Are we surprised the Los Angeles Lakers can't get their act together and use their advantages to play like (potential) champs are take care of the Denver Nuggets? No. The Lakers have a long history of underestimating opponents and without the Zen Master pulling the strings and controlling the egos it's even less shocking they are facing the first Game 7 of the 2012 NBA Playoffs.
Thursday's schedule also saw former Arizona Wildcat Andre Iguodala sink key free throws to push the Philadelphia 76ers over the Chicago Bulls with a 79-78 win. They will face the Celtics who also advanced with yet another low-scoring Eastern Conference slug-fest. Boston beat the Atlanta Hawks 83-80. The gap between the quality of play in the East and the West is stark.
With just two series left in Round 1, Friday's schedule will have just one game.
Memphis Grizzlies at Los Angeles Clippers at 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT
The Grizzlies took advantage of a banged up Chris Paul (hip) to win at home and force a Game 6 on the road. Clearly, the Clips need to win this game and avoid going back to Memphis for a decisive Game 7. It will be interesting to see how both of these respond. At the same time, it doesn't matter much in the big picture since the Spurs are waiting to destroy whoever wins this series.
