and 
game 2
Kickoff : 8pm Eastern Time
The Playoffs are here, and the Playoffs are a different time of year.
In the regular season, there are 2 or 3 potential fouls on every play. But in the Playoffs, there are 4 or 5, if not more. It’s physical. It’s intense. It’s confrontational. And a team like the New Jersey Nets, who’ve played in 40 playoff games the past 2 seasons, know how to play postseason basketball.
Maybe, after getting pasted in game 1, the Knicks are some way to realising what they need to do to compete. And win.
When did they start having playoffs in the NBA? Oh, it’s just Chicago teams that don’t make those winter sports thingies. Doesn’t that conflict with a real sport, MLB? Good ole Corey with another homer, for all those fans that hate him.
Tonight, the Knicks will be without scoring forward Tim Thomas, out with what’s uncomfortably described as ‘multiple muscle contusions’ in his back, the result of a hard foul from Nets Jason Collins in game 1.
After last Saturday’s action, there was more talk in the press re Brandon Hunter’s innocuous tussle with Jermaine O’Neal than Collin’s flagrant. But the tone of this series has been well and truly set, and the Nets aren’t apologising for that.
The old Knicks of Ewing, Oakley, LJ, Starks and co. didn’t accept being pushed around by anyone, let alone by their younger brothers from the swamp, and you can bet Isiah Thomas has had a word with the leaders of his team regarding the physical nature of playoff basketball.
It’s notable that, in the last 2 days, Dikembe Mutombo and Shandon Anderson have both made public statements re their dissatisfaction at the foul. That means something.
Collins, for his part, can take it. He’s got stripes. He’s been here before. And he knows Aaron Williams and Kenyon Martin have his back should anything happen.
This Knicks are already short-handed with Allan Houston in street clothes, and now having Tim Thomas in a hospital gown further hurts them offensively. But if they don’t keep their composure and go overboard in their attempt to make a physical statement tonight, they’ll regret it even more.
Countdown is on.
ESPN giving their patented preview, a collection of fast-break dunks, emphatic threes and tired puns "As the Knicks were swamped in Jersey"…
Who’s the key for the Nets? Kidd, Kenyon, Richard Jefferson?
No, according to ESPN, it’s Kerry Kittles.
Good one ESPN, starting lineup still has Tim Thomas in it.
They correct it to Penny.
They should start DerMarr Johnson, but Lenny Wilkens can’t spell his name.
Tip-off, Knicks ball.
Had the mis-match as Kittles switched, but found Shandon open for 3.
Martin at the high-post, face up, nice.
NYK 3-2.
Good transition D by the Knicks, but can’t afford turnovers.
Jefferson for 3.
am I fit?
Knicks are playing with quick hands early, they have good size in the backcourt.
Kittles doing some of the ball-handling.
Like the Knicks attacking.
another bucket, I’m a scoring machine.
make that, shooting machine.
Back-to-back offensive fouls on NYK, 11-7 Jersey.
Have they missed?
Nets finally miss a shot, too fancy on the break.
Another Offensive Foul.
whoo – 4-point play coming up.
This game is in danger of being over by the end of 1.
17-9 Jersey with the Kidd FT to come.
Knicks need to do a better job at controlling the tempo – what did Riles call it, ‘skirmishing’, not flat-out attacking every trip up, but structured incisive fast-break when the opportunity is right.
back from the TO.
Marbury beats the shot-clock, good patient play out of the time-out.
Nets cooling down, slightly, Kittles misses twice, and then a foul as he tries to guard Stephon.
Knicks attacking, getting no calls inside and the Nets make them pay.
20-11.
do we care?
ugly play, ball out of bounds, Knicks only down 6.
Shandon Anderson having a few words with Jefferson as the TO is called. Not many other Knicks playing with passion, though.
No effort on the offensive boards by New York.
If Jersey hadn’t started missing those outside shots, they’d be down 20.
Kidd calls his own number, 6 points, 1 assist.
Marbury off the screen.
How good is Richard Jefferson playing – he used to be their weak link what, 2 seasons ago?
off-the-ball foul on Rodney Rogers’ big butt in the paint.
another offensive foul – who said this game would be physical!
boom baby!
tied at 24.
37 seconds left, Knicks tie it up, Marbury missed a 3.
hold it up while Kittles ties his shoe-lace.
big jam by Martin off the Jefferson penetration…
26-24 after 1.
Knicks have played well to be this close, Jersey seem so relaxed, don’t mind a few turnovers, and if they focus they’ll blow this game out.
Kidd taking a back-seat during the 1st quarter, Jefferson and Kittles handling the ball a lot.
For New York – Marbury Marbury Marbury. Penny, when fresh, can still utilise his size and back his defender down into the paint.
Knicks have size off the bench, need to take advantage.
Good defensive play to start the 2nd by Shanderson. Jump-ball.
Jersey only 2 fast-break points in the first.
How on earth can Lucious Harris be getting offensive rebounds???
Another one!
31-24 Jersey.
No points this quarter yet for New York, 2 mins gone.
Stephon has 10.
Wow, I’m going frantic on the sideline.
Marbury banks a 3 fading from the right corner, and Mutombo with the offensive, the pump-fake, the put-back and the foul.
TO.
Knicks hanging in.
Boston 4
Indiana 4
scoreboard’s wrong.
33-29.
34-29
Marbury hits off his own miss, should have taken it to the rim over Rodney Rogers.
Bad release by Martin on the face-up.
Good D by the Knicks.
Huge pick by Sweetney.
37-31 Jersey still up, Knicks with the momentum the past 3 minutes, but no imprint on the scoreboard.
Kidd with the lay-in.
Mutombo on the slowest isolation play since, well probably this time last season.
Rogers scores, timeout.
Jersey 42
NYK 31
Bos 12
Indy 9
Are the Nets serious?
Are the Knicks trying?
Nice double-team off the screen by the Knicks, Kidd can’t get bailed out at the buzzer.
Terrible half-court offense by New York.
Martin loves the playoffs.
In the East, anyway.
44-31.
We’re shooting 55%.
Only 2-2 FTs
4 mins left in the 2nd.
Another fast-break for New Jersey after the steal. 10-0 run.
Knicks need more screens, but Marbury is the only shooter they have, and he can’t pass the ball to himself.
New York not quick enough defensively to hang with Jersey for 48 mins.
Time-out.
N Mohammed 2
D Mutombo 1
S Marbury 1
K Thomas 1
A Williams 2
K Martin 1
J Collins 0
J Kidd 0
2:59 to go.
Martin at the line. Both.
48-33
another foul.
Marbury very frustrated.
whoo, I get a mention.
What’s your real first name, Buck?
Knicks playing lots of hand-defense.
Knicks have scored, 50-35.
Vin Baker’s in.
We have it going on.
Hard foul by Martin on Stephon, attacking the rim.
Knicks aren’t even trying on the boards, though.
Nets 13.
Boston up 5 after 1.
Final play of the half, Shanderson misses a 3.
Terrible quarter by the Knicks, inconsistent intensity, and Jersey just toying with them in the open floor.
NJN
Kenyon 12 points, 9 boards.
JK 12 points, 3 assists.
Jefferson 11 points on 4-7.
A-Train 2 assists, 2 PF.
NYK
Penny 2 points, 7 assists.
Stephon 18 points on 7-14.
Nazr 3 fouls, 3 turnovers.
Sweetney 11 mins, 1 point.
What Else is Going On?
LeBron ROY.
Jim O’Brien hired by Philly.
Mashburn may retire.
Jayson Williams trial doesn’t look good.
Bobby Jax might miss the entire playoffs.
That’s me.
Do I understand it right that Jayson W is on trial for Manslaugher instead of Murder?
That’s a good job by his lawyer right there…
Indy up 37-35 at Conseco.
NYK hitting 40%, Nets 53%.
I think everyone but Lenny Wilkens realises he is performing for his coaching future, right here.
Back on court.
Didn’t they do anything during half-time?
Kenyon with a spectacular play, Marbury misses, Mohammed with another foul.
We’re going to get far too much Vin Baker in this one.
55-39, this one’s almost over.
Nets with the trap, Martin bam!
6 points in the first 1+ mins of the 3rd.
9-1.
Carlos 2-0.
46-41 at halftime.
PP 11 points, 0 assists
JO’N 13 points, 7 boards
We have 1 missed shot, 2 turnovers, 2 fouls and 0 points this quarter.
Hello!
12-7
Goaltend?!?
61-41.
Penny drives and scores of the Marbury kick-out.
Nets running some triple-post offense.
another foul, Marbury got ball and arm.
I’m going to have to suit up next season if this is the team I’ve got.
Everyone in blue, watch-out this summer.
Jersey have so many offensive weapons, they’re impossible to guard at this level.
63-43, Jefferson misses a FT.
Hiya!
7:27 to go in the 3rd.
Knicks must be trying to lull Jersey into submission here, get their minds out of it and mount a comeback in the tail-end.
someone call me???
Kenyon flops, KThomas makes a mid-range. In double-figures.
Shanderson lays it in, timeout Jersey to stop this startling run. Lead is 14.
Knicks have taken just 3 FT’s, made all of them.
They’ll get more calls at home, but unless Houston does a Karl Malone and plays on one leg, they won’t beat this confident Nets team.
How many dimes do I got?
Knicks with a stop out of the TO.
Turn it back over.
Steph, you got 4 AST and 5 TO, unless that last one doesn’t go to you.
Get that &^*$& outa here, Kenyon.
Double-foul on Martin, a personal and a T, unecessary contact after the initial whistle. Mutombo not happy. And nor is Lawrence Frank.
Lead is 13.
Another turnover, and Marbury fouls Kittles to the line.
I’m in love with this mid-range J.
I have 14 points now.
Kenyon to the line, has 20.
Mutombo talking to someone, zero chance of anyone understanding what he’s trying to say.
Shanderson is hurting the Knicks with his lukewarm offense.
Martin a foul in the open floor. That’s 4 on Kenyon.
Rogers is hurt.
Penny nice play, lead is 12.
Boston 50
Indiana 47
3rd
Toronto 4
Ottawa 1
Final
St Louis 3
Houston 1
7th
Wide open 3, misses, and Thomas hits another J.
Knicks claswing back in, 2:45 to go.
Rogers hits from long-range.
Anderson misses, needed that.
come on hot-hands, where have you gone?
Lead is still 15.
1:35 to go.
Anderson at the line. 3-12 from the field. hits 1-2.
24 second violation.
Nice move by Penny, flashback time.
Martin’s out, the Nets with another shot-clock violation. Half-court offense is sick without Kenyon on the floor.
Ooh, late call, Mutombo with the foul after the whistle. Kidd to the line.
72-59
Remember me?
nope.
Bos 60
Ind 55
This game is virtually over, Nets have too much fuel whenever they decide to put the foot down.
Playing a little lazy at times there in the 3rd, leaving Kurthomas open for half a dozen mid-range jumpers, but they know they have the game in hand.
Jefferson quiet.
Martin trying to keep the crowd in it, but the officials are controlling the physical side to this very well.
Knicks, Marbury still carrying them, can’t do it alone.
We’re back.
Knicks score, Nets miss, Knicks force a shot in traffic, Nets fast-break a deuce.
Penny fouled by Collins off the miss. Has 13 points, 6 rebounds, 9 assists.
whatcha say quiet, punk.
Mutombo is getting slower and slower. Get him out of there.
Big jam by Aaron Williams, Kidd another assist.
Lead is 15.
Mutombo with the T.
Even the officials can understand what he’s saying…
Too late his lips are sealed.
How many offensive rebounds did we miss then?
2?
3?
8:35 to go in the game, Jefferson from long-range.
It’s now 19.
Must be time for some more PTI commercials.
Time-out Knicks.
Time Up, Knicks
83-63.
Nets have time to reach 100 points.
Indy update? 67-61 Boston, still in the 3rd.
Are you doing Mavs/Kings next?
Can I have a razor before game 3 please?
I’ve got Lenny’s hara-kiri knife, you can use it when he’s done.
Kurt Thomas still working at least, offensive board and 2 FTs.
Martin back in.
82-67.
Aaron Williams a factor again here, he plays well in the post-season. Just not in the Finals.
What is Nazr shooting from the field this game? Another layup missed.
Knicks can’t buy a bucket.
Thomas lucky not to get T’d up himself after the questionable off-the-ball call.
Martin hits from open. And gets the rebound.
Acrobatic play by Kerry Kittles.
This one’s over.
For anyone still with us, you may leave now.
I’m still playing hard.
I get paid by the point.
After 3, it’s still close.
Bos 69, Ind 65
You clowns should be doing this game.
uhh, yeah, thanks.
Shanderson with his 5th foul, maybe he’ll sit down now. 3 of 14 shooting.
At home, New York will get more calls, they’ll make more lay-ups.
Can they win a game? Yes. Will they win a game?
Time to put you to sleep.
6-0 run to start the 4th, Pacers up 71-69, and a FT to come.
G’night.
Margin is 18.
Air-ball.
5 mins to go.
Vin Baker turnover.
"Jesus Christ", who said that?
I’ve got 26.
Nah, not 20-plus.
I say 16.
It’s garbage time, Kidd out.
23.
Baker, nice move.
Oh, nice round the back by that skinny white guy, looks like a Euro.
Look at those empty seats…
Marbury still out there, down 19 points, less than 3 to go.
3-pointer, baby.
16 points on 6-11, 3 steals.
Jonathan Bender and Austin Croshere in the clutch.
Pacers up 10, 82-72.
Thanks for coming.
We have a Brian Scalbrine sighting.
btw, Margin is 22 points, Glasses.
Hey, you kids paying me royalties on those dorky long socks???
45 seconds to go.
99-77.
That’s it.
Game officially over.
99-81 is the final score. The only question here was the margin.
As it was the result of the series. Nets lead 2-0, and unless they get injuries or suspensions, they’re crusing through here and should already be scouting the Pistons.
Good call Mattus.
Nets 54% shooting, Knicks 34%.
Nets 28 assists on 38 field goals.
Knicks 88 FGA to Nets 71, 18 ORB to 7.
Kidd 16 and 5.
Martin 22 and 16.
Jefferson 20.
Kittles 16.
Marbury 23 on 7-20.
Shanderson 9 on 3-15.
Penny 13 and 10 and 7 boards.
KT 18 and 12.
Just got home from work, Dirk and C-Webb are going at it. Chris is actually playing strong inside for a second straight game, while Dirk has 17 and seems to be EVERYWHERE.
Six turnovers with 3:37 in the half left for the Mavs, for them, that’s a lot.
Anyone who read those last two paragraphs can tell that English is not my first language.
By a ‘silly’ theory I mean one which may be held at the time when one is talking or writing professionally, but which only an inmate of a lunatic asylum would think of carrying into daily life….It must not be supposed that the men who maintain these theories and beliefs are ‘silly’ people. Only very acute and learned men could have thought of anything so odd or defended anything so preposterous against the continual protests of common sense. by texas hold’em