NBA Playoffs' two games saw the Chicago Bulls defeat the Brooklyn Nets 90-82 while the Los Angeles Clippers put away the Memphis Grizzlies 93-91. With the Bulls victory, they tie the series 1-1, while the Clippers take a commanding 2-0 lead in the best of seven series.
For the Bulls, it was a completely different Game 2. The Nets couldn't get their offense started and Chicago made sure to take advantage. The Bulls are the first team to win on the road and just like that, they have stripped home court advantage from the Nets as they can now take the series in the next three games.
Luol Deng was one of five Bulls to finish in double digits scoring and one of three with a double-double. He scored 15 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. Carlos Boozer had 13 points and 12 rebounds, while Joakim Noah, who continues to battle through with foot problems, added 11 points and 10 rebounds.
While every Bull chipped in with points, the Nets couldn't get their main man, Deron Williams to score. He finished the game with eight points though he had 10 assists. However, it was all about the lack of scoring in this one. Brook Lopez added 21 while Josh Johnson stepped up and finished 17. C.J. Watson continued adding from the bench as he scored 10 points and these three players were the only Nets in double digits.
As for the Clippers, they battled with the Grizzlies, as expected. Chris Paul hit the game winning layup at the buzzer. With :13.9 remaining, the Clippers inbounded after the Grizzlies had tied the game on a Marc Gasol layup, who rolled off the pick and jammed it in for the score. Paul hit the game winning layup at the buzzer to stab the Grizzlies in the heart and win Game 2.
It was a dramatic victory despite the Clippers owning a big lead at the beginning of the quarter. It seemed like the Grizzlies were simply going to fold over. At one point, the game got out of hand. With nine minutes to play, the Clippers started the period on a 9-0 run as the Grizzlies were the ones who couldn't knock down a shot.
After scoring just 10 points in the first game, Blake Griffin had 13 points in the first quarter alone. He finished with 21 points. On the night when J.R. Smith was rewarded with the Sixth Man of the Year award, Jamaal Crawford reminded everybody why he was second in the race, though he played like he was trying to prove that he deserved the award instead.
Crawford went 5-6 in the second quarter. He had the crowd gasping, "oohing" and "aahing" whenever he made a move. He dropped 10 points in the second period and finished with 15 in the game. Paul was dominant as always adding 24 points.
Gasol finished the game with 17 points and seven assists, while Mike Conley added 28 points.
Next up for all four of these teams is a travel date. The Nets travel to Chicago for Game 3 on Thursday the Clippers take their game to Memphis for Game 3 against the Grizzlies on Thursday as well.
