Each night, Eye on Basketball brings you what you need to know about the games of the NBA. From great performances to terrible clock management the report card evaluates and eviscerates the good, the bad, and the ugly from the night that was.
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Los Angeles Clippers |
Somehow, the Clippers lead this series 3-1. It really doesn't seem right. Game 4 will be known as the Chris Paul Takeover, as CP3 just owned the floor in overtime making a couple tough baskets. Despite the Clips winning and taking a stranglehold on the series, it still doesn't really feel like they've played all that well. The resiliency is impressive and CP3 is amazing, but still, there's a look of a team that doesn't really know what it's doing. Blake Griffin played his best game scoring 30 points and there were some big contributions from Caron Butler and Mo Williams, but the Clips know they're kind of lucky to be where they're at. -- RY |
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Memphis Grizzlies |
It's shaping up to be a series of missed opportunity for Memphis. The blown lead in Game 1. The offensive meltdown in Game 3. And now just a night of mostly poor execution in Game 4. The Grizzlies had a chance despite being mostly outplayed, taking a late lead and then forcing overtime. But as has been the issue thus far, they couldn't find points in the extra five minutes. Marc Gasol made only one basket -- a dunk late in overtime -- but he also only took four shots. You'd think a team struggling offensively might look to their best offensive player or something. Instead, Rudy Gay suffered through an 8-25 shooting night while Mike Conley was really the only good thing going. The Grizzlies desperately needed to take this series back to Memphis 2-2, but now, they're in a hole. It's one they can climb out of, but they have to quit beating themselves. -- RY |
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San Antonio Spurs |
In a league where so many teams lack the resolve to finish off first-round opponents who are substantially worse than them, the Spurs did it in classic style. Get a lead, hold a lead, play defense, hit some daggers, coast to the finish. They allowed a late desperation run and still had time to rest their starters some. This team is ready for the next leavel. -- MM |
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Utah Jazz |
Credit Utah for only really allowing one huge blowout game in this series, but they just weren't good enough. You can tell this team has a long way to go before it reaches a contender status. Making the playoffs after a year absence is a good sign of progress, but the whole team needs some definition to the faceless amalgam it represents offensively and defensively. -- MM |
