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 returned to the Big Apple hoping to close it out. Problem was, the Celtics weren’t ready to exit and pulled out a win at the Garden to send the series back to BeanTown for a Game 6. Meanwhile, the once-proud Los Angeles Lakers have been shown the door by the San Antonio Spurs, who clobbered them twice in LA to sweep their Western Conference series. Even WITH Kobe Bryant, this would still have been an uphill climb for these Lakers.
With his co-star out, LaBron James, has chosen the route of 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, giving Wade a chance to heal. A scary thought!
The Golden State Warriors have seized control of their series with the Denver Nuggets, holding a 3 – 1 heading into Game 5 in the Mile High City. The Nuggets were on a roll heading into the postseason, they dumped the Warriors in Game 1 and then lost three straight. Denver wins Game 5 and now returns to Oakland, where Golden State could wrap it up. Oklahoma City lost Russell Westbrook for the rest of the season, but that hasn’t affected OKC’s mission, as the Rockets still face the exit door down 3 – 1 with Game 5 at OKC tonight.
The Memphis Grizzlies have rebounded in a major way, taking a 3 – 2 lead over the Los Angeles Clippers after it appeared the Clips would steamroll the Griz in the first two games. Memphis won going away in Game 5 on the road in LA on Tuesday night and now have home-court advantage. Memphis can ruin the Clippers stellar season by closing out the series on Thursday. Atlanta has climbed it’s way back into their series after the Hawks won Games 3 & 4 at home to even it at two games apiece with Game 5 tonight at Indy. Brooklyn’s in the house! The Brooklyn Nets put a temporary halt to any celebration plans for the Chicago Bulls by winning Game 5 on Monday. That series is now 3 – 2 Bulls.
