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BDCi’s NBA playoffs week 6

(BDCi) – The NBA playoffs is now down to four teams vying for the NBA Finals. It has been quite an exciting playoffs as every point, rebound and defense stop have been heightened. No lead is safe as teams are up by double digits and watch their lead disappear very quickly. Lets look at the Western Conference and Eastern Conference Finals matchups so far.

WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS

(2) San Antonio Spurs vs. (5) Memphis Grizzlies SAS LEAD SERIES 2-0

The San Antonio Spurs feel lucky that they are up 2-0 in this series that could easily be tied at one after Game 2. In Game 1, the Spurs could do nothing wrong as they proved they are one of the best teams in the West. Game 2 was a different story as the Spurs continued their dominance from Game 1 but failed to keep their lead and the game went into overtime. Thanks to ageless wonder Tim Duncan, scoring six points in the overtime, the Spurs were able to escape with victory. However the Spurs work is far from done.  Last year, the Spurs were in the same position and lost four straight to the Thunder to end their season. The Memphis Grizzlies in this postseason were down 0-2 to the Clippers before winning four straight. They were down 0-1 to the Thunder before winning four straight plus they are 5-0 at FedEx Forum during the playoffs, which is where the series will shift for games 3 and 4. The Grizzlies need to get Zach Randolph more involved in the offense if they want to get back in this series. Hats off to the Spurs who continually double-teamed Randolph in the post and forced Memphis to make perimeter shots which is not their game. The Grizzlies got back into game 2 thanks to the play of Mike Conley with Jerryd Bayless and Quincy Pondexter. It remains to be seen whether Lionel Hollins should make a lineup change as both Tony Allen and Tayshaun Prince have gone a combined 8 of 24 from the field during the first two games. While Allen is not on the floor for his scoring, he more than makes up for it with his defense. Honestly, it is Tayshaun Prince who is struggling on both ends of the court and Hollins might want to insert Quincy Pondexter into the starting lineup to get another good shooter on the floor complementing the big men of Randolph and Marc Gasol. Game 3 will be Saturday in Memphis

EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS

(1) Miami Heat vs. (3) Indiana Pacers MIA LEADS SERIES 1-0

The Indiana Pacers seemed like they were going toe to toe with the defending champs until LeBron James changed all that. The Heat won Game 1 in overtime thanks to a LeBron James layup with 2.2 seconds left to give the Heat the victory. The debate surrounding this series has been Pacers coach Frank Vogel not having his big center Roy Hibbert in the game for James’ layup.  What is done is done and the Pacers cannot look back now. They need to figure out a way to respond after their heartbreaking loss. The Heat dominated the Pacers in the paint with 60 of their 103 coming in that fashion. It is also more than double the Heat’s average in the paint and should be a major focus for the Pacers. The Pacers are one of the best defensive team in the league and need to cut back on Miami’s second chance points and offensive rebounds. The Heat had 16 offensive rebounds which was good for 24 second chance points in Game 1. If the Pacers can clean that up, they will be in good shape for Game 2.  Game 2 is Friday night in Miami and hopefully the Pacers can come back with some fire and intensity, otherwise they will go back to Indiana down 0-2.

Stats: NBA.com

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