The New York Knicks had the Celtics on the brink of elimination, and despite Boston’s exciting OT victory on Sunday in Game 4, the Knicks still hold a commanding 3 – 1 lead in their Eastern Conference series, and they’re headed back to the Big Apple to shut it down on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers have been eliminated after the San Antonio Spurs clobbered them twice in LA to sweep their Western Conference series. It’s clear that even WITH Kobe Bryant, this would still have been an uphill climb for these Lakers.
No one seems to be enjoying these playoffs more that LaBron James, who is quietly and methodically dominating his opponents in leading the Miami Heat to a sweep of the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday. Even Game 4 was never in doubt despite playing in Wisconsin. With Dwayne Wade still gimpy, James has all but put Miami on his back and led the way down the stretch and into the series with the Bucks. The Heat can now “simmer” until the next series. A scary thought!
The Golden State Warriors have quietly regained their footing and have now seized control of their series with the Denver Nuggets and now lead it 2 – 1 heading into Game 4. A dramatic turn of events for Oklahoma City, who have lost Russell Westbrook for the rest of the season as the Thunder’s point guard and second-leading scorer behind Kevin Durant, injured his knee in Game 2 of their series with Houston. But that hasn’t affected OKC’s mission, as the Rockets now face the exit door down 3 – Zip and the Thunder can close it out Monday night In Houston.
The Memphis Grizzlies have certainly rebounded in a major way, tying their series with the Los Angeles Clippers after it appeared the Clips would steamroll the Griz. The Indiana Pacers have let Atlanta back into their series after the Hawks won Games 3 & 4 at home to tie that series at two games apiece with Game 5 Wednesday at Indy. Brooklyn’s in the house! The Brooklyn Nets out a temporary halt to any celebration plans for the Chicago Bulls by winning Game 5 on Monday. That series is now 3 – 2 Bulls. Golden State has a commanding 3 – 1 lead over the Denver Nuggets after a third straight win by the Warriors, who can wrap up the series on Tuesday night in the Mile High City.
