Opportunity doesn’t knock twice. For the Nets, a banged up Bulls team gave the Nets a chance to stay in this series. Thanks to Brook Lopez, Brooklyn is still alive. Home playoff games afforded the Hawks the chance to reverse their fortunes, but how drastically it turned this series around is astounding. And who will get the opportunity to shine for the Thunder in Russell Westbrook’s absence? All this and more in today’s StatBox playoff breakdown. [Read more…]
HOUSTON — Mother Nature spent most of the Rockets do-or-die playoff Saturday drenching the Houston downtown area and beyond. And when it came time for the out-of-town Thunder to come down one final time inside the sold-out Toyota Center after blowing every last bit of a 26-point lead, the city’s hoopdom community was left high and first-round dry once again. Sure, it was a valiant spunky comeback from the Kiddie Corp. aiming for a sudden reversal of fortune against the resident Western Conference
To say that winning a championship — in any sport — requires a certain amount of luck is a fair statement. But to say that the Miami Heat have not benefited from a high-degree of luck on their quest to repeat as NBA champions, well that would be a little naive. It’s unfair to criticize them for what is 100 percent out of their hands, but it is hard to ignore this fact: every respectable competitor of the Miami Heat has, or
The worst news – OK, the second-worst news – that could have struck the Oklahoma City Thunder hit with lightning force today with the announcement that Russell Westbrook needs knee surgery and could be out for the remainder of the playoffs. So what does this mean for the Thunder? Other than the obvious – they are losing their highest-volume shooter, second-leading scorer and primary facilitator? It’s welcome to the big time, Reggie Jackson. You are about to replace a player who averages
Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook has never missed a single game in his high school, college and NBA career. Until now. Shocking news broke on Friday when it was announced that the guard will need knee surgery after suffering a torn meniscus in Game 2 against the Houston Rockets when he collided with Patrick Beverly. The exact moment of the injury can be found here: [Read more…]
Most players that don’t make the playoffs take time to rest and begin their offseason vacations after the regular season ends. However, while Orlando Magic center Glen “Big Baby” Davis may be done playing for the season, he is still contributing to the NBA Playoffs… As a Bleacher Report commentator. [Read more…]
If you enjoy the weekly StatBox column that analytically breaks down some of the NBA’s most pressing and important topic, you’re in luck. Every Tuesday through Thursday during the postseason, the StatBox is expanding into playoff game analysis. You’ll not only find out why each team won and lost, but how different statistical trends can play out over the course of the series and the playoffs as a whole. Today: Houston’s wasted opportunity, mistakes thwarting Atlanta’s chances at victory and one Laker star’s alarming
The NBA regular season awards continue to trickle out. The latest award, Defensive Player of the Year, was handed out Wednesday. [Marc Gasol wins Defensive Player of the Year] Los Angeles Lakers forward Pau Gasol sent his younger brother, Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol, a congratulatory tweet after the news broke. [Read more…]