Gold Sheet
Chicago 107 - NEW YORK 99—Chicago has already wrapped up the
homecourt edge throughout the Eastern portion of the playoffs, but we don’t
expect the Bulls to take the foot off of the pedal yet. Wins tonight over the
Knicks and tomorrow vs. the Nets, plus San Antonio losses in its last two
games, would give Tom Thibodeau’s team the home edge throughout the entire
playoffs. So, for tonight, at least, expect a focused Chicago effort, especially
considering that the host Knicks are the only team in the league the Bulls
haven’t beaten this season after suffering a pair of earlier setbacks (both before
New Year’s, by the way). Note that Chicago wasn’t at full strength for either of
those clashes (Carlos Boozer missing the Nov. 4 loss, and Joakim Noah absent
from the Xmas setback), and the “new-look” Knicks are hardly a better
defensive team with Carmelo Anthony now three-plus months since the last
meeting. Derrick Rose, off a 39-point explosion Sunday vs. Orlando, can also
solidify his MVP claim with another big effort in front of the Big Apple media.
Knicks seeking to maintain the East 6th slot for the upcoming playoffs, but they
might not have the services of Amar’e Stoudemire (ankle) for this one. 10-Ny
+6' 120-112 (205), NY -2 103-95 (207); 09-CHI -2' 98-89 (202), NY -6 88-81
(200), CHI -6' 118-85 (198), Chi +2 115-109 (201) CABLE TV—TNT
Memphis 97 - PORTLAND 96—These two are still jockeying for anything
from the 6th to the 8th West seeds in the soon-to-commence postseason. This
campaign’s earlier pair of meetings were split at FedEx Forum, although it’s
been nearly four months since these two faced one another, which is enough
time for the Blazers to have forgotten about their 9-point 4th Q (no kidding!) in
their ugly 86-73 loss off Beale Street on Dec. 13, a night when Zach Randolph
(25 & 20) dominated for Memphis. There are some compelling arguments to be
made for the Grizzlies, who lead the NBA in paint scoring (51.3 ppg) and could
be facing a Portland frontline minus Marcus Camby, whose status is iffy due to
a lingering neck injury. Randolph is understandably excited. Memphis has won
its last two visits to the Rose Garden, and it takes a sparkling 9-2 SU and spread
mark its last eleven games overall into the contest, plus a stellar 21-8 road dog
mark. 10-Port +1 100-99 (194), MEM -3' 86-73 (188); 09-Port -6' 93-79 (202),
Mem +11' 106-96 (194), Mem +1 109-105 (199), Port -1' 103-93 (194)
LA LAKERS 94 - San Antonio 86—Not sure if it’s really panic time or not
for the Lake Show, which has gone ice cold in the last ten days by losing five
games in a row. Whatever, its slump now has L.A. in danger of slipping to the
No. 4 seed in the West and an especially tricky first-round matchup vs. red-hot
No. 5 seed Denver, which started the Lakers’ recent slide with a victory April 3
at Staples Center. Visiting San Antonio already has the top playoff seed in the
West guaranteed, and the Spurs (who play at Phoenix on Wednesday) have a
magic number of one to clinch the homecourt edge throughout the entire
playoffs over Chicago (the Bulls must win their last two to merely stay alive).
The Lakers did send a message in their last meeting vs. S.A. March 6 at the
AT&T Center, bolting to 34-13 edge after the first Q en route to 99-83 cruise that
partially avenged a pair of earlier defeats vs. Coach Pop’s troops (including the
earlier meeting at Staples Center, when Antonio MyDyess’ buzzer-beating tipin
gave Spurs the 89-88 win on Feb. 3). Expect Phil Jackson to insist upon some
playoff-like intensity from his troops in an effort to break their current losing
skein, which is the team’s longest skid since 2007. “Totals” alert—first three
meetings all “under,” and LA “under” 49-30 this season. 10-SAN -3 97-82 (199),
San +3 89-88 (195), La +3 99-83 (191); 09-SAN -3 105-85 (194), LA -3 101-89
(193), La +1' 92-83 (198), San +5 100-81 (193) CABLE TV—TNT
