Last time on The New Millennium, the Chicago Bulls rose to power, winning sixty-two games to become the best team in the NBA, whilst the reigning champion Lakers fell all the way to sixth place. Who will become the 2005 NBA Champions?
First Round
In the East, the Bulls had no trouble against the Pistons and the Raptors smacked around the young LeBron James, as both teams won in sweeps to face each other. The Bucks throttled the 76ers, and the Pacers used their veteran experience to oust the Nets in four games. In the West, the Nuggets fell apart offensively, and the Jazz would take them down in a big upset. Portland would dismantle the young Suns, setting them up against Utah. Despite being the lower seed, the Lakers were anything but underdogs, frustrating Carmelo Anthony through a tough five game series, eventually taking the Warriors out. Finally, the Timberwolves got off to a great start against the Rockets, taking a 2-0 lead, but Houston would battle back, with Richard Jefferson dropping 26 in the decisive Game 5 to survive the potential upset.
Second Round
Houston was in for another battle in the second round, as both they and the Lakers would go the distance yet again. In Game 7, the Rockets held Shaq and Kobe to a combined 33 points, Steve Francis had a double-double and Houston punched their ticket to the Western Conference Finals. Joining them would be the Trail Blazers, who were able to hold the young Jazz duo of Richie Jackson and Brett Moran in check to win in 6. In the East, the Bulls cruised, losing only one game to the Raptors. The Pacers would be their next opponent, winning in the decisive Game 6 thanks to an incredible 35 point performance from young Justin Galloway.
Conference Finals
The Bulls lack of star power would hurt them big time against the Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals. Facing elimination in Game 6 in Indiana, Chicago pushed it to overtime, where Pacers center Jermaine O'Neal took over, dominating in the post en route to another shot at a championship. Houston didn't have the same problem, as their star, Steve Francis, came to play, roasting young Shaun Livingston time and time again, dropping 24 in Game 6 to send his team to the Finals.
NBA Finals
Game 1 was an easy Rockets victory, as Francis put up 23 and Jefferson had several crucial steals. Despite Francis putting up a double-double in Game 2, the Pacers would steal the win, as Raja Bell scored 15 points off the bench in a narrow 1 point victory.
Houston responded with a vengeance in Game 3, holding the Pacers to just 74 points in an easy win. Game 4 was close to start, but Allan Houston took over in the 2nd quarter, finishing with 19 points to put the Rockets one win away from the title.
Game 5 was all Houston early, as the Rockets had a double digit halftime lead. But Indiana stayed composed, and O'Neal forced several big turnovers late, as the Pacers would win by 6 to keep their season alive.
Game 6 was more of the same, as Houston held a double digit lead only to watch the Pacers make a late comeback. This time, though, the Rockets got a few stops, and clutch free throws from Cuttino Mobley and Steve Francis, as well as a late three from Richard Jefferson would seal it. For the first time since the mid-90's, the Rockets are champions of the world, and the Pacers came up short in yet another NBA Finals, their second Finals defeat in The New Millennium.
NBA Finals MVP: Steve Francis(21 ppg, 6.3 apg, 2.3 spg)
With the majority of the team still young, and only Jefferson not under currently signed on long term, the Rockets should be able to stay a contender going forward. Up next is the offseason, with several quality young players out of contract and a draft class that includes Chris Paul.
No comments:
Post a Comment