NBA Round 2 Playoff

Playoff action continued today as round 1 finished. Atlanta 91 - Miami 78, the Hawks own the Heat in game 7 with a lead as much as 28 in the 3rd quarter. Following that game was the start of round 2 with Dallas playing at Denver. The Nuggets finished up with 109 on the score board beating the Mavericks.

Round 2 match ups!!!
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WESTERN CONFERENCE



Los Angeles Lakers
Regular Season Record: 65-17
The Lakers swept all four games from the Rockets this season and are 5-2 against them in the last two seasons. In the four victories, Bryant averaged 28.3 points on 53 percent shooting. Bryant has had some outstanding performances this season, including a 61-point effort at MSG against the Knicks. He is arguably the best player in the league and has the power to take control of a game and change its outcome almost single-handedly. With three NBA championships to his name, Bryant knows how to tough it out in the post-season and his experience and maturity should be helpful in the locker room.
Players to Watch: Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum, Lamar Odom, Derek Fisher

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Houston Rockets
Regular Season Record: 53-29
The second-round series with the Lakers will be the team's first playoff matchup since 2004. The underdog Rockets have two perimeter defenders in Ron Artest and Shane Battier that will be a tough test for Kobe and company. The Rockets are physical, they possess a balanced offence, a solid defence and their rebounding is excellent. If they can get over the mental obstacle presented by their lack of playoff success, the level of their game and their ability to control the pace of the action could take them deep into the post-season. The key will be for the Rockets to consciously zone out the ghosts of playoff failures of the past in order to avoid adding the '08-'09 squad to that list of underachieving teams.
Players to Watch: Yao Ming, Ron Artest, Luis Scola

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Denver Nuggets
Regular Season Record: 54-28
The Nuggets have a perfect 4-0 record against the Dallas Mavericks in the regular season. Carmelo Anthony averaged 31.3 points and nine rebounds playing in three of those wins. The new-look Nuggets have had an impressive season, fueled by the acquisition of Chauncey Billups in exchange for Allen Iverson in November. While they hardly boast a history of playoff greatness (zero championships), Denver's time has to come sooner or later. With veteran leadership and the confidence of a successful year behind them, the Nuggets could surprise people this post-season. Between Billups and Anthony, the Nuggets have two superb players that can be relied upon in high-pressure situations. Denver is strong on the road and they're a confident squad. If they can work up some physicality, the Nuggets could break their string of playoff failure.
Players to Watch: Carmelo Anthony, Chauncey Billups, J.R. Smith, Nene Hilaro, Kenyon Martin

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Dallas Mavericks
Regular Season Record: 50-32
Although the Mavericks' regular season record against the Nuggets is an unflattering 0-4 mark, three of those losses were by a total of seven points, while the other was by 10. The Mavs can keep it close! Dirk Nowitzki and Company will continue to come out with more fire in their bellies, while the team will look to keep their intensity and momentum going.
Players to Watch: Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Terry, Josh Howard, Jason Kidd

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EASTERN CONFERENCE



Boston Celtics
Regular Season Record: 62-20
The Celtics are a huge part of the historical fabric of the NBA, having won 17 championships, 20 conference title and 27 division titles. As far as tradition goes, it's tough to top the Celts, with 21 numbers retired. Fueled by Kevin Garnett's passion and the unstoppable power of the Big Three, Boston got off to an incredible 27-2 start this season. They won 19 straight games (a franchise record) and had another streak of 12 wins in a row this season. But without Garnett for the second season, there could be trouble. But the Celtics are still an exciting team to watch, and wouldn't it be fun to see an epic Celtics-Lakers rematch in the Finals? The Celts are a hard-working, physical squad, and rather than resting on last season's accolades, they look just as hungry to win it this year.
Players to Watch: Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, Rajon Rondo

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Orlando Magic
Regular Season Record: 59-23
Orlando was 33-8 and the halfway point of the season, and went on to win their second straight division title. Led by one of the league's most exciting and dynamic players in 23-year-old Dwight Howard, the Magic are seeking their first trip to the NBA Finals since losing to the Rockets in 1995. The Magic have an excellent long-range game and their depth means that anyone on the court can be dangerous at any given time, adding a little unpredictability to their game. They'll need to toughen up from the top down if they are to compete with some of the more physical teams they could meet.
Players to Watch: Dwight Howard, Rashard Lewis, Hedo Turkoglu

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Cleveland Cavaliers
Regular Season Record: 66-16
Coming off the most successful regular season in franchise history, the Cavaliers are a strong contender to make it deep in the post-season. The team has never won an NBA championship, having come close back in 2006-07 when they made it to the Finals, only to be swept by the Spurs. The Cavs were eliminated by the eventual-champion Celtics in the Conference semi-final last season, and they're hungry to make their second LeBron-era trip to the big show. With the best home record in the NBA, the Cavs are practically unstoppable in Cleveland. The structured style of Cleveland's offence and defence gives them a solid foundational structure to work from for playoff success because it minimizes the likelihood of major meltdowns. The sheer power of LeBron James is enough to change the momentum of any game, and the team's disciplined approach lends itself to post-season success. Look for the Cavs to make a serious run.
Players to Watch: LeBron James, Mo Williams, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Delonte West, Anderson Varejao

VS



Atlanta Hawks
Regular Season Record: 47-35
Just four seasons ago, in 2004-05, the Hawks were the worst team in the NBA, compiling a dreadful 13 wins during that campaign. By 2007, Atlanta became the squad that had gone the most seasons in a row without making the playoffs (eight). They had also lost 50-plus games in four consecutive years and hadn't won an NBA title since 1958, when they were the St. Louis Hawks. The Hawks haven't made it beyond the second round of the playoffs in their time in Atlanta
Players to Watch: Joe Johnson, Josh Smith, Mike Bibby, Marvin Williams, Al Horford