Hoops - NBA/Basketball Talk

[DarthFed]

By the way, the umps in the Heat-Pacers game were as bad as the linesmen in Miami. They called a 3 by Wade off because he stepped on the side-line, except he did not. Heat lost by 1.

Ah, I thought I heard something in the background about there being a bad call in the 4th. The refs are getting ready for the playoffs when they really start to outdo themselves.

 

[Murat B.]

...and my Raptors are in the post season officially after 6 years. Now , can we keep the third spot in the east and get home?

 

[DarthFed]

So much for Indy having home court advantage wrapped up. They've been slumping the past month but this streak is very costly. Suddenly the Heat are 1st in the East. Indy's hard work at the beginning of the year might go for nothing.

 

[kskate2]

And there is still one more Indy/Heat game to be played in Miami next Fri. Now that game becomes extremely important as both teams have won the 3 regular season games at home and not on the road, w/ Indy leading the regular series 2-1 right now.

 

[Murat B.]

Great win against Houston tonight by my Raps. Bulls and Raps are tied and fighting hard for the 3.rd spot in the east, which is huge. Nets can still clinch 3 as well.

 

[DarthFed]

Bucks seem like they have the worst record locked up which is good. Hopefully they get the next Lebron or KD to help turn around that mess of a franchise. I can dream, no?

 

[kskate2]

Great win against Houston tonight by my Raps. Bulls and Raps are tied and fighting hard for the 3.rd spot in the east, which is huge. Nets can still clinch 3 as well.

It will go down to the wire Murat and Raps hold the tie.

Bulls last 7 games: Bucks, Wizards, Minny, Pistons, Knicks, Magic, Bobcats

Raps last 7 games: Pacers, Bucks, Philly, Knicks, Pistons, Bucks again, Knicks again

 

[Murat B.]

Great win against Houston tonight by my Raps. Bulls and Raps are tied and fighting hard for the 3.rd spot in the east, which is huge. Nets can still clinch 3 as well.

It will go down to the wire Murat and Raps hold the tie.

Bulls last 7 games: Bucks, Wizards, Minny, Pistons, Knicks, Magic, Bobcats

Raps last 7 games: Pacers, Bucks, Philly, Knicks, Pistons, Bucks again, Knicks again

I hope Raps hold on...But the issue is we have Indy and Knicks twice. Kinicks just got the 8th. spot and they are playing good. They will want to hold off Atlanta. It will be tough.

 

[kskate2]

I can see Bulls losing at least 3 or 4 of those games.

Here are the Nets last 8 games: Pistons, Philly, Heat, Magic, Hawks, Magic again, Knicks, Cavs and they are already 2 games back. They would almost need to win out to realistically have a chance at #3 or hope for a Bulls/Raps slide.

 

[Murat B.]

Well, at least no more west coast games for Raps. Speaking of, they are in a weaker conference but they are one of the 3 east teams that have a winning record against the west, so it is a good thing.

 

[Murat B.]

Huge win tonight against Indy, without two starters (Lowry and Amir Johnson are hurt). It was like a play-off game, which actually might happen. Well done Raptors.

 

[DarthFed]

I am starting to wonder if Indy will truly turn it around for the playoffs. They have been pretty dreadful since the All Star Break and though the playoffs are a different animal it is tough to just turn on the switch and start playing well. Teams like Miami, OKC and SA can do it if need be but not sure about the Pacers. The Heat have also done poorly but a lot of that is down to them barely playing Wade in order to get him ready for the playoffs.

 

[Murat B.]

^ Indy has issues. Hibbert has been talking about them. They have to get on the same page sooner than later.

 

[calitennis127]

Today's Knicks-Heat game showed just how much coaches have suppressed JR Smith's talent throughout his career and prevented him from fully flourishing.

It also showed that the Knicks coaching staff a) has an utterly horrible defensive strategy, in terms of both help defense and especially pick-and-roll defense, and b) forces everything through Carmelo Anthony, even when he is hurt and Amare and JR are playing very well.

Carmelo goes 4 for 17 with a bad shoulder - well, I hope the Knicks coaches are happy that the Knicks ran their sets and got Carmelo his shots! Very smart!

 

[kskate2]

^ Indy has issues. Hibbert has been talking about them. They have to get on the same page sooner than later.

Indy is getting worse. At home against ATL they scored 11 pts in the 1Q and allowed 33 pts on defense. The crowd is even booing they are so bad right now.

 

[the AntiPusher]

President for now but don't be surprised if he is coaching next year.

I don't think Phil is gonna be putting the Gang back together to coach the Knicks.. I think it going to turn out to be a PR move by the owner to try to contain his huge fan base.

 

[Murat B.]

What is it about the Nets that bother the Heat so much? Nets sweep the season series. Plumlee becoming a player fast...

 

[the AntiPusher]

What is it about the Nets that bother the Heat so much? Nets sweep the season series. Plumlee becoming a player fast...

Muhat, Do you really think that the Nets can defeat a squad like Miami in a playoff series? Time will tell. I am sticking with LBJ, he is chasing greatness(Bird, Magic, Kobe, Jordan).

 

[DarthFed]

^ Not a chance. I'm pretty sure at least 2 of those games have come without Wade in the lineup too. Of all the great teams that are playing bad at the moment I think Miami has the least to worry about due to the fact they have sat Wade the last month of the season. Of course all that assumes Wade will be back and reasonably effective for the playoffs.

 

[Murat B.]

What is it about the Nets that bother the Heat so much? Nets sweep the season series. Plumlee becoming a player fast...

Muhat, Do you really think that the Nets can defeat a squad like Miami in a playoff series? Time will tell. I am sticking with LBJ, he is chasing greatness(Bird, Magic, Kobe, Jordan).

I honestly do not, but I did not expect Miami to lose ANY games against Nets either...now they have lost , what, 6 games in a row to them, including pre season. That is just weird. Also never underestimate a team with veteran players that KNOW they can beat you. I also believe , just like tennis, match-ups matter in basketball too. Nobody swept Miami in the last couple of seasons, now , Nets did. Also, Garnett and Lopez did not play. Lopez can be a handful under the basket which Miami is not as strong, and the presence of Garnett can make a bit of a difference.

I still would give the edge to Miami in a play off series but I do not believe all these Nets wins are flukes.