Rod Thorn, the NBA’s dean of discipline, has a tough decision to make. Should Dwight Howard’s elbowing foul against Andrew Bogut from Game 4 of the Western Conference finals be upgraded to a flagrant-2, which would force Howard to miss Game 5. The precedent is there, whether it was Al Horford getting ejected from Game 3 of the Atlanta-Cleveland series or J.R. Smith getting suspended two games for elbowing Jae Crowder of Boston during the first round. Elbows to the head are a
There are really only three teams left in the NBA playoffs. After a fantastic regular season, Atlanta is simply decimated by injuries. [Read more…]
Another fantastic finish, another home win for the Warriors. James Harden $9800 was spectacular in defeat (38 PTS, 10 REB, 9 AST) and Dwight Howard $8500 (knee) not only played, he double-doubled in 40 minutes. The big man will be “questionable” every game, but it’s hard to imagine him not giving all he can in a must-win Game Three. [Read more…]
On your mark, get set, go! Track meet, drag race, whatever analogy you like, the Western Conference finals between the top-seeded Golden State Warriors and second-seeded Houston Rockets should be played at a breakneck pace by a pair of teams who are attempting to change the paradigm of NBA offenses. During the regular season, the Warriors led the league in points per game, overall shooting and 3-point shooting. They were second in threes made and scored at least 110 points 40 times,
So far, there have been no shocking upsets in the NBA playoffs. The only home team that lost was Toronto, in overtime. That trend should continue tonight. [Read more…]
There are only two games tonight, and just one of the four teams involved is truly desperate for a victory. We’re going to be homers, as both visitors played on Wednesday then had to travel. Also, they are less focused on winning tonight than keeping players healthy for the upcoming playoffs. [Read more…]
Stephen Curry has become a megastar in the NBA because there is seemingly nothing he can’t do on the court if it is skill-related. He is quite possibly the most gifted shooter in the history of the league, and recognized as one of the best ball handlers in the game right now. These things aren’t accomplished just by sheer talent and game experience. He puts in the kind of work that is necessary to be as good as he is before every game.
Warriors Clinch Division Title 39 years is a long time for anything. It’s especially long when it is the amount of time since a team last won its division title. The Golden State Warriors, who have been buried behind the greatness of many teams in the Pacific Division — the Los Angeles Lakers, Sacramento Kings, Phoenix Suns, Portland Trail Blazers and Seattle SuperSonics (both previously members of the Pacific Division), even the historically bad Los Angeles Clippers in recent years — are