Below is a recap of last night’s game.

Miami Heat (104) vs New York Knicks (94)

Heat leads series 2-0

Apr 30, 2012; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat small forward LeBron James (6) reacts next to New York Knicks small forward Carmelo Anthony (7) during the second half of game two in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals of the 2012 NBA Playoffs at the American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-US PRESSWIRE

The good news is that the Knicks didn’t lose by a dismal number like Game 1. The bad news is, well there is so much, so where do you want to start. They figured out how to get Carmelo Anthony in the flow, a good start for the Knicks. Melo had 30 points, while Stoudemire had 18 points and seven boards. Tyson Chandler, who has been battling the flu, looked pretty good and had a nice night with 13 points and seven boards. And the Knicks out- rebounded the Heat and kept their fast break under control. But it wasn’t enough. Lebron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh combined for 68 points while James looked more and more the runaway MVP of this season. Then to top it off, at the very end, Stoudemire walked through the tunnel, punched a case that had a fire extinguisher in it. Paramedics ran down the hallway, treated his hand, but he left with his hand bandaged up and in a sling. There is no good news coming out of that camp and it looks more and more like he will miss Game 3. He later apologized for his irrational behavior, but the damage was already done. If the series wasn’t over before that, it is certainly over now. Not because Stoudemire is a the player for the Knicks, but he is essential enough to do damage against the Heat. Chandler is not the main guy, but his defense alters the other team’s shot, so he is essential as well. Everyone has a role and when you don’t do you role or there is a lack of accountability, it leaves gaping holes for others to fill. Stoudemire would be the third starting Knick to miss some time in the playoffs this season. Melo better bring out his safe the world mentality, because right now, the Knicks are falling and falling fast. Next game is on Thursday, 5/3 at 7:00pm EST.

Indiana Pacers (93) vs Orlando Magic (78)

Series Tied 1-1

Apr 30, 2012; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward David West (21) and guard George Hill (3) celebrate against the Orlando Magic during the second half of game two in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals of the 2012 NBA Playoffs at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeated Orlando 93-78. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-US PRESSWIRE

Could Orlando really win a series without Dwight Howard? I don’t think so. Was Game 1 a fluke for the Magic? Maybe. They used their magic (all pun intended) for Game 1. The Pacers, facing going back to Orlando down 2 games to none, refused to let that happen. Second half, they just outworked the Magic and got all the loose balls. Ultimately, it was the difference. David West, who spurned an older Celtic team for the young and up and coming team Pacers, lead the way with 18 points and 11 boards. All-Star Danny Granger only had 18 points and shot a 7 for 21. Glen Davis led the Magic with 18 points and 10 boards. Basically, when the third quarter started, the Pacers hijacked the game and took control of the game. They out scored the Magic 30-13 in the third and never looked back. Next game is Wednesday night in Orlando, at 7:30pm EST.

Oklahoma City Thunder (102) vs Dallas Mavericks (99)

Thunder leads the series 2-0

Apr 28, 2012; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook (0) passes the ball against Dallas Mavericks center Ian Mahinmi (28) and point guard Jason Kidd (2) during the first half in game one of the Western Conference quarterfinals of the 2012 NBA Playoffs at the Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Richard Rowe-US PRESSWIRE

Where are the defending champs? I haven’t seen them since last year. Even with a shorten season, their season was in a disarray. They barely made the playoffs and now they are staring into a 2-0 deficit. Like the Knicks, they get to go home to try to fix something. And can someone play some defense? Russell Westbrook is just running clinics. Game 1, he had 28 points. It all got lost when Kevin Durant made the game winner, but it was the plays before that gave Durant a chance to knock down the game winner. Game 2, Westbrook picked up where he left off in Game 1 and poured in 29 points, while Durant added 26 points. James Harden, who is only eight days removed from that vicious elbow from World Metta Peace, had 15 points, but no bigger were the four free throws he hit near the end of the game to seal the deal. Again, the Mavs were led by Dirk. But I think that it is showing that having only one Dirk out there is not enough to win games. Dirk had 31 points but didn’t get the friendly bounce that Durant got in Game 1, and the Mavs are now going home to Texas down 2-0. They say everything is bigger in Texas. Hopefully, the rims are bigger for the Mavs so that whatever they throw up, it can go in. Next game is slated for Thursday, 5/3 at 9:30pm EST.

Miami Heat (100) vs New York Knicks (67)

Apr 28, 2012; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat small forward LeBron James (center) drives to the basket past New York Knicks power forward Amare Stoudemire (left) and small forward Steve Novak (right) during the second half of game one in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals of the 2012 NBA Playoffs at the American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-US PRESSWIRE

Wow. Forget the words below that line. A blowout. In the playoffs. Unbelievable. And this is after the Knicks rev-amped their roster adding all star Carmelo Anthony, Amare Stoudemire and….well at this point I’m not sure. They’ve added Tyson Chandler, who has championship experience and was the man who changed the defense of the Mavs last season before being let go. They picked offensive streaky scorer JR Smith, while finding two diamond in the rough Jeremy Lin (who is injured and not ready to come back) and Steve Novak (three point specialist). And rookie Iman Shumpert, who emerged as the team’s best defender. But with Lin out, Chandler with flu-like symptoms, Stoudemire looking like a regular player and not the all-star that signed a huge deal, and Shumpert now out 6-8 months with a torn ACL and meniscus. So if things looked bad already for the Knicks, its about to get worse. Chandler, while not being injured, will likely be a game time decision and however the Heat played defense on Anthony, they’ll most likely try to reciprocate some of it again on Monday. Meanwhile, the Heat look like they are just cruising along. LeBron James was more than efficient scoring 32 points on just 14 shots. Granted he also hada 14 points from the charity strip. Most people have the Heat winning this series. You’d be crazy not to. But I think, with Shumpert gone, Chandler being a game time decision and no extra guard, the Heat may just be the team to sweep this series. The only good thing is that we’ll get to see Spike Lee cheering. Whatever you say about this guy, he is a die-hard NY fan and I love it. Next game is on Monday, 4/30, at 7:00 PM EST.

Chicago Bulls (103) vs Philadelphia 76ers (91)

Apr 28, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose (1) scores during the first quarter in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals of the 2012 NBA Playoffs against the Philadelphia 76ers\ at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-US PRESSWIRE

This little blurb should have mostly been about how the Bulls will dominate this series. And how this might have been the series that would be a sweep. Instead, it is about Derrick Rose’s injury. To be quite honest, I didn’t get to watch this game, but I saw the highlights and the “Breaking News” scrolling below Sportscenter. I couldn’t believe that Rose is out. I still don’t believe it. I pitted the Bulls vs the Heat for the Eastern Conference Championship but to be quite honest, the East suddenly parted like the red sea. While the Bulls played fantastic without Rose for stretches, this is the playoffs, do I have to say it again? Playoffs are a different kind of animal. And now, Tom Thibodeau is being blamed for playing Rose when the game was a lock. Wouldn’t you play your player if you were only up by single digits? I think after watching the Clippers comeback from 27 points, 12 points are a walk in a park and no lead is ever safe. Michael Wilbon wrote a great article for ESPN about the consequences of losing Rose, not only for the Bulls but for the NBA as well. And watching the highlights, it was a non-contact injury. It didn’t seem like a season ending injury, but Rose landed awkwardly and didn’t pop back up. Thibs ran over quickly, but even with the entire arena concerned, the consensus was in. Rose had torn his ACL and would be out. Now the Bulls will have find a way to win big games without their big game superstar. And he regaining MVP status with 23 points, nine boards and nine assists. Now the 76ers maybe moving onto the next round with a little bit of luck. Next game is slated for Tuesday, 5/1 at 8:00 pm EST.

Apr 28, 2012; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers power forward David West (21) shoots the ball against the Orlando Magic during game one in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals of the 2012 NBA Playoffs at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Orlando defeated Indiana 81-77. Mandatory Credit: Michael Hickey-US PRESSWIRE

Orlando Magic (81) vs Indiana Pacers (77)

This is probably the boring series for the East. Remember the last time Indiana was actually relevant? I don’t ever since “The Brawl In The Palace” in 2004. And even then, they weren’t that good. I remember Reggie Miller with his choking gesturing to NY fans or him even getting a rebound, run back to the three and sink one in, in front of Spike Lee. So for the Pacers to even make it to the playoffs make me think that the East is weak. But I forget they have a young group of guys and a leader in David West. While they have been rebuilding for years, this maybe the start of something for the future. For the Magic, thank goodness their Dwight Howard nightmare is over for this season. And I think they are a better team (chemistry wise, definitely not skill) without him. This series, because it is a bunch of boring people playing who match up with each other, I think it will be a long series, but again the most boring one out of the East. Good luck to those fans who are enjoying this. Next game is Monday 4/30 at 7:30 pm PST.

Atlanta Hawks (83) vs Boston Celtics (74)

Apr 29, 2012; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks point guard Jannero Pargo (7) and Boston Celtics power forward Brandon Bass (30) and point guard Rajon Rondo (9) fight for a loose ball on the floor during the second half of game one in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals of the 2012 NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Celtics 83-74. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-US PRESSWIRE

Things came undone for the old Celtics and they came undone fast. First, they didn’t come out to play. Then Rajon Rondo put out his man chest and bumped ref Marc Davis. And now the word has come down that Rondo will be gone for Game 2. So for the experts who picked the Celtics to win this series, it will be a much tougher road than it already was. Unlike the Spurs, the Celtics live and die by their Big 3 plus Rondo. Their bench isn’t quite as deep as the Spurs and definitely not as young. Without much wiggle room, the Celtics aren’t in for the long haul against, a younger livelier Atlanta Team. ATL has been on the cusp of winning for years, unable to come together. With All-Star Al Horford out for this series, it looks like it was the Celtics series to lose. And it still maybe. Within a blink of second, Rondo did his most selfish thing and “attacked” a referee. NBA laws states that any intentional contact with a referee is an automatic one game suspension and maybe more depending on the situation. There is no question there was a bump and with his track record (throwing the ball at the ref against Detroit) it would seem he could be in for more than one.  For Game 2, the Celtics will have to try to do something that which they had success with, against a team who seems to being an edge against the Celtics. Game 2 is slated for Wednesday 5/2 at 7:30 pm PST.