Heat seek redemption in Game 2 vs Nets
After a year of improvement and introspection, the New Jersey Nets can now admit it. That first-round playoff series against the Miami Heat last year? The one where the Nets were swept in four games? They were just happy to be there. And now? Well, the Nets are on the verge of being elated.
With their convincing 100-88 victory over Miami in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals Monday night, the Nets did something they couldn’t do last year against the Heat. Simultaneously, they came close to reversing the status of overwhelming favorite vs. underdog.
But New Jersey also has an injury concern. Star forward Richard Jefferson, who dominated in the first half with 20 points on 7-of-11 shooting, left the game early in the third quarter after spraining his right ankle. X-rays were negative and swelling minimal, but Jefferson was in a boot and on crutches after the game. He’ll have an MRI today. Jefferson, who twisted his ankle on a drive just 1:42 into the third quarter, was cautiously optimistic about playing in Game 2 Wednesday. But considering he usually describes himself as insanely optimistic, there is a sense of uncertainty for the Nets.
If he cannot go on Wednesday, the Nets will probably turn to Lamond Murray, who had eight points in 34 minutes in the opener. Neither Jefferson nor Lawrence Frank seemed to subscribe to the notion that since the Nets already won Game 1 - and took home-court advantage away from the Heat - that New Jersey would be better served by resting Jefferson on Wednesday and not even thinking about him trying to play.
Considered a challenger for the NBA title, second-seeded Miami struggled at times as it needed six games to dispatch Chicago in the first round. The Heat repeatedly were beaten off the dribble, made poor decisions with the ball and saw Shaquille O’Neal limited by foul trouble. With the quickness of Kidd, Carter and Jefferson and the shooting of center Nenad Krstic, the Nets appear to have the formula for instilling fear in the Heat. Miami should be very concerned about this loss, its first at home in the postseason.
The Nets are aware that some elements of Game 1 will probably not hold up throughout the series: their 71.4 percent shooting in the first quarter, and 48.6 percent for the game; Heat center O’Neal’s foul trouble, which limited him to fewer than 30 minutes; the disappearance of Dwyane Wade, who was scoreless for Miami in the final 12 minutes; and the Heat’s nine first-quarter turnovers, which helped the Nets jump to a 17-point lead.
If Miami is to keep up with the Nets, O’Neal must spend less time on the bench and more time on the court. O’Neal picked up two offensive fouls less than five minutes into the game. He said Tuesday that he believed the first call was legitimate, but that he was not pleased with the second.
The second round begins and the action on the hardwood figures to be intense. Get all your NBA odds in the Bodog Sportsbook.
NBA Betting Tips: Heat to win Game 2 but Nets to cover @ +7.
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