2005 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Semi Finals Update

#1 Miami Heat vs #5 Washington Wizards
(101.54 PPG #4 in Scoring) (100.50 PPG #6 in Scoring)
(95.02 PPG #8 in Defense) (100.82 #23 in Defense)
(+6.52 #3 in Scoring Differential) (-.32 #16 in Scoring Differential)

Again Shaq isn't dominating, but the Wizards lack of playoff experience has them down 2-0. In order for them not to get swept by the Heat, they have to play better defense. I think the Heat will have it on cruise control in anticipation of a difficult series against the defending champion Detroit Pistons.

Miami leads series 2-0
1. Sun, May 8 – Mia 105, Was 86
2. Tue, May 10 – Mia 108, Was 102
3. Thu, May 12 – at Was, 8:00 pm (ESPN)
4. Sat, May 14 – at Was, 8:00 pm (ABC)
5.* Mon, May 16 – at Mia, 8:00 pm (TNT)
6.* Fri, May 20 – at Was, TBA (ESPN)
7.* Mon, May 23 – at Mia, 8:00 pm (TNT)


Head to Head
PG Damon Jones vs. Gilbert Arenas
SG Dwyane Wadevs. Larry Hughes
SF Eddie Jones vs. Jared Jeffries
PF Udonis Haslem vs. Antawn Jamison
C Shaquille O'Neal vs. Brendan Haywood

#2 Detroit Pistons vs #6 Indiana Pacers
(93.32 PPG #24 in Scoring) (93.00 PPG #25 in Scoring)
(89.46 PPG #2 in Defense) (92.24 #5 in Defense)
(+3.86 #6 in Scoring Differential) (+.75 #15 in Scoring Differential)

If Indiana doesn't cove Ben Wallace, they are going to struggle in this series. They already have to cover Richard Hamilton, and Tayshaun Prince without Ron Artest. The Pacers have a lot to overcome if they want to compete in this series. The Pistons win in 5 (4-1).

Detroit leads series 1-0
1. Mon, May 9 – Det 96, Ind 81
2. Wed, May 11 – at Det, 8:00 pm (TNT)
3. Fri, May 13 – at Ind, 7:00 pm (ESPN)
4. Sun, May 15 – at Ind, TBA
5.* Tue, May 17 – at Det, TBA (TNT)
6.* Thu, May 19 – at Ind, TBA
7.* Sun, May 22 – at Det, TBA


Head to Head
PGChauncey Billups vs. Jamaal Tinsley
SG Richard Hamilton vs. Reggie Miller
SF Tayshaun Prince vs. Stephen Jackson
PFRasheed Wallace vs. Jermaine O'Neal
C Ben Wallace vs. Dale Davis

2005 NBA Playoffs Western Conference Semi Finals Update

#1 Phoenix Suns vs #4 Dallas Mavericks
(110.41 PPG #1 in Scoring) (102.5 PPG #3 in Scoring)
(103.29 PPG #30 in Defense) (96.75 PPG #14 in Defense)
(+7.12 #2 in Scoring Differential) (+5.74 #4 in Scoring Differential)

If Erick "the self proclaimed second best center in the NBA after Shaq" Dampier can't guard Amare Stoudemire, Dallas stands no chance. Stoudemire outscored Dampier 40-0 yesterday. Ouch man. If Amare is dropping 30+ a night, Dallas is out of options at center, because Shawn Bradley is slower than Dampier. The 2005 NBA MVP Steve Nash is also making it look effortless against the porous Dallas defense. Maybe the Denver Nuggets didn't have enough personnel to run 2005 NBA Coach of the Year Mike D'Antoni's open european influenced style of basketball. They might have jumped the gun on firing him as so rudely as they did. Phoenix in 5 games (4-1).

Phoenix leads series 1-0
1. Mon, May 9 – Pho 127, Dal 102
2. Wed, May 11 – at Pho, 10:30 pm (TNT)
3. Fri, May 13 – at Dal, 9:30 pm (ESPN)
4. Sun, May 15 – at Dal, TBA
5.* Wed, May 18 – at Pho, TBA (TNT)
6.* Fri, May 20 – at Dal, TBA (ESPN)
7.* Sun, May 22 – at Pho, TBA

Head to Head
PG Steve Nash vs. Jason Terry
SG Joe Johnson vs. Michael Finley
SF Quentin Richardson vs. Josh Howard
PF Shawn Marion vs. Dirk Nowitzki
C Amare Stoudemire vs. Erick Dampier


#2 San Antonio Spurs vs #3 Seattle SuperSonics
(96.19 PPG #18 in Scoring) (98.93 PPG #11 in Scoring)
(88.39 PPG #1 in Defense) (96.64 PPG #13 in Defense)
(+7.8 #1 in Scoring Differential) (+2.29 #7 in Scoring Differential)

If the Spurs can continue to play Hackball then they will overpower the Sonics. As it stands the Sonics are at a disadvantage. Vladimir Radmonovich is out for the series after game 1. Ray Allen is playing with a bum ankle after "some tough defense" from Bruce Bowen. The Spurs win in 6 (4-2).

San Antonio leads series 2-0
1. Sun, May 8 – SA 103, Sea 81
2. Tue, May 10 – SA 108, Sea 91
3. Thu, May 12 – at Sea, 10:30 pm (ESPN)
4. Sun, May 15 – at Sea, TBA
5.* Tue, May 17 – at SA, TBA
6.* Thu, May 19 – at Sea, TBA
7.* Sun, May 22 – at SA, TBA

Head to Head
PG Tony Parker vs. Luke Ridnour
SG Bruce Bowen vs. Ray Allen
SF Manu Ginobili vs. Rashard Lewis
PF Tim Duncan vs. Reggie Evans
C Nazr Mohammed vs. Jerome James