NBA Thread

[Azyiu]

For the match up between the Heat and Thunder. I think the Thunder still have a slight edge for:

1) Home court advantage
2) Slightly more rested
3) Relatively healthier
4) Overall more athletic and better bench than the Heat.

The Heat's best calling cards are going to be:
1) Forcing Thunder to commit more TOs. In the regular season the Thunder led the league in TOs at around 14/game. I am very surprised they kept it under control in the WCF, but I wouldn't count on that to continue.
2) Attack the hoops with LBJ and Wade. We all saw how well the Thunder can play against the Spurs, if or when they were forced to play the perimeter. If the Heat want a good chance, like what gvortex7 mentioned above, they need to find ways to not let it happening to them, and attack the hoops.
3) Chris Bosh. Yes, I am convinced KD/LBJ, Westbrook/D-Wade are going to cancel each other out. That leaves Bosh as the odd man here. Like I said earlier, I believe he is the most talented offensive guy in the perimeter the Heat have not named James and Wade. Drive and give him the ball at the high post
4) I might be the only one saying this, but perhaps playing Bosh off the bench would be an advantage for the Heat in the Finals! You start "small" with Haslam and Battier up front, and then go "big" with Bosh off the bench. All of a sudden I dare the Thunder are going to match that. They would be too unprepared for that lineup, and the mismatch advantage is on the Heat

Prediction: With all said and done, I think Thunder in 6

[Lagtastic]

I'm going Heat in 6-7. I think they are going to come out hungrier and steal one of the first 2 in OKC. D Wade needs to find his touch and have a 40point game. I think they are going to specifically target Westbrook and try to get him in foul trouble early on like they tried to do with Pierce/KG last series. It seems like everywhere I go I'm the only person that wants LBJ to get himself a ring.

[JP Universe]

OKC in 6

OKC match up better than the Heat/homecourt advantage/confidence

[Azyiu]

Originally Posted by Lagtastic

I'm going Heat in 6-7. I think they are going to come out hungrier and steal one of the first 2 in OKC. D Wade needs to find his touch and have a 40point game. I think they are going to specifically target Westbrook and try to get him in foul trouble early on like they tried to do with Pierce/KG last series. It seems like everywhere I go I'm the only person that wants LBJ to get himself a ring.

I think that's the key for the Heat. They MUST steal one of the first two games in OKC, or else they would be forced to win BOTH game 6 and 7 on the road, should the series goes that far.

Instead of hoping D Wade to score 40pts a game, I'd say the key really lies on Bosh's performance. 12pts and 8 rebounds would be all the Heat needed from Bosh, as I won't count their bench to produce on a consistant basis.

[JP Universe]

1st game in the bag

[Azyiu]

We all know if the Heat are to win the title, they MUST win at least one in OKC. Missing this great opportunity could be bigger than everyone thinks, as no one can guarantee the Thunder would be coming out as "flat" as in the first half today going forward. I am NOT trying to stir anything up here, but if I were the Heat, this one hurts!

[Lagtastic]

Yes the Heat need to step it up on defense a bit. Stephen A Smith called out D Wade this morning on his normal ESPN2 show. Usually after he calls out someone on the Heat, that person comes back with a huge game. Maybe I'm just pulling at straws here. Something has to change or we may see OKC in 5.

[Azyiu]

The Heat's second half defense sucked, that's all.

[VILARIKA]

Originally Posted by Azyiu

The Heat's second half defense sucked, that's all.

I'm not sure if it's just me, but it seems like the common trait lately is that one team will be firing on all cylinders offensively for the first half, but are burned out by the 3rd and 4th quarters, thus losing the large lead, or even the game.

I have a feeling that LeBron is going to wait till his back is against the wall, and then he'll pull a 40-50 point game out to keep the team alive...

[TRENCHLORD]

Originally Posted by Lagtastic

Stephen A Smith called out D Wade this morning on his normal ESPN2 show.

I get such a kick out of listening to him and Skip argue, although I can't take more than 5-10min of it.
They remind me of those 98pound guys at the gym who are always argueing about who's curling form is right or wrong .

Glad to see the Thunder come out storming (by the second half anyway).

[Azyiu]

Originally Posted by VILARIKA

I'm not sure if it's just me, but it seems like the common trait lately is that one team will be firing on all cylinders offensively for the first half, but are burned out by the 3rd and 4th quarters, thus losing the large lead, or even the game.

I have a feeling that LeBron is going to wait till his back is against the wall, and then he'll pull a 40-50 point game out to keep the team alive...

Against an older team like the Celtics that might work, but against a much younger, athletic Thunder? It is too dangerous if not down right impossible.

[Sicarius]

The Celtics may be old, but the only reason they lost is because Lebron had to play 2 complete games without resting.

Just think if He had played normally, taken his regular rests. You really think they'd still be in the finals?

[glassmoon0fo]

I can't stand how bad OKC is playing right now. As much as I love Westbrook, if he ....s OKC out of the playoffs again this year he's getting anthrax in the mail.

[Azyiu]

The Heat simply came out beating the Thunder right off the bat! I am a bit disappointed at the Thunder for coming out flat THREE games in a row! Since game 6 of the WCF, the Thunder have been starting games terribly. They CANNOT continue this trend, or this series won't come back to OKC!

As for the Thunder, the "good news" is it seems the Heat's Big 3 MUST all be clicking in the same game to beat the Thunder (like in game 2). Could all three of them keep up with that kind of intensity, and be playing in-sync the rest of the way in each of the next few games? I am convinced one of them would or could start fading. I still like the Thunder's chances as long as they take all 4 qtrs more seriously!

[Lagtastic]

It seems like there is no middle ground defensively for the Thunder these last few games. Either they are smothering on the perimeter and being extremely disruptive, or there are massive 3 foot wide holes in their pick and roll defense. Bosh/Battier/Haslem were doing some great screen work early on especially.

Westbrook could be better getting his team more involved on offense, but I really think their problem right now is on the defensive end. The big men aren't rotating when the pick and roll defense breaks down. Either Perkins or Ibaka needs to come out dominant and either lock down the paint or give more help rotating to the perimeter. It seemed like Ibaka was getting caught in no mans land making things easier for D Wade and LBJ.

[Azyiu]

Originally Posted by Lagtastic

It seems like there is no middle ground defensively for the Thunder these last few games. Either they are smothering on the perimeter and being extremely disruptive, or there are massive 3 foot wide holes in their pick and roll defense. Bosh/Battier/Haslem were doing some great screen work early on especially.

Westbrook could be better getting his team more involved on offense, but I really think their problem right now is on the defensive end. The big men aren't rotating when the pick and roll defense breaks down. Either Perkins or Ibaka needs to come out dominant and either lock down the paint or give more help rotating to the perimeter. It seemed like Ibaka was getting caught in no mans land making things easier for D Wade.

Agreed partly, but at the same time D-Wade, LBJ and Battier all made crazy, impossible shots in the 4th qtr. There really not much anyone could've done... then again, only if the Thunder didn't come out so flat, and were forced to play catch up all night...

[Azyiu]

Good game from Chalmers and Wade, but once again, despite his injury LBJ WON the game for the Heat. Without his 3-ptr near the end, this game could go either way. Not sure how seriously he is hurt, but if he is not effective or couldn't go for game 5, this series could easily be "prolonged" a bit more.

[JP Universe]

Man.... this was not what I was expecting!!! Come on Thunder!

Westbrook, you have 2 choices - Either take it to the rim hard or give the ball to KD and get the .... outta the way.... preferably the latter. He almost shot double the amount of shots as KD.....

[glassmoon0fo]

...And maybe D up Chalmers on the other end while we're picking his game apart. As disappointed as I am in his foul at the end, he was the only thing keeping them in the game tonight. Durant has come up lame 2 games straight, and Harden may as well stay his ass at home. I just don't think they're ready yet. The youth has been their strength up till now, but watching them crumble under pressure was all I could take. LBJ will get his ring this year, and maybe Durant will get his next year when they replace Brooks.

[Azyiu]

I thought desipte all the mis-cues or mistakes it was Westbrook, who kept the Thunder in the game! Durant's defensive stats didn't look good at all, but I am especially disappointed by the passive Harden.

[VILARIKA]

This round isn't going anywhere near the way I was expecting it to. The Thunder really need Harden right now, Durant and Westbrook aren't enough obviously.

[JP Universe]

I'm not ruling them out yet.... If they can just steal the next game in Miami it could turn the series around hell, that's what happened to the Spurs

It's gonna be tough though......

[Azyiu]

Originally Posted by JP Universe

I'm not ruling them out yet.... If they can just steal the next game in Miami it could turn the series around hell, that's what happened to the Spurs

It's gonna be tough though......

I kind of agreed with you. It has been the Thunder's bench that's not showing up thus far, and if somehow they would play like they are capable of in game 5; I think the Thunder can definitely "steal" one. If it does happen, despite being down 2-3 heading back to OKC, things could sudden look good for the Thunder. Still, first thing first, the Thunder MUST pull themselves together and win game 5.

[TRENCHLORD]

There has never been a team come back to win after being down 3-1 in the finals.

There has been 8 teams come back to win after being down 3-1 in NBA playoff history.

Sooner or later (most probably later) some team will do it in the finals.

I hope it's the Thunder. That would be thunderous.

And they could even blast Thunderstruck after K.D. hits the game winning jumper from 35 feet in Lebron's face.
Waking up now.

[VILARIKA]

Ah, LeBron...

It was all Hollywood. The injury (Well, he felt pain initially, but once he saw he had an opportunity to score, it magically went away?), then the sub-out as he watches his team try to survive (filling in some drama), then subs back in to get the comeback 3, gaining him even more attention. Include the fact that it's a close game, in the 4th quarter.

I've had a cramp before from playing basketball. If it's severe, there's no way you can manage to run up and down the court, let alone score a basket with defense on you. If it's not severe, you should be able to walk back to the bench. But I'm no LeBron, so .

And no, I'm not a LeBron hater .