Marc Gasol and the Grizzlies need to improve their defense if they want to make it out of the first round in the 2013 NBA playoffs. Photo Credit: Mark Runyon, Basketball Schedule
The opening weekend of the 2013 NBA playoffs is behind us, and every series has played at least one game. With that in mind, let’s take a look at a few of things we’ve learned after watching all of these teams go at it once.
1. The Grizzlies defense might be in some trouble
No team was more out of character on opening weekend than the Memphis Grizzlies. Their usually mighty defense gave up 112 points to the Los Angeles Clippers, while Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol somehow combined for just six rebounds. Gasol’s normally excellent defense was out of whack in Game 1, as Clippers players were blowing past him on possession after possession. If the Grizzlies are going to have a chance in this series, their defense needs to go back to being juggernaut it usually is as soon as possible.
2. Playing at home really, really helps
Home teams are expected to thrive in the postseason, but this was ridiculous. The home team was victorious in every single game, which had last happened in 2004. This would be expected in series such like Miami Heat-Milwaukee Bucks and Houston Rockets-Oklahoma City Thunder, but many thought talented underdogs like the Golden State Warriors or the Grizzlies would be able to steal one on the road. So far, though every home team has held serve. Maybe a few road teams will pull of an upset in Game 2, but if not, we’re in for a very predictable playoffs.
3. Carmelo Anthony can come through down the stretch.
Game 1 of the Boston Celtics-New York Knicks series was starting to look like a familiar scene; Melo was bricking tons of shots and the Celtics were up by seven. It seemed like yet another reminder of Anthony’s most glaring flaws (his selfishness and his occasional inefficiency). Then, Anthony completely took over in the fourth quarter, winding up with 36 points as he led the Knicks to an 85-78 victory over the Celtics. There’s a lot of games left to be played this postseason, but Anthony’s Game 1 performance gives the impression that his excellent performance in the regular season was not a fluke and that he can continue playing an extremely high level. If he can, the Knicks will be tough to stop.
4. Andre Miller still has it at 37
Just when it looked like the Warriors might be pulling of an Game 1 upset, Nuggets guard Andre Miler made an excellent move to the basket for the game-winning layup with just 1.3 seconds on the clock. Miller exploded in the fourth quarter, putting up 18 points (he had 28 for the game) and holding off a late Golden State surge. Miler has been extremely valuable for the Nuggets these past two seasons and his performance on Saturday was a reminder than while Miller is getting older, he is still an excellent point guard and a valuable piece on a team that looks more and more like a serious title contender.
5. It’s killing Kobe to not be out there
Check out the endless stream of tweets Kobe Bryant sent out as his Los Angeles Lakers were in the process of losing Game 1 of their series with the San Antonio Spurs. It was clearly eating him that he had to sit around the house, just watching the team he’s given half of his life to as they put in a weak performance against a beat-up Spurs team that they might have beaten had Kobe been in the lineup. And to think, this was just the first game. It’s only going to hurt more and more for Kobe as he sits around, desperately hoping Jodie Meeks can finally hit a 3. Someone should probably check on him and make sure he’s OK. Even Mambas get the blues now and then, especially when they have a torn Achilles’ tendon during the playoffs.