NBA Playoff Schedule 2012: Primer for Friday's Clashes
As always, the NBA playoffs has brought its fair share of excitement and surprises. Sure, Derrick Rose is out for the rest of the postseason, and Amar'e Stoudemire got in a fight with a fire extinguisher and lost, but that doesn't mean there still isn't a wealth of stars on the hardwood.
There are three exciting clashes scheduled for Friday in the opening round of the 2012 NBA playoffs. Here's a primer for all three games, complete with analysis of each series thus far.
Atlanta Hawks at Boston Celtics, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
The Boston Celtics are feeling good after taking a game in Atlanta despite being without Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo on Tuesday.
Paul Pierce went off in that game, but that wasn't exactly a surprise. He's stepped up time and time again for the Celtics throughout the years. Pierce ended up with 36 points, 14 rebounds and four assists, while shooting 12-of-26 from the field and 11-of-13 from the free-throw line.
Rondo will return from his one-game suspension on Friday. Allen's status is still up in the air, but I don't think it will matter if Allen plays or not. Avery Bradley stepped up big time on Tuesday, scoring 14 points and playing tremendous defense. Plus, Josh Smith, a pivotal player for the Hawks, is doubtful to play on Friday after injuring his knee in Game 2. I give this one to the Celtics in TD Garden.
Chicago Bulls at Philadelphia 76ers, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN2
You have to feel bad for the Bulls. One second they're on top of the world, the next Rose is out of the playoffs and they're in danger of falling in the first round of the playoffs.
The Bulls started off strong in Game 2, courtesy of fantastic play by Joakim Noah, but they faded down the stretch, scoring just 14 points in the third quarter and 37 points in the second half.
The fact of the matter is, the Bulls were 12th in the league in field-goal percentage during the regular season, and without Rose they are going to have trouble scoring from here on out. It also doesn't help that the 76ers held opponents to 42.7 percent shooting in the regular season, third best in the NBA.
Nonetheless, the Bulls have been finding ways to win this season, even without Rose, and I think they steal Game 3 in Philadelphia. The reality is, the 76ers were 35-31 in the regular season and don't have an exceptionally strong team.
Los Angeles Lakers at Denver Nuggets, 10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
It feels like this is the Lakers' way. Everyone questions them in the middle of the season and then they turn it on down the stretch and surprise everybody.
With Kobe Bryant and their frontcourt, anything's possible for the Lakers.The Nuggets are a legit team, but the Lakers have simply been playing fantastic basketball since they acquired point guard Ramon Sessions.
Yes, I know nothing's certain until the Lakers win on the road in Denver. But they will win in Denver in Game 3. The fact of the matter is, as much as George Karl loves depth in the frontcourt, they need a player like Nene Hilario to contain Andrew Bynum and challenge him offensively. Bynum has been the best center in the NBA this season. Some of the blame should fall on Karl if the Nuggets lose this series after the midseason trade that sent Nene packing.
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