NBA Playoffs 2015: Week Three Review
Eastern Conference
The Bulls look to move past the Kevin Love-less Cavaliers. While the Hawks take on the Wizards in two match ups that should continue to yield as much excitement as they have already. I mean with what has already happened in their first six games it really is hard to ask for more. The first two games of each series saw the teams split in arguably boring fashion. But the third games each have ended with their own amazing buzzer beaters. The Wizards, who could have been completely lost without John Wall, are now on the back of the playoff-hardened veteran, Paul Pierce. His playoff experience and veteran mindset have been projected upon the team as a whole and the Wizards really believe they can do something special. The Bulls still lean on the Derrick Rose, who continues to amaze whenever given the chance.
John Wall missing time spells a lot of trouble for Washington but for now they can breath easy. Seeing Paul Pierce hit a game winner in a pivotal game three must have them feeling confidence going forward. The Atlanta Hawks have let the Wizards hang around too long in this series and they are getting more and more sure of themselves as it goes on. While the Hawks have tried to emulate the formula and method of the San Antonio Spurs, they are lacking one key thing. They lack a player who is really known for hitting that shot for them when they need it.
Whenever the Spurs have had that moment, they have turned to Tim Duncan. Also Tony Parker has knocked down plenty of amazing shots in the playoffs too. Lets not forget about Manu Ginobili, who has also hit his share of clutch shots in the playoffs. The Hawks have a lot of things going for them as a team, they play great defense and utilize the team as a whole phenomenally. But they are going to have to win the next game and focus on capitalizing on a team that seems like it may have lost its star player indefinitely. The Wizards biggest decision on that matter might be the long-term health of John Wall; they could risk him being more injured for longer if they rush him back. Winning right now might not be the best option for them if they can look to win soon. Anyway it just looks like the winner of the other series will be representing the Eastern Conference in the finals anyway…
Cleveland has been looking for a championship forever but with the Cavaliers facing Derrick Rose and the Bulls, things are looking more and more grim for them. Lebron James is doing what he can but without Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving fighting an injury, they just look like they are lacking something. Meanwhile on the other side, the Chicago Bulls are celebrating the twenty-sixth year anniversary of Michael Jordan’s famous the shot and Derrick Rose has created his very own version of it. The Chicago Bulls are getting hot at the right time and it looks like nothing can stand in their way. They have been playing great basketball as of late and have won the two closer games in the series. When it comes to the post season the team that can win in the tighter situations will always prevail. Those games hold a lot of momentum in a series, losing a game on one shot can really hurt the morale of a team. We’ll see if the Cavaliers can bounce back from a loss like the one they had on Friday.
Western Conference
Things like the Memphis Grizzlies and Austin Rivers are what make the playoffs great. Two things that, at the start of the playoffs, garnered a minimal amount of attention have now captured a lot more attention because of the way they have performed. The Grizzlies just won a crucial game three and have taken control of the series they were not supposed to win. They have used their playoff experience and found a strategy to play against the Warriors. The Las Angeles Clippers have their own strategy in addition to have found a rising star in their own coach’s son. Austin Rivers who was known for some bad blunders, including one in the very second game of the series had a huge performance in the third game Friday night.
The playoffs can be interesting, a mistake like that brings a lot of attention to Rivers due to the importance of it. It set the stage even more for him to do something amazing. In the very next game Rivers keys a twenty-three to nothing run for the Clippers that would have them take control of the game. If nothing else, he is a huge part of a win that puts them in control of the series. It helps the Clippers even more that Rivers has emerged as someone they can rely on because the recent ailments of Chris Paul. The more time Rivers plays the more time Paul can rest. The Clippers must be happy going forward after a win like that. The Rockets have to find a more efficient way to score without James Harden going to the line. The Clippers have been a lot better about avoiding the fouls on him, so he has had to work that much harder to score. Plus with DeAndre Jordan outplaying Dwight Howard; the Rockets just look a little out played in the first three games. They could have very well been down three games to none had Rivers not made that mistake in game two. They have to find a weakness in the Las Angeles Clippers game. Similar to how the Grizzlies have found a weakness in the Warriors game plan.
The Warriors have had some trouble adjusting to that exploit. Memphis is really focusing on disrupting on the current MVP: Steph Curry. Keeping Curry’s vision blocked on the three point line forced him to make just two on ten attempts from beyond the arc in game three. He has not adjusted that well to this newfound pressure from one of the best defensive teams in the league. The Warriors as a team did not react well to it either turning the ball over numerous times trying to force the ball a little bit. Those turnovers led to a multitude of chances on the break for the Grizzlies. The Warriors inexperience is really being shown. Also Golden State’s big men will have to play better on the one of the best centers in the game right now. Marc Gasol is showing why many teams will be offering big money for the big man in the summer.
The playoffs provide interesting storylines for sure. Whether they are the emergence of a player who was pretty much a laughing stock, or how a playoff-hardened team can make a young one look really bad by exploiting a weakness. The Warriors and Rockets will have to overcome those weaknesses or their seasons will come an abrupt end. As for Austin Rivers, it looks like the story on him is just starting to be written.
