NBA Playoffs: Mavs vs. Spurs Game 5

Despite a very slow start, the Spurs were able to outlast the Dallas Mavericks down the stretch. Ginobli was the factor coming off the bench and attacking the rim.  The Spurs moved the ball around well and were able to get a lot of easy baskets.

For Dirk Nowitzki it has been a slow on long series already.  The Spurs are concentrating a lot of their attention on Dirk and not giving him an inch of room to operate on the defensive end.  Dirk has done a good job of passing the ball out to his teammates but unfortunately that has been where the Mavericks have been inconsistent.  For Dallas to win Vince Carter and Monta Ellis have to be scorers. In game 4 the offense got stagnant and was left with a lot of bad shots and 3's being taken by Shawn Marion.  That will not win them games.

Keys for the Spurs 

1.  Ginobliiiiiii! When he is eurosteping in the lane and getting layups the other team is in trouble.  This gets him easy buckets, a lot of free throw attempts, and sets up his step back threes.  When Ginobli is playing well he is like a dagger in the side of his opponents.  He needs to score 20+ again.

2. Smother Nowitzki They have done a great job of bothering Nowitzki all series.  They do it better than any other team I have seen and they do it using several different guys.  Look for that trend to continue in game 4.

3. Tony Parker injury After playing with a sprain in his ankle in game 4 how Tony Parker will respond tonight is totally up in the air.  Not having him on the court will or him playing less than a 100% will be a blow to their chances.

Keys for Dallas

1. Stop letting the Spurs Bench Kill them: Ginobli, Diaw, and Mills cannot all be torching the Mavs.  Ginobli is going to get his points but the Mavs cannot allow Diaw to score close to 20 points a game.  They have to focus on the defensive end tonight.

2. Get Dirk in catch and shoot situations early. Dirk has had to deal with a lot of contact and tight defense.  Its like hes been trying to shoot in a phone booth with another person inside the booth at the same time.  The Mavs need to find a way to get the ball to him early of baseline screens and pin downs so he can shoot before the D gets there.  Dirk needs to have 25 Points tonight,

3. Monta Ellis. He needs to play aggressive.  The last few games he has been hesitant early when going into the paint.  He has turned the ball over, found guys who are open for a reason at the 3 point line, or put up a lousy shot.  He needs to take the spurs defenders off the dribble and attack the rim.  This will do wonders for their offense.

Prediction

These teams know each other well and it is going to take a complete team effort for either team to win.  This playoffs has been crazy so far so my prediction is going with the underdogs.  I think the Mavs bounce back tonight.  Mavs 98- Spurs 95 

*Side Note. PF for the Mavs Blair has been suspended for tonight game. More minutes for Brendan Wright.

NBA Playoffs: Tuesday Prediction Results

Last night’s NBA action continued what has been some of the best playoff basketball for the first round ever played.  We had the Wizards looking for the kill, the Thunder and Grizzlies slugfest series, and the anticipation of how the Clippers and fans in L.A. would react to the Sterling situation.  None of them disappointed.

Wizards and Bulls: Game 5 (WAS 75- CHI 69) vs. Prediction (WAS 98- CHI 92)

My prediction for this game had the score much higher but the results were still the same.  Washington was just too much for the Bulls to handle.  Every possession was a struggle for the Bulls and even when they had the game within reach they couldn’t rebound or make shots.

Nene came out ready to play after his game 4 suspension.  He scored 20 points, pulled down 8 rebounds, and even dished out 4 assists.  His ability to take Noah off the dribble, score on the block, and hit the mid-range jumper makes the Wizards dangerous. I said he would be a key factor in the Wizards winning and he was.

John Wall and Bradley Beal are going to continue to get better and may be the best back court in basketball for the next 5 years.  Although they didn’t shoot particularly well in this game they pushed the ball on fast breaks and created shots. Wall lead the team in scoring with 24 points and Beal shot 6-13 from the floor and scored 17.

The Wizards will be a handful for whoever they play in round two.

Clippers and Warriors: Game 5 (LAC 113-GS 103) vs Prediction (LAC 110- GS 100)

DeAndre Jordan! It is always nice to see a center actually play like a center.  Jordan finished with 25 points, 18 rebounds, and 4 blocks.  The Clippers came out strong in the opening quarter running the floor and scoring on the fast break.  It appeared that the Clippers got a boost from Commissioner Silver’s decision and the electric home crowd.

The Golden State Warriors battled in this game.  Andre Igoudala was active on defense and the glass, Klay Thompson scored driving to the hoop and shooting from the mid-range, and David Lee continued his consistency.  What was surprising was Seth Curry’s lack shots and facilitating for his teamates.  Curry seemed as if he was in cruise control as he finished with 17 points, only 4 assists, and a brutal 8 turnovers.  He finished 5-10 from the field and 4-7 from the 3 point line with most of the shots coming late in the 4^th quarter.  The Warriors will need an aggressive and on fire Seth Curry to send this series to a game 7.

In the end the game never really seemed in doubt for the Clippers.  Every time the Warriors made a run or a big shot the Clippers had an answer.  Like I said before, Adam Silvers quick decision on the Sterling situation saved the Clippers season.  They will win this series.

Note:   The Game 5 winner of a best-of-7 series that's tied 2-2 has gone on to win the series 83 percent of the time.

Grizzlies and Thunder: Game 5 (MEM 100- OKC 99) vs. Prediction (OKC 102- MEM 96)

I underestimated the will and grit of this Memphis Grizzlies team.  The Grizzlies are a playoff tested team and to me are really not your typical 7 seed.  They have a stellar front court, one of the most underrated point guards in Conley, and a lot of veteran leadership.

The Thunder just can’t find the right rhythm on offense.  Westbrook shot 31 times! And only made 10! Durant shot 24 times.  This just cannot happen.  I have never seen such a talented player and scorer like Westbrook actually be a detriment to his team.

And can Scott Brooks tell Durant to get on the block against Tony Allen!? I know Charles Barkley agrees with me.

Give the Grizzlies all the credit.  They have played 3 brutal OT games in a row and had a chance to win them all.  Mike Miller has been a great boost off the bench for them and now they have a chance to upset the Thunder.

This one has to be headed for game 7 and the NBA should just set the scoreboard for 5 quarters in each game. We all know they’re going to OT.

I'm really looking forward to tonight's action.

Washington Wizards vs Chicago Bulls: Game 5

The Washington Wizards are the more talented team and they have a chance to prove it tonight.  The Bulls are a veteran team, physically tough, and are going to fight every minute.  What will happen in tonight's game? Here are my keys to the game.

Keys for the Bulls

1. Taj Gibson and the Boozer Problem.  The Bulls can't keep Boozer on the floor because of his lack of defense and energy yet they need him on the floor because of his post offense. Tom  Thibodeau has decided to go with Taj Gibson playing extended minutes.  Gibson has played high above expectations this season but the Bulls cannot win with the offensive game plan they have now.  With a stagnant offense they need a low post presence to throw the ball into and get scores and free throws.  Play Boozer and see what happens.

2. Dunleavy, Augustin and Butler.  D.J. Augustin has to score and create a lot.  Mike Dunleavy has to shoot lights out. And Jimmy Butler has to give them some 3 pointer and hustle plays.  The Bulls don't have any go to scorers so to be successful they have to score as a team.  These 3 guys are tough to rely on every night.

3. Grind.  The Bulls have to fight for their playoff lives and they will.  They will need some help from the Wizards to come out on top tonight,

Keys for Wizards

1.  Run, Run, Run.  The Wizards are loaded and much more athletic than the Bulls.  They need to use Jon Wall's speed and push the ball. Fast break points will keep the Bulls out of their defensive sets.

2.  Wizards Back Court.  How good are John Wall and Bradley Beal?  Really, really, good.  And we will see that tonight.  With Wall's play making ability and Beal's lights out shooting the Wizard's should find sucess. These guys combine for 50+ points tonight.

3.  Guess Whos Back? Oh...its just Nene.  Nene hasn't been known as one of the best big man in the game over his career but he certainty has the talent to be.  With Marcin Gortat doing the dirty work, Nene can focus on his low post offense and mid range jumper.  When Nene is scoring the Wizards are a legit Eastern Conference contender.



Prediction.

This series is a story of the rise of the Wizards and the fall of the Bulls.  The Wizards have the pieces in place for years to come and can challenge any team they face in the next round.  The Bulls have to think long and hard next season of what roster moves they are going to make.  With Derrick Rose not being able to stay healthy, they have to find another big player to give them some play making ability.  Waiting for Derrick Rose may not be the smartest move.

The Wizards close this series out tonight.  The Bulls will fight hard but Wizards win 98-92.

Game 5:

WAS at CHI | Tue., Apr. 29, 8:00 PM ET | TNT

LA Clippers Vs Golden State Warriors: Game 5

With all the commotion stemming from Donald Sterling's statements in a recorded phone call it seemed in game 4 that the Clippers were too distracted to play.  With Commissioner Adam Silver's swift action and public game plan to get Sterling removed as owner of the Clippers, Silver may have saved the Clippers season.  Now the Clippers can focus on playing rather than making a social statement.  This is bad news for Golden State.

Knowing how pivotal game 5's are in the NBA playoffs the Warriors have a lot riding on this game.  They are on the road and are going to have to deal with a highly emotional LA Clipper team and crowd.  I don't know that they will be able to overcome that factor alone.

Keys for Clippers 

1. Ride the Emotional Wave. The crowd will be amped up.  The court will probably feel like it is on another level.  The Clippers need to come out matching that energy, run the floor, and get some dunks with Blake Griffin.  The Arena will be loud.

2. Defend the 3 point line. The Clipper perimeter defenders have to stick on Curry and Thompson like glue.  No one can stop Curry and Thompson from making every shot but the Clippers have to contest every shot.  They cannot allow Curry to keep the game close late.

3. DeAndre Jordan.  A player with his size and athletic ability should never be shut out in a game.  Jordan needs to run the floor, block shots, rebound, and get easy second chance points.  If he can get a couple alley oops from Chris Paul they will emotionally beat down the Warriors.  The Clippers are hard to beat when Griffin and Jordan are playing at a high level.  Jordan needs 12 pts. 14 reb. and 3 blks

Keys for Warriors

1. Withstand the emotional energy. This is going to be a crazy environment for the Warriors.  They need to attack the basket early and get easy shots.  Allowing the Clippers to get an early lead and fast break points will doom the Warriors.

2. FROM DOWNTOWN!(NBA JAM REFERENCE) The Warriors always have a chance because of the 3 point shooting.  If they are cold from downtown they have no chance.

3. Steph Curry. Stars are the focus in the playoffs.  Green, Igoudala, Lee, Barnes, and Thompson are good players,  Maybe even great., but Steph Curry has to carry the team on his back.  He needs to penetrate and score, penetrate and kick, make impossible threes, and set up the pick and rolls constantly.  Does he have the energy to do it?....


Prediction

This has been a great series so far but I can't help but think Commissioner Silver's decision today gave a boost to the Clippers.  I think the energy and environment will be too much to overcome for the Warriors much like it was too much to overcome for the Clippers in game 4.  Clippers 110- Warriors 100

*Side note.  Talks of Mark Jackson losing his job if the Warriors don't advance is ridiculous.  The Warriors haven't been relevant since the early 90's and the fact they are competitive now is because of Jackson.  I'm sure there are many teams who wouldn't mind having him.

Game 5:

GSW at LAC | Tue., Apr. 29, 10:30 PM ET | TNT

OKC Thunder vs. Memphis Grizzlies: Game 5

It has come down to a 3 game series between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Oklahoma City Thunder. What was initially thought to be an easy series for the Thunder when the NBA playoffs started has now turned into a brawling series. With the series at 2-2 tonight's pivotal game 5 will probably decide who goes on to win the series.

Keys for OKC

1. Find a Rhythm. So far this series it seems like Durant and Westbrook have been thinking too much about who should be taking shots at different times during games.  They have to play free, aggressive, and with a ferocious tempo. Although typically it isn't good for a point guard to take 26 shots a game Westbrook will have to be big on offense take down Memphis.

2. X Factor Reggie Jackson.  Complimentary players for OKC have changed over the last couple years but the team has managed to remain successful in the regular season.  In the playoffs the Thunder need another complimentary perimeter player to step up.  That guy needs to be Reggie Jackson. After starting slow the first 3 games of the series Jackson erupted for 32 points on Saturday night.  They will need him to come up big again tonight.

3. GET Durant in the POST! If the Grizzlies continue to put Tony Allen or other smaller gaurds on Kevin Durant the Thunder have to make them pay.  We know Durant loves to shoot jumpers, and he is very succesful that way,  but the Thunder need him to get easy buckets near the basket, draw double teams, and ffind wide open guys (Like Jackson) on the perimeter.  Durant is such a prolific scorer but he needs to show some ability to dominate on the block against smaller defenders.

Keys for Memphis

1. Scoring in the Post. No surprise here.  They need Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol to dominate the post area.  Attacking in the paint will wear down the Thunder and limit their effectiveness in transition.  The grizzlies can only go as far as these guys can take them.

2.  Tony Allen. For a guy who lacks offensive skill for the NBA level he sure finds a way to impact the game.  His tenacity on defense, high level of energy and hustle, and knack to make big plays has kept the Grizzlies in this series.  I don't know that he can annoy Durant again but he will have to find a way to get stops.  When Allen is making intangible plays the Grizzlies play well.

3. Mike Miller Boost. For a guy who almost seemed retired before this season Mike Miller has proven to still have gas left in the tank.  He played all 82 games this regular season which was more than he played the previous two years in Miami.  He has looked good this series and if he can give the Grizzlies some scoring and a couple threes off the bench the Grizzlies to put a lot of pressure on OKC.



Prediction

This is a huge game for both teams.  We all know the stats. Teams that win game 5 in a tied series go on to win the series more often than not.  The Thunder have the benefit of home court and will find ways to win this game.  Thunder 102-Grizzlies 96.

Game will be on NBA TV. MEM at OKC | Tue., Apr. 29, 9:00 PM ET | NBA TV

http://www.nba.com/video/channels/playoffs/2014/04/28/okc-mem-game-5-preview.nba

Sterling Banned for Life

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced today (4.29.14) that Clippers owner Donald Sterling will be suspended for life and fined $2.5 million in response to the racist remarks he allegedly made in a recorded audio clip.

“The hateful opinions voiced by that man are those of Mr. Sterling. The views expressed by Mr. Sterling are deeply offensive and harmful. That they came from an NBA owner only heightens the damage and my personal outrage,” Silver said. “I am banning Mr. Sterling for life from any association with the Clippers association or the NBA. Mr. Sterling may not attend any NBA games or practices, he may not be present at any Clippers facility, and he may not participate in any business or decisions involving the team.”
http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2014/04/29/nba-to-discuss-investigation-into-sterling/






A suspension and fine were expected but a lifetime ban comes as a bit of a surprise.  Already on twitter an explosion of tweets from fans, athletes, and owners has shown satisfaction with Adam Silver's announcement.

Commissioner Silver thank you for protecting our beautiful and powerful league!! Great leader!! #BiggerThanBasketball #StriveForGreatness
— LeBron James (@KingJames) April 29, 2014

Way to go, Commissioner Silver! The NBA stands for everybody!
— SHAQ (@SHAQ) April 29, 2014

Former and current NBA players are very happy and satisfied with Commissioner Silver's ruling.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) April 29, 2014

Commissioner Silver thanks for not just slapping Donald Sterling on the wrist. #leadership.
— Marshall Faulk (@marshallfaulk) April 29, 2014

There is no doubt that Donald Sterling's punishments are warranted but don't expect him to go down without a fight.  This man has a history of going into the courtroom and fighting tooth and nail for his personal causes. I don't expect this going away anytime soon.

For the present this helps the NBA and its players.  Now the NBA doesn't have to worry about protests and lost revenue at the Clippers V. Warriors game tonight, the NBA's image has been given a boost by its swift and stern action from Commissioner Silver, and a burden has been lifted off of the players.

Expect a HUGE game tonight from the Clippers tonight.  

I will end this blog with a little out of the box thought.  Does anyone else out there think that this will be used to get a team back in Seattle? 

#SeattleClippers

Take A Stand Clipper Fans!

In the midst of the Donald Sterling allegations a lot has been made of how the NBA, Commissioner Silver, and other owners should hand down punishment to Sterling. The most popular being that Commissioner Silver should strip the team away from Donald Sterling and sell to a new owner.

Although this is certainly a solution I don't believe it is the correct one.  The NBA's constitution, bi laws, and even the U.S. constitution protect this type of action against Sterling.  I agree with Marc Cuban when he stated,

"I think there's a constitution for a reason, right? Because this is a very slippery slope," Cuban said before Game 4 of the Mavericks-San Antonio Spurs series. "What Donald said was wrong. It was abhorrent. There's no place for racism in the NBA, any business I'm associated with, and I don't want to be associated with people who have that position. But at the same time, that's a decision I make. I think you've got to be very, very careful when you start making blanket statements about what people say and think, as opposed to what they do. It's a very, very slippery slope. Again, there's no excuse for his positions. There's no excuse for what he said. There's no excuse for anybody to support racism. There's no place for it in our league, but there's a very, very, very slippery slope."

"In this country, people are allowed to be morons," Cuban said. "They're allowed to be stupid. They're allowed to think idiotic thoughts. ... Within an organization like the NBA, we try to do what's in the best interest of the league and that's why we have a commissioner and a constitution and I think Adam will be smart and deal with Donald with the full extent available. But, again, if you're saying a blanket, 'Let's kick him out?' I don't want to go that far because it's not about Donald, it's not about his position, it's about his mess - and what are we going to make a decision on?”

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/mark-cuban-slams-sterling-bigot-favor-booting-clips-owner-article-1.1772540#ixzz30IWs98cH

The answer lies in something more simple.

FANS…DO NOT GO TO ANY CLIPPERS GAMES!

Hurt Sterling's bottom line! 0 fans, 0 revenue, 0 sponsorship money, 0 tv rating.  Sterling will have no choice but to sell and a point will be MADE not forced.  It is on all of us to take action not just the NBA and media pundits.  Those who stand for liberty, freedom, respect, prosperity for all, being on Team Good and being against evil, hate, and racism need to stand up.  I have a pretty good feeling there are a lot of us out there.

In the end the NBA’s hands will be tied in trying to deal with Sterling.  Most likely Sterling will only be fined and suspended to the extent that is possible.  It is also highly probable that Clippers corporate sponsors will pull their support as well.  But for the NBA to be able to get rid of Sterling it is going to take a bigger statement. 

There is no question that Sterling’s comments were atrocious and have no place in the NBA, but unfortunately I was not surprised.  The alleged tape only confirmed to me what I had felt existed in sports all along and reminded me of racism I have faced throughout my life.  It reminded me that a slave mentality still exists in certain cultures in this country and that to Donald Sterling his players are nothing more than prized race horses. Creatures below him which whom he feeds, clothes, and underpays to make him millions.