Lowry’s struggles, Revisiting the wild Game two finish in San Antonio and looking ahead to tonight’s Cavs/Hawks Game two
“It sucks to be playing this bad with all eyes on me. I know I'm better than this, so I have to pick this s— up." Kyle Lowry
The degree to which Kyle Lowry is struggling right now is incomprehensible. Following a three for 13 performance last night during a game one loss in the Eastern Conference Semifinals vs the Miami Heat Lowry is now shooting 34-111 (8-50 3pt) from the field through eight games in these playoffs. He has been an all-star the last two seasons and will probably be named to one of the three all-NBA teams in the coming weeks. There is no precedent for a player of his caliber to be struggling like this and if he doesn’t turn it around soon the Raptors will be made quick work of by the Heat. Toronto doesn’t get a lot of easy baskets, that’s just not how they play. They won 56 games on the shoulders of Lowry and DeRozan knocking down contested mid-range jumpers. Those two guys have got to get going and part of the responsibility also falls on head coach Dwayne Casey to help them out. Toronto is too good a team to be playing like this. Game two is tomorrow night 8et on TNT.
13.5 seconds of complete chaos in San An.
Monday night in San Antonio with the Thunder clinging to a one point lead with 13.5 seconds left Dion Waiters was having trouble finding an open man to inbound the ball to, he knew he was getting close to a five second call. So naturally he reached his arm from out of bounds and pushed Manu Ginobili out of the way. Chris Webber, working as a color analyst for TNT, lost his mind (as if he’s never had a late game brain cramp). Webber expressed exactly what I and many others had to be thinking. “I’ve never seen that before” Waiters launched a pass high to Kevin Durant who then was basically tackled by Danny Green. San Antonio got the ball and raced into the front court for what was essentially a 3-1 fast break. Luckily for the Thunder that one guy was center Steven Adams who was able to protect the basket and then even get out to contest a Patty Mills corner 3 forcing the air ball from Mills. The final seconds ticked away as the Spurs and Thunder wrestled with each other for possession of the ball under the basket. It was mayhem. There is no question a foul should have been called on Waiters but the way it worked out no argument can be made that the non-call cost San Antonio the game. Oklahoma City outplayed the Spurs all night and deserved to win. No team and or player is criticized and scrutinized like Russell Westbrook and the Oklahoma City Thunder. It’s become an NBA tradition this time of year. Some of it is out of line and incorrect and some of it is fair and accurate. Either way the Thunder don’t care. They have the two best players in the series and if they fight and defend the way they did in game 2 they have a chance. I still don’t think they’ll win the series, I have Spurs in six but writing them off after game one was ridiculous. The way the game ended overshadowed just how impressive a win it was for the Thunder and that’s kind of a shame but it’s also their reality. When they win they’re supposed to and when they lose they’re selfish and dysfunctional. What they are now though is tied at a game apiece and heading home.
Curryless Champs Roll On
As I watched the Golden St Warriors simply overwhelm Blazers last night in the fourth quarter seemingly with the flip of a switch one thought popped into my head. “Man, that was Bulls like” Specifically it reminded me of game two of the 1996 Eastern Conference Finals vs the Orlando Magic when Chicago turned up the intensity and Orlando wilted under the pressure. A substantial deficit became and easy win again seemingly with the flipping of a switch. The Warriors are as complete and dominant a team as we’ve seen in any sport since at least those Bulls teams and they put that on display night in and night out. Oh Speights doesn’t have it tonight they just dust off Festus Ezeli who gives them 8 points, 6 rebounds and is +/- +13 in 13 minutes. They are so deep, so resourceful and Steve Kerr pushes all the right buttons. Curry’s return date is still in question but by all accounts he will be back and assuming he’s healthy and remains healthy a second title is a forgone conclusion.
Hawks/Cavs Game 2
Atlanta shot 38% from the field in game one including a combined 10-32 from Milsap and Horford. The Hawks missed wide open looks all night obviously that can’t continue. The Cavs on the other hand shot 48% from 3 point range.
Biggest thing that jumped out to me from game 1 was Kyle Korver taking one shot in 37 minutes. That can’t happen. Budenholzer either has find a way to get him open looks or get him off the floor. I also think Atlanta needs to play Teague and Schroeder together more often.
Atlanta wins game two
