The second round of the NBA Playoffs got underway on Sunday with a pair of games. Here’s a recap of the two matchups.
Oklahoma City tops Memphis, 93-91
Using a big fourth quarter, Oklahoma City kept hold of their home court advantage with a series-opening 93-91 win over Memphis.
The Grizzlies were anything but a pushover in this one. Down by only one point as the game went into halftime, they used a 27-17 third quarter to take a nine-point lead into the fourth, fueled by a 17-6 run. And after a late three-pointer from near half-court by Quincy Pondexter at the buzzer, everything was going the Grizzlies’ way.
But the Thunder fought back and tied the game up. After a Marc Gasol jumper, the Grizzlies went up by three with 1:07 remaining. But a late meltdown by Memphis changed the face of the contest.
First, Kevin Durant came back down the court and made a jump shot. Then on Memphis’ ensuing possession, veteran Derek Fisher made a key steal and Durant hit another jumper to give the Thunder a one-point lead. The Grizzlies turned the ball over again on their next trip down the court and following a couple of free throws, Oklahoma City went up by three. Even after the breakdown, though, Memphis had one final chance after a late foul by Reggie Jackson on Pondexter’s last-second three-point attempt. But he couldn’t capitalize, missing the first and after intentionally missing the third, the Grizzlies couldn’t get a final shot off in time.
Memphis’ frontcourt didn’t disappoint in the loss. Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph each had a double-double and combined for 38 points and 20 rebounds. Meanwhile, Durant, as usual, was Oklahoma City’s star with 35 points and 15 rebounds to go along with six assists. He got some help, though, from reserves, Derek Fisher and Kevin Martin. Martin scored 25 points off the bench and in addition to Fisher’s key steal, he had two three-pointers in the fourth quarter.
These are the types of games Memphis had to win coming into the series to have a chance to move on to the next round. But with a blown opportunity, it makes you wonder if they’ll get another shot to lead the series.
Indiana wins 102-95 over New York in Game 1 on the road
In a game reminiscent of some of the battles between Indiana and New York in the 1990s, the Pacers stepped up in a 102-95 win over the Knicks on Sunday. The physical game was anything but pretty at times, but that surely doesn’t matter to Indiana.
Starters Tyson Chandler and Paul George both fouled out. Carmelo Anthony and Roy Hibbert racked up five fouls each and a total of seven players had at least four fouls in the penalty-filled matchup.
After falling behind in the first quarter, the Pacers used a 21-point combined advantage in the second and third quarters to take control of the game. Part of that run happened while the Knicks’ star Anthony was in foul trouble in the third. Indiana used some key runs to move ahead and ultimately give them the victory. In the second quarter, they had a 10-2 run just before halftime. Earlier in the third quarter the Pacers went on an 11-2 run and after a timeout at the 3:00 mark, Indiana went on an 8-1 run to close out the period.
All five of Indiana’s starters scored in double figures and they were led by 39 combined points by forwards David West and Paul George. New York native Lance Stephenson also had a big game with 11 points and a game-high 13 rebounds. Anthony had 27 points and 11 boards for New York in defeat.
With the loss, the Pacers have now seized home court advantage in the series. The big thing to watch as the series continues is the potential return of All-Star Amar’e Stoudemire. Stoudemire, who has been sidelined for the past two months, is hoping to get back onto the court in the next game or two.
Game 2 will be in New York on Tuesday night when you can expect to see a fairly desperate Knicks squad.
