NBA Playoff Update

I've been hesitant to blog in-depth about the Blazers so far. It's been too painful. But I thought I'd write out a few ideas to help me organize my own thoughts about the playoffs so far, a postseason many people are criticizing, but I don't really understand why. Upset about the Cavs-Pistons series? What'd you expect? It's the first round.

Blazers-Rockets

I'll start with the Blazers, down 3-1 and heading back to Portland for game five on Tuesday night. They lost the last two games in Houston, 86-83 and 89-88. Brandon Roy has been fantastic this series, averaging 28.3 points per while being dragged down by some of the toughest defenders in the league, Ron Artest and Shane Battier. Unfortunately, the Rockets have nearly shut down everyone around him, namely LaMarcus Aldridge and Travis Outlaw, who've been good at times but not consistently able to muscle up and score against the Rockets.

Greg Oden and Joel Przybilla have been in foul trouble a lot trying to guard Yao Ming, and today McMillan finally sounded off about it. Things should change back home on Tuesday, in the officiating and in the result of the game, but whether or not the Blazers can come back to win this series, well, I'm not about to place any bets on them. I anticipate a Blazers victory Tuesday night, but Thursday night's game in Houston will require great games from Roy, Aldridge, Outlaw, and, in particular, Rudy Fernandez, whose three-point shooting off the bench will be needed to silence the Houston crowd.

On top of all this, Roy is coming down with the flu, but will play, of course. Not swine flu, we don't think.

In the end, it'll come down to whether or not the Blazers can scrap for a victory on Thursday night in Houston. They've lost two games there by a total of four points, and this team has surprised me time and time again this season.

Also in the West:

The Lakers are on their way to defeating the Jazz as I type this. Series over. And the Nuggets embarrassed the Hornets in New Orleans tonight to go up 3-1. Series (basically) over. I was hoping CP3 could carry the Hornets this year, but that team around him is woeful.

The Mavericks are on their way to defeating the Spurs, up 3-1 right now. The Mavericks will probably fall to the Spurs Tuesday night in San Antonio, then finish the series at home on Friday. Tony Parker can't carry the Spurs past a much deeper Mavs team, and many SA fans think it's time for some sort of rebuilding in Texas next year. Easier said than done. Goodbye Finley, goodbye Bowen. Still hate the Mavs, but it's been nice to see Ryan Hollins contributing in spots during this series. He's a guy who, if he can bulk up, could be a nice young center for a team like, well, the Spurs.

Back East:

Cavs sweep the Pistons. Please, Joe D., blow that Pistons team up this summer. Keep Stuckey and McDyess. The Cavs and all their clowning have me and Chuck pretty irritated, by the way. Someone, anyone, beat that team back east.

Who can beat the Cavs?

The Sixers. There, I said it. That's if they can beat the Magic, which won't be easy, considering the series is tied at 2-2 with two games left in Florida. Andre Miller is playing very well right now, and Thaddeus Young is becoming a critical and reliable young player for the Sixers. If those two are playing well, the defense is set and able to reach Orlando's shooters, then it all comes down to Andre Iguodala. Iggy needs to get in rhythm early, hit his free throws, and get a few good looks from three. Should they get that far, he and Young are the guys able to slow down LeBron. First things first, let Orlando run its offense through Dwight Howard, who can't pass well from the post, and stay on those shooters. We know they're too soft to get to the rim.

In the South, the Hawks beat the Heat tonight in Miami to tie the series at 2 games apiece. I have no idea how this one will play out, which makes it one of the better series this postseason. I think the Hawks are a stronger team with the ability to go deeper in the East and challenge the Cavs, so they have my half-hearted support. Two of the final three games are in Atlanta, including game 7. Big win tonight for the Hawks.

Finally:

The Bulls and the Celtics are fighting it out in a series that, although not loaded with the biggest stars in the league, is easily the best, most entertaining series. (At least for fans of those teams or people who don't obsess about the Blazers.) Rajon Rondo is averaging a triple double in this series, which is tied at 2-2 and includes a double-overtime and an overtime victory by the Bulls. Ben Gordon has been great at times for the Bulls, and Derrick Rose is showing that he can keep up with Rondo under pressure. Well, aside from all those turnovers. These are two jump-shooting teams with KG on the sidelines, but ultimately I think it may come down to how well the Bulls can establish an inside game. In the two games that Tyrus Thomas has scored double digits and played more than 27 minutes, the Bulls are 2-0. They need this guy taking shots, getting rebounds, and blocking shots, especially if Gordon's hamstring doesn't improve, fast.

Well, I'm going to go to bed now and I'll try not to worry about the Blazers game. Houston can take the series, but they can't take away our Brandon Roy man crushes.