Cleveland 96, Chicago 83 (Cavs lead 1-0)

Before I get into this game summary, I am going to discuss the poor officiating in today’s matinée. David Stern better tell the officials that this is the playoffs, and just like it is for the players, it is different for the referees. Therefore, allow trash talking, pushing, hand checking, and hard fouls. Nobody wants to watch a free throw shooting contest in the playoffs. That’s not what the postseason is about.

Now the play that ignited this fire occurred in a play in the first quarter of the game. Lebron James was on a fast break with Brad Miller defending. Miller understanding that he had no chance to stop Lebron in a legal form, grabbed him and didn’t allow him to make the shot. James, in frustration, gave Miller a little shove. Should he have done that? No, but it’s the playoffs and your not going to take S*** from anybody. In retaliation, Miller jawed off with Lebron as a TV timeout immediately followed the play, and the refs called a T on both of them as well as review Miller’s foul to determine if it was flagrant. Are you friggin kidding me? This is the playoffs. Man up, play ball, win or go home… by any means possible. The game doesn’t need a ’6th man’ on the floor to potentially ruin the game.

Alright, let’s get to the game. I honestly thought Cleveland was going to come out of the gate rusty, slow, and off tempo. Boy, was I wrong. The Cavs looked good and dominated this game from tip off. “But Ref, it was only a 13 point difference at game’s end .” Your right loyal fan, but it was a no contest. Shaquille O’Neal looked good, Mo Williams seemed comfortable, and Lebron resumed where he left off. They took Chicago out of their game, and the Bulls didn’t look together until the second half. By that time, it was too late.

Joakim Noah was in foul trouble and the rest of the team came down with a case of the playoff jitters. Only Derrick Rose showed up from the opening tap. Rose finished with 28 points, 10 assists, and 7 rebounds. He also had 7 turnovers and it’s mostly due to attempting to keep his team in the game. The Cavs were just too much.

The series is going to be 5 games at most, unless Chicago finds a way to play a complete game. They are terrific defensively, but offensively are lost at times. Vinny D and the gang need to regroup.

Atlanta 102, Milwaukee 92 (Hawks lead 1-0)

I learned two things from this game: Milwaukee still has a lot of fight left, and the Hawks are not that good of team.

Atlanta was embarrassing Milwaukee in the first half. The Bucks couldn’t make diddly-poo and the Hawks were soaring to a 24 point lead. Milwaukee was settling for jumpers and were timid on both sides of the floor. It really seemed that they didn’t belong in the playoffs. The only player that showed up in the first half was Rookie Sensation Brandon Jennings. Jennings was the offense and illustrated why he is the Rookie of the Year, because this team would not be here if he didn’t play so well. Yes, I understand he only shot 35% from the floor for the majority of the season, but he makes his teammates better and can score when it is needed. Today, is a clear example of that.

Jennings was dicing, slicing, icing, and sufficing the Atlanta faithful with tear drops, three point treys, and blazing speed to the basket. Milwaukee responded to his leadership in the second half. The Bucks clawed, scraped, and scratched their way back into the game by going to the hoop, forcing turnovers, and playing good team ball. Scott Skiles had his club working for every loose ball and rebound. Skiles made adjustments and Mike Woodson looked lost. The Bucks came within 7 and Woodson didn’t know what to do.

Another thing hit me this game. Mike Woodson is worse than I thought. With a team like the Hawks, you should legitly be a favorite to win a championship. No, that is not a typo. Atlanta is 8 deep and can run and gun, play defense, and are more athletic than any team in the league, yet they aren’t going to even sniff the Conference finals with Woodson calling the shots. He doesn’t know how to supply a game plan that utilize all of his team’s strengths night in and night out. The Bucks come back conveyed that beautifully.

Like I said before, the Bucks came within 7, but Mike Bibby came up with a huge three to push it to 10 in the last minute of the 3rd quarter. Milwaukee brought to 7 again in the 4th but simply ran out of gas. Atlanta was too much and finished the game strong. However, Milwaukee has a lot to look forward to in Game 2.

I predicted this series to be a sweep. I am going to be dead wrong again, so before that happens, I am going to correct myself. This series is going to go to six because Milwaukee is too good at home, and Woodson cannot even dream to out coach Skiles. This series going to be a lot better than people think.

This is The Ref signaling I’m out until next time and remember: We miss calls you miss lay ups.

Boston 85, Miami 76 (Celtics lead 1-0)

Saying this game was a tale of two halves is an understatement. Saying the tempers from this game will not carry over into the rest of this series is being hopeful (if you’re the NBA).

The game started with the Heat completely holding their ground with the Celtics in Boston. They actually held a one point lead after the first quarter, proving that they are full of fight (pun not intended, yet). The second quarter was tight, but not full of scoring, as the Heat held a 15-13 advantage in the quarter for a three point halftime lead.

Sorry Heat fans, your team and the Celtics defense showed their true colors in the second half.

Miami had a 61-47 lead five minutes into the second half, but the Celtics put their foot down and only allowed 15 more points the rest of the game (19 minutes). This is why I feel if the Heat were able to pass the C’s in the first round, the Cavs would LITERALLY eat them alive.

The Celtics charge was lead by Tony Allen (yes, TONY Allen) who had 14 points, and Paul Pierce who scored 16. The Boston offense was very balanced, but it truly was their defense that gave them the win. The Heat ended up with 22 turnovers that resulted in 38 Boston points. OUCH!

Speaking of ouch, with only 40 seconds left in the game, tempers flared after Pierce was knocked to the ground and Quentin Richardson said something to Pierce’s teammate Kevin Garnett, who was trying to clear space for Pierce. Garnett struck him in the side of the face with his left elbow, leading to an ejection.

Defending his teammate? Yes. Possible suspension for Garnett? Umm, YES! That was not a smart move by a normally smart player in KG. He has changed big time since going to Boston, and I don’t like it.

So Game 2 could lead to a KG-less Celtics team, which could allow the Heat to steal one. We’ll see.

-Shooter