Game Two of the Eastern Conference Quarter-finals between Miami and Atlanta was a complete 180 from Game 1. The Heat never trailed, dominating the Hawks on the road in style cruising to a 108-93 victory. Dwayne Wade was back in MVP form, leading the team with 33 points on 6-of-10 from 3-point range (career high), 11-of-20 overall including 13 straight points to close the first half. He also racked up five rebounds, seven assists, two blocked shots and a steal. This is what fantasy all-stars are made of and Wade was clearly the difference maker in this game. Now the momentum has shifted and the Heat have a chance to put a nail in the coffin as the series heads to Miami for games 3 and 4.
But it wasn't only D Wade that was responsible for this convincing win. 5 players scored in double figures, with Daequan Cook contributing with 20 points, adding 6 3-pointers of his own. The team hit a team playoff record 15 3-pointers overall. Jermaine O'neal added 19 points and in my opinion was the biggest difference maker in this game, taking alot of pressure off of Dwayne. Also, rookie Michael Beasley had 12 points and Billy Donovan's own Udonis Haslem added 10. If the Heat continue this trend, we can all look forward to seeing Dwayne go against Lebron in the conference semis.
On a more depressing note, the Washigton Capitals lost yet again despite the great play in goal by rookie Simeon Varlamov. Since getting the nod over grizzled veteran Jose Theodore, Varlamov has stopped 75 of 78 shots on goal.In what looked like a repeat of game 2, the Caps could not get into a rhythm offensively and came away with only a single goal despite outshooting the Rangers 39-21. Varlamov recorded a meager 19 saves, but could not be blamed for the two goals that slipped by him. The first goal, scored with 6 minutes left in the opening period by Paul Mora off of a face-off. The goal flew in glove-side hitting the top of the net, almost the cross-bar. The second goal, was even more impressve. Virtually horizontal to the goal, Chris Drury snuck one in on Varlamov stick-side in the opening minutes of the second period and put the Rangers up for good. Varlamov made a great save intially, but failed to grab the rebound and the rest is history.
I don't think enough can be said about the flat, lifeless play of the offense last night. How can you not score more than once on 39 shots? I mean, come. on. Most of the shots were half-arsed attempts from just in front of the blue line or from the side of the goal that had no chance of going in to begin with. The only bright spot in this otherwise dismal game was Alex Ovechkin's goal in the 3rd period breaking his streak of three straight scoreless games, a rare feat for a regualr season scoring champion. Unfortunately, it just wasnt enough and now that Caps' backs are against the wall as the need to win three in a row, including one back at MSG in order to move on.
Just when I thought the O's were back on track, they lay a huge egg (27 Courics last I checked). allowing 8 runs and only scoring 2 as they dropped below .500 for the second time this season. Our "ace" Jeremy Guthrie (2-1) allowed 5 runs in 6 innings, Dennis Sarfate added 3 more in 1 1/3 and the Orioles (7-8) could not generate any offense against opposing pitcher John Danks. The Orioles have allowed more runs than any other team so far in the season, and unless their pitching gets their act together, we are destined for more of the same and another disappointing season. There is still hope as alot of young guys could be called up from the minors, and the offense is usually among the most dominant in the Majors, so hang in their O's fans....it could be worse. The Orioles wrap up the series with Chicago tonight (7:05 EST) and open up another 3-game home series with the Texas Rangers tomorrow.
Other Notes:
The Magic bounced back with a win against Philly to tie the series at a game apiece. The series heads to Philadelphia for the next two as the Sixers look to pull a first round upset. New Orleans finds themselves in an 0-2 hole heading back home for the next two games in what are now must-win situations. The Nationals (or should I say "Natinals") blew a chance at the sweep, losing to Atlanta in a real barnburner 1-0 last night. 3 more NBA playoff games are getting under way toinght as the Bulls look to establish a 1 game lead in Chicago. Utah is looking to avoid going down 3-0 against the Lakers and the Mavericks have a chance to go up by a game themselves against San Antonio.
*some statistics courtesy of espn.com
That's all I got for today. Make sure to watch the NFL draft this weekend. Until next time...
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