DETROIT (1) - CLEVELAND (2)
May 21, 24, 27, 29, 31 * on May, 2 *, 4 * on June (* - if necessary).
Trumps of Detroit
Few people doubted that Chicago was stronger than Detroit because of its youth, enthusiasm and talent. Few people were surprised that the final victory went to the Pistons. Having achieved confident leadership, the Pistons were waiting for the moment to finish off the opponent. And, as American observers correctly noted, inexperienced “bulls” at these moments thought how to extend their time in the playoffs. The “survival” attitude is dangerous, and the situation may repeat itself in the conference finale. As practice shows, the back line of the Detroit rarely allows itself a weekend, because it all depends on the efforts of Rashid Wallace and Taishon Prince. Both that, and another, being in an excellent mood, are capable to cope with any.
Trumps "Cleveland"
LeBron James and the defense. The first in the playoffs is increasingly forcing to draw parallels with Michael Jordan, showing a similar charge for success at all costs. The second worked wonders against the Nets, allowing the net players to realize 1 of 15 shots in the fourth period of the fifth match, and 2 of 16 in the sixth.
Intrigue
True rivals are not supposed to be easy and friendly to each other. Detroit and Chicago made people look puzzled at a relationship that lacked a place for stiffness and stubbornness (largely due to Ben Wallace’s presence in the Bulls ranks). But, as the Pistons assured, if they even have hatred for someone, it’s for the Cavs. Let's check ...
In the regular season - 2: 2.
Forecast sports.ru - 4: 2.
SAN ANTONIO (3) - UTA (4)
May 20, 22, 26, 28, 30 *, May 1, June 3 *.
Trumps "San Antonio"
The Phoenix turned out to be a challenging opponent to use all the trump cards available in the fight against it. In addition to the familiarly useful game of Tim Duncan, who made an almost triple double and set a club record for block shots in one match (9), the fans received a mischievous and productive Tony Parker, active at key moments in Manu Ginobili and even transformed Bruce Bowen, who showed no only defense, saturated with branded dirty tricks, but also the ability to hit decisive balls. The game of “spurs” was and remains not the most spectacular, but literate and mathematically clear, unloved by many connoisseurs of beauty in sports, but surprisingly effective.
Trumps "Utah"
“Jazzmen” have not played in the playoffs since the time of Stockton and Malone, and, returning, demonstrate an amazing game that varies tremendously depending on the actions of the opponent. Against the Houston, they appeared as an academic and sometimes boring team, and against the Golden State they showed high-speed and productive basketball, which even the “warriors” did not cope with, docks of this style. It is important that Andrei Kirilenko, a rare person who helped under the ring to the Postman and received programs from Stockton, joined the leaders, which need not be discussed. Now the American media are competing in who writes brighter about changes in the quality and confidence of the game of the ubiquitous Russian striker, and Andrei, after defeating the Warriors, flatly refused to talk about his own successes.
Intrigue
The twice-mentioned John and Karl made sure that they would never concede the Spurs to the playoffs on their site. The result of 0-8 makes the "spurs" think about not taking risks, checking the continuity, but clearly working out on their own floor.
In the regular season - 2: 2.
Forecast sports.ru - 4: 2.
Nikolai TSYNKEVICH