NBA Weekend Wrap

Dallas Vs. Los Angeles Game 4: Mavericks Win Series 4-0

As goes Jason Terry, so go the Dallas Mavericks. As far as three point shots that is definitely true. Both Terry and the Mavericks finished the night 1 three point shot short of a NBA record for three pointers made Sunday afternoon as the Mavericks routed the Lakers 122-86. Terry shot 9-10 from behind the arc for 27 of his game high 32 points.

On a normal night, that would have been the top news story. This was far from a normal night. While the game started to get out of reach for the frustrated reigning champions, Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum resorted to thuggery to get their point across. Odom's elbow on Dirk Nowitzki got him tossed early in the fourth quarter. Less than a minute later Andrew Bynum committed one of the more egregious flagrant fouls of the season throwing a forearm into a driving J.J. Berea's ribs. Berea hit the floor hard in a scary play which saw Bynum remorselessly leaving the floor, removing his jersey as he did so to a chorus of boos.

Dallas awaits the winner of the Oklahoma City/Memphis series. They figure to be well rested as those two teams battle it out.

Atlanta Vs. Chicago Game 4: Series Tied 2-2

The Hawks used a late run to break open a tight game late as Atlanta tied up the series Sunday night. This game did not come without controversy as Bennett Salvatore blew an inadvertent whistle on a three point shot by Derrick Rose. Salvatore later admitted fault saying, "I blew my whistle and didn't mean to. I didn't think it was a foul. Having watched the replay after the game, it was a foul and I should have called it. I made a mistake." The Bulls were down 6 at the time and three free throws could have made the contest even closer. However, the rules dictated a jump ball at mid court which the Hawks recovered and extended the lead to 8 at the time.

Atlanta got their work done under the basket scoring more than half of their points in the paint. On the defensive end, they limited Derrick Rose to 34 points while shooting 12 for 32 from the field. Rose can't do this on his own and it showed Sunday night with only two other Bulls in double figures. Game 5 is Tuesday night in a game that will go a long way in deciding the outcome in this series.

Memphis Vs. Oklahoma City Game 3: Grizzlies Lead 2-1

With 7:43 remaining in the fourth quarter, Memphis looked dead in the water. Kevin Durant had just put the Thunder up 11 with a driving dunk and the Grizzlies were forced to call a timeout. O.J. Mayo wasn't ready to call it a night and a 3 pointer out of the timeout ignited the crowd and the home team as they came back to send the game into OT.

The extra period belonged to Memphis, scoring 8 of the first 10 points in OT. Memphis went on to win the game 101-93 before a raucous crowd. fourth quarter and overtime Memphis outscored OKC by a score of 38-17.During the regular season, Memphis only managed 4 sellouts, but the arena sold out in less than 30 minutes for the first home game of the second round in franchise history. Game 4 is tonight back in the FedEx Arena in Memphis and the Grizzlies could take a commanding 3-1 lead in their improbable playoff run.

Miami Vs. Boston Game 3: Heat Lead 2-1

Boston showed signs of life early, taking a 16-7 lead in the first and never really looked back as Boston staved off the Miami Heat Saturday night. Kevin Garnett lead the way with 28 and Paul Pierce added 27 as the Celtics got on the series scoreboard with a win.

The story of the game was not the resurgence of Boston's big three, but the dislocation of Rajon Rondo's elbow. Late in the third quarter, he and Dwyane Wade got tangled up and Rondo landed awkwardly on his elbow, dislocating it in the process. However in a great example of mind over matter, the point guard re-entered the game at the start of the fourth and continued to play one handed with his bad arm dangling at his side. Both a MRI and CAT scan of his arm came back negative but it will be interesting to see how it affects his performance tonight in game 4.

Is this the end of the Lakers' dynasty run?

The Lakers are in disarray whether or not Kobe wants to admit it. As the final seconds ticked off the clock and Ron Artest was taking an early shower, what remained of a packed house showed their disapproval for the efforts on court. Scattered boos and cat calls could be heard through out the arena. They better get it out of their system now because if this series continues the way it's been going, the lights in the Staples Center are going to stay off until next season.

The series has been an enigma. Statistically, the Lakers have been the better team. Winning the rebound battle, more blocks, more steals, more points in the paint, fewer turnovers, equal field goal percentage. So why are the defending champs down 0-2 to a perenial playoff burnout?

Wednesday night, it's easy to point to if you're looking at the stats. 3's and free throws. The Lakers shot 10% on their 3 point shots and they wouldn't even have had that if it weren't for two meaningless threes late in the game, with the outcome decided. What is absolutely baffling to me is a professional basketball team shooting 55% from the free throw line. Yet, it was all L.A. could muster.

Take a look beyond the box score, though and you'll see what's becoming obvious. The Lakers don't trust each other. Andrew Bynum said so himself, "All 13 of our guys have trust issues right now. I think it's quite obvious to anyone watching the game -- hesitation on passes, and defensively we're not being a good teammate because he wasn't there for you before -- little things." Well, it's the little things that win championships.

Andrew Bynum, again was a perfect example of not trusting his team mates. As J.J. Berea torched the Lakers guards, the smallest guy on the floor was getting uncontested floaters in the lane. Why? Kobe answered this question, "...He gets frustrated when he supports a guard coming off the screen-and-roll and nobody supports him." It's coming down to a pick your poison scenario. When Berea or Kidd come off the screen, Bynum has to decide if he's going to try and stop the ball or stop the pass. Stop the ball and there's an uncontested dunk, by Dallas' big men. Defend the pass and Berea and Kidd are going right to the hoop with no yellow shirts to stop them.

So, back to the question at hand. Is this the end of the Laker's Dynasty run? I don't think so. The pieces are all still there. One of the most dynamic players of all time, a strong front court and in my opinion, one of the finest 6th men in the game in Lamar Odom. However, the one piece that the Lakers will be missing next season could be the biggest. Phil Jackson. Jackson is retiring after this season and without him at the helm, there is no telling which way the ship will turn.

Do I think the Lakers will win the title this season? In my opinion, no. But we're going to find out what they're made of tonight in Dallas playing without their best defender Ron Artest. If L.A. wins tonight, watch out because we may still have a series but if Dallas closes the door on them tonight, we will see a new champion this year.