The Eastern Conference Finals definitely wasn’t the match up that everyone expected, but another showdown between Miami’s Big 3 and the Celtic’s Core Four was good enough to get everyone buzzing. For the Heat it was simple physically they were better and in this proclaimed “Championship or Bust” year …they just knew they were better. Even if they never came out and said their fans definitely did …… HEATWAVE (In my Rich London Voice …..btw LO I’m charging a fee for the intro to the Rucker Report fanbase). For the C’s hurt and under-maned did they have enough in the tank to make this competitive or would Rondo be the lone bright spot for the C’s present and future? Personally I love the match because it’s a test of will’s …..from one end you have and athletically superior team and the other end a battle tested champion that may being seeing the end of the road. So let’s get right to it………………….
GAMES 1 & 2 : Game 1 the Heat would come out and impress from the beginning showing how there athleticism proved to be too much as they C’s could only play well in spurts. LBJ and DWADE did enough too wrap up the 93 -79 victory in front of their home crowd. In fact at some points late in the game when the play got chippy as the C’s at least tried to win the fight….. Miami was more than ready
Game 2 was one of the greatest playoff performances that I’ve seen in years as Rondo put the C’s on his back the entire game …. into overtime and close to a win. I mean 44 points 10 assist and 8 rebounds all on jump-shots a golden opportunity blown as the C’s couldn’t pull it out in overtime losing 115 -111 and going down 0 -2 in the series.
GAMES 3 & 4: The C’s came out and did what everyone expected them to do fight …fight …fight and get a home win 101 – 91. In game 4 with PP fouling out late ….the C’s would lean on the BIG TICKET and true to that 2004 form KG delivered again making all the necessary play to help the C’s pull out the 93 -91 victory in overtime tying the series at 2 games a piece.
So going into game 5 we got a series…..who could win on the others home court and make a real statement in the series?
GAME 5: For the C’s entering this game they had to feel like they playing with house money. A win and they take momentum in the series …a loss and at least they get to go home to try and tie things up. For the Heat the pressure had to be building ….I mean all the Heat fans I know was looking to blame everyone but LBJ ….. first it was the coach , then it was the bench…..then it was DWADE……saying the former NBA Finals MVP was point shaving ….. C’Mon Son cut the man some slack ….. Think Like A Man is still in theaters and his women is all hugged up with one of the sidekicks from Entourage ……..y’all know y’all would’ve been bugging too. I got ya back DWADE…..
Oh yeah funny dude was back too……Chris Bosh ….either way on this night the C’s did enough to keep the game close throughout and PP closed the door with a dagger 3 sealing the 94 -90 victory and sending the C’s back to Beantown up 3 games to 2
GAME 6: With the pressure on LBJ delivered another epic playoff performance just like the one he had years ago against the Pistons (my bad Snacks) ….. for the start you could tell he was locked in and there was absolutely nothing that the C’s would be able to do. Simple 45 points , 15 rebounds , 8 assist…….. series tied 3 games a piece headed back to Miami.
GAME 7: Who wasn’t gonna be watching this game…… I mean PAC MAN (WHO GOT ROBBED) pushed the fight back to see this game. Could the C’s get back to the NBA Finals for another shot at it as the Core 4……. For the Heat was this gonna be what everyone expected a trip to the NBA Finals with great performances by their BIG 3? A game of runs as the C’s were up double digits early in the game , big plays as Bosh, Wade & James made all the necessary play , and ultimately the better team won with LBJ 3 from the parking lot as the C’s just ran out of gas. LBJ, DWADE & BOSH were just to much in the end wrapping up the 101 -88 victory and moving on to represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals for the second year in a row.
So the NBA Finals match up is set as we get the match up we’ve been wanting to see since mid season …..the OKC Thunder vs. the Miami Heat…… KD & the Young-gunners vs. the King & his Court….two of the most athletic and exciting teams in the league…..should be a great one. Til the new champ is crowned people Be Easy…… feels like its gonna rain……. either way you’ve just read The Rucker Report
