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Day 2 of the 2012 NBA playoffs was certainly not a day without storylines.
After climbing back from a 19 point deficit to pull the game within 4, Rajon Rondo chest-bumped an official, leading to his ejection and probable suspension for game 2.
From celticsblog.com:
Tempers flare, heat of the battle, blah blah blah. It was stupid to go after the ref like that and it was stupid to bump him. I'm not sure if I believe he "tripped" or not, but even if he did, it was stupid and selfish to go after the ref like that. I love Rondo, love him. I accept that he gets heated, this isn't intended to be a total rip job on him. I just think he made a stupid move last night.
The question is, how much will it cost him and the team?
Boston looked sluggish out of the gate, possibly from the layoff, but was playing much better basketball after the first quarter, with Rondo leading the way with 20 points, 11 assists, 4 steals and only 1 turnover before his ejection. Obviously. Josh Smith led the Hawks with 22 points, 18 rebounds, 4 assists and a block, making long two after long two.
Any momentum Boston was gaining as the game went on obviously went out the window with Rondo's ejection, and Boston could be in a serious hole when they return home later this week.
Game 2 is Tuesday night in Atlanta.
Lakers 103, Nuggets 88
Everybody's darling, and especially those in Philadelphia, had a rough night last night, losing 103-88 to the Lakers. Kobe Bryant had a nice night of 31 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists, and was joined by Andrew Bynum's 10 point, 13 rebound, 10 block triple double. Bynum has averaged 21.2 points, 10.9 rebounds and 1.8 blocks since the all-star break.
The Lakers defense, led by Bynum, held the Denver Nuggets (3rd in the league in offensive rating) to 35.6% from the field and 28.6% from three. The Nuggets shoot 47.6% and 33.2% on the season, respectively.
From Silver Screen and Roll:
Just one game. That's how long it took the Los Angeles Lakers to show they mean business this postseason. Or, at least, that's how long it took Andrew Bynum to show that he can mean business, and meaning business for Bynum means trouble for the rest of the league. In compiling only the 2nd playoff triple double of points, blocks, and rebounds ever, the precocious Lakers big man showed that defensive dominance is still very much one of the tricks in his bag.
Game 2 is Tuesday night in Los Angeles.
San Antonio did something they haven't done in recent times: they won a series opener. They hadn't done so in 4 years.
The Spurs led virtually wire to wire, up 6 after the first quarter, 7 at half, and 15 after 3. They were led by 28 points and 8 assists from Tony Parker, along with 17 points, 77 rebounds, and 5 assists from Tim Duncan. The Spurs have now won 11 games in a row, with almost no fanfare.
From Pounding The Rock:
But despite Utah's size advantage on the front line, the West's No. 1 seed comfortably put Game 1 in the books with a 106-91 win at the AT&T Center. And really, it shouldn't have even been that close. The Spurs didn't play that well, and I don't believe this series is going to be as close as many are being led to believe.
Game 2 is Wednesday night in San Antonio.
Clippers 99, Grizzlies 98
In one of the greatest playoff comebacks you will ever see, the Clippers rallied from 27 points down to stun the Grizzlies 99-98, outscoring Memphis 35-13 in the 4th quarter. The Grizzlies were up 95-71 with 8 minutes left. The Clippers went on a 26-1 run which included 3 Nick Young three pointers. Pure insanity.
Chris Paul led a balanced attack with 14 points, 11 assists, and 4 rebounds. Blake Griffin added 17 points, Nick Young 19, and Caron Butler 12.
The comeback wasn't all good, though. Caron Butler broke his left hand, in addition to Chris Paul continuing to battle a groin injury, butting a cloud over the Clippers playoff future.
From Straight Outta Vancouver:
We've seen this script before. This year's last-second wins against the Nuggets and Warriors were the model for last night's horrific collapse and gut-punch loss to the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 1 of the first round. Those earlier games saw the Grizzlies run out to big leads the first half, only to see those leads slowly evaporate over the second, until a last-minute isolation shot from Rudy Gay led to somebody (Tony Allen in one, Dante Cunningham in the other) winning the game with a putback.
There was no one to save the Grizzlies last night. Everything fell apart.
From Clips Nation:
I don't know what to say. Remember the 22-0 run against Memphis in November 2009? How about a 42-14 run, IN Memphis, in late APRIL!
I didn't do comment of the night. Too many comments and too much moderation needed made it impossible.
There's alot of negatives, like being down 27, and Caron's finger. But let's deal with that in the morning.
Game 2 is Wednesday night in Memphis.