NBA Playoff Recap

The NBA playoffs continued last night with three games.

The San Antonio Spurs, the West’s top seed, easily defeated the Utah Jazz 114-83 to take a 2-0 series lead. This was the second worse playoff loss in Jazz history; second only to their 42 point loss to Michael Jordan’s Bulls in the 1998 NBA Finals. It was also the Spurs biggest margin of victory in the playoffs since beating Denver by 28 in 2005.  The series now heads to Salt Lake City for Game 3 on Saturday.

The Orlando Magic fell at home to the Indiana Pacers 97-74.  Indiana now leads the series 2-1.  The Pacers were led by star forward Danny Granger who had 26 points and nine rebounds.  Granger says his team knew not to underestimate the Magic after its game one loss at home.

Game 4 will take place Saturday in Orlando.

Wednesday night’s final game was between the Memphis Grizzlies and Los Angeles Clippers.  There was no miraculous comeback from the Clippers this time after they came back from 27 down to win Game 1 as Memphis won 108-95 despite 29 points from Clippers point guard Chris Paul and 22 from forward Blake Griffin.   The Grizzlies played a very balanced game as six players scored in double figures, led by Rudy Gay who scored 21 points.  The series now heads to the Staples Center in Los Angeles where Game 3 will be played on Saturday.

The playoffs continue tonight as the New York Knicks try to make a comeback against the Miami Heat at Madison Square Garden.  While Knicks forward Amare Stoudemire, who injured his hand punching a fire extinguisher case after New York’s game two loss, says there is a good chance he will play this weekend, he will be out for tonight’s game.  Miami leads the series 2-0.

In tonight’s second matchup the defending champion Dallas Mavericks will host the Oklahoma City Thunder.  The Thunder are up 2-0 after winning the first two games within the final seconds of play.  Dallas is hoping it can continue its home playoff success; the Mavericks are 25-9 at home in the playoffs over the last six years.