NBA Playoffs: Thursday Night Reaction
Looks like I shouldn’t go gambling on the NBA Playoffs anytime soon as I was wrong on two out of the three games last night.
Philadelphia Sixers 79 Chicago Bulls 78
(Sixers Win Series 4-2)
There’s no way I could have predicted that the top seeded Chicago Bulls would bow out this early of the playoffs. But the circumstances surrounding this exit really put the Bulls at a huge disadvantage. But I am going to give the Sixers much credit for taking advantage of that, and dropping the Bulls in six games. Not many people will be saying that as they’ll say it was the Bulls losing. But I truly think you need to give credit to Philadelphia. Even with a rough second half, the Sixers put together the final play to hit some free throws and put away the Bulls. Going to be a tough offseason for Chicago as they look to see what they can do without Derrick Rose. The ride continues for the Sixers as they now face the Boston Celtics with nothing to lose as they’ll be viewed as huge underdogs.
Boston Celtics 83 Atlanta Hawks 80
(Celtics Win 4-2)
The Celtics did what they needed to do to put away the Hawks, and now face the Philadelphia Sixers as probable favorites. Kevin Garnett looked like his younger self as he put up 28 points and grabbed 14 rebounds in the win. The Celtics put together a great run in the second quarter to get things going for them. Al Horford got fouled towards the end of the game, and had a chance to tie, but missed one of two free throws. It was the only miss out of 10 free throws for the Hawks. Good series win for this veteran team led by the young Rajon Rondo. Now the Celtics can enjoy the home court advantage against the Sixers.
Denver Nuggets 113 Los Angeles 96 (Series Tied 3-3)
If Kobe Bryant was feeling sick before the game, he’s even sicker after this performance. The Nuggets have put together three straight wins to come back and tie this series. Now comes game 7, and who knows what might happen there? Ty Lawson of the Nuggets outscored Kobe in this win 32-31. Kobe is even calling out teammates after this game, which can’t bode well for the favorites of this series. I can only imagine the reception the Nuggets could get pulling off a win in Los Angeles. But the Nuggets have the momentum and it might not surprise me that much.