NBA BeatDown Fastbreak 04.28.08: Cavs, Hornets Take 3-1 lead, Pistons Even Series 2-2, Suns Finally Get One

Posted by BL Anderson on 04.28.2008

You had to know the Suns weren't going out like bitches...not in game 4. Game 5? That'll be a different story. Come on inside and I'll show you...

Hello everyone I'm BL Anderson and this is the BeatDown Fastbreak, where we review all of the previous days playoff games in short form. One team was on the verge of elimination and prevented it, and the three other teams that won were apparently taking a means to an end...The Cavs suck.

Detroit Pistons -- 93
Philadelphia 76ers -- 84

Pistons
Tayshaun Prince: 23 points 6 rebounds 4 steals 11-12 FG
Rasheed Wallace: 20 points 10 rebounds 3 assists 5-12 FG w/ 6 turnovers
Rip Hamilton: 18 points 5 rebounds 7 assists 7-22 FG
Sixers
Thaddeus Young: 15 points 9 rebounds 3 assists 5-9 FG
Willie Green: 13 points 3 rebounds 3 assists 6-12 FG
Andre Miller: 13 points 3 assists 2 steals 6-13 FG

BL's Take: The story of this game was people stepping up when they needed to for the Pistons, as two major cogs for Detroit were a combined 4-14 FG in the first half (Wallace and Hamilton). In the second half, they came out guns blazing and were able to get their team another ugly win in a game that they should win. Chauncey Billups made it count from the line, but had another awful night from the field (4-16 FG 25%). Tayshaun Prince came out and knew EXACTLY what he needed to do to get this team over the Sixers tonight; play great defense, and be efficient. By looking at his numbers, Prince did just that. I bet there are a lot of old Kentucky fans who are pretty proud of this game. This series, however, is only tied 2-2.

The Sixers need more consistency from Andre Iguodala (4-16 FG, 12 points) offensively, as he is their #1 offensive option. It was good that Thaddeus Young stepped into the scoring role tonight, but he isn't ready for prime time. Sam Dalembert got his regular double-double (3-5 FG 12 points 12 rebounds) and a pair of blocks to go with it, but he is another that has to get more opportunities at the rim, after he schooled 'Sheed in game 3. Right now, this series doesn't belong to either team, and the Sixers do have a shot, even if they can't win game 5 at the Palace at Auburn Hills, because they are guaranteed a game 6 int he Wachovia Center back in Philadelphia later this week.

New Orleans Hornets -- 97
Dallas Mavericks -- 84

Hornets
David West: 24 points 9 rebounds 10-21 FG
Peja Stojakovic: 19 points 5 rebounds 6-13 FG
Chris Paul: 16 points 7 rebounds 8 assists 6-14 FG
Mavs
Dirk Nowitzki: 22 points 13 rebounds 8-18 FG
Jason Terry: 20 points 3 assists 6-16 FG
Brandon Bass: 12 points 9 rebounds 5-12 FG

BL's Take: This one was close at the half (48-44 NOH), and the Mavs let it slip away. They continue to falter mentally, and that costs them games. It always does. And much like the Suns, the window is now closing for the Mavericks, who made it to the 2006 NBA Finals, as was up 2-0 in that series, until Miami came back to win the rest of them. At this point, I don't even think it's Dirk's fault; it's not J-Kidd's fault either. The chemical make-up of this team is just a bunch of soft guys and shooters. Dirk is the star, but I was talking to my man Dale Davis (Not that one) the other day, when we came to the conclusion that they need someone who will regularly take it to the bucket, and also a guy in the middle with more defensive intensity than Erick Dampier. No disrespect to Dampier, but the guy has been in the league quite a few years, and is not exactly expunging leadership nowadays. You got to get inside there under the basket and show these bitches that you mean business, damn it! Exert your will on the Hornets! Come on fellers, cause if you don't and you lose this series...Avery Johnson is gone...and a bunch of you will be playing in undesirable locals such as Minnesota, Memphis, and Milwaukee, or for the Clippers. Don't be stupid...think about your future in this league, and how you will be remembered...as the team that got PUNKED by a New Orleans team that has never made the playoffs since being in the city. Anyways...

New Orleans has several guys that can step up at any moment. West and Stojakovic did their jobs well, and it paid off for the Hornets. MVP candidate Chris Paul had a good game, just not a dominant one, as he gave it to his array of scoring threats to get this done. The Hornets can go back to New Orleans and close this one out early this week.

Cleveland Cavaliers -- 100
Washington Wizards -- 97

Cavs
LeBron James: 34 points 12 rebounds 7 assists 11-25 FG w/ 5 turnovers
DeLonte West: 21points 5 assists 3 steals 7-12 FG
Daniel Gibson: 12 points 5 assists 4-10 FG
Wizards0
Antawn Jamison: 23 points 11 rebounds 3 steals 8-17 FG
Caron Butler: 19 points 2 rebounds 4 assists 7-14 FG
Brendan Haywood: 16 points 6 rebounds 2 assists 2 blocks 5-10 FG

BL's Take: Fuck the Cavs. And you know what? Fuck the Wizards, too. NEXT.

San Antonio Spurs -- 86
Phoenix Suns -- 105

Spurs
Tony Parker: 18 points 4 rebounds 3 assists 7-17 FG w/ 5 turnovers
Tim Duncan: 14 points 10 rebounds 2 assists 2 blocks 6-18 FG
Manu Ginobili: 10 points 4 rebounds 4-8 FG w/ 4 turnovers
Suns
Raja Bell: 27 points 6 rebounds 5 assists 8-11 FG
Boris Diaw: 20 points 10 rebounds 8 assists 2 blocks 10-19 FG w/ 4 turnovers
Steve Nash: 15 points 5 rebounds 4 assists 6-11 FG

BL's Take: Oh...heheh...this isn't going to be good for the Suns in game 5. Because now the Spurs are upset at themselves that they couldn't seal the deal tonight. You'd best expect a different Spurs team than what you saw today. They want to go home after the series and prepare for the Hornets-Mavs Finale (I should start writing my prediction for the Jazz-Lakers series soon, BTW)

But you have to give kudos to the Suns role players, as Raja Bell and Boris Diaw stepped up while Amare was having a bad game, and Nash couldn't get into the grove of things. It was a commendable effort. Now go away Phoenix. Just...go away.

That's all for me this evening. I reckon I'll be back tomorrow with all of Monday's action!

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I'm BL, take care and stay safe.