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.