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Larry 10*
On Brooklyn Nets
The just complete two game set in Chicago certainly had its moments. The Bulls led comfortably in Game 3 but went the final 5:46 of that game without a made FG (converted just two FTs) but hung on for a three-point win (Nets got the half-point cover). The teams then played a wide-open thriller in Game 4, one in which the Nets opened a 109-95 lead with just under three minutes left, only to be outscored 16-2 down the stretch, as the game went OT. In fact, it would go three OTs, as the Bulls took a commanding 3-1 series lead with a 142-134 final. There is no use looking back now for the Brooklyn Nets, who have to be mentally beat up. It’s always prominently reported at these times that only EIGHT NBA teams have overcome a 3-1 deficit to win a best-of-seven NBA playoff series, yet PJ Carlesimo talked optimistically Sunday, even mentioning the scheduling (days off) in between Game 6 and Game 7. "I mean, we know it should be 2-2, and you know the whole line of questioning would be totally different. But it's not, it's 3-1, and that's our fault and we've got to deal with it," Carlesimo said on a conference call. "But we know how close it was to being 2-2 and a totally different scenario. He believes the Nets have outplayed the Bulls for long enough stretches during the series to think they can do it for an entire game. I think he’s right, especially here in Game 5. With only one day of rest between games, BOTH teams will likely have to extend their rotations tonight. All 10 starters in Game 4 reached double digits, although Chicago was led in scoring by backup guard Nate Robinson’s 37 points. That’s interesting, because Thibodeau has been criticized for riding his starters too long. Noah's time on the court has been limited because of his foot problems (7.8 & 9.0 in 26.3 MPG), as Chicago's gotten a HUGE series from Boozer (20.3 & 11.0). Robinson’s averaging 17.3 PPG and that’s a more likely scoring total for him this time around (no 37-point game here). Brook Lopez has been outstanding for Brooklyn (22.5 & 7.5), while the starting backcourt of Williams and Johnson has combined to average 37.5 PPG. Lopez has some minor foot concerns (supposedly no big deal) and with Noah playing nearly 39 minutes in the triple-overtime game (14 more than the target due to his bout with plantar fasciitis), I see another big game for Lopez. It is also worth noting that Chicago’s point guard Kirk Hinrich (11.3 PPG for the series after getting 18 points and 14 assists in Game 4 ) has a bruised calf that the team is concerned with. Brooklyn didn’t practice Sunday and coach PJ Carlesimo aims to have the team forget about the Game 4 setback. “We have to move away from the disappointment and channel it into anger or resolve or whatever else,” Carlesimo said in a Sunday conference call. “We can’t focus on Saturday. We’ve got to focus on Monday – got to be ready at 7 o’clock. We’ve got a one-game season. It’s as simple as that.” I agree and this game “simply” has B-L-O-W-O-U-T written all over it!
On Brooklyn Nets
The just complete two game set in Chicago certainly had its moments. The Bulls led comfortably in Game 3 but went the final 5:46 of that game without a made FG (converted just two FTs) but hung on for a three-point win (Nets got the half-point cover). The teams then played a wide-open thriller in Game 4, one in which the Nets opened a 109-95 lead with just under three minutes left, only to be outscored 16-2 down the stretch, as the game went OT. In fact, it would go three OTs, as the Bulls took a commanding 3-1 series lead with a 142-134 final. There is no use looking back now for the Brooklyn Nets, who have to be mentally beat up. It’s always prominently reported at these times that only EIGHT NBA teams have overcome a 3-1 deficit to win a best-of-seven NBA playoff series, yet PJ Carlesimo talked optimistically Sunday, even mentioning the scheduling (days off) in between Game 6 and Game 7. "I mean, we know it should be 2-2, and you know the whole line of questioning would be totally different. But it's not, it's 3-1, and that's our fault and we've got to deal with it," Carlesimo said on a conference call. "But we know how close it was to being 2-2 and a totally different scenario. He believes the Nets have outplayed the Bulls for long enough stretches during the series to think they can do it for an entire game. I think he’s right, especially here in Game 5. With only one day of rest between games, BOTH teams will likely have to extend their rotations tonight. All 10 starters in Game 4 reached double digits, although Chicago was led in scoring by backup guard Nate Robinson’s 37 points. That’s interesting, because Thibodeau has been criticized for riding his starters too long. Noah's time on the court has been limited because of his foot problems (7.8 & 9.0 in 26.3 MPG), as Chicago's gotten a HUGE series from Boozer (20.3 & 11.0). Robinson’s averaging 17.3 PPG and that’s a more likely scoring total for him this time around (no 37-point game here). Brook Lopez has been outstanding for Brooklyn (22.5 & 7.5), while the starting backcourt of Williams and Johnson has combined to average 37.5 PPG. Lopez has some minor foot concerns (supposedly no big deal) and with Noah playing nearly 39 minutes in the triple-overtime game (14 more than the target due to his bout with plantar fasciitis), I see another big game for Lopez. It is also worth noting that Chicago’s point guard Kirk Hinrich (11.3 PPG for the series after getting 18 points and 14 assists in Game 4 ) has a bruised calf that the team is concerned with. Brooklyn didn’t practice Sunday and coach PJ Carlesimo aims to have the team forget about the Game 4 setback. “We have to move away from the disappointment and channel it into anger or resolve or whatever else,” Carlesimo said in a Sunday conference call. “We can’t focus on Saturday. We’ve got to focus on Monday – got to be ready at 7 o’clock. We’ve got a one-game season. It’s as simple as that.” I agree and this game “simply” has B-L-O-W-O-U-T written all over it!
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