By Sylvester “Nunnie” Robinson, Westside Gazette Sport Editor
Real NBA basketball fans must be salivating for more after Monday’s exhilarating games featuring the New York Knicks and the Philadelphia 76ers in the Eastern Conference and the Denver Nuggets and the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference.
An early riser, I went to bed at halftime after a brilliant first half performance by the Lakers, led by Lebron James, Anthony Davis, DeAngelo Russell & Company. A second half lead of as much as 20 points gradually evaporated as the defending champion Nuggets asserted their will on the play of Nikola Yokic, Michael Porter, Aaron Gordon and Jamal Murray.
Curious about outcome, with about three minutes remaining in game, I turned the television on and, not surprisingly, realized that Denver had come within four points of the lead. After tying the game at 99, the Lakers had an opportunity to take control of game and lead, ball in Lebron’s hands. He took a decent three point shot that rimmed in, then out. With about 10 seconds left in game, the Nuggets put the ball in Jamal Murray’s hands. Guarded by Anthony Davis, Jamal feigned a drive to basket, which AD reacted to, then faded to corner and hit a jumper while falling to the floor, giving the Nuggets their tenth consecutive playoff victory over the Lakers and a commanding 2-0 series lead. I prefer not to criticize coaches, but I honestly believe Lebron or someone with similar skills should have been on Murray. It was a tremendously played game that could have gone either way. The NBA is indeed a make or miss league.
The Knicks/76ers game proved just as entertaining and dramatic. The 76ers actually outplayed New York for a majority of the game, but as is often the case with talented, veteran teams as is the Knicks, they clawed their way back in the game with the gritty play of Josh Hart, Hartenstein their center and Duece McBride, a fearless competitor who gives them a competitive edge as a scorer and defender. Trailing by five points with the game seemingly in hand, a turnover allowed Jalen Brunson to make an improbable 3-point shot that hit the rim, bounced straight up before finding the bottom of the net. Then for some perplexing reason, former Heat guard Kyle Lowry, traded to Philly, rushed an inbound pass to Tyreese Maxey who couldn’t control the ball, thus allowing the Knicks to steal ball, shoot and make a successful second three pointer after missing one, all in same sequence. 76er Head Coach Nick Nurse’s attempt to call a timeout prior to steal and shot went unheeded. Both Joel Embiid and Lebron James complained about the officiating, not unusual when the fortunes of the game don’t go your way. Consistency really is the key when it comes to matters of officiating.
Even if Jimmy Butler and Terry Rozier were healthy, the Heat would be prohibitive underdogs against the Celtics. My prediction, after the dust settles, is that the Celtics and Nuggets will meet for the title. If and when that happens, I’ll give you my choice as ‘24 NBA champion. What a wonderful time to get wrapped up in playoff basketball, NBA style.
The Florida Panthers Hockey team has begun its quest for a Stanley Cup title by defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first playoff series which continues tonight in Sunrise.
Finally, in case you missed it, Fisk University’s Morgan Price became the first gymnast to win a NCAA title from a HBCU, winning the All-Around title which includes the floor exercise, balance beam, uneven bars and vault..
