With Raja Bell in the Lineup, Suns Even the Series at 2; Miami and Detroit in Game 5 Tonight
Last night the Suns beat the Mavs to knot up the series at two games apiece. Raja Bell, who went down with a calf muscle tear/sprain in Game 1 returned to the lineup, netting 9 points, 4 boards, and 3 assists in 31 minutes of play. The Suns also enjoyed another big game from Diaw (20 points, 9 boards) and Nash (21 points, 7 dimes), as well as a surprise performance by Leandro Barbosa, whose 24 points on 10-13 shooting led the team in scoring. The Suns ended up rolling over the Mavs in the second half of the 4th, winning the game by 20 points. Dirk Nowitzki's poor shooting was in part to blame, the German Giant going 3-13 from the field for a series low 11 points.
So with the series knotted at two, it boils down to a best of 3 series - first team to win two games goes onto the Finals, while the team that can only win 1 (or maybe none) is heading home for the summer. It would be neat to see the Suns make it to the Finals with their Amare-less, 7-man rotation that's running on fumes at this point, but I think Dallas is better, deeper, and more rested, and will win this series in 6. I wouldn't be surprised to see it go 7 (seeing as the Suns first two series this postseason went the distance), but I wouldn't be surprised either to see Dallas take the next two games, either.
Out in the East, the Miami Heat have a chance to sent Detroit Pistons home for the season as they play their fifth game of the series. The Pistons look tired, frustrated, and beat down. They're a dangerous team when cornered and at home, so they may pull out a W in Game 5. However, I think the Heat are deeper, have more drive and focus, and are just playing so much better. Dwayne Wade creates matchup problems galore, Shaq is playing his best basketball since 2003, and the Pistons are cold shooting and sniping at their coach. If Miami doesn't close out the series tonight, I expect them to at home in Game 6.