The Los Angeles Lakers were attempting to eliminate the Denver Nuggets in Game 5. However,
despite 43 points from Kobe Bryant, the Nuggets were able to survive by beating the Lakers by a
final score of 102-99. Denver was led by Andre Miller and JaVale McGee, who both came off the
bench.
Miller had 24 points and eight assists on 8-for-11 shooting from the field.
This is a fascinating matchup between the defending champion Dallas Mavericks and the Oklahoma
City Thunder, a team many believe will end up winning this year's championship. What will win out?
Will it be veteran experience or that youthful talent?
While I think the Mavs will play better in the postseason than they did in the regular season,
the Thunder just have too much talent.
One of the most interesting matchups in the first round of the 2012 NBA Playoffs is the series
between the Indiana Pacers and the Orlando Magic. The Pacers got the third seed in the East but
they are so unproven that no team really fears them. The Magic, on the other hand, have NBA Finals
experience but they are without Dwight Howard due to injury.
While I know a lot of NBA experts are expecting the New York Knicks to give the Miami Heat a run
for their money in the first round, I just don't see it. The Heat are just too good. LeBron James
is the best player in the league and Dwyane Wade always shows up in the playoffs. The Knicks,
meanwhile, are a gimmick team that depends on one-on-one play.
In the Western Conference, the top-seeded San Antonio Spurs will be taking on the Utah Jazz in
the first round of the 2012 NBA Playoffs. While the Spurs lost in the playoffs in the first round
as the No. 1 seed, don't expect a repeat this time around. In fact, expect a sweep.
The Spurs are healthy and playing great basketball.
It's easy to forget about the San Antonio Spurs but again this year they are playing excellent
basketball. Coming into their contest against the Indiana Pacers, the Spurs had won six straight
games. After posting a 112-103 victory over the Pacers, the Spurs extended their winning streak to
seven games.
In matchup of undefeated teams, the Portland Trail Blazers topped the Denver Nuggets by a final
score of 111-102. These two Western Conference sleepers played a fantastic game that featured a lot
of back of forth action. Don't be surprised if the Blazers and Nuggets face each other in the 2012
NBA playoffs.
