If you're wondering why there's a picture of Jami Gertz posted her in the NBA thread, it's because her husband, Anthony Ressler, along with former NBA star and current TNT analyst Grant Hill have agreed to purchase the Atlanta Hawks for $850 million. The current owner, Bruce Levenson, put the team up for sale in September, 2014 after voluntarily coming forward and fessing up about a potentially racially insensitive email he sent back in 2012 castigating some of the team's fanbase. In light of the Donald Sterling controversy, he thought it was no longer appropriate for him to hold on to the franchise.

http://bleacherreport.com...grant-hill

uPtoWnNY said:

What was up with Rondo last night? He played like he had his head up his ass. He won't be long for Dallas, that's for sure.

Rondo strikes me as one of those players who thinks he's smarter then his coach, he needs to chill out and play ball.

Abdul said:

uPtoWnNY said:

What was up with Rondo last night? He played like he had his head up his ass. He won't be long for Dallas, that's for sure.

Rondo strikes me as one of those players who thinks he's smarter then his coach, he needs to chill out and play ball.

Rondo's done:

http://www.latimes.com/sports/nba/la-sp-nba-notes-20150423-story.html

Eastern Conference Playoffs, 1st Round

Game 3

Cleveland Cavaliers 103 Boston Celtics 95

The Boston Celtics wre hoping some home court would bring them some advantage against Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. And while the Celtics continued their scrappy play, it still wasn't enough to derail the Cavs. Lebron James led Cleveland with 31 points and 11 rebounds while Kevin Love scored 23 points and grabbed nine rebounds. J.R. Smith added 15 points. Evan Turner led the Celtics with 19 points while Avery Bradley added 18 points and Jae Crowder added 16 points off the bench. Turner would bring the Celtics within 3 points with 2:45 remaining in the game, but Kevin Love would hit two crucial 3-point shots to secure the victory and give the Cavs a commanding lead in this series.

Cleveland leads series 3-0.

Kawhi Leonard was selected as the NBA Defensive Player of the Year, joining Michael and Hakeem Olajuwon as the only players to win the award and the NBA Finals MVP.

Leonard became the Spurs' primary individual defender and led the league in steals at 2.3 per game. He received 37 first-place votes and 333 points from a panel of 129 writers and broadcasters. Golden State forward Draymond Green actually led all candidates with 45 first-place votes, but he appeared on fewer ballots and as a resulyt ended with just 317 points. Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan finished third, receiving 32 first-place votes and 261 points.

Eastern Conference Playoffs, 1st Round

Game 3

Chicago Bulls 113 Milwaukee Bucks 106 F/2OT

Milwaukee was hoping to use the home court to get more intensity, and after an early Bulls start the Bucks went on at tear in the second quarter, jumping to an 18 point lead. But Chicago would claw its way back into the game thanks to their superstar Derrick Rose, who would hit a few 3-pointers to bring the Bulls within four points at the half. The Bulls then pulled away to take the lead in the third quarter thanks to Rose, Mike Dunleavy, and Tony Snell, who hit four 3-poiters in the game. The Bulls led by 10 points late in the fourth quarter, but Milwaukee refused to go away, getting some key 3-point shots from Giannis Antetokounmpo, who would finish the game with 25 points and 12 rebounds. Milwaukee would take the lead with a Khris Middleton jumper with 10 seconds remaining in regulation, but after a Derrick Rose free throw they had a chance to win the game, but Khris Middleton's 3-point shot missed the mark, sending the game into overtime. The game went back and forth in the first overtime, and Milwaukee once again had an opportunity to win the game at the buzzer, but O.J. Mayo's mid-range jumper would fall short, thus sending the game into a second overtime.

Chicago would turn up the defense in the second overtime. They forced a number of turnovers and would dominate the boards while also driving to the bucket and getting a 10 point lead. The Bucks would not score in the second overtime until about one minute remained, but the Bulls had secured the victory by then. Derrick Rose led the Bulls with 34 points, eight assists, and five rebounds while Jimmy Butler added 24 points. Pau Gasol added 17 points while also grabbing 14 rebounds and Tony Snell added 16 points off the bench including four 3-pointers. Michael Cater-Williams scored 19 points and dished out nine assists for Milwaukee while Khris Middleton addd 18 points.

Chicago leads series 3-0.

Western Conference Playoffs, 1st Round

Game 3

Houston Rockets 130 Dallas Mavericks 128

The Dallas Mavericks put on a furious offensive display in this game, led by Dirk Nowitzski and Monta Ellis, who each scored 34 points, but in the end it would not be enough. The Rockets were propelled to victory by James Harden, who scored a playoff career high 42 points. In 36 minutes he was seven-for-seven from the line, had nine assists and five rebounds. There were no-look passes, jumpers, clutch drives and basically a complete game from the Rockets shooting guard. Monta Ellis had a chance to tie the game at the end, but his 20 foot jumper hit the rim and bounced off, thus securing the victory for Houston. Josh Smith scored 18 points off the bench for the Rockets while Dwight Howard scored 13 points and grabbed 26 rebounds. Houston can now look to close out this series.

Houston leads series 3-0.

Eastern Conference Playoffs, 1st Round

Game 3

Toronto Raptors 99 Washington Wizards 106

The Washington Wizards already had a huge advantage coming into this game, winning the first two games of this series on the road and coming home to potentially close out the series in front of their home fans. The Raptors would put up a noble effort to get back into this game, as DeMar DeRozan would score 20 points in the first quarter and 32 for the game, but his teammates would struggle in this game. Kyle Lowry would score 15 points for Toronto but at one point missed 11 straight shots from the floor. Maricn Gortat would lead the Wizards with 24 points and 13 rebounds while John Wall scored 19 points and dished out 15 assists, but it was their spiritual leader Paul Pierce who fired up the crowd with 18 points including two 3-point shots in the fourth quarter that pulled the Wizards ahead from Toronto for good.

Washington leads series 3-0.

Western Conference Playoffs, 1st Round

Game 3

Los Angeles Clippers 73 San Antonio Spurs 100

Kawhi Leonard came into this game celebrating his recent Defensive Player of the Year award by going on an offensive explosion. He would score 32 ppoints as the San Antonio Spurs would easily trounce the Los Angeles Clippers. The Spurs never trailed in this game, along with Leonard, Boris Diaw added 15 points off the bench while Danny Green added 11 points. The Clippers, on the other hand, shot only 34 percent from the floor, a playof career low. Blake Griffin led the Clippers with 14 points.

San Antonio leads series 2-1.

Eastern Conference Playoffs, 1st Round

Game 3

Atlanta Hawks 83 Brooklyn Nets 91

The Brooklyn Nets have lost all six prior meetings with the Atlanta Hawks this season including the first two playoff games. IF they had any chance of pulling a major upset in this series, they would have to start winning now.

Fortunately, they would do so. The Nets would jump out to a huge early lead, and they would hold the Hawks big three of Jeff Teague, Al Horford, and Kyle Korver to a total of 20 points. Neverthless, the Hawks would crawl their way back into the game by the third quarter, and they led by four points late in the third. But Brooklyn would go on an 18-0 run thanks to Thaddeus Young, who scored 18 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. Brook Lopez led the Nets with 22 points and 13 rebounds while Bojan Bogdanovic added 19 points and Joe Johnson added 16 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists. DeMarre Carroll scored a playoff career-high 22 points for the Hawks while Paul Milsap added 18 points and 17 rebounds.

Atlanta leads series 2-1

Eastern Conference Playoffs, 1st Round

Game 4

Chicago Bulls 90 Milwaukee Bucks 92

The Bulls had a chance to close out the series today while Milwaukee was playing just to stay alive. Chicago will go home tonight wondering why they gave the game away, even though it took a last second shot for the Bucks to win the game. The Bulls turned the ball over 26 times in this game, 20 of which were due to Milwaukee steals including one in the closing seconds of the fourth quarter. The Bucks outhustled the Bulls on the boards, yet it remained close due to Jimmy Butler, who scored 33 points in the game. But it was the bench that led the way for Milwaukee, as O.J. Mayo scored 18 points including four 3-pointers and Jared Duley added 13 points. Jerryd Bayless also added 10 points off the bench including the game winning layup on Derrick Rose as time expired. Pau Gasol scored 16 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, but Derrick Rose was held to just 14 points on 5 for 13 shooting from the floor.

Chicago leads series 3-1.

Western Conference Playoffs, 1st Round

Game 4

Golden State Warriors 109 New Orleans Pelicans 98

The Splash Brothers took control of this game as the Golden State Warriors completed the sweep of the New Orleans Pelicans. Stephen Curry scored 39 points including six 3-pointers while Klay Thompson added 25 points. Draymond Green added 22 points and 10 rebounds. Golden State never trailed after the first two minutes of this game and led by as much as 24 points in the fourth quarter. Anthony Davis led New Orleans with 36 points and 11 rebounds, and Eric Gordon added 29 points. The Pelicans made one last run in the fourth quater to cut the Warriors' lead to seven, but it would not be enough. Golden State now awaits the winner of the Grizzlies-Trail Blazers series.

Golden State wins series 4-0.

Western Conference Playoffs, 1st Round

Game 3

Memphis Grizzlies 115 Portland Trail Blazers 109

The Memphis Grizzlies continued their dominance over the Portland Trail Blazers, but it may have come at a huge cost, as their point guard Mike Conley Jr. suffered a facial injury in the third quarter after he appeared to be elbowed in the face by Portland's C.J. McCollum and fell to the floor. He was whisked to the locker room holding a towel to his face and was hospitalized for further evaluation. He had scored 14 points up until his injury, and the Grizzlies were forced to rely on their third option at point guard, as Beno Udrih sat out this game due to a sprained ankle he suffered in game 2 of this series.

Memphis was led by Marc Gasol, who scored 25 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Courtney Lee added 20 points while Zach Randolph added 16 points. The Blazers were led by Nicolas Batum, who scored 27 points while C.J. McCollum scored 26 points off the bench. Damian Lillard scored 22 points and dished out nine assists while LaMarcus Aldridge scored 21 points. Portland played with more intensity in this game, keeping it close and getting within three points with a little over two minutes remaining in the game, but Tony Allen would end the Blazers' comeback with a couple of key buckets. Memphis now looks to close out the series on Monday night.

Memphis leads series 3-0.

Eastern Conference Playoffs, 1st Round

Game 4

Cleveland Cavaliers 101 Boston Celtics 93

The Cleveland Cavaliers were looking to close out this series to get a leg up on their potential next opponent, the Chicago Bulls, who failed to close out their series against the Milwaukee Bucks the day before. The Cavs never trailed in this game, and they came out like gangbusters, jumping out to a 19 point lead by halftime, but it may have come at a huge cost. Kevin Love suffered a dislocated shoulder late in the first quarter after getting tangled up with Kelly Olynyk chasing a loose ball. Love grabbed his left shoulder and ran immediately to the locker room. The team said Love would return to Cleveland and receive additional examination, imaging and evaluation at Cleveland Clinic Sports Health over the next 24 hours before his status is updated.

The game would get very heated after that. Boston's Jae Crowder was involved in two physical plays. First, he was shoved by Kendrick Perkins and they both drew technical fouls. Then he left the game with a sprained left knee when he was knocked down as J.R. Smith swung his arm backward while jostling for a rebound early in the third quarter. Smith was ejected and faces possible suspension to start the second round.

The Celtics would make a couple of runs to get back into the game. They got to within seven points in the third quarter and within six in the fourth, but the Cvas would hold them at bay, thus securing the win and the series. Lebron James led the Cavs with 27 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists while Kyrie Irving scored 24 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. Isaish Thomas and Jared Sullinger each led the Celtics with 21 points while Avery Bradley added 16 points. The young Celtics squad now goes home to reassess their season and playoff experience many thought they would not see this year.

Cleveland wins series 4-0.

Western Conference Playoffs, 1st Round

Game 4

Los Angeles Clippers 114 San Antonio Spurs 105

After the Clippers suffered their worst playoff loss in franchise injury in game 3, Chris Paul was determined to play a much stronger game. He carried the team on his back, scoring 34 points and dishing out seven assists as the Clippers evened their series with the San Antonio Spurs. Blake Griffin scored 20 points and grabbed 19 rebounds, J.J. Reddick added 17 points, and Austin Rivers added 16 points off the bench. The game was close through much of the first two and a half quarters before Chris Paul drove them to a double digit lead. The Spurs would not go away, though, getting to witihin four points a couple of times, but the Clippers hit a few key buckets to keep them at bay. Kawhi Leonard led the Spurs with 26 points while Tim Duncan scored 22 points and grabbed 14 rebounds and Tony Parker added 18 points.

Series tied at 2-2.

Eastern Conference Playoffs, 1st Round

Game 4

Toronto Raptors 94 Washington Wizards 125

The Washington Wizards were looking to close out this series against the Toronto Raptors, and it turned out to be easier than expected, as they put away the Raptors in a rout. Bradley Beal led the Wizards with 23 points while Marcin Gortat had 21 points and 11 rebounds, but seven Wizards players scored in double digits in this game. Washington led by 16 in the first quarter, 20 in the second and by a whopping 32 -- 102-70 -- entering the fourth. Kyle Lowry led the Raptors with 21 points while Jonas Valanciunas added 16 points and nine rebounds and DeMar DeRozan and Lou Williams each added 14 points, but it was another bitterly disappointing end to a season that started with promise for Toronto. Meanwhile, the Wizards await the winner of the Brooklyn/Atlanta series.

Washington wins series 4-0.

train23 said:

has Rondo been benched?

Check out my link in post #32.

Western Conference Playoffs, 1st Round

Game 4

Houston Rockets 109 Dallas Mavericks 121

The Dallas Mavericks knew if they had any chance of extending this series, they had to shake things up. So they stared two bench players, J.J. Barrea and Al-Farouq Aminu. This move did the trick, as they were able to hold the otherwise torrid Rockets offense to missing 17 consecutive shots in the second and third quarters, which helped propel the Mavs to victory and stay alive in this series. Monta Ellis scored 31 points while Barrea and Aminu scored 17 and 16 points respectively. Dirk Nowitzski added 16 points and eight rebounds. James Harden led the Rockets with 24 points while Josh Smith and Corey Brewer scored 23 and 22 points respectively off the bench, but Dwight Howard was held to just 14 points and seven rebounds after grabbing a career playoff high 26 rebounds in game three.

Houston leads series 3-1.

Eastern Conference Playoffs, 1st Round

Game 4

Atlanta Hawks 115 Brooklyn Nets 120 F/OT

The Atlanta Hawks were looking to get past their poor performance in game 3 and take command of this series. They worked their way up to a 12 point lead in the third quarter, but the Nets would come roaring back to take the lead thanks to Deron Williams, who would score 35 points in the game including 16 in the fourth quarter. But the Hawks would not go away, as they would come back to force overtime.

In overtime, it would go back and forth, but it wasn't until Bojan Bogdanovic hit a critical 3-pointer with 1:24 left in overtime that Brooklyn took control of the game for good. Bogdanovic scored 15 points the game while Brook Lopez scored 26 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, and Joe Johnson added 17 points. DeMarre Carroll scored 20 points for the Hawks while also grabbing nine rebounds and dishing out five assists. Jeff Teague also scored 20 points and dished out 11 assists while Al Horford added 17 points and Paul Milsap and Kyle Korver each added 16 points.

Series tied at 2-2

Eastern Conference Playoffs, 1st Round

Game 5

Milwaukee Bucks 94 Chicago Bulls 88

The Milwaukee Bucks may have needed a last second layup in game 4 to keep their playoff hopes alive, but it was their defense that kept them in the game in the first place, as they forced 26 turnovers on the Chicago Bulls. They would ratchet up the defense in this game, keeping the Bulls shooting at a paltry 34 percent from the floor. They also got an offensive explosion from Michael Carter-Williams, who scored 22 points in the game while also grabbing eight rebounds and dishing out nine assists. Khris Middleton added 21 points.

But as noted earlier, it was the defense that dominated against the Bulls. They got 10 steals and blocked 11 shots. Pau Gasol led the Bulls with 25 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, but they played stifiling defense on Derrick Rose and Jimmy Butler. Butler did score 20 points and grabbed 10 rebounds but was held to five for 21 shooting from the floor. Rose struggled in this game, scoring just 13 points on five for 20 shooting from the floor including missing all seven 3-point attempts and turning the ball over six times. The Bulls, who looked like they would easily dispatch the Bucks, now find themselves in a dogfight.

Chicago leads series 3-2.

According to a WFAN report, Kevin Love is probably done for the playoffs.

uPtoWnNY said:

According to a WFAN report, Kevin Love is probably done for the playoffs.

Do u think he re-signs with the Cavs?

Western Conference Playoffs, 1st Round

Game 5

Dallas Mavericks 94 Houston Rockets 103

The Houston Rockets were hoping to close out this series in front of their home fans after failing to do in game 4 in Dallas. And they would come out firing, jumping to a huge lead in the first quarter. But th Mavs rtefused to go away, and they got to wthin three points with about five minutes remaining in the game. But James Harden would hit a critical 3-pointer to keep the Rockets ahead and secure the victory and the series. Harden scored 28 points while Dwight Howard had 18 points and 19 rebounds to help the Rockets dominate inside and Josh Smith added 20 points. Monta Ellis led Dallas with 25 points while Dirk Nowitzki added 22 but the Mavericks couldn't get going from long-range, going just 5 of 26 from behind the 3-point line. The Rockets now advance to the conference semifinals for the first time since 2009.

Houston wins series 4-1.

Graycap23 said:

uPtoWnNY said:

According to a WFAN report, Kevin Love is probably done for the playoffs.

Do u think he re-signs with the Cavs?

Nope. I'm sure he can get big money somewhere else. Plus, he's not a good fit in the Cavs' offense. Love belongs in the paint, posting up mfers and getting boards.

Eastern Conference Playoffs, 1st Round

Game 5

Brooklyn Nets 97 Atlanta Hawks 107

The Atlanta Hawks were looking to bounce back from their disappointing performances in Brooklyn and take command of this series. They came out on fire, jumping to a 17 point lead at the end of the first quarter. But Brooklyn would come back and make this competitive, getting huge performances from Alan Anderson, Jarrett Jack, and Joe Johnson. But each time the Nets wouold draw close, the Hawks would respond with a run of their own, and they would be spurred on by DeMarre Carroll, who scoreed 24 points in this game, and Kyle Korver, who scored 17 points including five 3-point shots. Brooklyn refused to die, though, and they would come within a bucket twice in the fourth quarter thanks to Jarrett Jack and Joe Johnson, who brought them to within one and two points respectively. But Al Horford and Jeff Teague would fend off their rallies with some key shots to put the Hawks up for good. Horford and Teague each scored 20 points in this game. Alan Anderson led the Nets with 23 points while Joe Johnson and Jarrett Jack each scored 18 points and Brook Lopez added 15 points.

Atlanta leads series 3-2.

[Edited 4/29/15 19:43pm]

Western Conference Playoffs, 1st Round

Game 5

Portland Trail Blazers 93 Memphis Grizzlies 99

The Memphis Grizzlies lost a golden opportunity to close out the series in game 4 even though they were without Mike Conley Jr., so they didn't want to waste this opportunity in front of their home fans.

However, the Trail Blazers would not make it easy on Memphis, and they hung in for much of the game, thanks to C.J. McCollum who led the Blazers with a career high 33 points. Damian Lillard added 22 points and kept Portland close in the fourth quarter. But Memphis would pull away from the foul line, hitting 10 of 14 free throws in the final 64 seconds of the game. Marc Gasol led the Grizzlies with 26 points and 14 rebounds. Courtney Lee added 20 points while Zach Randolph added 16 points. The Grizzlies now go on to face Golden State in the conference semifinals.

Memphis wins series 4-1.

The Minnesota Timberwolves and their fans did not have very much to cheer about this season, especially since they finished at the bottom of the NBA's Western Conference, but they did trade Kevin Love to get prized rookie draft pick Andrew Wiggins, who was named the NBA Rookie of the Year for 2014-2015. In Wiggins, the hope is that the Timberwolves finally got something right in a big way. And as difficult as his first season was for the team on the court, as hopeless as it has seemed at times for the team's fans during an 11-year playoff drought, Wiggins said he feels like he got it right by landing here as well.

Wiggins received 110 of 130 first-place votes and had 604 points. Chicago Bulls forward Nikola Mirotic finished second with 14 first-place votes and 335 points and Philadelphia 76ers center Nerlens Noel was third wth 141 points.