NBA Playoffs 2013: Fact or Fiction With Second Round Game 1 Losers

The second round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs has begun for all eight teams and it hasn’t exactly gone smoothly for the New York Knicks, Miami Heat, Memphis Grizzlies and Golden State Warriors. Each team feels like they’ve been punched in the stomach, with all of them having legitimate chances to win their opening game.

Let’s play some fact or fiction with the teams who have fallen behind in the second round.

Fact or Fiction: The New York Knicks should be extremely worried about their lack of rebounding against the Indiana Pacers.

FACT – The Knicks were crushed 44-30 on the glass and that was with Carmelo Anthony pulling down 11 rebounds. Will Tyson Chandler get 10 fewer rebounds than Lance Stephenson every game? Of course not, if Chandler gets into foul trouble again, who do they go to? Kenyon Martin isn’t the answer and there really isn’t another legitimate option on the roster.

Fact or Fiction: The Memphis Grizzlies have to be extremely optimistic about their chances against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

FACT – Let’s take a look at a couple key numbers from Game 1. The Grizzlies shot just 14-for-24 from the free-throw line, yet lost by just two. Kevin Durant had to make a couple of terrific shots in big situations, which is never a given, even for someone as good as him. Mike Conley Jr. had just three assists and the team tallied just 13 on 35 made field goals. On the road, despite all of those things, the Grizzlies lost by just two points.

Fact or Fiction: The Miami Heat need to be seriously concerned about being upset by the Chicago Bulls.

FICTION – Players get hot. The NBA isn’t full of stiffs, it’s a league of tremendous playmakers. Nate Robinson scored 11 points with six assists in the fourth quarter of Game 1. The Bulls shot 52.6 percent from the field and 92.3 percent from the free-throw line in the fourth. The Heat are the fresher team and although they had to shake off a lot of rust, that energy will show in Game 2. LeBron James had a poor game and still put up 24 points, eight rebounds, seven assists, two steals and a block.

Fact or Fiction: Mark Jackson lost Game 1 for the Golden State Warriors against the San Antonio Spurs.

FICTION – Did Spurs coach Gregg Popovich draw up two terrific plays to get Danny Green open at the end of regulation and Manu Ginobili open at the end of the second overtime? Yes. Does the fact that an assignment was missed that left Ginobili wide open fall on Jackson’s shoulders? No way. He’s the same coach that had them up 16 points with four minutes left. Give Jackson players with the Spurs’ experience and see how he does.