What Is The Biggest Storyline Of Round 2 NBA Playoffs

Discussion in 'NBA General' started by UncleRico, May 14, 2012.

  1. UncleRico

    UncleRico Suspended

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    The city of Los Angeles is on an adrenaline rush, as three of the sports betting franchises all remain with an opportunity at a sports betting championship. This past weekend, the Lakers on the back of Kobe Bryant and the Clippers on the backs of Chris Paul and the bench, were able to win their game seven matchups against the Denver Nuggets and Memphis Grizzlies. With the series victories, the Lakers and Clippers were able to maintain the possibility that an all Los Angeles Western Conference Finals could very well happen. Today, we will look at why the Lakers and Clippers moving on to round two is the biggest storyline of the playoffs.

    Entering the playoffs, one thing was clear in the betting online world, the Lakers and Clippers were each seen as one trick pony basketball teams. The book on the Lakers is that if you can shut down Kobe Bryant, you can win a game and maybe even the series. Conversely, if you shut down Chris Paul and Blake Griffin the same can be said about the Clippers. With no credit for the team’s success being given to the rest of the rosters, fans, media and handicappers alike all overlooked the possibility that the Lakers and Clippers may be very good teams. For instance, the reason the Lakers were able to win game seven, wasn’t only because of Kobe Bryant, but also because of the return of Ron Artest, and the rejuvenation of Pau Gasol. With the big men finally stepping up, the Lakers were able to look like the team of old, that won two championships in three years.

    On the other hand, one of the biggest criticisms of the Los Angeles Clippers was the team’s inability to play defense. As a result, the bookie software notes on the Clippers wasn’t only to shut down their two star players, but to play a tight defensive game, which would frustrate and cause the Clippers to lose. However, on Sunday, Head Coach Vinny Del Negro orchestrated one of the best defensive schemes of all time, as he played star defensive forwards Reggie Evans and Kenyon Martin for the majority of the game. In fact, to close out the game, Del Negro went with a five-man rotation of the Chris Paul, Eric Bledsoe, Nick Young, Reggie Evans and Kenyon Martin. In other words, Chris Paul was the only starter Del Negro was comfortable with for locking down the series clinching victory.

    As we turn the page on the first round and focus our attention on the second round, it is easy for fans and especially the media to jump on the coattails of the Lakers and Clippers opponents, the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs. After all, both teams proved why they were the best during the regular season, as they swept their first round opponents the Mavericks and Jazz in four games each. For the Thunder, if Ron Artest and Pau Gasol really did wake up, then things are going to be a lot tougher then only containing Kobe Bryant. In fact, the 5Dimes odds may have shifted completely with the Lakers waking up.

    At the same time, if the Clippers have finally learned how to play defense, it may make things a lot more difficult for the San Antonio Spurs. In essence, the Spurs got contributions from all 13 players on their roster while facing the Jazz. On two separate occasions, all 13 players had 10 or more points in blowout victories. Nevertheless, if the NBA’s most exciting offense the Clippers are now playing defense, it may just be what is needed to get over the hump. Meaning to say, if the two LA teams take their game seven efforts and develop some continuity over the second round, they should face one another in the Western Conference Finals.
     

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