The Oklahoma City Thunder, Indiana Pacers and San Antonio Spurs already have a 1-0 lead in their respective series. Here's why they are bound to take 2-0 lead as the NBA Playoffs continue on Wednesday evening.
OKC Thunder vs. Houston Rockets
Even the Thunder bench let it rain on the Rockets on Sunday in Game 1. These guys scored 49 points just from their bench as they went on to route the Rockets 120-91. The only reason why the Rockets were able to hang around in the second quarter was because the Thunder were misses constantly and badly.
The Rockets were barely able to take advantage of the Thunder's early struggles, but then Serge Ibaka caught fire from the perimeter, Russell Westbrook diced up the defense and the Thunder knocked down 10 of 24 three-pointers to consistently increase their lead. Jeremy Lin was controlled in the paint, which ultimately affected his passing game. Lin finished with just four assists and four points. Harden, on playoff return back home, had just 20 points in this game.
The Thunder are too fast, they're too strong and have agile big men that control the paint. The Rockets' game is from beyond the arc. If they try to penetrate too much, they do not have the length and strength to match the Thunder. That's why the Thunder will continue to expose these weaknesses and place the Rockets in an 0-2 hole.
Indiana Pacers vs. Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks don't have the answers to match up with the Indiana Pacers. The Hawks fouled way too much and eventually, they lost this game because they lost the battle at the free throw line. Fouling is the prime example of lazy defense and this was demonstrated as four Hawks finished the game with four fouls.
The Hawks shot well from the floor (50%), but they couldn't prevent from slowing the Pacers' scoring. Six Pacers were in double figures and Paul George had a triple-double. The Pacers outscored the Hawks 30-7 from the free throw line, so look for the Pacers to continue driving and attacking the paint in Game 2.
San Antonio Spurs vs. Los Angeles Lakers
Okay, you have to admit, though without Kobe Bryant, the Lakers didn't look horrible. They lost by 12 points, had they had Bryant playing, who knows, maybe they only lose by four points? The Lakers were too cold from the floor at the beginning of the game. They also turned over the ball 18 times, which put their defense to shame since the Lakers had moments where they stopped the Spurs and had chances to trim the lead.
The Spurs have the advantage, not because Bryant isn't playing, but because they are the more organized team. The Lakers are hoping a rusty Steve Nash can miraculously play like a healthy Nash who can take over ball games, but that's not the case. The Spurs have an ageless veteran core, sort of like the New York Yankees in the late 90's through the 2000's. There is no way that Dwight Howard and Steve Blake can muster up enough of an effort to get past the Spurs.
Final Score Predictions:
OKC Thunder 110-95 Houston Rockets
Indiana Pacers 98-89 Atlanta Hawks
San Antonio Spurs 101-85 Los Angeles Lakers