Hoops Nation

Day 9 of the NBA Playoffs were filled with exciting, must-win games. The first game of the four-game day was between the Chicago Bulls and the Philadelphia 76ers. The Sixers try and take the 3-1 lead at home before they head back to Chicago for Game 4. The second game was an important, elimination game as the Miami Heat try to close out the New York Knicks. In the third game, the Boston Celtics try to push their lead, 3-1 in the series against the Atlanta Hawks. In the last and final game of the night, the Lakers try to bounce back against a fighting Denver Nuggets. Let’s take a look at the outcomes of tonight’s games.
 

(1) Chicago Bulls vs (8) Philadelphia 76ers
 

Quick Breakdown of the Game
 

The Philadelphia 76ers gave the fans at home a good show in the first quarter. The Sixers owned the first quarter and they led after one, 24-15. The second quarter was a great turnaround by the Bulls. The Bulls fought better on both ends of the floor and outscored the Sixers in the second period 27-20, trailing by two at halftime. The third quarter was quite an even matchup for both teams as the Bulls only outscored the Sixers, 21-20, trailing by only one, heading into the fourth quarter. In the end, the Sixers just fought harder in the fourth and came out with the victory, 89-82, taking a 3-1 series lead over the Chicago Bulls.
 

Chicago Bulls Top Performers
 

Taj Gibson recorded a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds off the bench. Luol Deng scored 11 points on 5-11 shooting. C.J. Watson recorded 17 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists. Carlos Boozer led the team with a double-double with 23 points and 11 rebounds.
 

Philadelphia 76ers Top Performers
 

Andre Igoudala scored 14 points and collected 12 rebounds for a double-double. Jrue Holiday recorded 20 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists. Spencer Hawes scored 22 points and 3 blocks.
 

What to Dwell On?
 

The Philadelphia 76ers have backed up Evan Turner’s statements when he said the Sixers wanted to play the Chicago Bulls. They are now leading the series 3-1 and have a chance to close out the series in Chicago. Will they slip up in Game 5 or take the Bulls out and advance to the next round?
 

(2) Miami Heat vs (7) New York Knicks
 

Quick Breakdown of the Game
 

This game was very exciting. The score was close after the first quarter 20-18 with New York leading at home. The Miami Heat played eight whole points better than the New York Knicks in the second and by halftime, the Heat led the Knicks, 44-38. The Knicks came out with quite the same effort the Heat came out with in the second quarter. The Knicks outscored the Heat in the third period, 26-17. Though the Miami Heat outscored the Knicks by one in the fourth quarter, it was not enough to sweep the New York Knicks. The Knicks won the game by a close margin, 89-87. New York is now trailing in the series, 3-1.
 

Miami Heat Top Performers
 

Chris Bosh scored 17 points and grabbed 9 rebounds. Dwyane Wade recorded 22 points, 3 rebounds, and 6 assists. LeBron James led the Heat with 27 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists.
 

New York Knicks Top Performers
 

Tyson Chandler only scored 1 point, but also grabbed 9 rebounds for the Knicks. Amar’e Stoudemire recorded a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds. Carmelo Anthony scored 41 points on 15-29 shooting. Anthony also grabbed 6 rebounds and 4 assists.
 

What to Dwell On?
 

The New York Knicks have broken the consecutive playoff losing streak, after setting the record at 13 the other night. The Knicks are headed back to Miami and the Heat just play a whole lot better at home. Can the Knicks steal Game 5 in Miami? Or will they be knocked out in Game 5?
 

(4) Boston Celtics vs (5) Atlanta Hawks
 

The Truth about this Game
 

The story of the game all night was the Celtics. They completely dominated the Atlanta Hawks early in the first quarter. At the end of one period, Boston led Atlanta, 32-19. The second quarter was not any better for the Hawks as they scored 22 to another Boston 32. The third quarter brought a little fight for the Hawks as the point margin between the two teams were only four in the third quarter. The game was over in the fourth as the Celtics had a big lead. The Celtics end up winning the game, pushing their series lead to 3-1 after taking Game 4, 101-79.
 

Atlanta Hawks Top Performers
 

Jannero Pargo scored 11 points and grabbed 3 rebounds off the bench. Al Horford had 12 points and 5 rebounds. Josh Smith recorded a double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds.
 

Boston Celtics Top Performers
 

Keyon Dooling and Brandon Bass each scored 10 points. Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett scored 12 and 13 points, respectively. Paul Pierce scored 24 points on a beautiful 10-13 shooting from the field. Rajon Rondo recorded a double-double with 20 points on 8-11 shooting, 2-3 from beyond the arc, and a remarkable 16 assists.
 

(3) Los Angeles Lakers vs (6) Denver Nuggets
 

The Truth about this Game
 

From a viewer’s point of view, it seemed like the Lakers did not even both to play in the first three quarters. The only time they started trying was in the fourth quarter. Denver took the early two point lead after one, 28-26. The Nuggets played a tad bit better than the Lakers after outscoring Los Angeles 23-19 in the second period. The Lakers came back to play, barely, in the third. The Lakers outscored the Nuggets, 25-20. In the end, the Lakers took Game 4 and a 3-1 series lead after winning the game, 92-88.
 

Denver Nuggets Top Performers
 

Ty Lawson recorded 11 points and 6 assists. Andre Miller had 15 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists. Danilo Gallinari scored 20 points on 9-16 shooting from the field.
 

Los Angeles Lakers Top Performers
 

Steve Blake scored 10 points, 2-5 from beyond the arc. Jordan Hill and Ramon Sessions each scored 12 points. Jordan Hill recorded a double-double with 11 rebounds added to his 12 points. Pau Gasol played a good game with 13 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists. Andrew Bynum scored 19 points and grabbed 7 rebounds. Kobe Bryant’s game was efficient as he scored 22 points on 10-25 shooting, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists.
 

What to Dwell On?
 

After losing Game 3, the Lakers bounce back late in Game 4 to win the game. The Lakers are now up 3-1 in the series and are headed back to play the Nuggets again at Staples Center. The Lakers can close out the next game and will only have to sacrifice a game against the two-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder without Metta World Peace. Do they win Game 5 and sacrifice having to play the first game against the Thunder without Metta? Or will they go to Game 6 and have Metta back for Game 1 of Round 2?