Brandon Lang
TUESDAY ...
20 Dime - Lakers - Did you listen to Phil Jackson's interview with Lisa Salters between the third and fourth quarters of Game 1? He was pissed. Extremely pissed that his players laid off the Jazz and allowed their minds back into the game, thinking they could challenge. I never thought Los Angeles would relinquish the double-digit lead, but let me tell you something, you don't dominate the first half like the Lakers did and come out flat like that ... not under Phil's watch. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Lakers do what Cleveland did in the first game, and the Cavs to do what the Lakers did. Only, as you can see, I like Detroit to actually get in through the back door.
It's really just a matter of fine tuning the execution, as they continue the process of trying to sweep this playoff series. And there's no one better at doing so than Jackson. Rebounding tenacity in the third quarter will be a huge issue, and I suspect the boys in Purple and Gold will be like Windex after the break. Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum will limit the penetration that forces help and opens lanes for Jazz players to pound the boards. It also means keeping the big men out of foul trouble without all that penetration.
Fact is, the Lakers have to play a more balanced game tonight in Game 2 at Staples Center than they did in Game 1. They built a 22-point halftime lead and coasted to the finish line with a less-than-inspiring second half. Tonight we get the full effect for all four quarters. Play the home team here.
20 Dime - Pistons - Not completely sold on Cleveland being able to duplicate the blowout from Game 1. Not when the core of this Pistons team remains from the previous years it's been in the Eastern Conference Finals ... what has it been, six straight? That means something, as does the Central-Divison rivalry. And familiarity had to kick in at some point with these two, which means adjustments are made and competitiveness is elevated.
There's no way the boys from Motown are going to lay down two straight games in the playoffs, not with at least a scrap, knowing they can head back to Detroit with the series knotted by winning tonight. Can the Pistons win?
Probably not, but they can make a game of it. I do believe they're capable of winning one of the games in Detroit, which means I should be confident in them keeping this one to single digits. With that, comes a strong first half, which is why I am playing a 10 Dime First Half wager on the Pistons as well. Detroit has to come out and play a knock-down drag out brilliant first half to assure itself it can compete with the Eastern Conference's No. 1 seed.
You see I like the under, and that's because I expect the Pistons to roll out the physical-style play right away, looking to silence LeBron James, while forcing his supporting cast to perform from the perimeter. If it's one thing the Pistons can do, it's establish a defensive presence. We're counting on the Pistons to challenge the bully inthe first half, and roll that into a strong second half to cover the game with a late surge.
20 Dime - Rockets - Houston was lights out in Game 1, and nothing should change in this game, as we have experience from head-to-toe in this one. All in one analysis for the game an my 10 Dimer on the Rockets in the First Half as I simply believe we have the better overall team, and will see that during all four quarters in a balanced effort. Just look at the last three meetings, as Houstons has put up an average of 102.7 points per game on the Blazers. In fact, the Rockets are on an 8-1 straight-up run in this series, and have covered five of the last seven meetings.
And for as well as Houston played down the stretch, it's hard to ignore the veteran leadership the team is receiving from Yao Ming and Ron Artest. And while Portland features intricate offensive sets whe it utilizes its multiple screens from different spots on the floor - or the same area for that matter - we rarely saw that in the first game. Call it nervousness, or first-game apprehension, but now coach Nate McMillan has his team int he hole, and has left the Rockets with plenty of confidence.
If they choose to go with a simple gameplan again, they'll end up getting locked into isolation looks and that plays effectively into our hands with Houston's tenacious defense. And though I don't expect things to be as easy, I do know we have an edge in coaching, with Rick Adelman. He'll expect far better actions in Game 2 by Portland, and will have his players alert and ready to communicate.
Take Houston here, as everything carries over from Game 1, and we take it strong to the young boys.
Free pick - Pistons-Cavs UNDER (See daily video for Analysis on this game)
ffice
></o
