Thread: NBA playoffs, anyone??

Celtics win!! Yeah!!

Boston and OKC have both taken 3-2 leads in their respective series... and both will be playing Game 6 in their respective home courts.

Key shot was Pierce's icy cold 3-point shot over Lebron in the last moments of the game.
Classic stuff!!!

Originally Posted by Mo Frazier

Celtics in 6
Spurs in 7



You heard it here first.

Uh oh...... you're down to "Celtics in 6."

Originally Posted by TitoFan

Uh oh...... you're down to "Celtics in 6."

Yeah, very shocked by that. Even down 3-2, I felt the Spurs would come back and take it..really didn't think they'd allow the Thunder to take 4 in a row. Durant played like a true superstar and took the series away

I don't know why there is this hatred against Lebron James?

Okay ..... I hate him. Go Celtics !!!

Unfortunately my prediction is different: Heat in 7.

Originally Posted by Mo Frazier

Originally Posted by TitoFan

Uh oh...... you're down to "Celtics in 6."

Yeah, very shocked by that. Even down 3-2, I felt the Spurs would come back and take it..really didn't think they'd allow the Thunder to take 4 in a row. Durant played like a true superstar and took the series away

To be fair, I thought the game was over after the first quarter and even after the first half. The Spurs were blowing them off the court. I almost shut it off after that. But what a shocking comeback. Hard to think of either the Heat or the Celtics beating the Thunder after that showing.

Originally Posted by TitoFan

Originally Posted by Mo Frazier

Celtics in 6
Spurs in 7



You heard it here first.

Uh oh...... you're down to "Celtics in 6."

Doesn't look like Celtics in 6 either, bro. Boston getting blown out by over 20 pts. with a little over 6 minutes left in 4th quarter. Series going back to Miami, where the Heat could very well take Game 7. I hope not... but the Celtics look like shit tonight.

Originally Posted by InTheNeutralCorner

I don't know why there is this hatred against Lebron James?

Okay ..... I hate him. Go Celtics !!!

Unfortunately my prediction is different: Heat in 7.

This thread got buried deep among the several other threads.

I just need to say this, "I told you so".

Okay, I still hate Lebron and is routing for the Thunder.

My prediction: Heat in 6. I wish I'm wrong in this one in that the Heat doesn't win.

What a great game last night! OKC looked a little nervy in the first half, came out shooting poorly, looked like the occasion might be getting to them, but Durant and Westbrook really stepped up for their team. Lebron actually played pretty well, went missing at times but unfortunately for him Westbrook and Durant decided that whenever their team needed something, they were going to be the ones to provide it. Wha about that play from Durant, stealing the ball, running the full length of the court, getting to the rim and drawing the foul for a 3 pont play to make it a 7 point game just before the half? And I thought he guarded Lebron really well at times. Excited for tonight's game, you can't write the Heat off, especially with Bosh back, but I really think that if Westbrook and Durant play well for OKC (particularly if Durant can shut Lebron down for a quarter) then the Heat will lose. Battier and Chalmers were big for them in the first half, but they couldn't sustain it, and I definitely don't think they will sustain it throughout the series, so if OKC can defend against Lebron and Wade effectively they could take the series in 6 IMO.

Originally Posted by SRR

What a great game last night! OKC looked a little nervy in the first half, came out shooting poorly, looked like the occasion might be getting to them, but Durant and Westbrook really stepped up for their team. Lebron actually played pretty well, went missing at times but unfortunately for him Westbrook and Durant decided that whenever their team needed something, they were going to be the ones to provide it. Wha about that play from Durant, stealing the ball, running the full length of the court, getting to the rim and drawing the foul for a 3 pont play to make it a 7 point game just before the half? And I thought he guarded Lebron really well at times. Excited for tonight's game, you can't write the Heat off, especially with Bosh back, but I really think that if Westbrook and Durant play well for OKC (particularly if Durant can shut Lebron down for a quarter) then the Heat will lose. Battier and Chalmers were big for them in the first half, but they couldn't sustain it, and I definitely don't think they will sustain it throughout the series, so if OKC can defend against Lebron and Wade effectively they could take the series in 6 IMO.

Six games means it'll come back to OKC, which should certainly spell doom for the Heat. I'm thinking that the Thunder might be able to close it out in Miami. I think they should ride the momentum to a win tonight, and in Miami should easily be able to take at least 1 out of 3, maybe even 2 of 3. Whatever the case might be... I think the Thunder have too much firepower for the Heat. I just hope nobody key gets injured, as this would have a huge effect on the series.

Originally Posted by TitoFan

Originally Posted by SRR

What a great game last night! OKC looked a little nervy in the first half, came out shooting poorly, looked like the occasion might be getting to them, but Durant and Westbrook really stepped up for their team. Lebron actually played pretty well, went missing at times but unfortunately for him Westbrook and Durant decided that whenever their team needed something, they were going to be the ones to provide it. Wha about that play from Durant, stealing the ball, running the full length of the court, getting to the rim and drawing the foul for a 3 pont play to make it a 7 point game just before the half? And I thought he guarded Lebron really well at times. Excited for tonight's game, you can't write the Heat off, especially with Bosh back, but I really think that if Westbrook and Durant play well for OKC (particularly if Durant can shut Lebron down for a quarter) then the Heat will lose. Battier and Chalmers were big for them in the first half, but they couldn't sustain it, and I definitely don't think they will sustain it throughout the series, so if OKC can defend against Lebron and Wade effectively they could take the series in 6 IMO.

Six games means it'll come back to OKC, which should certainly spell doom for the Heat. I'm thinking that the Thunder might be able to close it out in Miami. I think they should ride the momentum to a win tonight, and in Miami should easily be able to take at least 1 out of 3, maybe even 2 of 3. Whatever the case might be... I think the Thunder have too much firepower for the Heat. I just hope nobody key gets injured, as this would have a huge effect on the series.

Yeah, I think if Lebron and Wade combined for the kind of numbers they did against Indiana in that one game (40 something each) and Bosh chipped in then the Heat would have a real chance, but the OKC's newly discovered defensive prowess will stop that happening. The main difference is the one we expected: OKC simply play with greater unity, and that is what the game of basketball boils down to - a good team is always going to beat a one-man circus. Lebron is having the same problem with OKC that Jordan had with the pistons, except he is not being defended so extremely as Jordan was, and in Wade he has another guy capable of bagging 30 points a night. The only way Lebron can get the Heat past OKC is if he finds a way to involve the other guys on the floor - he has to make OKC think twice about whether he's gonna drive to the rim or lay it off for a team mate. I don't think this will happen though, and I think OKC could adapt to such a tactic if they had to, and still edge it. If OKC win tonight, which I'm hoping they will, I think it might even be over in 5, but I think 6 is a pretty good prediction, though it really is contingent on the notion of OKC playing well in 4/6 of those games

NOW what?

I really expected OKC to take both at home, and put pressure on Miami. Seems the pressure has shifted, and OKC needs to take at least one in Miami to bring the series back to Oklahoma City. Crap!

Originally Posted by TitoFan

NOW what?

I really expected OKC to take both at home, and put pressure on Miami. Seems the pressure has shifted, and OKC needs to take at least one in Miami to bring the series back to Oklahoma City. Crap!

I did too, but I have to give credit to Lebron for his performance from the line, 100% on FTs for a guy who is usually dismal was a big step up. He was also pretty solid all round again. Think Bosh made a big difference as well, being a bit of a nuisance for OKC on both ends of the court, and Wade finally chipped in with a decent amount of points. Battier was brilliant from beyond the arc as well. Can't help but feel things might have been different if that call for a foul on Durant had been given (as it should have been) with only seconds left on the clock and OKC down by 2. Durant is so clutch, despite the fact they lost my favourite shot of the game was Durant for 3 with about 10-15 seconds left, he didn't just want the ball, he was screaming for it, and when he got it he didn't disappoint, it was nothing but net. I still think OKC in 6, I think that Miami played pretty much as well as they could the other day and just edged it, but OKC started very slow. If they can correct that, and not let themselves get too far behind in the first half (they were 17 points down at one point, and although their powers of recuperation are immense you can only go to the well so many times) I think they will win games down the stretch, Durant seems to save himself for the 4th quarter, facilitating for everyone else and then just taking over with 15-20 points in the last 12 minutes.

Originally Posted by SRR

Originally Posted by TitoFan

NOW what?

I really expected OKC to take both at home, and put pressure on Miami. Seems the pressure has shifted, and OKC needs to take at least one in Miami to bring the series back to Oklahoma City. Crap!

I did too, but I have to give credit to Lebron for his performance from the line, 100% on FTs for a guy who is usually dismal was a big step up. He was also pretty solid all round again. Think Bosh made a big difference as well, being a bit of a nuisance for OKC on both ends of the court, and Wade finally chipped in with a decent amount of points. Battier was brilliant from beyond the arc as well. Can't help but feel things might have been different if that call for a foul on Durant had been given (as it should have been) with only seconds left on the clock and OKC down by 2. Durant is so clutch, despite the fact they lost my favourite shot of the game was Durant for 3 with about 10-15 seconds left, he didn't just want the ball, he was screaming for it, and when he got it he didn't disappoint, it was nothing but net. I still think OKC in 6, I think that Miami played pretty much as well as they could the other day and just edged it, but OKC started very slow. If they can correct that, and not let themselves get too far behind in the first half (they were 17 points down at one point, and although their powers of recuperation are immense you can only go to the well so many times) I think they will win games down the stretch, Durant seems to save himself for the 4th quarter, facilitating for everyone else and then just taking over with 15-20 points in the last 12 minutes.

Wow, my friend. Things have changed quite a bit, haven't they. Miami is now up 2-1.... and OKC is looking like anything but the unbeatable team they were looking like when they caught fire and took 4 straight from San Antonio after they had spotted them the first two games. Durant looked downright human in Game 3...... Miami as a team was refusing to miss a free throw..... and the Thunder on the other hand was missing them badly. I thought it was going to be OKC's support group (Harden, Ibaka, Sefaloshu(sp?), Fisher, et al) rising to the challenge...... but they've been outdone by Miami's support group (Chalmers, Battier, etc). Also, it looks like the few times that LeBron struggles, Wade is right there to pick up the slack.... and when they need a big 3-pointer, they just have to dish it out to either Battier or Bosh and they're not missing. I had said the Thunder in 6 also, but they'd have to sweep the remaining games to do so. I just hope they can take at least one in Miami, to force the series to end in Oklahoma City. But Game 4 is KEY. If the Heat win that one.... they'll ride the momentum to try to end the series in front of the home fans.

Originally Posted by TitoFan

Originally Posted by SRR

Originally Posted by TitoFan

NOW what?

I really expected OKC to take both at home, and put pressure on Miami. Seems the pressure has shifted, and OKC needs to take at least one in Miami to bring the series back to Oklahoma City. Crap!

I did too, but I have to give credit to Lebron for his performance from the line, 100% on FTs for a guy who is usually dismal was a big step up. He was also pretty solid all round again. Think Bosh made a big difference as well, being a bit of a nuisance for OKC on both ends of the court, and Wade finally chipped in with a decent amount of points. Battier was brilliant from beyond the arc as well. Can't help but feel things might have been different if that call for a foul on Durant had been given (as it should have been) with only seconds left on the clock and OKC down by 2. Durant is so clutch, despite the fact they lost my favourite shot of the game was Durant for 3 with about 10-15 seconds left, he didn't just want the ball, he was screaming for it, and when he got it he didn't disappoint, it was nothing but net. I still think OKC in 6, I think that Miami played pretty much as well as they could the other day and just edged it, but OKC started very slow. If they can correct that, and not let themselves get too far behind in the first half (they were 17 points down at one point, and although their powers of recuperation are immense you can only go to the well so many times) I think they will win games down the stretch, Durant seems to save himself for the 4th quarter, facilitating for everyone else and then just taking over with 15-20 points in the last 12 minutes.

Wow, my friend. Things have changed quite a bit, haven't they. Miami is now up 2-1.... and OKC is looking like anything but the unbeatable team they were looking like when they caught fire and took 4 straight from San Antonio after they had spotted them the first two games. Durant looked downright human in Game 3...... Miami as a team was refusing to miss a free throw..... and the Thunder on the other hand was missing them badly. I thought it was going to be OKC's support group (Harden, Ibaka, Sefaloshu(sp?), Fisher, et al) rising to the challenge...... but they've been outdone by Miami's support group (Chalmers, Battier, etc). Also, it looks like the few times that LeBron struggles, Wade is right there to pick up the slack.... and when they need a big 3-pointer, they just have to dish it out to either Battier or Bosh and they're not missing. I had said the Thunder in 6 also, but they'd have to sweep the remaining games to do so. I just hope they can take at least one in Miami, to force the series to end in Oklahoma City. But Game 4 is KEY. If the Heat win that one.... they'll ride the momentum to try to end the series in front of the home fans.

It's weird, I know Miami have turned it around but I just feel like OKC are not performing the way they can...in fairness, I have not watched the regular season game for game, but certainly OKC have shown in deposing the Spurs and the 1st game of the Finals that they have what it takes to beat any team on their day. I have to say last night's game was extremely defense-oriented, and both teams were truly fearsome in that department. Bosh played big again - people will talk about Lebron and Wade but his energy helped Miami to dominate the glass in a way they never would without him on the court. I agree with you on the supporting cast - I never expected Battier and Chalmers to be so consistent through the first 3 games of the series, and Harden has dropped off in the last two games (he was especially disappointing last night). Westbrook played his heart out again, I love that guy's tenacity and passion, and hell he's got style too, fun to watch him operate out there. As for Durant, I was disappointed at his work from the line - there seems to have been some kind of Free Throw-Flu going round in the OKC camp, but I must say that in the last two games I feel like foul trouble for Durant has not only affected his own level of performance but hurt OKC big. I mean the other night when he hit four fouls they sat him down for 4 minutes or so and OKC didn't score a single basket if I remember correctly, and that was when they really lost control of the game. Simply put without him on the court no one gets close to stopping James, Durant at least makes it hard for him to shoot/drive the lane, forcing the odd miss/TO. And with Harden not performing and Durant on the bench there was only really Westbrook for Miami to contain, and although he can cause havoc and created space for his pull up jumper on numerous occasions, the guy is already scoring more than he should really have to. When Durant was on the court he was clearly playing within himself due to the foul trouble, especially with Battier falling all over himself any time anyone from OKC attempted to drive to the basket. The other players (and I'm particularly looking at Harden) really need to start pulling their weight, because if Miami go 3-1 up I think they will eventually get that last win they need, even if OKC manage to win 2 on the bounce to bring it back to 3-3. It's a shame, cos' OKC held Miami for most of the game and just as they looked to be pulling away down the final stretch as I had thought that they would, they shot themselves in the foot. There is very little margin for error in these games and some of these young players need to be told that they either learn their lessons fast here, or they're going home empty-handed, and they have to wait another year just to get a chance to lift that trophy. And that would be a real shame, because I would love to see them win it, for me when they have played well they have been the most entertaining team to watch post-season and since Chicago are no longer involved I'm definitely rooting for them. I think if they win the next game Miami will push them to 7, but if they lose the next one it's curtains. Like I said before, there's only so many times you can go to the well, but I hope I'm wrong and my initial prediction miraculously comes true