Playoffs wrap-up: Three The Hard Way

by Rob King

Three is the magic number in the NBA conference semifinals. In D.C. without the services of three-time Finals MVP Shaquille O’Neal, the Miami Heat led by number 3, Dwyane Wade sent the Wizards' big three of Gilbert Arenas, Larry Hughes and Antawn Jamison fishing, following two spectacular performances in games three, and four.

It’s now obvious where the Scarecrow, Tin Man and Lion obtained their brain, heart and courage. All items came courtesy of the Washington Wizards who played the Miami Heat without all three. Now they’re off to the Land of Oz after melting under intense playoff Heat.

Now the Miami Heat rest as the three remaining conference semifinal series play out. Miami needs Shaq to regain his typical three-second lane dominance as they prepare for a probable showdown with the men from Motown, led by their own number 3, NBA Defensive Player of the Year, Ben Wallace.

Three hotly-contested conference semifinal series will culminate this week with three teams continuing seasons and three teams concluding them with three more series on the horizon before a champion is crowned.

The defending champion Pistons keep browning out but will eventually outpace Indiana. The Detroit Pistons are clearly the better squad but a combination of overconfidence and failing to respond to Coach Larry Brown’s commands are allowing Coach Carlisle’s charges to remain competitive. I don’t see the Pacers surviving past game six but another Pistons' brownout could set up a decisive game seven.

The San Antonio Spurs departed Seattle winless after dropping two games to the Supersonics. Supported by poor San Antonio foul shooting, the Sonics held off the Spurs for a one point victory in game three. In game 4 the Sonics made sure San Antonio foul shooting woes wouldn’t matter as they lowered the boom on the Spurs, knotting the series at two games apiece.

The Spurs should subdue the Sonics by game 6 but led by point guard Luke Ridnour the force may be with Seattle, especially if he continues his sizzling shooting in San Antonio. Remember they do have Jesus on their side.

While we’re on the subject of sizzling shooting, NBA MVP Phoenix Suns’ guard Steve Nash put on some exhibition Sunday in Dallas. Nash scored a 2005 NBA playoff high 48 points on 20-28 from the field. Unfortunately his Suns fell to the Mavericks 119-109 as the series shifts back to Phoenix tied at two games. Dallas offset the Nasty Nash’s show by containing Phoenix’s three point shooting and limiting Suns’ center Amare Stoudemire to a mere mortal 15 points after three consecutive 30-plus scoring performances.

Minus starting shooting guard Joe Johnson – sidelined for the remainder of the series following eye surgery – expect the Mavericks to eclipse the Suns in six although an additional off day between contests mitigates the Mavericks’ superior sub supply.

Three competitive series reduced to best of three showdowns for the final three spots in the conference finals. The conference semifinals will produce three the hard way.