Schmeelk: Upsets Shaping Up In Round 2 Of NBA Playoffs
By John Schmeelk
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Let's take an early look at how the second round of the NBA playoffs is playing out:
CLIPPERS-ROCKETS
The easy excuse from the Rockets after their Game 1 loss is that the rust from a few days off had a far greater effect than the Clippers' lack of rest. Given Chris Paul didn't play, it's a hard one to swallow for Rockets fans. Houston now finds itself in a must-win Game 2 at home, with all the pressure on the world on their shoulders. Winning the opener also gives the Clippers the luxury of comfortably resting Paul another game to make sure he's as healthy as possible the rest of the series.
This series has huge consequences for both teams, since Houston has never been to a conference final under this regime, and the Clippers have never broken through with Paul and Blake Griffin, who played a great game Monday night and showed off his very underrated passing skills. But I wonder how Griffin will do if the Rockets decide to play him one-on-one and force him into being a post scorer.
Give J.J. Redick credit for his defense on James Harden, who scored his points but did not dominate the game. His nine turnovers were a big difference in giving the Clippers some easy baskets. Unless the Rockets can improve their defense, become more disciplined in their double-teams and flat-out play harder, they'll be going home.
This series will be fun and highly entertaining, as long as both coaches don't start using a "hack-a-Howard/Jordan" strategy.
WARRIORS-GRIZZLIES
Even with Mike Conley, the Grizzlies, despite their regular-season success, wouldn't have much of a shot to beat the Warriors in this series. Without him and his ability to match up with Stephen Curry, this thing could be over in a sweep. Conley hopes to play in Game 2, but given the three days off before Game 3, that might be more realistic. As good as the Grizzlies' defense has been, I don't think they will slow down Golden State to the point where their offense can do enough to win.
Curry took home the MVP award in year when there was a legitimate argument for any of three finalists. But Curry was the best player on the best team, and plays with a flair that is impossible to resist.
WIZARDS-HAWKS
The Hawks have to win Game 2 in their building after dropping the opener on Sunday. John Wall played great, but the real story was the Hawks' poor shooting. Atlanta shot only 38 percent from the field and had one possession late in the game where it felt like they missed six shots after multiple offensive rebounds. Paul Millsap and Al Horford shot a combined 13 for 36, and Jeff Teague and Kyle Korver shot 9 for 29, including 4 for 12 from three-point land. Those numbers should get better for the Hawks, the sixth-best offensive team in the league during the regular season. The Wizards had the fifth-best defense in the NBA, so something is going to have to give.
CAVALIERS-BULLS
The Bulls did what good teams do and took advantage of the absence of both Kevin Love and J.R. Smith, stealing Game 1 in Cleveland. Even though LeBron James and Kyrie Irving combined for 49 points, nothing came easy for either player. Iman Shumpert took advantage of the Bulls focusing on the Cavs' two best players and scored 22, but it wasn't enough. Love's absence and subsequent lack of floor spacing allowed the Bulls to swarm near the rim and force the Cavs to the perimeter.
The bigger problem for Cleveland was its poor defense, something that plagued the team during the regular season when they finished 20th in the league in defensive efficiency. Derrick Rose played well, but still only shot 11 for 26. As a team, the Bulls shot 50 percent from the field, and 11 for 18 from behind the arc. If their shooting numbers the rest of the series are even close to that, the Cavs could be going home in five or six games.
It might take a special series from James -- and a lot of help from Irving -- for the Cavaliers to win this series. Right now, smart money is on Chicago. By the way, Knicks fans, for those of you that were really upset by the departure of Smith, behold his two-game playoff suspension. That is why J.R. Smith will always be J.R. Smith.
You can follow me on Twitter @Schmeelk for everything Knicks, Giants and the world of sports.
