Graycap23 said:

shorttrini said:

If they were going against the Lakers of the, "Phil Jackson" era, I would say them.

If the Heat survive the Pacers, I would say they have a good chance but, if it is a close game, I give the edge to the Spurs.

The Spurs or OKC can beat the East.

I agree.

shorttrini said:

Graycap23 said:

The Spurs or OKC can beat the East.

I agree.

Me too. But I think the Spurs have a better chance than OKC. Their's to lose.

Also, I think Spurs/Pacers could actually be a pretty good series.

uPtoWnNY said:

Unless the Lakers are guaranteed Dwight Howard, I don't give up on Bynum. He's a legit big man with lots of talent. But he has to get his shit straight.

Blake Griffin needs to get a shot and better moves during the off-season. He should seek out Hakeem.

I agree on the Bynum trade, unless they can get a long term, top tier point guard. Sessions is good, but he's not top of the list good. With the firings in Orlando today it looks like they're trying to at least keep Dwight around next season.

TOTALLY agree about Griffin. He needs to work with Hakeem and I hope he's going to Shaq's big man camp this summer, too (Javale McGee is). Also, I think he needs to do this kind of work for the next two or three off seasons, not just this one.

Eastern Conference Playoffs, Conference Semifinals

Game 5

Philadelphia 76ers 85 Boston Celtics 101

The Sixers had a slim lead over the Celtics for much of the first half, but it was in the third quarter that the Celtics went on a huge run and pulled away from Philly. This time they were led by Brandon Bass. who scored 18 of his career high 27 points in the thrid quarter. Kevin Garnett finished with 20 points while Rajon Rondo added 13 points and 14 assists. Elton Brand looked like the star of old, as he led the Sixers with 19 points. but no other player for Philly scored more than 12 points. The Celtics will look to close out the series in Philly but will most likely face a raucous crowd.

Boston leads series 3-2.

I thought the Sixers had 'em early. Pretty sure Boston will take it in six, now.

That game was Philly's to lose and they loss so Boston got game 6.

Philly went cold in the second half. Same old story. Cold shooting spells.

Crappy. Whatever. On to the off season, which I expect to be crazy for the Lakers.

Also, that was pure class by both teams after the game. You don't always see it like that - even in the playoffs.

I hope the Thunder can beat the Spurs, but in my gut I don't think that's what's going to happen.

Now... feed me Squarepusher.

Western Conference Playoffs, Conference Semifinals

Game 5

Los Angeles Lakers 90 Oklahoma City Thunder 106

The Lakers fought for their playoff lives in the first half, but in the second half the stars for OKC took over. Russell Westbrook led the charge for the Thunder, scoring 28 points for the game while Kevin Durant added 25 and James Harden put up 17. Kobe Bryant was pretty much the entire offense for the Lakers, scoring 42 points in a losing effort. Pau Gasol scored 14 points and grabbed 16 rebounds, but he struggled in the second half, as well as Metta World Peace, who had a good first half with nine points but only mustered two points after that. OKC now moves on to play the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference Finals.

Oklahoma City wins series 4-1.

Orlando axed Stan Van Gundy & Otis Smith.

Cerebus is sad about the Warriors.... the playoffs just aren't as interesting at the moment.

-

Looks like the Heat have gotten it together. It's ova for the Pacers...imo. I can't see the Celtics or Sixers beating them if they continue to play like this....so, they'll be in the championship again.

I'm gonna steal a phrase from Mariah Carey. She calls her kids "dem babies". I'm calling the Heat "dem bastards" from now on!!!

Can two words be considered a phrase?

Go OKC or Spurs!!

-

Edited to use the correct word "steal".

[Edited 5/22/12 19:55pm]

Eastern Conference Playoffs, Conference Semifinals

Game 5

Indiana Pacers 83 Miami Heat 115

The Miami Heat completely dominated the Indiana Pacers, shooting 61% from the field. Lebron James led all scorers with 30 points while Dwyane Wade had 28 points. But it was Shane Battier who shocked the Pacers, scoring 13 points while make four of five three-point attempts. More unsettling for the Pacers, though, was the fact that Danny Granger and David West both exited the game early with ankle injuries, and their status for game six is uncertain at this time.

Miami leads series 3-2.

[Edited 5/22/12 20:11pm]

The 2012 NBA Playoffs

Western Conference Finals

All games televised on

#2 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. #1 San Antonio Spurs

Game 1: Oklahoma City @ San Antonio, Sun., May 27, 8:30 pm EST

Game 2: Oklahoma City @ San Antonio, Tue., May 29, 9:00 pm EST

Game 3: San Antonio @ Oklahoma City, Thurs., May 31, 9:00 pm EST

Game 4: San Antonio @ Oklahoma City, Sat., June 2, 8:30 pm EST

Game 5: Oklahoma City @ San Antonio, Mon., June 4, 9:00 pm EST (if necessary)

Game 6: San Antonio @ Oklahoma City, Wed., June 6, 9:00 pm EST (if necessary)

Game 7: Oklahoma City @ San Antonio, Fri., June 8, 9:00 pm EST (if necessary)

Just an update on game six. Udonis Haslem was suspended for one game and Dexter Pittman for three games for flagrant fouls they committed in game five. While Pittman's suspension probably doesn't hurt Miami very much, Haslem's suspension could possibly derail the Heat's chances of closing out the series tomorrow night, as they have few big men available, and Chris Bosh is still hurt and unlikely to play in game six. That basically leaves them with Joel Anthony and Juann Howard in the post, though Lebron could show everyone how improved his inside game is.

Eastern Conference Playoffs, Conference Semifinals

Game 6

Boston Celtics 75 Philadelphia 76ers 82

The Sixers needed an all-hands-on-deck effort from their squad to stave off elimination by the Boston Celtics on their own home court, and they got just that. It was a huge grindfest at times, but Philly got five players scoring in double digits, with Jrue Holdiay leading the way with 20 points and six assists while Elton Brand contributed 13 points and 10 rebounds and Andre Iguodala added 12 points and six rebounds. Paul Pierce led all scorers with 24 points and Kevin Garnett added 20 points, but Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo struggled all night, each scoring just nine points on 4 for 11 and 4 for 14 shooting respectively. This sets up a very pivotal game seven on Saturday at the Garden.

Series tied at 3-3.

728huey said:

Eastern Conference Playoffs, Conference Semifinals

Game 6

Boston Celtics 75 Philadelphia 76ers 82

The Sixers needed an all-hands-on-deck effort from their squad to stave off elimination by the Boston Celtics on their own home court, and they got just that. It was a huge grindfest at times, but Philly got five players scoring in double digits, with Jrue Holdiay leading the way with 20 points and six assists while Elton Brand contributed 13 points and 10 rebounds and Andre Iguodala added 12 points and six rebounds. Paul Pierce led all scorers with 24 points and Kevin Garnett added 20 points, but Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo struggled all night, each scoring just nine points on 4 for 11 and 4 for 14 shooting respectively. This sets up a very pivotal game seven on Saturday at the Garden.

Series tied at 3-3.

Not to assume but whichever team in the East finally moves on, by the time they get to the Finals, the team that advances in the West will have a huge advantage...

Larry Bird called out his team, said they were S-O-F-T. We'll see how they respond.

uPtoWnNY said:

Larry Bird called out his team, said they were S-O-F-T. We'll see how they respond.

Eastern Conference Playoffs, Conference Semifinals

Game 6

Miami Heat 105 Indiana Pacers 93

The Pacers needed a perfect game from their squad to overome the Heat and force a pivotal game seven, and for a while they outshot Miami in feild goal percentage, they outrebounded the Heat, and they beat Miami from the free throw line. So why did their season end tonight?

Two reasons: Dwyane Wade and turnovers.

First, Indiana turned the ball over 20 times during the game, and Miami took huge advantage of those miscues, as they scored 22 points off of those turnovers.

And then there was Dwayne Wade. He had an absolute monster game, scoring 41 points, of which 26 came in the first half. Lebron James scored 28 for Miami, and they also got some help from their supporting cast, as Mario Chalmers scored 15 points and Mike Miller added 12 points off the bench on 4 for 7 three-point shooting. In the end Indiana just didn't have enough to stop the power tandem of Wade and James. Now the Heat await the winner of Saturday night's Celtics/Sixers gamne for the Eastern Conference Finals on Monday night.

Miami wins series 4-2.

I think Boston wins tomorrow night. It's going to be a terrific NBA final four.

uPtoWnNY said:

I think Boston wins tomorrow night. It's going to be a terrific NBA final four.

I totally agree, but I'd like to see the Sixers beat the Celtics. Regardless of the fact that I have a serious hatred for the Celtics, I've always like Doug Collins as a coach and this is as far as he's ever been in the playoffs. I don't really hate any of their players, either.

Being a Knick fan, there's no bigger Celtic hater than me. But Miami/Boston is a sexier match-up. The NBA suits want it too.

uPtoWnNY said:

Being a Knick fan, there's no bigger Celtic hater than me. But Miami/Boston is a sexier match-up. The NBA suits want it too.

Oh, for sure. And they'd be happy with either one of them in the finals. But the Sixers aren't too far down the list. They'd sure as hell be happier with the Sixers than they would have been if Indiana made it.

Cerebus said:

uPtoWnNY said:

Being a Knick fan, there's no bigger Celtic hater than me. But Miami/Boston is a sexier match-up. The NBA suits want it too.

Oh, for sure. And they'd be happy with either one of them in the finals. But the Sixers aren't too far down the list. They'd sure as hell be happier with the Sixers than they would have been if Indiana made it.

Even as a Sixers fan i'll tell the truth, Indiana has a better roster than the Sixers.

I'm just taking the ride for what it's worth. No matter what happens in game 7, with

this roster the Sixers have exceeded expectations.

phunkdaddy said:

Cerebus said:

Oh, for sure. And they'd be happy with either one of them in the finals. But the Sixers aren't too far down the list. They'd sure as hell be happier with the Sixers than they would have been if Indiana made it.

Even as a Sixers fan i'll tell the truth, Indiana has a better roster than the Sixers.

I'm just taking the ride for what it's worth. No matter what happens in game 7, with

this roster the Sixers have exceeded expectations.

Ah come on man! You gotta believe!

Nah, seriously. As a Warriors fan (maybe former, damn it) I know that ANYTHING can happen. Sixers could win tomorrow - you never know. And once they're in a new seven game series, one where they'll hardly call any fouls... well... you just never know.

Still, I understand where you're coming from. My point was more just about what teams the NBA wants to see in the Conference and league finals. Sure, they'd prefer the Celtics, but the Sixers are an old school, well-loved team. And they've at least got Iggy. I doubt ratings would be much different for Miami/Philly than they would be for Miami/Boston. Maybe a bit less, but not much.

Eastern Conference Playoffs, Conference Semifinals

Game 7

Philadelphia 76ers 75 Boston Celtics 85

As was expected, the penultimate game seven of this series was another suffocating, grind 'em out affair. The Celtics did everything they could to put the Sixers away, but Philly refused to die. Each time the Celtics went on a run, Philly would hit a few shots to come back within a few points. The turning point came with four minutes left in the game when Paul Pierce fouled out of the game after scoring 15 points and grabbing nine rebounds. The Celtics had a precarious three point lead at that time, and without Paul Pierce Boston desperately needed someone else to step up and hold the lead.

Enter Rajon Rondo. Rondo hit a couple of really huge shots down the stretch and scored 11 points in the final four minutes to put the Celtics up for good. He would finish with a triple double, scoring 18 points for the game, while grabbing 10 rebounds and dishing out 10 assists. Kevin Garnett scored 18 points and grabbed 13 rebounds for the victorious Celtics while Brandon Bass added 16 points and Ray Allen added 11 points, though he struggled from the field. Andre Iguodala led the Sixers with 18 points while Elton Brand and Jrue Holiday each scored 15 points in a losing effort. The Celtics now move on to face the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals on Monday.

Boston wins series 4-3.

Disappointing, but not unexpected.

The 2012 NBA Playofffs

Eastern Conference Finals

All games televised on .

#4 Boston Celtics vs. #2 Miami Heat

Game 1: Boston @ Miami, Mon. May 28, 8:30 pm EST

Game 2: Boston @ Miami, Wed. May 30, 8:30 pm EST

Game 3: Miami @ Boston, Fri. June 1, 8:30 pm EST

Game 4: Miami @ Boston, Sun, June 3, 8:30 pm EST

Game 5: Boston @ Miami, Tue. June 5, 8:30 EST (if necessary)

Game 6: Miami @ Boston, Thurs. June 7, 8:30 EST (if necessary)

Game 7: Boston @ Miami, Sat. June 9, 8:30 EST (if necessary)

728huey said:

The 2012 NBA Playofffs

Eastern Conference Finals

All games televised on .

#4 Boston Celtics vs. #2 Miami Heat

Game 1: Boston @ Miami, Mon. May 28, 8:30 pm EST

Game 2: Boston @ Miami, Wed. May 30, 8:30 pm EST

Game 3: Miami @ Boston, Fri. June 1, 8:30 pm EST

Game 4: Miami @ Boston, Sun, June 3, 8:30 pm EST

Game 5: Boston @ Miami, Tue. June 5, 8:30 EST (if necessary)

Game 6: Miami @ Boston, Thurs. June 7, 8:30 EST (if necessary)

Game 7: Boston @ Miami, Sat. June 9, 8:30 EST (if necessary)

This is going to be a dog fight. I see this going 7 with the winner being the one can, out think the other. I am going with Boston on this one. Boston, might be an old team, but they look to be the wiser of the two. Get ready for the ultimate, chess match.