Rockets-Lakers, Magic-Celtics: Drama in the NBA Playoffs

While Dallas and Cleveland look like they might run away with their respective series, the other two semifinals matchups are tied up—and are getting more physical by the game.

Orlando vs. Boston

Boston tied the series up with a 112-94 shellacking of Orlando.

While the game was over early, Rafer Alston kept the drama and the comedy alive with an open hand slap to the back of Eddie House's head after House buried a three and turned up court.

House was on fire, tonight scoring a game and career playoff high with 31.

While the slap seemed harmless, Alston will probably be suspended for game three. Orlando will have to play more focused, and Dwight Howard must rebound better and control the paint. Boston can’t count on another 31 points from House, who shot 11 of 14 and made all four of his three point attempts.

Orlando seemed unmotivated to play this game, and the frustration Alston expressed on the back of House’s head cost them their starting point guard. They can rebound with their home crowd behind them, but they can’t let Boston shoot 51 percent from the field.

Los Angeles vs. Houston

This series has seen Yao Ming hobble off the court and return. Shane Battier looked like a pro wrestler after an elbow cut open a gash above Battier’s eye, which required four stitches.

Derek Fisher shoulder charged Luis Scola as Scola came to set a pick. Fisher was promptly issued a flagrant two and ejected from the game.

As Ron Artest and Kobe Bryant struggled for a rebound, Bryant elbowed Artest in the throat. Artest was assessed a foul, and after expressing his displeasure with an official ran across court to Bryant and let him know “he wasn’t going to react.” Artest was separated from Bryant and ejected.

All of this along with some extremely physical play by everyone.

Whew. And this is only in the first two games.

While the physical play has made both games enjoyable to watch, Houston's ability to take game one has made this series very intriguing.

Houston will have to continue the physical play and hope Battier and Artest can frustrate Bryant enough. Bryant shot 59 percent in game two, scoring 40 points. Even for Bryant, that is well above his 46 percent season average.

Houston has a real chance to win this series because Artest creates so many matchup problems. Yao has shown in game one that he is capable of having a big game against Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol.

And as Kenny Smith said, Houston has “pit bulls.” Carl Landry, Chuck Hayes, Luis Scola, Battier, and Artest all play hard and never take off a playoff minute.

Los Angles is a better team, but Houston doesn’t care. Los Angles showed a weakness last year against physical teams when Boston took the title.

This year, Los Angeles might not even taste the Conference Finals.

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