NBA Playoffs Recap: The Beard Awakens

I would love a more creative name than 'Playoffs Recap' but this is going up late among other things. Anyways, I'm hoping these will be up daily until we get into the championship series where we'll do more of a 'Bucks Buzz' feel to things. Enjoy. 

Houston 97 Golden State 96
Headline: Houston gives themselves a shot - After two games of lifeless basketball from the Rockets, they actually decided to give a shit, and it paid off for them. Houston should have won this game by double-digits, but they let Golden State back into the game with Ian Clark leading the charge. James Harden found his late-game mojo when he needed the most.

Player of the Game: James Harden - One of his best performances of the season. Harden finished with 35 points, nine assists and eight rebounds. He acted like the cock of the walk which we haven't seen from him most of the season.

Oklahoma City 131 Dallas 102
Headline: Things get chippy in Big D - Oklahoma City pulled away in this game, but the game did hover around 10 points for awhile in the third quarter. During that time and after, Oklahoma City-Dallas seemed to move to a near fight almost every three minutes. It started with Raymond Felton chicken-winging Steven Adams which is a fitting move for Felton's weight and a classic short guy move. All on team Adams.

Player of the Game: Russell Westbrook: Take your pick as Kevin Durant and Westbrook combined for 60 points tonight. Westbrook gets it due to being more efficient from the field as well as 15 assists. Good night for Russ.

Toronto 101 Indiana 86
Headline: Pacers lay a complete egg - Not sure whether Dwane Casey making some great adjustments or Indiana played over their heads in Game 1, but the last two matchups have been entirely different. Toronto set the pace early and jumped out to a 17 point lead at halftime. Raptors looked like they're ready to be here for a long time.

Player of the Game: DeMarre Carroll - If you want a subplot to these playoffs, keep an eye on Carroll. He had a huge playoffs for the Hawks last season, and it appears he's fully recovered from his knee injury. Carroll had 17 points tonight, the most since November 29th.

Charlie.