Game Two Previews: Expect Lakers and Cavs to Cruise, Rockets to Lose
April 21, 2009
Cavaliers vs. Pistons
Game Two - 8PM EST TNT
Game Preview - WLIX.com
Detroit has certainly seen better days, and after getting beat down at the hands of the Cavs in Game One, there were little signs to show that Detroit will make this a competitive series.
The key tonight is to see if the Pistons can jump out to a lead early, and put pressure on Cleveland to play from behind. When the Cavs are able to lead from the start, they are very tough to beat.
Saying all that, there is simply too much Cleveland offense for the Pistons to tie the series up.
Cleveland 102, Detroit 87
Rockets vs. Blazers
10PM EST - NBA TV
Game Preview - BlazersEdge.com
Portland was punched in the face in game one by a bigger, tougher, stronger Rockets team. The playoff honeymoon is over in Rip City, and the Rose Garden should have the feel of a game seven tonight.
The Blazers will have to get LaMarcus Aldridge involved early, and have to somehow contain Yao Ming from dominating the post. Meanwhile, will Brandon Roy answer the bell, and will his team back in this series?
As good as Houston looked in the first game, getting 27 points from Aaron Brooks won’t be in the cards tonight, and I expected the Blazers to jump out to an early lead and not look back.
Portland 97 Houston 85
Lakers vs. Jazz
10:30PM EST - TNT
Game Preview - True Blue Jazz
The Lakers methodically beat Utah in Game One, though Deron Williams did his thing, and the Jazz never really went away. When the Lakers are clicking offensively, there is no team in the league that can beat them.
However, one area Phil Jackson certainly was not happy with was the defensive lapses at times by the Lakers.
Utah has enough talent and heart that they won’t go down easy tonight, and I expect this game to go overtime, before Kobe’ heroics help the Lakers pull out a victory. Much of the east coast will be asleep before this one ends, but come back here tomorrow morning for the recap.
Los Angeles 113, Utah 109 (OT)
Courtesy LayupDrill.com
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