Short answer is, we learned that the Second Round can’t come soon enough.
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The first week has been short on drama and competitive games,, and high on blowouts. Out of the first 19 games in the first week we have had 11 games where the margin of victory was 15 points or higher. We had five games where the margin of victory was 25 points or higher.
Basically if you watched an NBA playoff game this week, chances are you watched a blowout. You probably switched the channel in the last few minutes of the game, the time when the outcome of most NBA playoff games is decided.
Favorites are looking to make quick work of underdogs, with six of the eight match-ups appearing to be headed for either a sweep or a five game series. Not one of the lower seeded teams is even tied in their respective series.
Numbers aside, by just watching the games it doesn’t exactly feel like underdogs are adequately equipped for a comeback or ready to put up a fight. Even when an eighth seed underdog manages to steal a game against the top seeded Warriors, their reaction seems to range somewhere between surprise and bewilderment with a little disappointment peppered in for good measure. Seems like Dwight Howard & Co. are not exactly thrilled about needing to move their tee times by a few days.
As the action moves to the dogs’ home courts this weekend, I am hoping that some of the teams who are running short on their playoff lifelines and have gotten blown out recently, manage to get back in the series and bring the neutral fans’ interest level back.
Looking at Boston and Portland to take care of business at home. Game 3 home wins in Detroit and Charlotte would make for a hell of a Game 4 in those series. Otherwise, can we just fast forward to the conference semis?
Perhaps we are all hung over from the high and the exhilaration of the last day of the regular season. Watching all the favorites cruise through their first round matchups is a terrible cure for that hangover.
Here’s to some home dog wins this weekend and to a more flavorful appetizer slate before we sink our teeth into the main course of the NBA playoffs.
