NBA Playoffs Recaps: LeBron Takeover & Blazers Bounce Back

Second Round of NBA Playoffs will feature two games of night.  I dropped the ball on writing on Saturdays meaning Friday games were left in the dust.  I am going to write about the games like we did for the first round because it is picking up steam in terms of the hits. I will probably add a full blog post sometimes when we have a must talked playoff win. 

This is why he is LeBron James, and you are not 
2014 NBA Playoffs have some memorable moments already only being three weeks into the postseason, and LeBron James added his own as the Heat won their seventh playoff game in eight tries. James had 49 points on 16/24 shooting with six rebounds and two assists. This game was all about LeBron. Who knows the motivation whether it was Paul Pierce saying publicly he wanted to guard James in this one, or LeBron realized no one was going to save this one. LeBron did in all facets of the game and looked like the best player in the world.  A couple things forgotten in the gaudy stat line for LeBron is Joe Johnson was put on complete lockdown by James in the final couple minutes of the game playing a large part in holding Brooklyn scoreless for nearly two and half minutes of game time. James can put the dagger in Brooklyn on Wednesday night, and I wouldn't doubt it if he does it.

One does wonder what if Brooklyn pulled this game out. If the Nets win despite LeBron having 45 points or more, it becomes a huge confidence boost for this team. Instead, they play with James and the Heat for 38.5 minutes to catch the #lemonbooty late in the game.

Blazers Breathe New Air... For Now
In the first three games, Portland looked like a 15th seed playing a two seed for three straight games as San Antonio boat raced them in all of them. But the Trail Blazers hit some big threes in the second half pulling away from the Spurs. After Portland getting 21 points off their bench in the first three games, Will Barton nearly got it by himself. Barton had 17 points with six rebounds. He played 30 minutes in the game, the last two times Barton played that much was starting in the final game and a 28 minute effort against Brooklyn in late February. He might be the secret weapon to attempt and take this series back to Rip City. Additionally, Nicolas Batum had a great evening that shouldn't be forgotten as he had 14 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists.

There is nothing really to be concerned about if you are the Spurs. Portland got hot in the third quarter where the Blazers dropped 35 points. Honestly, I think San Antonio pulled back the horses and rested up for Game 5 which is perfectly okay.

Charlie.