If Shaquille O'Neal attacked the referees after Game One in an attempt to make the Bulls seem like a less worthy opponent his ploy backfired. The Bulls were more energetic and hungrier in Game Two than they were on Saturday and ran away with an 107-89 win and a 2-0 series lead. Chicago hasn't built a reputation as a great shooting club but they knocked down 55% of their tries. Luol Deng and Ben Gordon each hit 11-of-19 from the floor while the Heat's big two were just 15-for-33. O'Neal and Dwyane Wade also had seven turnovers apiece and the defending champs looked stuck in first gear while Deng, Gordon and the youthful Bulls appeared to have a deeper well to draw from all night.
- Sam Mitchell was honored as Coach of the Year in a pregame ceremony and then led his Raptors from behind in the fourth quarter to a series-tying 89-83 win in Toronto. Chris Bosh had 11 of his 25 in the final 12 minutes and the guards Anthony Parker and T.J. Ford combined for 16 more as the Raps outscored New Jersey 31-20 down the stretch. The result wasn't certain until Boki Nachbar missed a three with eight seconds to play but when he did Toronto had their first playoff win since 2002.
- The Lakers have no chance of taking a game in their series with the Suns if Kobe Bryant has an off night. So if the Mamba scores 15 points and rolls his ankle you can imagine things aren't ending well for Phil Jackson and Co. Both those things happened last night and the Suns ran away with an 126-98 decision. Sixth Man of the Year Leandro Barbosa celebrated his award with 26 points and led six Suns in double figures in the kind of team effort that earned the Suns the second-best record in the NBA.
(AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
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