Once again playoff seasoin has arrived in the NBA. The Cleveland Cavaliers are looking to repeat as NBA champions, but the road to repeat glory has been rocky this season, particularly during the second half of the regular season, as they lost their conference lead to the upstart Boston Celtics. Meanwhile, the Golden State Warriors maintained their hold on the Western Conference with and without Kevin Durant. Will the Cavs and Warriors make it back to the NBA Finals, or will some new blood make it to the championship round? Who knows for sure, but here are the teams and where they are seeded.



#1 Boston Celtics vs. #8 Chicago Bulls
#2 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. #7 Indiana Pacers
#3 Toronto Raptors vs. #6 Milwaukee Bucks

#4 Washington Wizards vs. #5 Atlanta Hawks





#1 Golden State Warriors vs. #8 Portland Trail Blazers

#2 San Antonio Spurs vs. #7 Memphis Grizzlies

#3 Houston Rockets vs. #6 Oklahoma City Thunder
#4 Los Angeles Clippers vs. #5 Utah Jazz

should be some great games!

It's taken a loooong time, but they are finally back! Go Celts!

The Spurs to me are the only team that could derail Warriors-Cavs III. But there are enough great individual players or intruiging teams out there to steal some games and make the postseason interesting.

Thanks to Durant's ridiculous 'decision', there is no juice to this year's playoffs. No team, including the Spurs, has enough to beat the Warriors. Cavs will be lucky to win one game if rhey meet in the finals. I didn't like what I saw from Cleveland defensively today against Indiana. Their rim protection is poor, and Lebron can't chase those PGs around like he used to.

Eastern Conference Playoffs, 1st Round

Game 1

Indiana Pacers 108 Cleveland Cavaliers 109

The Cleveland Cavaliers began their title defense with a lot of question marks coming into the playoffs, and while they showed some explosive offense on the floor at times, they didn't exactly put their critics to rest, as they came into the playoffs with a porous defense, and they showed that same porous defense in this game. The Cavs, despite a relatively quiet start from Lebron James, would score at will in the first three quarters thanks to Kyrie Irving, who scored 23 points and dished out six assists, and Kevin Love, who scored 17 points. The Cavs would lead by 12 points late in the third quarter, but Indiana would come storming back thanks to the play of Paul George, who scored 29 points, dished out seven assists, and grabbed five rebounds. Lance Stephenson would add 16 points off the bench while Jeff Teague added 15 points and Myles Turner and Monta Ellis each added 11 points for the Pacers. Indiana would take a brief two point lead with 3:31 remaining in the game, but then Lebron James would step up, scoring key buckets down the stretch and finishing with a game high 32 points and 13 assists. Nevertheless, the Pacers stayed in the game with a clutch 3-pointer from Paul George with 40 seconds remaining that brought them within one point of the Cavs. Indiana had a chance to win the game at the end, but C.J. Miles' jumper would miss, and the Cavs hung on to win a squeaker.

Cleveland leads series 1-0.

Eastern Conference Playoffs, 1st Round

Game 1

Milwaukee Bucks 97 Toronto Raptors 83

The Toronto Raptors came into the playoffs playing their 12th total playoff series opener; yet of their previous 11 playoff openers, they had a record of 1-10. Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Bucks were making their second playoff appearance in three years. The Bucks and Raptors would go back and forth in the first half, and Toronto would take a 5 point lead into halftime. But the Raptors would go ice cold in the second half, shooting just 7 for 35 from the floor. Milwaukee would go on a tear late in the third quarter, and they ramped it up in the fourth to put the game out of reach, mostly due to the Greek freak, Giannis Antetokounmpo, who scored 28 points in this game, making 13 of 18 shots while also adding eight rebounds and three assists. Malcolm Brogdon added 16 points for the Bucks while Greg Monroe scored 14 points and grabbed 15 rebounds and Tony Snell and Matthew Dellavedova each added 11 points. DeMar DeRozan led the Raptors with 27 points while Serge Ibaka scored 19 points and grabbed 14 rebounds. But Kyle Lowry had a miserable game, making only two of 11 field-goal attempts, missing all six 3-point efforts, and finishing with just four points.

Milwaukee leads series 1-0.

Western Conference Playoffs, 1st Round

Game 1

Memphis Grizzlies 82 San Antonio Spurs 111

The San Antonio Spurs began their first NBA Playoffs without Tim Duncan, who retired last season and handed leadership reins to Kawhi Leonard. Meanwhile, the Memphis Grizzlies came into the playoffs without the services of Tony Allen, who was out with a calf injury. The Spurs would take advantage of his absence, as they would survive a slow start and turn on the afterburners later. Kawhi Leonard led all scorers with 32 points while LaMarcus Aldridge added 20 points and Tony Parker added 18 points. Marc Gasol led Memphis with 32 points but scored only seven of those points in the second half. Mike Conley Jr. was the only other player for the Grizzlies who finished in double digits, scoring 13 points.

San Antonio leads series 1-0.

Isaiah Thomas' 22-year-old sister died in a car accident, I don't see how he could possibly play basketball this week.

Condolences to the Thomas family.

Western Conference Playoffs, 1st Round

Game 1

Utah Jazz 97 Los Angeles Clippers 95

The Los Angeles Clippers have come into the playoffs the past few years as a potential dark horse to make the NBA Finals only to be thwatred in the conefernce semifinals or theough some other calamity which ended their title hopes early. They were hoping to change that this season. Meanwhile, the Utah Jazz were making their first playoff series appearance since 2012. The Jazz were considered as one of the rising teams in the NBA this season, and they manageed to live up to that title despite serious injuries to several key players off and on during the regular season. But just 17 seconds into the game, their key player and Defensive Player of the Year candidiate Rudy Gobert was injured on a screen play, suffering a hyperextened left knee and bone bruise, and his status for the remainder of the series is uncertain.

Nevertheless, his Utah teammates would rally around in his absence, and the game was pretty tight throughout. Each team thad their moments, as Blake Griffin dominated the Jazz in the first half, finishing with 26 points and seven rebounds. Deandre Jordan would score 10 points and grab 15 rebounds for the Clippers. Meanwhile, Gordon Heyward picked up the slack for Utah, scoring 19 points and grabbing 10 rebounds, while Derrick Favors andded 15 points and six rebounds. But in the end it came down to the veterans. The Jazz led by two with less than 30 seconds remaining in the game when Chris Paul, who scored 25 points, dished out 11 assists, and grabbed seven rebounds, scored a huge jumper to tie the game with just 13 seconds remaining. But instead of calling a time out, the Jazz went down the court and gave the ball to Joe Johnson, who methodically dribbled down the court and past defenders to take the final shot at the buzzer, which bounced off the rim twice before finally going in, giving Utah a stunning victory. Johnson finished with 20 points, but it was his final two points which stunned the crowd at the Staples Center.

Utah leads series 1-0.

[Edited 4/16/17 17:19pm]

728huey said:

Eastern Conference Playoffs, 1st Round

Game 1

Atlanta Hawks 107 Washington Wizards 114

The Washington Wizards were making their first playoff appearance in two years while the Atlanta Hawks were making their first playoff appearance without former stars Al Horford and Jeff Teague. Neverthless, the Hawks would jump out to an early lead and led at the half by three points. But the Wizards would get back into this game after Otto Porter Jr. hit a clutch 3-pointer to gie them the lead midway through the third quarter, and from there the stars took over. John Wall would score 15 of his game high 32 points in the third quarter, and he would finish with 14 assists. Bradley Beal would add 22 points while Markieff Morris added 21 points and seven rebounds and Marcin Gortat added 14 points and 10 rebounds. Dennis Schroder led the Hawks with 25 points while Paul Milsap added 19 points, Taurean Prince added 14 points and six rebounds, and Dwight Howard added seven points and 14 rebounds.

Washington leads series 1-0.

Western Conference Playoffs, 1st Round

Game 1

Portland Trail Blazers 109 Golden State Warriors 121

Last season Kevin Durant had the Golden State Warriors on the ropes in the Western Conference Finals yet watched hos Oklahoma City Thunder blow a 3-2 lead to the Warriors as they went on to the NBA Finals. As a result, he signed with Golden State in the offseason, and he quickly became an integral part of an already explosive offensive squad. Despite suffering a knee injury shortly after the All-Star break, Durant was ready for the playoffs by the end of the regular season.

Even so, the Warriors faced an offensive explosion with the Blazers' back court of Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum, as McCollum would score a game high 41 points in this game while Lillard scored 34 points, keeping the score tight and even tying the game midway through the third quarter. But then Draymond Green would spark Golden State, as he finished with 19 points, 12 rebounds, nine assists, five blocked shots and three steals, and the duo of Durant and Stephen Curry took over from there. Kevin Durant shot 12 of 20 from the floor, finishing with 32 points and 10 rebounds while Stephen Curry added 29 points and Klay Thompson added 15 points. Evan Turner would add 12 points and 10 rebounds for the Blazers in a losing effort.

Golden State leads series 1-0.

Eastern Conference Playoffs, 1st Round

Game 1

Chicago Bulls 106 Boston Celtics 102

The Boston Celtics surprised the league when they earned the top seed in the Eastern Conference, yet they came into this playoff series with heavy hearts, as the sister of point guard Isaiah Thomas was killed tragically in car accident the day before this game. It was a game time decision on whether Thomas would play in this game, but he apparently felt as though his sister would have wanted him to play.

As for the game itself, it was a tight game from start to finish, and at times it was sloppy, as both teams turned the ball over several times in the first half. The Celtics seemed to struggle when Isaiah Thomas was not on the court, as the Bulls took advantage of his absence in the lane and on the boards. Jimmy Butler overcame a slow start to finish with 30 points and nine rebounds in this game, but it was the play off the bench from Bobby Portis that sparked Chicago and would lead them to victory. Portis finished with 19 points, nine rebounds, and two blocked shots including one on Jae Crowder late in the game that kept the Bulls in the lead and which they would not relinquish despite a spirited effort by the Celtics in the closing seconds. Robin Lopez scored 14 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for Chicago while Rajon Rondo finished with 12 points, seven rebounds, and six assists, and Dwyane Wade finished with 11 points, six assists, and five rebounds. Isaiah Thomas led Boston with 33 points on a very emotional night for him, while Al Horford finished with 19 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds, and Avery Bradley added 14 points.

Chicago leads series 1-0.

Western Conference Playoffs, 1st Round

Game 1

Oklahoma City Thunder 87 Houston Rockets 118

Coming into this series it was the battle of the MVP candidates, with James Harden, the Houston Rockets' and NBA's leading scorer versus Russell Westbrook, the first player since Oscar Robertson to average a triple double all season.

In this game, however, it wasn't even close. After spotting OKC a first quarter lead, Harden and his Rockets' teammates went to work. Harden would score 37 points in this game, dish out nine assists, and grab seven rebounds, while Patrick Beverley added 21 points and 10 rebounds. Nene would score 15 points off the bench for Houston. As for OKC, Westbrook would fall just short of a triple double, scoring 22 points, grabbing 11 rebounds, and dishing out seven assists, while Andre Roberson added 18 points and seven rebounds.

Houston leads series 1-0.

Good work, Huey.

The C's are in trouble, obviously. But does anybody have any problem with what Barkley said
about Thomas' public display of grief prior to tip-off?

Dasein said:

Good work, Huey.

The C's are in trouble, obviously. But does anybody have any problem with what Barkley said
about Thomas' public display of grief prior to tip-off?

Perhaps Chuck meant he was uncomfortable with how it was broadcast.

Dasein said:

Good work, Huey.

The C's are in trouble, obviously. But does anybody have any problem with what Barkley said
about Thomas' public display of grief prior to tip-off?

I don't care for Charles at all, however, I saw the whole thing when he mentioned the comment that apparently is being highlighted all over the sports news outlets today. He honestly didn't mean it the way it's being reported. Right before he mentioned that comment, he spoke of how he went through the same thing while he was playing. Apparently, it's all being blown way out of proportion.

728huey said:

Western Conference Playoffs, 1st Round

Game 1

Oklahoma City Thunder 87 Houston Rockets 118

Coming into this series it was the battle of the MVP candidates, with James Harden, the Houston Rockets' and NBA's leading scorer versus Russell Westbrook, the first player since Oscar Robertson to average a triple double all season.

In this game, however, it wasn't even close. After spotting OKC a first quarter lead, Harden and his Rockets' teammates went to work. Harden would score 37 points in this game, dish out nine assists, and grab seven rebounds, while Patrick Beverley added 21 points and 10 rebounds. Nene would score 15 points off the bench for Houston. As for OKC, Westbrook would fall just short of a triple double, scoring 22 points, grabbing 11 rebounds, and dishing out seven assists, while Andre Roberson added 18 points and seven rebounds.

Houston leads series 1-0.

Harden crushed OKC to smithereens. It was quite satisfying to watch.

728huey said:

Western Conference Playoffs, 1st Round

Game 1

Portland Trail Blazers 109 Golden State Warriors 121

Last season Kevin Durant had the Golden State Warriors on the ropes in the Western Conference Finals yet watched hos Oklahoma City Thunder blow a 3-2 lead to the Warriors as they went on to the NBA Finals. As a result, he signed with Golden State in the offseason, and he quickly became an integral part of an already explosive offensive squad. Despite suffering a knee injury shortly after the All-Star break, Durant was ready for the playoffs by the end of the regular season.

Even so, the Warriors faced an offensive explosion with the Blazers' back court of Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum, as McCollum would score a game high 41 points in this game while Lillard scored 34 points, keeping the score tight and even tying the game midway through the third quarter. But then Draymond Green would spark Golden State, as he finished with 19 points, 12 rebounds, nine assists, five blocked shots and three steals, and the duo of Durant and Stephen Curry took over from there. Kevin Durant shot 12 of 20 from the floor, finishing with 32 points and 10 rebounds while Stephen Curry added 29 points and Klay Thompson added 15 points. Evan Turner would add 12 points and 10 rebounds for the Blazers in a losing effort.

Golden State leads series 1-0.

missfee said:

728huey said:

Western Conference Playoffs, 1st Round

Game 1

Portland Trail Blazers 109 Golden State Warriors 121

Last season Kevin Durant had the Golden State Warriors on the ropes in the Western Conference Finals yet watched hos Oklahoma City Thunder blow a 3-2 lead to the Warriors as they went on to the NBA Finals. As a result, he signed with Golden State in the offseason, and he quickly became an integral part of an already explosive offensive squad. Despite suffering a knee injury shortly after the All-Star break, Durant was ready for the playoffs by the end of the regular season.

Even so, the Warriors faced an offensive explosion with the Blazers' back court of Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum, as McCollum would score a game high 41 points in this game while Lillard scored 34 points, keeping the score tight and even tying the game midway through the third quarter. But then Draymond Green would spark Golden State, as he finished with 19 points, 12 rebounds, nine assists, five blocked shots and three steals, and the duo of Durant and Stephen Curry took over from there. Kevin Durant shot 12 of 20 from the floor, finishing with 32 points and 10 rebounds while Stephen Curry added 29 points and Klay Thompson added 15 points. Evan Turner would add 12 points and 10 rebounds for the Blazers in a losing effort.

Golden State leads series 1-0.

Yeah, but this game was a lot closer than the final score indicates.

It is interesting that the Cavs and the Dubs struggled in their first game. I expect both squads to
rebound in their second game or there's gonna be trouble . . .

namepeace said:

Dasein said:

Good work, Huey.

The C's are in trouble, obviously. But does anybody have any problem with what Barkley said
about Thomas' public display of grief prior to tip-off?

Perhaps Chuck meant he was uncomfortable with how it was broadcast.

Yet, when Barkley says "it's not a good look," he's referring specifically to Thomas' weeping
on the bench while questioning whether or not Thomas was emotionally fit enough to play the
game in the first place. So, I think he meant both: he was uncomfortable with how Thomas'
grief was broadcasted, but he was also criticizing Thomas for weeping publicly. Barkley is old
skool and lives by the claim "never let 'em see you cry." I'm sure implicit in his criticism of
Isaiah Thomas is Barkley's public disdain for millenial NBA players who he has often excoriated
for being soft, and too emotional, and too sensitive.

Eastern Conference Playoffs, 1st Round

Game 2

Indiana Pacers 111 Cleveland Cavaliers 117

The Cleveland Cavaliers may have only barely got by the Indiana Pacers in game one of this series, but Lebron James said the margin of victory didn't bother him at all, as long as they got the win. Well, tonight would be similar to game one if not a carbon copy. The Cavs would jump out to an early lead thanks to Kyrie Irving, who scored a game high 37 points while Kevin Love scored 27 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. The Cavs would lead by 18 points at the end of the third quarter, but the Pacers would come storming back. They were propelled by Paul George, who scored 14 of his 32 points in the fourth quarter, along with Thaddeus Young, who finished with 16 points. Indiana would pull to within four points of the Cavs with just 19 seconds left in the game, but a couple of fouls would send the Cavs to the line to ice the victory. Lebron James finished with 25 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists but also turned the ball over eight times, which helped keep the Pacers in the game, Jeff Teague finished with 23 points for the Pacers.

Cleveland leads series 2-0.

Dasein said:

namepeace said:

Perhaps Chuck meant he was uncomfortable with how it was broadcast.

Yet, when Barkley says "it's not a good look," he's referring specifically to Thomas' weeping
on the bench while questioning whether or not Thomas was emotionally fit enough to play the
game in the first place. So, I think he meant both: he was uncomfortable with how Thomas'
grief was broadcasted, but he was also criticizing Thomas for weeping publicly. Barkley is old
skool and lives by the claim "never let 'em see you cry." I'm sure implicit in his criticism of
Isaiah Thomas is Barkley's public disdain for millenial NBA players who he has often excoriated
for being soft, and too emotional, and too sensitive.

I bet he didn't say that when Jordan fell out in the floor, face down, in the locker room, weeping uncontrollably, after winning the '93 Finals -- against his Suns -- after the murder of his father.

Still love the guy, but Chuck forgets a lot, especially the fact that he was often abrasive and thin-skinned as well.

Western Conference Playoffs, 1st Round

Game 2

Memphis Grizzlies 82 San Antonio Spurs 96

The San Antonio Spurs began this game like they did in game 1, quicky outhustling the Grizxzlies and jumping to a huge aerly lead. Unlike game 1, however, Memphis would come storming back to make this close, forcing seven turnovers while outscoring the Spurs 34-19 in the opening 16 minutes of the second half. The Grizzlies would come within four points by the end of the third quarter. But then the Spurs would light it up from behind the arc with 3-pointers by Tony Parker and Pau Gasol that would rebuild their double-digit lead. They also got a huge assist from Kawhi Leonard, who had a postseason career-high 37 points and 11 rebounds. Tony Parker added 15 points for the Spurs while Danny Green added 12 points. Mike Conley Jr. led the Grizzlies with 24 points while Zach Randolph had 18 points and Marc Gasol added 12 points.

San Antonio leads series 2-0.

Eastern Conference Playoffs, 1st Round

Game 2

Milwaukee Bucks 100 Toronto Raptors 106

The Toronto Raptors have struggled historically to win the opening game of a playoff series. But they historically have also bounced back to win game 2, and tonight they managed to live up to that history. This was a tighter gamne than the first one, and Kyle Lowry bounced back from a miserable game 1 to lead the Raptors to victory. He would score 22 points, including the clinching basket with less than 10 seconds to play. DeMar DeRozan led the Raptors with 23 points while Serge Ibaka scored 16 points, grabbed seven rebounds and dished out six assists. Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 24 points and 15 rebounds while Khris Middleton added 20 points, Greg Monroe added 18 points off the bench, and Tony Snell added 14 points.

Series tied at 1-1.

Eastern Conference Playoffs, 1st Round

Game 2

Chicago Bulls 111 Boston Celtics 97

The Boston Celtics may have been drained emotionally from the first game in the wake of the tragic death of the sister of point guard Isaiah Thomas, and it could explain their otherwise lackluster performance in game 1. They were determined to come out much more strong in game 2.

And early on they did. But the Bulls would weather the early storm, and their defense would take over. Chicago responded with a 20-4 run. Boston's early rebounding edge evaporated just as fast, with all five Bulls starters grabbing an offensive rebound in the first six minutes of action. Chicago forced 16 turnovers on the Celtics leading to 23 points. Jimmy Butler and Dwyane Wade led the Bulls with 22 points each while Robin Lopez finished with 18 points and eight rebounds. While the Celtics were able to hold off Bobby Portis in this game, they didn't have an answer for Paul Zipser, who scored 16 points off the bench. Maenwhile, Rajon Rondo finished just short of a triple double, scoring 11 points, dishing out 14 assists, and grabbing nine rebounds while also stealing the ball five times. Isaiah Thomas led Boston with 20 points while Jae Crowder finished with 16 points and Marcus Smart added 13 points off the bench.

Chicago leads series 2-0.

728huey said:

Eastern Conference Playoffs, 1st Round

Game 2

Chicago Bulls 111 Boston Celtics 97

The Boston Celtics may have been drained emotionally from the first game in the wake of the tragic death of the sister of point guard Isaiah Thomas, and it could explain their otherwise lackluster performance in game 1. They were determined to come out much more strong in game 2.

And early on they did. But the Bulls would weather the early storm, and their defense would take over. Chicago responded with a 20-4 run. Boston's early rebounding edge evaporated just as fast, with all five Bulls starters grabbing an offensive rebound in the first six minutes of action. Chicago forced 16 turnovers on the Celtics leading to 23 points. Jimmy Butler and Dwyane Wade led the Bulls with 22 points each while Robin Lopez finished with 18 points and eight rebounds. While the Celtics were able to hold off Bobby Portis in this game, they didn't have an answer for Paul Zipser, who scored 16 points off the bench. Maenwhile, Rajon Rondo finished just short of a triple double, scoring 11 points, dishing out 14 assists, and grabbing nine rebounds while also stealing the ball five times. Isaiah Thomas led Boston with 20 points while Jae Crowder finished with 16 points and Marcus Smart added 13 points off the bench.

Chicago leads series 2-0.

Bulls have been playing like they are out for blood lately!!!! Love it! Jimmy Buckets is a beast!!!

So let me get this straight, after three years, NOW Phil Jackson wants a do-over????? NOW he wants top rebuild?????????

That press conference made me sick to my stomach - he IS as bad as Isiah Thomas. He has no idea how to be a GM - he's a coach masquerading as one. Did you catch those subtle jabs at Hornacek, yet he praised Kurt Rambis. He even admitted to undermining his head coach, more than we knew. He has no business stopping practices - either coach the damn team yourself, or stay out of the way and focus on being a GM 24/7. No wonder there was so much confusion among the players. If I'm Hornacek, I tell Phil goodbye, but I guess he's getting well paid being a puppet.

Phil's an expert at deflecting blame, yet he picked the coach and the players. And if it's true that the Knicks are open to Rose coming back, Dolan should fire Phil now.

I don't agree with how he handled it, but I understand why KP blew off his meeting - the kid is clearly frustrated with all the dysfunction.

This is straight up B.S. - and the next two years will be more of the same. There is absolutely nothing to like about this franchise anymore.

http://sports.yahoo.com/n...36997.html