First Round Playoff Snapshots: L.A. Gets Better Tune-Up Than Cavs; Portland Ready to Compete
Are We There Yet? This phrase applies equally to Detroit wanting to get back home, where they might at least avoid a sweep, and the rest of us, waiting for LeBron’s Cavs to finish off this series. The only glint of hope for the Pistons in this one came when, with Cleveland up 29 in the fourth, Detroit’s second-stringers picked up enough steam that King James had to come back in the game. James finished with 29, readily shedding the defensive adjustments the Pistons made since Saturday.↵↵But this wasn’t just about one unstoppable star, or the Cavs being that good. The Pistons also let guards Mo Williams and Delonte West go over 20, and of Detroit’s starters, only Rip Hamilton and Rodney Stuckey hit double figures. While heading to the lottery would’ve hurt this franchise’s pride, we all would’ve been spared the spectacle of just how far this team has fallen. ↵
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↵A Little of Each: In a surprise to no one, the Lakers took the second game in Los Angeles, 119-109. But this isn't a Detroit/Cleveland situation, as the Jazz are mediocre on the road, excellent at home. Plus, in tonight's loss, Deron Williams ratched his intensity up a notch as he finished with 35 points. Couple a return to SLC with Williams's sheer ability, and the fact that, as on Sunday, the Jazz did keep it close for much of the game, and the Lakers might have their hands full when the venue shifts. Or perhaps that's just me trying to drum up excitement. There's a good chance the Lakers took these first two as givens, or maybe the entire series; maybe that's working to Utah's advantage, or maybe Los Angeles will have no problem eventually handling whatever the Jazz throw its way. Will this series remind us how strong the West still is, or just allow Los Angeles a better tune-up than Cleveland's getting? ↵
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Why Stars Matter: After Houston's easy win in Portland over the weekend, it looked like Portland really might be too young to make an impact in the postseason. That maybe they should just be grateful they got here at all.↵
↵↵Tuesday night, though, Brandon Roy put the team on his back and made a case for them as ready, or at least willing, to push past these real or imagined obstacles. With Roy exploding for 42 and LaMarcus Aldridge chipping in 27, the Blazers rose to the occasion like vets and evened the series. They also managed to limit Yao Ming to a mere six shots, and convince Ron Artest to shoot eight threes (and make only one). Aaron Brooks continued to make the case for himself as a legit playoff performer, but he can’t do it alone. Luckily for the Rockets, the Blazers are far better at home than on the road, an effect that should only be amplified this time of year. ↵
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This post originally appeared on the Sporting Blog. For more, see The Sporting Blog Archives.
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