Urban Houstonian NBA Playoff Update: Rally Edition
By urbanhoustonian at April 30, 2007 | 2:18 PM | Print
The Wild, Wild West continues to live up to its name. The Golden State Warriors have put the Dallas Mavericks in a 3-1 hole in their first round match-up. However, as the saying goes, it’s not over until its over. Houston, more than any other city, knows how quickly a 3-1 hole can become a 4-3 win, and springboard to the NBA title. The Mavs benefit from being on the “good side” of the 3-1 hole. They need to win two at home and one on the road. That’s a lot easier than the alternative; not to mention it’s how the Rockets pulled off the feat. Still, it appears that these Warriors have the Mavericks number, and this series will end in the next two games.
That said, the rest of the West is drooling over the prospects of having a Dallas-free playoffs. Put Phoenix and San Antonio at the top of that list, and place their expected second round match-up to be one of the ages; the winner could very well stroll into the NBA Finals a great deal less battered than anyone originally thought. This spells disaster for any team coming in from the East.
Finally, let’s talk about the Rockets. Honestly, they are lucky that this series is tied 2-2. They really haven’t played good basketball at all this series. If not for two strong, take-control runs in Games 1 & 2, this series could resemble the Dallas/Golden State series or, even worse, the Chicago/Miami series. I feel the winner of tonight’s game will take the series. My only hope is that we see the real Rockets show up tonight in Game 5. This team needs to erupt, and it needs to place the boot firmly on the necks of the Jazz, TONIGHT. Another lackluster win will only assure us of a seven game series. The good news is that the Rockets have not played their best game of the series yet. Let’s just hope that it’s tonight.
