Game 1: Boston at New York
A pretty damn good start for the quintuple header. New York came out strong, as expected, playing their first home game at MSG. Occasionally pressing, New York took an early lead and held it for the first half. The Celtics, being the veteran team, matched the Knicks' intensity in the second half, not only coming back but taking a double digit lead. As both teams competed fiercely, this match could've been mistaken for a playoff game. Carmelo Anthony, the lead scorer took over in the fourth finishing the game with a game high 37 points. The game came down to the wire with New York on top by two points and only 3.9 seconds left on the clock. Without Pierce (heel injury) to close out the game, they go to KG, who gets a decent look but wasn't able to knock down the shot to tie it up. Knicks win after 8 consecutive losses to the Celtics.
Dallas opens the game with the raising of the 2011 championship banner. Miami started off the game focused and ready for revenge but Dallas just seemed unmotivated. While Lebron poured on the points, the Miami defense were causing turnovers left right and center on the defensive side. Meanwhile, the Mavericks all played with the intensity of a preseason game with the exception of Jason Terry trying to prevent Miami embarrassing them at home. With a gap as big as 30 points, this game soon became boring to watch. In the 4th quarter, Dallas able to close the gap to 11 points but this game's outcome was sealed by the first half.
Game 3: Chicago at Los Angeles Lakers
This was my most anticipated game to watch. I haven't seen Derrick Rose, the former MVP, play this season yet and was excited to see him in action. As both teams battled, it was a close game up to the first half. In the second, L.A. seemed to be running away with it but I knew the Bulls weren't going to give up. After the Lakers missed four consecutive free throws late in the fourth, Chicago capitalized with a Luol Deng and-one. Down by one point, Lakers inbound with 20.4 seconds on the clock. Deng miraculously comes up with a steal following the double team on Kobe Byrant, and after a controversial no-call on what seemed to be a travel on the pass to Derrick Rose, the former MVP waited for the clock to go down and drove towards the center, elevated, and hit the ten foot floater right in Gasol's face with 4.8 seconds left. Who do the Lakers go to? Who else? Kobe Bryant grabbed the inbound pass, drove right but Deng came up with a huge block! Chicago wins it big on the road, starting off what will be another impressive season.
Game 4: Orlando at Oklahoma City
Dwight Howard and the Magic started off strong but once the game became the Durant-Westbrook show, you could tell where the game was heading. Turkoglu could not guard Durant and the OKC fans were letting the Magic know. The Thunder defeated the Magic 97-89.
Game 5: Los Angeles Clipeprs at Golden State
This game was somewhat close. Paul and Billups dropping their veteran points. Jordan and Blake bringing the Lob City to Golden State. Monta ellis trying to keep them in the game but when LAC started to run way with it, Mark Jackson implemented the hack-a-Jordan strategy that seemed to get them back in the game. In the late fourth quater, the game was up for grabs, despite that, Curry, playing injured, gave away consecutive careless turnovers, and Chris Paul put the dagger in the game. Sad to see Curry injured once again; I really thought this was going to be his year. He's got to be healthy again, but until then, it seems like Mark Jackson has a lot of work to do to rid of the Warriors' bad habits.
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