NBA Playoff Update: 4.24.2007 [David Stefanini]

Last night three games were played. The defending champions tried to fight off the possibility of an 0-2 deficit, as Kobe and the Lakers did the same. The New Jersey Nets, who were playing with the 'houses money', tried to go up 2-0. After all the games, only one series was tied at 1 game a piece.

The Toronto Raptors evened up their series with a win last night over the Nets. The Raptors showed poise and control down the stretch, a complete turn around from Game 1. This loss should not bother the Nets at all. They went on the road and took 1 out of 2 games, that is all you can ask for when you are the underdog.

The Phoenix Suns proved to be to much for the Lakers to handle. Kobe wasn't looking to dominate the game and the Lakers could not slow down the un-ending attack of the Suns. The Lakers need to win the next two games to have any shot at a series win. To get those two victories; Kobe has to turn into the old Kobe. He must take 30-40 shots and look to score 60+ points. If that doesn't happen the Lakers will get blown out again.

Finally, the Miami Heat become the third team in history to fall down 0-2 in the first round after winning the title the previous year. Dwyane Wade does not look like himself, and the Bulls are running. Ben Gordon and Luol Deng are playing like super-stars who have been in this league a very long time. Look for a Heat bounce back performance in Game 3, but the Bulls to still win this series in 6 games.