Daily Highlight: Big Game for Bosh

Bosh was the leading point man for Miami in their big win at home to take a 2-1 series lead over the Bulls.  Bosh started a little slow, but he got hot in the second quarter and stayed hot throughout the game.  LeBron played point and spread the ball around, and Miami's defense was stifling once again.  It looks like they may be taking control of the series.

NBA Playoff Update

So far the NBA playoffs have proven to be evenly matched and very competitive.  Both series are tied at 1 apiece, and all 4 teams have had their moments when their stars have shined.

Who can forget what Dirk did on game 1?  48 points on 24/24 free throws and 12/15 field goals.  No one has ever witnessed a free throw shooting clinic like that.  And 12 for 15 isn't too bad either.  But the Thunder could have won that game if not for JJ Barrea and Jason Terry.  Coming off the bench, they added that extra offense that put the game away for the Mavs.  And after taht game everyone (including me) was saying, "No one can stop Dirk" and "The Thunder don't have a chance."

Then came game 2.  And maybe no one can stop Dirk, but if you can keep the bench players from dominating you have a chance.  And of course if your own bench scores more than 50 points that helps too.  The 2 big stories of game 2 were Durant's massive dunk, and the benching of Russel Westbrook for the entire 4th quarter.  Durant's dunk set off a 21-7 run it was so huge.  And benching Westbrook was kind of a no brainer since Eric Maynard was having such a great game, and it worked.

This series has definitely been interesting.  Much more defensive than the Western Conference Finals.  And that seems a little strange to me when you have the likes of LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, and Derrick Rose on the court.  But they're all so dedicated that they are great defensive players as well.  And both teams from top to bottom are dedicated to defending.  It makes for a physical, frantic series.

Game 1 was even throughout the first half, and then Derrick Rose made his presence felt and led the Bulls to a 21 point win.  Game 2 was the same story for the first half.  But in that case, it was LeBron who came up big in the second half, and especially down the stretch of the 4th quarter to close out the win for the Heat.  Neither game has had a singular defining moment, but the stars have all had at least one good game.

So as the 2 series shift to Miami and Oklahoma City, it would seem that those 2 teams have the advantage having stolen a game away from home.  But who really thinks that Dallas and Chicago are going to go away without putting up a fight?  Has your opinion of who's going to make the finals changed based on what you've seen?  I'm still picking Dallas and Miami, although I think Dallas will have a harder time than I originally expected.

Daily Highlight: Heat Tie Series

It was touted as highly defensive series before it ever got started.  And if you like defense, then this series has not disappointed.  Miami turned up the defense down the stretch and pulled off the win after a 4th quarter run by LeBron James sealed it.

Daily Highlight: Heat Routed by Bulls

Well this one was a surprise.  Based on the Bulls' level of play in these playoffs, I expected a game 1 win for Miami away from home, or at least a close game.  And I got what I expected for the 1st half.  Then I turned it off to watch a movie and found out the Heat got crushed by 21 points.  What happened?  Lots of offensive rebounds for the Bulls which led to 2nd chance points.

Who is your Pick for NBA Champion?

Simple question: who wins the NBA Championship?  We're down to 4 teams with a few surprises, and the teams left give a nice refreshingly new feel; no LA and no Boston.  So in the East we have Miami and Chicago, and in the West we have Dallas and Oklahoma City.

All four teams have legitimate superstars on their team, and they all deserve to be there.  Some made it with more ease than others, but these should all be good matchups.

So the question is: "Who ya Got!"

Daily Highlight: Bulls Go to the Conference Finals

So it's been about 13 years since the Bulls made the Conference Finals through Jordan and Pippen.  And it's been a long hard time for Chicago fans.  The Bulls have mostly struggled in that time, but now they're back with reason to optimistic.  They absolutely crushed the Hawks in game 6, and they swept the Heat in the regular season.  Granted the playoffs are a different beast, and the Heat will definitely come to play.  It should be a great series.

Daily Highlight: Bulls Getting Closer

It looks like the Bulls are taking control of their series against the Hawks.  Up 3-2 now, they just need one more win to get to the Eastern Conference Finals.  However, don't be surprised if the Hawks win at home to force a game 7, and then anything can happen.

Daily Highlight: Bulls Squeak by Again

So, is anyone impressed by the Bulls so far in these playoffs?  They are on the verge of sweeping the Pacers, but really, it seems like they are very lucky to be where they are.  They could easily be down 2-1 at this point.  But it is the mark of a good team, and good coaching to be able to win close games.  Here's their lates close call.

NBA Playoffs: Bulls Survive Another Close One

So, the Bulls have been flirting with losing to the Pacers in their first two games of the series.  Fortunately, Derrick Rose has bailed them out and Kyle Korver has hit some big threes to win the games late on.  How will they do when the series heads to Indiana?

NBA Playoffs: Eastern Conference

The 82 game season is over and the playoffs are getting started today.  It's time to get serious in the NBA.  Can Kobe and the Lakers make it another 3-peat?  Or will the aging Spurs make another run to the finals?  Can the Bulls really win the East, or will the Heat live up to early expectations?  Some good story lines to keep up with?  Let's take a look the Eastern Conference.  Here's the rankings:

1. Chicago Bulls
2. Miami Heat
3. Boston Celtics
4. Orlando Magic
5. Atlanta Hawks
6. New York Knicks
7. Philadelphia 76ers
8. Indiana Pacers

Predictions:

Just for the sake of the length of this post, I'm just going to say that the Bulls v Pacers series doesn't need a break down.  Bulls will win in 5 games.

Essentially the same deal for the Heat and the 76ers.  However, this is going to be a bit more interesting. The 76ers are young and athletic, and in that respect they can match up well with the Heat.  But their is just such a huge talent difference that the Heat will handle it no problem.  5 game series and Miami wins.

The 3-6 matchup: Celtics v Knicks.  This is where it starts to get good.  The Knicks put together a big three of their own (which is getting to be a way over-used cliche) to matchup with the Celtics' original big three.  Rondo is having some trouble recently without his good friend Kendrick Perkins around.  But with Pierce, Garnett, and Allen around, they can make up the difference.  The problem for the Knicks is that they haven't had time to gel.  Yeah they have a lot of talent, but they haven't really shown any improvement.  There are going to be some great games, but expect some blowouts too.  Both teams have shown they are capable of getting blown out and blowing out another team.  The speed offense of the Knicks under Dantonio vs the gritty defense of the Celtics is going to be fun to watch.  I pick the Celtics in 6.

And the final matchup is the Magic v the Hawks.  This is going to be an ugly series.  It will be an even one, but ugly.  The Hawks have a terrible tendency to quit games in which they find themselves in a big hole.  But at the same time, the Magic are mentally weak.  Too many bad fouls and technicals.  Dwight Howard, while a tremendous player, can be a liability.  And Gilbert Arenas...who knows what he's going to do in any given game.  So, both teams have a lot of talent, and a lot of athletic ability, but neither has the mental aspect of the game in their favor.  I hate to say it, but I'm picking the higher seed again. Orlando in 6, and expect some blowouts.

I really don't like picking the top seeds all the way through, but this isn't college.  The higher seeds almost always win out in the NBA.  And I don't think this season will be any different in the East.

Daily Highlight: Bulls One Step Closer to Top Seed in East

The Chicago Bulls took one more step towards the top seed in the Easter Conference Tournament by handing the Celtics a resounding defeat.  Rose was fantastic again with 30 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists.  He was also a perfect 10/10 from teh free throw line.  The Bulls look legit.

Daily Highlight: Bulls Win as Rodman's Jersey is Retired

On a night when the 2 teams that Rodman helped to multiple titles were playing against each other, the home team, the Pistons, retired his jersey.  It was an emotional night for the player who was never able to hide his emotions despite the hard exterior.  And the event overshadowed what was otherwise a good game.

Daily Highlight: Rose Leads Romp

Derek Rose is adding to his claim for NBA MVP.  while his stats this game weren't his best, he's leading the Bulls right to the top of the Eastern Conference.  They are now tied with the Celtics for 1st in the East.

Daily Highlight: Bulls take over 1st Place.

Despite a triple double from Javale McGee (11 points, 12 rebounds, 12 blocks), the Bulls pull off the win at home in the St Patrick's day garb to pass the Celtics for 1st place in the East.

Daily Highlight: Bulls v Hawks

The Eastern Conference's top teams seem to be trading losses to some extent.  The Heat, Celtics, Bulls, Magic, and Knicks all seem to be losing.  No one is staking a claim for the top spot.  Last night it was Chicago's turn against Atlanta.

Daily Highlight: Eastern Conference Contenders

The Bulls and the Heat played in a defensive showdown last night, and the Heat showed that they need Chris Bosh to perform.  Last I saw he was 1-18 from the floor for 7 points in the loss to the Bulls.  That's not going to cut.  Especially against Derek Rose and a very good Bulls team.