The 2012 NBA Playoff schedule rolled on through the busy weekend and gave us some historic moments. LeBron James reminded the entire sporting world why he's a three-time MVP. Facing a desperate situation, he dropped 40 points, 18 rebounds and 9 assists on the Indiana Pacers to even that series 2-2. Put aside whatever animosity you hold for James' other faults and marvel at that performance.
Also you can blame the Pacers for ignoring their size advantage in the paint and relying too much on Leandro Barbosa. Indiana's depth, however, still should give them an edge against the beat up Heat who can't possibly get 70 points from James and Wade in every game.
Meanwhile, the Spurs don't care about James and don't need one player to be Superman to win games. They are deep and dangerous and have now won 18-straight games, including many late in the season where their best players didn't even dress. San Antonio completed their second sweep of the postseason with a set of back-to-back road wins over the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Borg rolls on.
Not surprisingly, the Oklahoma City Thunder are up 3-1 on the Los Angeles Lakers. Kobe Bryant was brilliant but Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook and James Harden showed that three stars are better than one (and whatever Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum are).
The Philadelphia 76ers have locked up the Boston Celtics 2-2 in their series. The Sixers best strategy is to grind down their elderly foes. The longer this series goes, the best for Philly.
2012 NBA Playoff Schedule for Monday:
Philadelphia 76ers at Boston Celtics at 7:00 p.m. on TNT
Each team has won on the road in this series so playing in the "Garden" shouldn't intimidate the Sixers. If they can continue to use their size and athleticism advantage and win the rebounding battle, they can steal Game 5 and take control of the series. Like most of these Eastern Conference games, it will be ugly, but it should also be a grind.
Los Angeles Lakers at Oklahoma City Thunder at 9:30 p.m. on TNT
No one can really explain why the Lakers can't get more consistent performances from Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol, but maybe Kobe Bryant taking all the shots has something to do with it. Meanwhile, the Thunder penetrate at will and should close out this series in five games on Monday night.
Here's SB Nation's own Bomani Jones arguing against good basketball and in favor of ratings so the NBA can make even more money.
