Knicks-Nets Open Playoffs With Impressive Wins

Let's start right where the playoffs started, at a sold out, noisy, and ready Madison Square Garden where the New York Knicks look to take out 13 years of playoff failure against 1 of their arch rivals, the Boston Celtics. The Celts score only 8 points in the 4th quarter, 25 in the 2nd half, as the Knicks win game 1 85-78.

The Celts led at the break 53-49 but the 2nd half belonged to Carmelo Anthony and the collective defensive effort. The Celts tied the game at 72 apiece with 8:13 left. The Knick defense clamped down, holding Boston to just 8 points the remainder of the way.

Anthony scored 36 for the Knicks who have won just 1 playoff game in the last 13 years. They were swept by the then New Jersey Nets in 2004. Swept by the Celtics in 2010. Beaten by the Heat in 5 last year. J.R. Smith came off the bench to chip in 15 and Raymond Felton knocked down 13.

Game 2 of this series is Tuesday night, back at MSG. Tip time is scheduled for 8:00 P.M..

Now to the impressive beat down the Brooklyn Nets put on the Chicago Bulls. Final from the Barclay's center- Brooklyn 106 Chicago 89 and it wasn't that close.

The Nets led 60-35 at the half then coasted to the easy win.

The Bulls beat the Nets 3 of 4 during the regular season and held Brooklyn to an average of 85 points per game. The Nets sailed by that after 3 quarters in the easy win.

The Nets blew this game open in the 2nd quarter, hitting on virtually every shot and scored 35 in that 2nd quarter. Brooklyn used a very balanced attack to hammer Chicago. 6 players scored in double figures. Deron Williams led the starters with 22. Brook Lopez 21. Joe Johnson 16 and Gerald Wallace had 14. off the bench C.J. Watson had 14 and Andray Blatche chipped in 12 in the well balanced Net attack.

The banged up Bulls played as they have all year without MVP Derek Rose. Despite a painful foot injury  Joakim Noah did hobble around for 13 minutes but clearly wasn't the usual aggressor he likes to be.

Game 2 of this series is back in Brooklyn on Monday. The borough of Brooklyn is enjoying their 1st post season win in ANY sport since 1956. That year the Brooklyn Dodgers beat the NY Yankees.