We’re not gonna get excited about Melo cracking open a 40 and the Knicks fighting off elimination, OK? Win again Wednesday night in Miami. That will make you the lead of the playoffs roundup. Here’s what everyone should be excited about: the 76ers and Celtics look like they will be playing each other in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Thirty years ago, this was the best rivalry in all of sports. Here’s all you need to know about how much these teams hated each
If there was one lesson Danny Granger learned earlier this season about saying something to fire up the other team (he did it after losing two straight games to the Knicks), it was this: Don’t. Yet, that’s exactly what Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo did in his recent interview after his one-game suspension. “The end result is all that matters,” Rondo said. “If there had been a different result, it would have been very difficult. But since we won, it felt like we
Is it safe to say that NBA teams always enjoy home court advantage? It may actually be an understatement when it comes to home court in this postseason. All but two games in the playoffs so far have been won by the home team, and the lone two teams that won on the road basically needed to pull off miracles to get their victories. Of course, there’s the simple fact that the home teams are also generally the better teams, which is why
Despite a near catastrophic meltdown over the last two months, the Philadelphia 76ers have done just enough – winning the last two games against Indiana and Cleveland – for a comfortable three-game lead for the eighth and final seed in the Eastern Conference. A win against New Jersey or loss by Milwaukee tonight would secure the Sixers a playoff berth, and they are just a half-game behind the New York Knicks for the seventh seed. The Sixers (33-30) look for their third
When the shortened season started and the Philadelphia 76ers came out blazing with a 20-9 record to lead the Atlantic Division, there was little doubt in anyone’s mind about the new direction Doug Collins and the team was headed. They had experienced a tough playoff run against the Miami Heat the previous season, and had looked to grow from the experience. It was, however, noted that they also had one of the easiest schedules to start the season. Looking back, they played the
The rollercoaster of a season continues for the New York Knicks. What seemed like a hopelessly lost season just a week ago has turned into a revitalizing one. Since the Mike Woodson era began, Carmelo Anthony and the Knicks (22-24) have displayed the type of defensive effort that was never present when Mike D’Antoni was still around, and the results have been astoundingly good. The Knicks take their renewed energy and a four-game winning streak into the Wells Fargo Center for a revenge game
Earlier this week, LeBron James said his situation in Cleveland and Dwight Howard’s dilemma in Orlando were not comparable. So true. Where they differed most was that James ultimately made a decision – however foolishly elaborate and narcissistic it may have played out – while Howard was virtually paralyzed by indecision. When Howard finally made up his mind just hours before Thursday’s trading deadline and opted into the final year of his contract with the Magic, a cool breeze of relief wafted through
Highlight Performances: Monta Ellis, GS– If you spent an early round selection on Monta Ellis, well then, feel free to brag. Ellis scored 38 points tonight, along with 7 assists. But the key here is with Stephen Curry out indefinitely after re-injuring his ankle, Ellis figures to see a heavy dose of scoring opportunities until further notice. Move him up on your cheat sheets, and consider 25 points a game a distinct possibility. Jrue Holiday, PHI– Holiday scored 23 points in Wednesday