took it out of the players’ hands and took the game upon themselves.

For the Sixers, Jrue Holiday played out of his mind by hitting four threes and finished with 18 points. Andre Iguodala had 13 points but only hit two free throws out of seven. Evan Turner, who ended up being the game hero, made his free throws at the end of the game and added 10 points while no name Lavoy Allen had 10 himself. Both guys had major impacts on both sides of the court.

For the Celtics, Garnett didn’t have his explosive night like he did the other night but still finished with 15 points and 12 boards. Rajon Rondo had a subpar game with only 8 points, 13 assists, 7 boards. Paul Pierce disappeared and only finished with 7 points and four turnovers. His knee is probably worse than what he and the Celtics are letting on. He has no lift and can’t get to where he wants to go. Ray Allen came off the bench again and had a good game, finishing with 17 points. But it does seem that whenever Allen has a good game, the team does not.

After stealing home court from the Celtics, the series shifts to Philadelphia for Games 3 and 4. Game 3 is set for Wednesday night. Tip off is at 7:00pm EST.

Oklahoma City Thunder (119) vs LA Lakers (90)

Thunder leads 1-0

While the Celtics and Sixers were battling in close proximity, this game was boring in that sense. OKC had a double digit lead going into halftime and then blew it up during the second half. At one point, the lead was up to 35 points. All the chatter for this game was about how OKC, James Harden and Metta World Peace would react when they collided. Much to both guys’ credit, neither one of them responded to what was just media hype. Even the crowd seemed subdued. But if the crowd had merciless (and they totally have justice) booed MWP, the Lakers might have just won that game. Before the game started, they had interviewed MWP and how he would react. Instead of hosting anger towards a (probably and should be) angry crowd, he just relished the moment, even mentioning how often does one person get the whole entire stadium look at him, especially when his name isn’t Kobe or Kevin Durant. So maybe after hearing that, the crowd chilled on the booing and instead of fueling the Lakers, they gave them the extinguisher.

May 14, 2012; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard James Harden (13) shoots the ball against Los Angeles Lakers forward Jordan Hill (27) during the second half in game one of the Western Conference semifinals of the 2012 NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-US PRESSWIRE

After being down early in the game, thanks to MWP who hit two threes and set up Andrew Bynum for a thunderous jam, the Thunder took the lead after Harden’s drive, followed by an And-1. They never looked back. With eight days of rest, the youthful, more athletic Thunder took it to the weary Lakers. Less than 48 hours coming from their Game 7 victory against the young, athletic Denver Nuggets, the Lakers looked tired, didn’t rotate well on defense and couldn’t execute. It’s interesting to say that for a team that has won back to back and with such championship experienced Kobe Bryant. And the Thunder’s guards had seven games on how to beat the Lakers. Both Bryant and Bynum had 20 points, while Bynum had 14 boards to go along with those points. But their third piece, Pau Gasol was soft as ever. He only had 10 points and seven boards. Those are decent numbers for a second or third string center, not a big paying name. And if the Lakers want to be in this series, they have to learn to use their big men against the Thunder. The Thunder do not have answer for the big man and would be worse off if Perkins is more injured than he already was.

For the Thunder, their dynamic duo of Kevin Durant and Russel Westbrook came out to play. Durant had 25 points and eight boards, while Westbrook had 27 points, seven boards and nine assists. Sixth Man of The Year, James Harden chipped in with 17 points. The only negative of the night for the Thunder is the status of Kendrick Perkins. Back into action after a few days off with an injured him, it looked like that Perkins re-injured his hip as he went up for a dunk. Unable to get any lift, Perkins only laid it up and hobbled back on defense. Otherwise, it was a perfect evening as the game was highlighted by high flying dunks and spectacular play from the Thunder. Game 2 will say in OKC. Game time is at 6:30pm PST on Wednesday.

Old Celtics and Lakers Fall To Young Sixers and Thunder - Blue Man Hoop - Blue Man Hoop - A Golden State Warriors Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More

Boston Celtics (92) vs Philadelphia 76ers (91)

Celtics lead 1-0

If the Big Three (or four depending on who you ask) were significantly more healthy, they maybe the most dangerous team in the playoffs. Why? Because they’ve got that championship experience and the toughness to grind it out. Well, what about Kobe and the Lakers, you ask. Well, yes Kobe has that championship experience (more than these three combined) but his teammates aren’t as tough mentally (or physically if you ask Pau on a bad night and this is all minus MWP who just is nuts). They didn’t show up and didn’t pick up the slack when Kobe was down with the flu. But just as dangerous those Big Three can be, they can just be as vulnerable. Look at Game 1. Most of the game it was Sixers’ pace. Sixers dominated the game and only cause of their lack of experience let them down. They were up by 10 with about 10 minutes left in the game and had at one point a 13 point lead. But Kevin Garnett made the biggest play of the night and a block on Andre Iguodala’s sure path to the bucket for a monstrous jam. Just like that, the Celtics were racing the other end, and what you know, Garnett finishes at the bucket. Old Garnett finished the night wit 29 points and 11 boards. Rajon Rondo, who looked dis-interested in the first half, ended up with another triple double (his eighth) (17 assists, 13 points and 12 boards) and out-ran Philly’s guard at the end of the game. For the Sixers, it is no reason to hang their heads. They were in the game and basically could have won, if the Celtics didn’t make the bigger shots. Guard, Jrue Holiday, Evan Turner and Lou Williams did whatever they wanted against Rondo, while Iguodala had another great game finishing with 19 points. Spencer Hawes, who ultimately is not the player they focused on, kept converting easy baskets and had 15 points. Turner had 16 points and 11 boards.

This series is far from over. While the Celtics may have stolen Game 1, the Sixers look to negate home court advantage with a win tonight. Tip off time is 7:00pm EST.

Miami Heat (95) vs Indiana Pacers (85)

Heat lead 1-0

In my ideal world, Lebron never wins any rings with the Heat. If he wins one when he is 35 and is relegated to the bench, then so be it. But he should never be able to smile and lift another trophy besides the MVP award with the Heat. Why do I disklike LBJ so much? I think he’s a great player who shies from big game moments. He doesn’t deserve to be in that elite category of championship winners, when better players, like Charles Barkley, Patrick Ewing, John Stockton or Karl Malone never got one. And I certainly don’t respect Dwayne Wade either. I think they both are babies in a sense that they couldn’t win by themselves or with complimentary players and had to go get another all-star to make that happen. Good, elite players don’t do that. They want to play against the best, not team up with the best and run over everybody. Hello!? That is what the Olympics is for.

So I was super excited when the Pacers were up and they were competing. In a sense, the Pacers were in the game and outworking the Heat for most of the game, until the fourth quarter. That is when LBJ took over and dominated. Now that is the difference. The game wasn’t, essentially on the line, so if he didn’t score enough points, he couldn’t have “failed.” His only “failure” then would be he wasn’t engaged in the first half. This didn’t come down to a last second shot, that he had to make. We all know he isn’t a closer. And he didn’t close this game. He just scored more points than the Pacers did (with help from Wade).

For the Pacers, their star players didn’t show up so to speak. David West and Roy Hibbert had 17 points apiece while Darren Collison and George Hill only had 10 points combined. And their MVP, Danny Granger only had seven points. That’s just not going to cut it for the Pacers. In order for them to beat Miami, they need all their guys to contribute. They did the right thing though, staying close and kept the Heat at bay. Miami only had 18 fast break points, but the Pacers themselves had 12. They also may have caught a break with Chris Bosh now out indefinitely. Bosh had 13 points and the Heat did get more scoring from Wade and LBJ after Bosh went out, but now that is one less guy to focus on. Now Hibbert may be able to impact the game even more, without having to worry about guarding some guy, who can hurt you if you leave him open long enough.

Game 2 is back in Miami. Tip off is on Tuesday, at 7:00pm EST.

Elite Eight Remains - Blue Man Hoop - Blue Man Hoop - A Golden State Warriors Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More