Hitting Back :: A New York Sports Blog

Chris Paul is a great player. That much we know. The third-year Hornets’ point guard deserves serious MVP consideration. The former Wake Forest star has done nothing thus far in his first NBA playoff series to hurt his candidacy.

A couple of days removed from an auspicious playoff debut which included 35 points with many coming in the second half of his team’s 104-92 Game One win, the 22 year-old followed it up with 32 points along with a Hornets’ franchise playoff record 17 assists in a 127-103 Game Two rout of the Mavericks. The old record was held by Muggsy Bogues, who dished out 15 back in 1993.

“I’m sure there is, but to me, I hope not,” Paul answered to reporters who asked if there was a way for Dallas to contain him.

“One thing I’ve learned through this season and watching these games is that you have to be aggressive,” he pointed out after finishing an efficient 10-of-16 from the floor while shooting 12-for-14 at the line.

“If I just sit back and let them trap me, then they succeed in what they had to do. I know I have to pick my spots when I get the ball and let other guys go, but at the same time I have to be aggressive and attack and that’s what we did.”

Whatever strategy the Mavs are trying isn’t working. They led Paul and New Orleans for a good portion of Game One but the point guard took over the second half getting 15 in the third quarter to help outscore Dallas by 24 in the final 24 minutes.

Complicating matters in Game Two was that Paul had plenty of help with five other teammates hitting for double digits including David West with 27 and veteran sharp shooter Peja Stojakovic adding 22 including five from downtown. 

Paul completely outplayed former Net Jason Kidd, who had only seven points and eight assists finishing a dismal minus-17 in 30-plus minutes.

Dirk Nowitzki paced the Mavs with 27 points, five rebounds and five assists. The 2006-07 regular season NBA MVP will need a lot more from Kidd and sidekick Josh Howard, who finished with just 10 on three of 10 shooting.

The series does shift to Dallas Friday night. So maybe they’ll be reenergized.

In other series action, the Spurs made it two-for-two against Shaq and the Suns coming back to defeat them 102-96. Tony Parker lit up Phoenix for 32 and seven assists. If they couldn’t contain the speedy point guard off the dribble, then it’s also true they couldn’t deal with NBA Sixth Man of The Year Manu Ginobili, who sliced and diced them for 29 including three triples. 

Game One hero Tim Duncan added a double/double (18 and 17) with four assists and three blocked shots. The Spurs outscored the Suns 27-11 in the third quarter to turn a seven-point halftime deficit into a nine-point lead.

They’re build as much as a 15-point cushion before veteran PG Steve Nash rallied Phoenix within five 96-91. But a Duncan free throw and a Parker step back 18-footer over Shaq sealed the game.

Though O’Neal was more effective netting 19 points, 14 boards and four blocks, it wasn’t enough. Nash scored 23 and dropped 10 dimes. Amare Stoudemire led the Suns with 33 but went ice cold in the second half making only two field goals in 11 attempts. His disappearance along with Grant Hill replacement Boris Diaw’s (9 pts, minus-17) soft play near the rim hurt Phoenix’ chances of gaining a split.

Valuable sixth man Leandro Barbosa also finished with a goose egg going 0-for-7 with three misses beyond the arc.

You just can’t win like that against the Spurs at this time of year. They’re the defending champs for a reason. A lot of people questioned how they finished the season but that final regular game blowout of Utah should’ve been a warning that Gregg Popovich’s team would be ready. They’re too polished and have way too much pride.

Maybe Charles Barkley said it best during TNT’s postgame analysis when he asked a female camerawoman how to say, “We can’t defend Parker, Duncan and Ginobili,” in French.

Phoenix was never a good defensive team. Even with Shaq, the Spurs have exposed the mismatches. They don’t get much credit for their offense but really know how to attack holes.

In the one Eastern match-up, the Magic went ahead 2-0 on Toronto edging the Raptors 104-103. They got a 29 point, 20 rebound effort from star center Dwight Howard. The second consecutive such game making the 22 year-old Atlanta native the first such player to accomplish that since Kevin Garnett did it with the Timberwolves four years ago.

When the Magic needed a money bucket late with the game slipping away, Hedo Turkoglu hit a tough lay-up and a couple of free throws to give them a 104-101 lead. The normally dependable outside threat had an off night missing on all four treys and shooting only 4-for-15 from the field. However, none of that mattered when his team fell behind by one on a Carlos Delfino free throw.

A three each by Delfino and Jose Calderon had rallied the Raptors back after falling behind by 18 in the first quarter. They shot themselves back into it making 11 three’s including four from the dangerous Jason Kapono with three also coming from Calderon.

In fact, the trio of reserve guards combined for eight of the team’s 11 three’s and 54 of their 103 points. Only All-Star power forward Chris Bosh hit double figures with 29, 10 boards and six assists. He had a chance to be the hero on the last possession but misfired allowing Orlando to escape.

Expect to see some changes in the Raptors’ lineup when the series continues Thursday night.