Three to take two 0
PER Diem: April 22, 2009
Three improvements to help keep three superstars from falling into a two-game hole
By John HollingerESPN.com
Fernando Medina/NBAE/Getty ImagesPounding the ball inside with Dwight Howard can help keep Orlando from falling to 0-2.The NBA has always been about stars, especially in the playoffs. But tonight, three of the league’s biggest stars find their teams in serious trouble. Dwight Howard, Dwyane Wadeand Chris Paul were no-brainer picks for three of the top five spots on virtually everyone’s MVP ballot, but each enters Game 2 in a near must-win situation with his team down 1-0.
While comebacks from 2-0 deficits have happened, they’re pretty rare: In best-of-seven series, only 14 teams have come back from 2-0 deficits in NBA history. And, in Orlando’s case, only three of them have done so after dropping the first two at home. So if we’re going to see any of these three superstars in action come May, they probably need to leave the floor with a win tonight. (Read more…)