by Brett Edwards
Three games in the NBA last night, here are some thoughts on each of them:
DET at MIA: Get used to seeing that picture again. A predictable Pistons win with the Heat missing J-Will, Posey, and Mourning. They are in serious trouble come playoff time if they don't get those guys back healthy. They really missed J-Will, who is apparently the only one on the team that can get the ball over half court in under eight seconds. The Heat were whistled twice for violations.
MIA is a one and a half man team right now, the one being Wade and the half being Shaq. At this point in his career, Shaq is simply a dunking machine. Anytime he's forced into making a move he commits an offensive foul, and when he takes an uncontested 5-foot jump hook he can't hit it. Unless they get everyone else back, there may be a second round loss in the Heat's future.
LAL at DEN: With Odom and Kwame continuing their recent decent play, and with Kobe dropping 42, the Lakers should win against a team that's mailing it in, right? Wrong. Devean George allowed Carmelo to hit a wide open 20- footer in OT to win it for the Nuggets. Hey Devean, seen any tape on Denver this season? Seen all of Carmelo's game winners, and notice that they're all jumpers? Why are you playing him to drive when everyone in the building knows he's going to take a jump-shot? Oh yeah, because you suck.
CHA at NJ: The nets continue their playoff tune-up by winning their 14th straight. This is the longest winning streak in the league this season, and while I don't think the Nets are that great, they do seem to be peaking at the right time. And based on the fact that MIA has injury problems and can't seem to guard VC (39 per game average vs. the Heat this season), the Nets have a legitimate shot of beating the Heat in the second round like J-Kidd beats Joumana.
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