Wednesday Recap

MAVS/GRIZZLIES:

- Memphis came out strong after the opening tap and looked real sharp offensively (especially Gasol), then in the middle of the 2nd quarter Memphis smacked into a wall and never recovered offensively the rest of the game

- Turnovers (20) were once again the deathblow of the Grizzlies--these careless TOs started to pile up in the disastrous 2nd quarter (a couple sketchy offensive foul calls help that total), which led to only 12 points--I believe they did not score a point in the last 6 minutes of the quarter

- Grizzlies did a decent job defensively again--Memphis shot 46%, Dallas-45%--the difference was the Mavs went to the line 10 more times (Dirk had 14 ft attempts) & the above mentioned 20 TOs by the Grizz

- Mike Miller did try to get involved a little more today but was way off the mark on some shots; he still needs to take more than 7 shots--like I mentioned in my series preview, the Grizzles just don't have enough firepower after Gasol


SUNS/LAKERS:

- Kobe was just not going to let his team lose last night--the prime example came when the Suns cut the lead to 3 (61-58) on a Tim Thomas 3 pointer in the middle of the 3rd, you had a feeling Kobe was going to do something to stem this rally, and he drove right to the basket pushing the lead back to five--I thought that was the biggest play of the game because the Suns were in their best rhythm of the game

- For second game in a row, I thought the Suns guarded Kobe fairly well--even though he shot 50% from the floor, he was forced to make some really tough shots that only Kobe is capable of making, especially late in the shot clock--Suns also did an admirable job on the boards only being outrebounded by 4

- I felt the Lakers let the Suns back in the game in the 2nd half by not consistently pounding the ball in the post like they were doing in the 1st half--like I said the other day, Odom has to have more post-ups called for him by Phil; this is a must

- Lakers did another solid job defending--holding the Suns to 42.3% from the floor & also making a good effort of discouraging 3 pt attempts (something I mentioned in my series preview in depth)--but again Phoenix was missing jump shots that usually go in for them, you have to imagine this is going to change--the Suns only scored 16 points in the 2nd quarter and did not score a point for the first 5 minutes of the quarter

- Lakers have a great shot at winning this series if they keep attacking the paint at all costs & encourage 2 pt. shots by the Suns


PISTONS/BUCKS:

- Did not catch much of this game, but I don't feel I'm missing much--this series is a foregone conclusion, maybe the Bucks can steal one game at home

- Pistons' defense as usual--Bucks were 43.5% from the floor