Playoffs Preview: The Nets and Blazers Face Elimination
May 10, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets center Kevin Garnett (2) keeps Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade (3) from the basket during the fourth quarter in game three of the second round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Barclays Center. Brooklyn Nets won 104-90. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
In the last week of the regular season the Brooklyn Nets were cautiously optimistic about their chances of facing the Miami Heat in the playoffs. And winning. They swept the Heat in the regular season and it was the first time a Lebron James team was swept by a team in his own conference. But with five games in the books, the Nets have been competitive but hardly a threat. Tonight they stare down the barrel of a gun. Unlike the Indiana Pacers, the Miami Heat understand the gravity of an elimination game. Furthermore they do not take the veterans of the Nets lightly. Joe Johnson can score. Kevin Garnett can still rebound. Deron Williams is not the player he used to be but he is still effective, Mirza Teletovich causes problems on the perimeter. As does Marcus Thornton. Even with their inside/outside weapons the Nets have no clue had to solve the Lebron James puzzle. The Nets were beaten in game four because they collapsed in the paint to prevent his drive and Lebron found an unguarded Chris Bosh at the three point line. It is the essence of his greatness, the vision and decision making. The defending champions will take on a desperate Nets team tonight. But in the end too much Lebron, Wade, Ray Allen and Chris Bosh. Unlike the Pacers they won’t mail it in.
May 12, 2014; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) reacts after hitting a three-point field goal against San Antonio Spurs in the second half of game four of the second round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports
As dynamic as Damian Lillard was against the Houston Rockets hitting the clutch game winner to end the series, he has been equally terrible in the series against the Spurs. He is suffering from the Tony Parker illness. It causes flu like symptoms, missed coverages, helpless drives in the paint. Wes Matthews has the Tony Parker assignment. You might as well put 25 points by Parker’s name. Matthews is not quick enough. Lillard is, he is just not skilled enough as a defender and has yet to prove he is willing. The brilliance of Greg Popovich is in the small things. He put Tiago Splitter on LaMarcus Aldridge. LaMarcus who decimated the Rockets front line cannot get his shot off. His game is not inclusive of dribble, stop, head fake, rise up and shoot. The physicality of Splitter is impacting Aldridge’s ability to knock down his patented mid range jumper. The Blazers have very few options after Lillard and Aldridge. They have have the worst bench in the playoffs. They have the worse defense. So it comes down to the starters if they want to drag the series on. Their offense has to be efficient and relentless. Nic Batum has to have a big game, Lillard has to get to the line and make his threes and Aldridge has to find a way to shake Splitter and score. And even that will probably not be enough. The Spurs are the best ball movement team in the NBA. They were in the NBA Finals last year and understand how important rest is. The Clippers/Thunder series looks like it is going 7 games. That will give the Spurs nearly a week off. They know it and tonight they will play to end the Blazers season.