alfdogg 0 Report post Posted March 30, 2008 Sun, Mar. 30 Houston @ San Antonio, 1:00 ABC Utah @ Minnesota, 3:30 New York @ Atlanta, 4:00 Miami @ Boston, 6:00 New Orleans @ Toronto, 6:00 Philadelphia @ Cleveland, 6:00 Dallas @ Golden State, 9:00 Sacramento @ Seattle, 9:00 Washington @ LA Lakers, 9:30 Mon, Mar. 31 Toronto @ Charlotte, 7:00 Miami @ Indiana, 7:00 Atlanta @ Memphis, 8:00 Washington @ Utah, 9:00 Denver @ Phoenix, 10:00 Dallas @ LA Clippers, 10:30 Tue, Apr. 1 New Orleans @ Orlando, 7:00 Philadelphia @ New Jersey, 7:30 New York @ Milwaukee, 8:00 Detroit @ Minnesota, 8:00 Boston @ Chicago, 8:30 Golden State @ San Antonio, 8:30 Phoenix @ Denver, 9:00 Houston @ Sacramento, 10:00 Wed, Apr. 2 Milwaukee @ Washington, 7:00 Cleveland @ Charlotte, 7:00 Toronto @ Atlanta, 7:00 Indiana @ Boston, 7:00 ESPN New Orleans @ Miami, 7:30 New York @ Memphis, 8:00 Minnesota @ Utah, 9:00 Golden State @ Dallas, 9:30 LA Clippers @ Seattle, 10:00 Portland @ LA Lakers, 10:30 Thu, Apr. 3 Chicago @ Cleveland, 8:00 TNT LA Clippers @ Sacramento, 10:00 Houston @ Portland, 10:30 TNT Fri, Apr. 4 Charlotte @ Toronto, 7:00 Philadelphia @ Atlanta, 7:30 Miami @ Washington, 8:00 New Jersey @ Detroit, 8:00 Golden State @ Memphis, 8:00 New York @ New Orleans, 8:00 San Antonio @ Utah, 8:00 ESPN Indiana @ Milwaukee, 8:30 Minnesota @ Phoenix, 10:00 Dallas @ LA Lakers, 10:30 ESPN Houston @ Seattle, 10:30 Sat, Apr. 5 Orlando @ Cleveland, 3:00 ESPN Atlanta @ Philadelphia, 7:00 Boston @ Charlotte, 7:00 Toronto @ New Jersey, 7:30 Washington @ Chicago, 8:30 Sacramento @ Denver, 9:00 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
naiwf 0 Report post Posted March 31, 2008 Dallas, Denver and Golden State are now all 45-28. All 3 teams have brutal schedules for the rest of this week though (Denver has 2 with Phoenix, Dallas has GS and the Lakers and the Warriors have San Antonio and Dallas) so if anyone goes 2-1 or better they might just lock up the 7th seed because it's possible that the other teams could lose 2 games or more in the standings by Sunday with 4 to play. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ripper 0 Report post Posted April 1, 2008 Suns just plain took over that Nuggets game last night. Them playing defense in the third quarter was a thing of beauty. I also like that high low pick and roll thing they run with Shaq, Amare and Steve right now. The hawks look like they are going to make that playoff birth if they keep it up. Hopefully they can move up a spot also. Two games with Philly could help, although Philly has been playing out of their minds. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alfdogg 0 Report post Posted April 1, 2008 Just read on Yahoo that there's a chance Dirk could be back tommorrow against the Warriors. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alfdogg 0 Report post Posted April 2, 2008 What do you guys think we can expect from the Hornets if they end up in the #1 spot? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brett Favre 0 Report post Posted April 2, 2008 I think they're as good as anyone cause they play well defensively with Paul in the perimeter and Chandler down low, and Paul can take over any game. David West is really good, but how far they go will depend on Peja choking or not. They'll need a third scorer, and it has to be Peja. Bonzi Wells was a pretty good pickup and will strengthen their bench. Also, Julian Wright has been playing more lately, and he's a pretty versatile player that will also make their bench pretty good. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ripper 0 Report post Posted April 2, 2008 Totally depends on who they get in the first round. I think they would destroy Dallas, Struggle against the nuggets and lose to the Warriors. Oddly, if they get out the first round, I think they could literally beat anyone. And in what has to be tradition now, Raja Bell got kicked out the Nuggets/Suns game for laughing tonight. Maybe its a new rule. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alfdogg 0 Report post Posted April 2, 2008 Why do you think they would lose to the Warriors? This isn't me hating on them, I just want to get your analysis on this. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ripper 0 Report post Posted April 2, 2008 Just a horrible matchup for them. Baron Davis is too big and strong for Chris Paul, david West would probably be covering Stephen Jackson or be in a cross mismatch with him, and Tyson Chandler can only hurt them on the glass since he has a rather underdefined offensive game. He and Bedrins can go at it all do or you could stick Harrington on him (although we all know playoff time is disappear time for Al) and it won't hurt the Warriors. Toss in the fact that there is no one even close to thinking about sticking with Monta Ellis off the dribble and I don't think they can stop them. Offensively, Baron Davis is probably the best defensive point in the game, not that he can hang with Paul completely, but he could bother him. Stephen Jackson could cover David West whose strengths are that nasty midrange game and his quickness at the 4 that would be negated by Jackson. You could put Monta Ellis on Peja if you wanted to. All you need to do is blanket him. LIke I said, Chandler isn't much of a threat really. So that leaves Mo Pete and their bench to make the difference. And honestly, I like Bonzi Wells when he is motivated and Mo Pete and Pargo...I just don't think they can actually be enough against a high octane offense like the Warriors. But honestly, I think the Warriors and Utah are the only bad matchups for the Hornets in the entire west. I could see them in the finals if they avoid those two teams. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alfdogg 0 Report post Posted April 2, 2008 I disagree on the Chandler/West points. Chandler is no Tim Duncan or anything, but I think Paul can find him enough looks to constitute him as something of a threat. As for West, we saw what Carlos Boozer did to the Warriors last year, and I can see that parallel in West. Maybe not to that extent, but he has and will get his points against the Warriors. Also, those guys will both murder them on the boards (50 rebounds combined in two games this season), which is the best way to beat the Warriors. Unless the Warriors absolutely shoot out of their minds, like they did in the Dallas series, I just can't see them beating the Hornets. Of course, the Warriors have to get in first, and that's going to be tough with Dirk due back any time and the Nuggets at the top of their game. I look at the Hornets kind of like the '05 Suns. They're certainly good enough to win one round, and probably two if they get a good matchup, but after that the experience factor will catch up to them. IMO, all the pieces are falling into place for the Spurs to repeat. The Lakers (probable opponent in the second round at this point), are struggling mightily with injuries, and the only team with a better record in the West is completely unproven as a playoff team. I do think the Pistons have a great chance of beating them if their heads are on straight, though. But I still don't think Boston, in a seven-game series, is solid enough top-to-bottom to beat a battle-tested team such as the Spurs. I know they beat them both times during the season, but so did Cleveland last year, and look what happened there. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ripper 0 Report post Posted April 2, 2008 The reasons Utah was able to win was that A: Deron Williams is a big guard that you didn't have to double Baron Davis with. He was also phsycially big like Baron and could pound him right back. Paul could not do this. B: They had a 3 point shooting "center" that made it tough to double Boozer in the post. Chandler can't move that far away from the bastket and if he is any closer he would just make things tougher on West. The reason it works so much in the regular season is because of how incredible David West is from about 18 feet in. But that would play into the Warriors Matchups. C: There is no AK-47 in New Orleans. Alot of Golden States offense depends on Stephen Jacksons post up game on guard as he is a big, strong guy. Kirilinko shut him the hell down in that series, plus he was big enough that Jackson HAD to cover him. At the SF in New Orleans, you just have a guy that spots up. You can Hide Monta Ellis on him if you want to. You just need to make sure he doesn't get open looks. West is a PF more of the Dirk mold (with less fade aways) which stephen jackson could Harass The Hornets would kill them on the boards, but with 3 glaring mismatches for the Warriors (Baron/Paul on offense, Monta/ANYONE on the team and West having to chase Jackson) plus a deeper bench (Azebuke, Pietrus, Matt Barnes and the emerging Brandan Wright along with one of those guys that will randomly hurt you like Austin Croshere vs the bench of Bonzi Wells, Pargo and...well...Julian Wright I guess...Unless the Birdman flys baybee!) I just think the Warriors would beat them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alfdogg 0 Report post Posted April 3, 2008 Nice defense, TJ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alfdogg 0 Report post Posted April 3, 2008 And the Raptors have the game stolen from them on the very next sequence, as Ford converts on a sideline lob play, but the clock started early and the referees failed to notice, thus it was waved off. Hawks go on to win in OT, putting them 3.5 games in front in the race for 8th. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
treble 0 Report post Posted April 3, 2008 Those Atlanta scorekeepers are having a bang-up season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alfdogg 0 Report post Posted April 3, 2008 In addition to Dirk's return, Gilbert Arenas and Elton Brand also returned to the court tonight. EDIT: And Pau Gasol. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ripper 0 Report post Posted April 3, 2008 Those Atlanta scorekeepers are having a bang-up season. The refs started the clock there, not the scorekeepers. Which all but assures that it won't be overturned because that would require the NBA to admit that their refs actually screw up from time to time. Fucked up ending for the Raptors though. It was really Mike Woodsons fault. "Why don't I put a small forward on easily the fastest guy in the NBA?" And at the same time, I look at this like when the Blazers lost to the Lakers in the West finals. Sure, there was a horrible no call on a obvious foul on Steve Smith at the end that would have changed the end of the game, but at the same time, you blew a 17 point lead...don't bitch...don't blow leads and it won't be left to the ref. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alfdogg 0 Report post Posted April 3, 2008 I forgot to post this item. CHICAGO - Bennie the Bull literally took a shot at Kevin Garnett and James Posey last night. more stories like thisDuring the fourth quarter of the Celtics' 106-92 win over the Bulls at the United Center, the Chicago mascot shot T-shirts out of a T-shirt gun that hit them in the back. The incident happened when Garnett and Posey were walking to the bench during a timeout with 2:49 remaining. Garnett and Posey gave Bennie the Bull a glare, and, said Garnett, "We exchanged words." Garnett was sent back to the bench by the referees after trying to explain what happened. "I felt threatened," said Posey, who is considered a villain among Bulls fans for his tough fouls when he played for Miami, and was booed every time he touched the ball last night. "They already don't like me here already. "Two T-shirts were thrown at me and KG. I don't feel safe. The T-shirts were fired out of that gun or whatever. "I feel a little sore in one spot. I might have to get treatment. "First, I thought it was a teammate just tapping me. But then I looked down and there were T-shirts and there were only two down there. Let's see how the league handles this." Bennie the Bull was not available for comment. And the follow-up. A Bulls official said this morning that their mascot Benny the Bull is innocent. He is accused of hitting Celtics players Kevin Garnett and James Posey with T-shirts, according to the players. Bulls officials say that the incident was a result of an accident by its promotional team, the IncrediBulls. One of the members apparently fell down as it was shooting T-shirts into the crowd. “When the IncrediBull member tripped, the shirts were accidentally launched in the direction of the Celtics, but they did hit the floor first according to what we saw. When it took place we did take steps to apologize to the Celtics’ bench and the referees during the timeout and let them know what happened during that same timeout," said Bulls spokesman Tim Hallam. The Bulls have watched the incident over video. Instead of hitting the crowd, the T-shirts hit the Celtics players. When Garnett and Posey turned to look where the shirts came from, all they saw in their vicinity was Bennie. Bulls officials said they told the game referees what had happened. Then the referees told the Celtics bench the story. However, the Celtics did not buy the tale. Benny the Bull may comment later today, but says he is innocent of all charges. However, according to the Bulls officials, Benny does not speak and conduct interviews. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kurt Angle Mark 0 Report post Posted April 3, 2008 Elton Brand is back!!!! 19 and 5 Clippers beat the Sonics In the Rookie match-up: Durant 30 and Thornton with 21 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Report post Posted April 3, 2008 The difference with Pau and without Pau is astounding. With Pau, it seems like our bench players and lesser starters know what to do. Without, it's a jumbled mess. I don't think the Lakers are a very good defensive team with Gasol, but it sure looked like it tonight, for whatever reason. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Krankor 0 Report post Posted April 3, 2008 Dallas out ran Golden State tonight. Golden State never got back on defense and that cost them. Dallas actually looked good for the first time since the Kidd trade. Kidd still needs to be more aggressive on offense and take wide open shots when he has them. He has to give the other teams some sort of reason to play defense against him. I know he's pass first but for crying out loud you need to take wide open shots when they're there. The incident happened when Garnett and Posey were walking to the bench during a timeout with 2:49 remaining. Garnett and Posey gave Bennie the Bull a glare, and, said Garnett, "We exchanged words." Bennie the Bull was not available for comment. Hilarious. I'm not surprised it came from the Boston Globe. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alfdogg 0 Report post Posted April 3, 2008 I think there's kind of a double standard here with Dallas and Phoenix. When you look at both teams since the trades, almost all their games with the good West teams have been really tight. The ball has just bounced the Suns' way a few times, and Dallas couldn't get any luck until tonight. It's not as if they're being blown out every night. But, the media has continued to pump out countless excuses for the Suns, while simultaneously writing up Dallas's eulogy. Someone explain this to me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ripper 0 Report post Posted April 3, 2008 The Suns DID go on a 6-7 game winning streak and had the longest active steak in the league for a while there. Dallas, not so much. Plus, Dallas is a game away from being out the playoffs. The suns are a game away from having the best record in the west. That is a pretty big difference there. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest (Loggins Name) Report post Posted April 3, 2008 The Suns DID go on a 6-7 game winning streak and had the longest active steak in the league for a while there. Well done by the Suns. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanadianChris 0 Report post Posted April 3, 2008 Plus, Dallas is a game away from being out the playoffs. The suns are a game away from having the best record in the west. That is a pretty big difference there. In the West, aren't those pretty much one and the same? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Report post Posted April 3, 2008 The Suns are actually 2.5 games back of the first spot. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mr. S£im Citrus 0 Report post Posted April 3, 2008 It is both amusing and sad to note that, with basically every team in the league having eight or fewer games remaining in the regular season, five teams have already clinched playoff berths in the east, and none have clinched in the west. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ripper 0 Report post Posted April 4, 2008 The Suns are actually 2.5 games back of the first spot. Oh, yeah. I didnt realize that New Orleans had opened up that much of a lead. Maybe I was thinking one game back of winning he Pacific(although technically, they would be 1 1/2 games back since the Lakers hold the tiebreaker) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ripper 0 Report post Posted April 4, 2008 One NBA award is coming up that will have a hot contested finish but won't go to who I want to have it. Coach of the Year. Sure, it will probably go to Scott or Rivers, but jesus tapdancing christ, can someone give the goddamn award to Jerry Sloan. Look, i am not much into giving the "well he hasn't won it " awards out. I wouldn't give it to Kobe the MVP because "he hasn't won it yet" thing(and I don't think there has been a season where he should have, but thats another discussion) but seriously... Jerry fucking Sloan needs to have at least one. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest (Loggins Name) Report post Posted April 4, 2008 Giving Sloan COTY on lifetime achievement would only be half the bullshit of Rivers winning because Kevin Garnett fell in his lap. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
