Sunday Recap

NETS/PACERS:

- Probably best game of the weekend, O'Neal was a force in the 4th--like I mentioned before he's just too quick for Collins

- Pacers played their usual tough team defense--held NJ to 42.5 % overall, 1 for 15 from 3 pt--Stephen Jackson did a very good job on Carter, it also helped that Vince was in settle-for-long-jumpers mode for most of the game

- As usual though, the Pacers' offense really bogged down during the middle of the game and looked totally out of sync besides some instances when they freed Peja for some good looks--I thought during the game they needed to get Peja open off of screens more often, especially in the 3rd with O'Neal in foul trouble--good things happen when you get Peja open

- Indy still pulled this game out on the road while committing 17 turnovers while NJ only had 5--another testament to Carlisle's defensive gameplan

- Indy's role players came up big on Sunday--Foster was his usual scrappy self with 5 off. boards, Fred Jones's athleticism is a nice change of pace for the plodding Pacers--he really got up to disturb Jefferson's final shot, and Anthony Johnson did his usual solid, steady quarterbacking


SUNS/LAKERS:

- Where was the aggressiveness and urgency in Kobe? He seemed to be playing half-speed and his body language suggested no fire

- The Suns provided a nice surprise by playing some solid defense--I thought they did a good job keeping multiple guys around Kobe and doing a decent job cutting off driving lanes on the perimeter

- The Suns held LA to 42.2 % from the floor (very good by the Suns' standard), but they gave up 42 points in the paint and 15 off. rebs to the Lakers, and were outrebounded by 11--this trend should continue

- The Suns were actually missing more shots than usual, a lot they usually make were just not falling--this might be bad news for the Lakers later in the series--The Suns struggled to score during the middle part of game (2nd & 3rd), but LA never could take advantage

- The Lakers need to keep pounding the ball into the paint--they were doing a good job of getting the ball to Kwame, but its just too bad he has no discernible skills to finish---they need to start going to Odom as their main post option

- Obviously, Kobe needs to be much more aggressive from now on for the Lakers to have a chance


PISTONS/BUCKS:

- Bucks stuck around early on, then the Pistons just flicked the switch onto "Playoff Mode" in the 2nd half, especially defensively

- The Pistons' defense from the middle of the 2nd quarter to the final buzzer was just suffocating--they were putting tremendous pressure on the ball which totally stymied the Bucks--Bucks shot 35.6 from the field

- Detroit shot 34 free throws to 10 attempts for Milwaukee--I guess the Pistons have earned that right over the last couple years

- There is not much the Bucks can do to win this series, they should just be happy with stealing one game in Milwaukee


MAVS/GRIZZLIES:

- I thought the Grizz should have felt really good about themselves at halftime only being down by 9 while Gasol was non-existent in the 1st half, also only being down 5 at the end of the 3rd was a good sign, but they let things get away in the 4th with too many turnovers and bad possessions

- Memphis had 19 TOs and gave up 15 off. rebs. to Dallas--this is why Dallas can shoot 45.9 % to Memphis' 53.2 % and still win by 10

- Fratello has to get Mike Miller much more involved--running more plays for him is a must, getting him in two-man situations with Gasol would be nice too

-Miller has to take more than 5 shots, he also has to be more assertive himself and not look to pass so much--he did this in the 4th too much, when he has a sliver of daylight he needs to release his deadly jumpshot

- If Dallas can get Dampier to produce like that every night......Yeah I know, don't hold your breath