Norwegian Wood

Miami 79 (0-4), Chicago 92

Baby Bulls have grown up! I think this series signaled the stepping down of Shaq O’Neal. Chicago is a better team, and even when Wade is healthy, i don’t think Miami had enough to handle them.

The best part of this match is in the fourth quarter, Miami started to play so called Hack-a-Wallace strategy - intentionally fouling Big Ben. Ben Wallace, a notoriously terrible foul shooter whose season percentage is 41%, hit all four foul shots and put a close to the game.

To be honest, I hate this Miami as a team. Their two stars are ok. O’Neal really isn’t as dominant as in his lakers’ years, and a large portion of Wade’s play is based on creating contact with defenders to get to the foul line. They play slow basketball, and with only two strategies: give the ball to Wade or O’Neal. Pat Riley doesn’t have his magic in 80s, and I still can’t believe he played Hack-a-Ben strategy last year when Miami was leading in last year eastern finals! That’s just ugly basketball. I am happy to see a younger and faster Bulls team swept them.

Eastern semi-final 1: Detroit (1) vs Chicago (5).
Prediction: Detroit wins in 7. The young bulls still have some work to do before beating this mighty Detroit team. Just like MJ’s bulls, it took them three tries to pass Bad Boy Detroit.

L.A. Lakers 100 (1-3), Phoenix 113

Well, it’s safe to say that Lakers are done for this year, even when they tried their best, they still didn’t have enough to beat this fantastic Phoenix team. Nash send out 23 assists - one shy of nba playoff record, hold by Magic and Stockton. Lakers only had 21 assists as a team. Stoudemire had a super-size double-double: 27 points and 21 rebounds.

New Jersey 102 (3-1), Toronto 81

The game was over after the first quarter.

Golden State 103 (3-1), Dallas 99

End of the first half, Barnes made a 3-point to level the score with 26 seconds left. Dirk made a layup and was fouled. He made the foul shot with 1 second left. Golden State passed the ball to Baron Davis and he hit a wild 3-point near the middle line. 49-49, half time.

End of the third quarter. Davis made a 3-point to pull Golden State within 2, and then stole the ball and made a two-hand dunk to even the score 77-77. I like this Warriors team.

End of the fourth quarter, Golden State are down by 5, then they made a 11-0 run to make the score 96-90 with 57 seconds left. Terry made a 3-point, Barnes came back with a 3-point, and Dallas called their last timeout. Dirk made a 3-point, Richardson made 2 foul shots, Dirk made another 3-point, but he turned up way too late. Davis made 1 of 2 foul shots with 3 second left, and Warriors stole the inbound pass to seal the win.

It’s gonna be very interesting to see both two teams in last year finals out in the first round.

Orlando 93 (0-4), Detroit 97

Detroit swept Orlando in 4 games. If Chicago can finish Miami tomorrow, these two teams have to wait until next sunday to start the series.

Washington 92 (0-3), Cleveland 98

Cleveland’s job is almost done.

Denver 91 (1-2), San Antonio 96

Denver is a strange team. In the third quarter, when Denver had trouble offensively, Melo didn’t touch the ball for maybe 5 minutes, as AI just kept shooting low percentage jumpers.

Utah 98 (2-2), Houston 85

After watching about three Houston games, I hate to admit that they had no chance to win a championship in short time of period. They had no answer for a quick team.

when: 3:30pm - 4:30pm

where: sports hall

what: 4v4

two comments i read about today’s matches.

from soccernet the insider:

In the end, United’s flowing football looks to have beaten the ruthlessly efficient if slightly dull Chelsea machine and those of us who love the beautiful game can be thankful for that.

from soccernet match report:

But, as Mourinho now knows, Ferguson and his team are never more dangerous than when their backs are pressed up against the wall, which in itself, was a fitting tribute to Ball the battler.

New Jersey 102 (2-1), Toronto 89

Kidd’s 10th playoff triple-double and VC’s 37 points helped New jersey to take a 2-1 lead.

Miami 96 (0-3), Chicago 104

well, i think Miami is done for this year and make me wonder that it’s luck to get them through the playoff last year.

Golden State 109 (2-1), Dallas 91

Dallas looks like they are the #8 seed instead of Golden State. They have no answer for Warriors’ speedy players. Baron Davis is an one-of-kind point guard, quick enough to pass by any defenders, and strong enough to post any defenders. Jason Richardson is also spectacular, scored 30 points. Dallas’ defense seems so fragile, and their offense is awful. It’s kind of interesting to see both teams in last year’s final are struggling badly. (I start dreaming the second round Houston gets chance to face Golden State…) Avery Johnson must be so regretted that they didn’t play hard in the last regular season game with Golden State. If Dallas won that game, Golden State may don’t have a chance to get into the playoffs.

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This is how the day which was supposed to be a disaster turned out to be so fantastic:

0min: Both matches kick off at the same time. They are the early matches on this Saturday because both teams have their champion league matches in the middle week. Sir Alex rests Ronaldo, and put Solskjaer at the right middle, with Smith and Rooney on front. Chelsea also rests some starters, like Lampard and Drogba.

12min: Stubbs rasped home a 30-yard free-kick to give Everton 1-0 lead. The ball took a bounce from Carrick to just pass Van der Sar.

19min: Bolton took a surprising 1-0 lead over Chelsea.

22min: Chelsea leveled up with a Kalou’s header.

29min: Chelsea’s centre back Carvalho was injured and replaced by Lampard.

34min: Kalou’s header again. The ball came off the crossbar and bounced into net off the left leg of Bolton keeper. At the same time, United didn’t create too many chances. Solskajer wasn’t at his best on the right side, and most of united’s attacking are from left side Giggs.

45min: Half time, Chelsea is leading 2-1, and United is down 0-1. If the scores stay, Chelsea will catch up with United on the top of Premiership.

46min: No changes form Sir Alex, and Mourinho replaced Shevchenko by Drogba.

51min: Disaster for United. Fernandes smashed a massive long-shot into United’s net. Brown was first casually dismissed before Fernandes arrowed a shot in to the tightest of angles past the lengthy frame of van der Saar. For this goal, Brown maybe a little bit late to close up and you really can’t blame van der Saar. The shot was perfect. United are down by 2 now.

54min: Bolton leveled the score at Stamford Bridge. It’s 2-2 draw now.

56min: Sir Alex replaced Evra by Richardson. This was a wierd change.

61min: United pulled back by one. Everton’s rookie goalkeeper Turner (Howard wasn’t allowed to play in this match because he’s on loan from United to Everton) inexplicably dropped Giggs’ corner at O’Shea’s feet, allowing the Irishman to bundle home. O’Shea is always United’s luck star.

63min: Finally Ronaldo was introduced to replace Smith.

68min: United leveled the score! by Phil Neville, former united player. Ronaldo’s header was saved by the keeper but Neville thrashed it into his own net in a desperate attempt to clear.

75min: United are in totally control of the game. The commentators start to joke that Phil Neville will receive text message bomb from his old teammates and united fans, and the first one must be from his brother. Well, it is ironic to see Phil to hit the own goal, but Phil is really a fighter and worth all our united fans’ respect.

76min: I just realized that last fixture, Newcastle helped united to draw 0-0 with Chlesea, another former United player Butt played a huge role in that game.

79min: United took the lead now. O’Shea’s far-post cross took a reflection form Everton defender and landed at Rooney’s feet. United’ #8 showed how much maturity he is now compared to his Everton era: he stepped inside Hibbert, then found the bottom corner with his low shot between another defender’s legs.

85min: Ronaldo was one-on-one with Everton keeper but failed to score.

90min: United rookie Eagles scored his first goal for united to seize this massive comeback. Meanwhile, Chelsea failed to score and the final was 2-2. United has 5 points lead now, so if United wins derby next Saturday and Chelsea loses to Arsenal next Sunday, United will claim the title before the clash between United and Chelsea.

2007-04-28 Saturday

Everton 2, United 4

Everton: Turner, Hibbert, Lescott, Stubbs, Yobo, Neville, Arteta, Carsley (Van der Meyde 83), Fernandes, Osman (McFadden 72), Vaughan (Beattie 71)
Scorer: Stubbs (12), Fernandes (50)

United: Van der Sar, O’Shea, Brown, Heinze, Evra (Richardson 56), Solskjaer (Eagles 86), Carrick, Scholes, Giggs, Smith (Ronaldo 63), Rooney
Scorer: O’Shea (61), Neville (68 og), Rooney (79), Eagles (90)

united official
espn soccernet

the climbing was a lot fun but the waiting in the line wasn’t. we have to wait for about 2 hours before we actually got to the base of cn tower. the 144 floors of stairs were as long as you think. our team finished in about 24 minutes, about average.

April 28th, vs Everton

May 2nd, vs AC Milan

May 5th, vs Man City

May 9th, vs Chelsea

It’s safe to say the results of these four matches will determine united’s fate this season.

injury update: Park is done for this season. Two centre backs, Vidic has a slight chance to play in milan match, and Ferdinand will go with the team but probably the Man City match will be his return. Saha is expected to be in the bench for the Everton game.

Orlando 77 (0-3), Detroit 93

Detroit may get their first sweep since 1990

Utah 81 (1-2), Houston 67

you can’t win a game without one single point from your bench.

L.A. Lakers 95 (1-2), Phoenix 89

Kobe got some help from teammates Odom and Brown.

San Antonio 97 (1-1), Denver 88

the match is much closer than the score showed. Magic Johnson predicted Denver to win the series.

Cleveland 109 (2-0), Washington 102

reasonable score, Cleveland took 2-0 lead.

Dallas 112 (1-1), Golden State 99

the game was close till the end of third quarter, then Golden State got too emotional about some calls. Baron Davis and Stephen Jackson got ejected, and game was over afterward. Dallas still had a lot issues need to address. This team is definitely not the team that put on three 10+ consecutive wins.

Charles Barkley predicted during the tnt half time report that Dallas will finish the series by 4-1, but we all know how good Barkley’s predictions are.

it’s kind of funny what Don Nelsen said before the game:

How will the Mavs change their approach?

“We were just lucky that first game. They didn’t shoot very well, and we didn’t either actually. But for whatever reason, we played a little bit better than they did,” he said. “I think they’ll do just fine the second game. They’ll be dominant as they should be and they’ll mop us up.

“We have a better chance to get hit by lightning than to win tomorrow night.”

But the Warriors have beaten the Mavs six straight.

“I’m just the luckiest guy in the world.”