So I went 1 for 2 on my predictions. The Heat again showed why they’re the best team in the NBA while the Thunder answered some of my criticism of their defense. Miami and Oklahoma City are tied for the top record in the league at 27-7 as the All-Star break starts today and lasts until Tuesday. The Heat have won eight straight games, all by at least 10 or more points. Meanwhile, the Thunder enter the midseason mark with a five-game winning streak.
What was supposed to be a showdown versus Linsanity and the New York turned into a showcase for the Miami Heat’s overall team play. Miami allowed only 88 points to New York while scoring 102 themselves in another Heat rout. On defense, they bump and hit Knicks point guard Jeremy Lin a lot early in the game whenever he dribbled the ball. We think if players from other teams make contact with a player dribbling, then it is a foul. It seems Miami receives some help from the officials making and not making calls toward their favor. On one play, Lin’s arm was knocked from behind causing the ball to squirt out of bounds. Most times, a foul is called on the defense. Mario Chalmers and Norris Cole primarily defended Lin and caused him to have his worst game of the season. In 34 minutes, Lin scored only eight points and shot a woeful 1 for 11 on field goal attempts. In addition, he had eight turnovers compared to only 3 assists.
Meanwhile, the Heat got contributions from everybody. Chris Bosh had his best performance of the season and career. He is a tall but skinny dude who looks like he is afraid of contact. He collected 25 points on 11 of 17 field goals and grabbed eight rebounds. Dwyane Wade added 22 points and dished out 5 assists. Lebron James played an all-around game putting up added 20 points, nine boards, and five steals. Miami made 12 steals while also forcing 19 New York turnovers. The Heat even blocked 10 shots with Joel Anthony’s left hand swatting away five. The Heat looked like a team that won the title in 2006 but more importantly a squad that lost in last year’s Finals and wants the championship this year. On the other hand, the Knicks appeared as if they were a group trying to win but don’t have the fluidity and confidence of Miami right now.
In Oklahoma City, the Thunder played a surprisingly good defensive game to defeat the Lakers 100-85. Yes, Oklahoma City allowed only 85 points. I did not type that wrong. They did an excellent job of guarding the Lakers inside scorers, Pao Gasol and Andrrew Bynum. The Thunder would double-team Gasol, Bynum, Metta World Peace (what kind of name is that?), or even Kobe Bryant when he posted up. Oklahoma City showed great athleticism to run whenever the ball was passed outside which was often.
Serge Ibaka is not talked about enough when people analyze the Thunder. Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook are the two-All-Stars on the OKC roster. Durant’s 33 points seemed an afterthought considering he scores around that every night. Westbrook added 19 from his point guard spot. However they need guys like Ibaka to rebound and defend the other team’s post players. Ibaka had a quiet but effective double-double of 11 points and 13 rebounds. He also blocked three shots. Kendrick Perkins used his big body to set screens on offense and move Bynum and Gasol out of the paint on defense. Nonetheless, he needs to add some more inside scoring. Perkins got only 3 points and 9 rebounds while playing 31 minutes. The combo of Ibaka, Perkins, and currently injured Nick Collison need to give Oklahoma City a balance of inside and outside scoring.
The Los Angeles Lakers are a confusing team this season. They have a lot of age on their squad. Kobe and Derek Fisher are in their fifteenth NBA seasons. Bryant, who jumped straight high-school to pro ball, is 33 years old while Fisher, who spent four years in college, is 37. Metta World Peace, aka Ron Artest, is 32 in his eleventh campaign while Pao Gasol, 31 from Barcelona, is a ten-year pro in the NBA along with a few years playing in the Spanish professional leagues. Those are four of their five starters. Maybe I assumed their age work in terms of experience. Right now, L.A.‘s best players are too old to keep pace with teams like the Thunder while their younger guys are not good enough .
I think the All-Star break comes as a good time for the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers. For the Knicks, the time off can represent a period of relaxation. Since Jeremy Lin was put into the starting lineup, the media attention has multiplied by millions. As far as the Lakers, they should use it to decide if they’re going to trade Gasol and regain their energy. The Miami Heat and Oklahoma City Thunder don’t really need a stop to their season but players like James, Wade, Bosh, Durant, and Westbrook can enjoy their All-Star Game experience.
Showing posts with label thunder. Show all posts
Showing posts with label thunder. Show all posts
Friday, February 24, 2012
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Marquee NBA Thursday pre-game report
The National Basketball Association has center stage tonight in the sports world with two intriguing games. First, the New York Knicks try to beat the Heat in Miami. Second, the Los Angeles Lakers attempt to silence the Thunder in Oklahoma City. Thankfully, TNT will show both games since it’s their night of the week to broadcast.
As far as New York-Miami, the Knicks are a nice, young team led by newcomer Jeremy Lin but remain inconsistent. New York gets up for national TV showdowns versus the defending champion Mavericks and Lakers, 2009 and 2010 champs, while losing at home to terrible teams such as Charlotte (pre-Linsanity), New Orleans, and New Jersey. New York started 8-15, won 7 straight to get to .500, and then alternated losses and wins for last four games. .
Miami is a basketball team this year and not a bunch of rock stars playing basketball like last year. The Heat are on a seven-game winning streak. They are tied with Oklahoma City for the best record in the NBA at 26-7. They are the top scoring team in the league while New York is in the middle of the pack. Lebron James and Dwyane Wade are playing well together. I don’t believe the Knicks will cool off the Heat, Miami should win going away in the fourth quarter.
It’s remarkable that the Los Angeles Lakers are a decent team out west. If you look at their roster, Kobe Bryant is the only all-star player they have. Lamar Odom was traded to Dallas right before the season started. In fact, forward Pao Gasol is rumored to be traded. Kobe went off after a loss in Phoenix on Sunday complaining the team’s management was messing with the players’ chemistry and his teammates need to play harder. Maybe he was angry that the Clippers have a better record and lead the Pacific Division. Yes, the Clippers have two fewer losses than the Lakers right now, 20 wins and 11 losses to 20 wins and 13 losses. The Lakers seemed to fix their problems after a Monday team meeting. That night, they blew out Portland and last night they knocked off the Mavericks in Dallas. Before Wednesday, the Lakers last played a game in Dallas back in May 2011 when they were swept in the second round of the playoffs.
The Oklahoma City Thunder contain a lot of thunder and lightning in their offense. On Sunday, Kevin Durant reached the 50-point mark for the first time in his career scoring 51 in a overtime win over Denver. That wasn’t all. Russell Westbrook put in 40 points while Serge Ibaka collected 14 points, 15 rebounds, and 11 blocks. These three players accounted for 105 of the Thunder’s 124 points against the Nuggets. Last night, Westbrook pumped in 31 while Durant added 28 in a victory over Boston.
The Thunder had 72 points in the first half against the Celtics, some teams don’t get 72 in an entire four-quarter game. However, Oklahoma City gives up as many points to their opponents as they pick up themselves. Last night versus and Boston and Monday against New Orleans, they almost blew leads of 25+ points. Boston trailed 83-56 (27 point deficit) with 7:07 left in the third quarter. The Celtics chipped away and with 3:31 remaining in the game, they cut the lead to six points at 108-102. Monday night, the Thunder led the Hornets by 26 points at 68-42 with eight and a half minutes to go in the third quarter. From that point until a minute remained in regulation, they were outscored 49 to 29. Oklahoma City did hang on to win 101 to 93.
The Thunder’s attempt as a team to play defense is like TNT NBA analyst Charles Barkley’s effort to play good golf. Both of them try but miserably fail. Oklahoma City should win tonight since they are the home team in their matchup with the Lakers. Nevertheless, I would pick L.A to win a best-of seven series in the postseason. I will go with Kobe, Andrew Bynum, and the Lakers with or without Pao Gasol versus Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and the Thunder. At least Los Angeles can some play defense.
In short, I predict the Heat over Linsanity and the Thunder over the Lakers tonight because they’re playing at home. However, there is a long way to go. The All-Star break is this weekend. This is the end of the first half of the NBA season, they still have to play the second half.
As far as New York-Miami, the Knicks are a nice, young team led by newcomer Jeremy Lin but remain inconsistent. New York gets up for national TV showdowns versus the defending champion Mavericks and Lakers, 2009 and 2010 champs, while losing at home to terrible teams such as Charlotte (pre-Linsanity), New Orleans, and New Jersey. New York started 8-15, won 7 straight to get to .500, and then alternated losses and wins for last four games. .
Miami is a basketball team this year and not a bunch of rock stars playing basketball like last year. The Heat are on a seven-game winning streak. They are tied with Oklahoma City for the best record in the NBA at 26-7. They are the top scoring team in the league while New York is in the middle of the pack. Lebron James and Dwyane Wade are playing well together. I don’t believe the Knicks will cool off the Heat, Miami should win going away in the fourth quarter.
It’s remarkable that the Los Angeles Lakers are a decent team out west. If you look at their roster, Kobe Bryant is the only all-star player they have. Lamar Odom was traded to Dallas right before the season started. In fact, forward Pao Gasol is rumored to be traded. Kobe went off after a loss in Phoenix on Sunday complaining the team’s management was messing with the players’ chemistry and his teammates need to play harder. Maybe he was angry that the Clippers have a better record and lead the Pacific Division. Yes, the Clippers have two fewer losses than the Lakers right now, 20 wins and 11 losses to 20 wins and 13 losses. The Lakers seemed to fix their problems after a Monday team meeting. That night, they blew out Portland and last night they knocked off the Mavericks in Dallas. Before Wednesday, the Lakers last played a game in Dallas back in May 2011 when they were swept in the second round of the playoffs.
The Oklahoma City Thunder contain a lot of thunder and lightning in their offense. On Sunday, Kevin Durant reached the 50-point mark for the first time in his career scoring 51 in a overtime win over Denver. That wasn’t all. Russell Westbrook put in 40 points while Serge Ibaka collected 14 points, 15 rebounds, and 11 blocks. These three players accounted for 105 of the Thunder’s 124 points against the Nuggets. Last night, Westbrook pumped in 31 while Durant added 28 in a victory over Boston.
The Thunder had 72 points in the first half against the Celtics, some teams don’t get 72 in an entire four-quarter game. However, Oklahoma City gives up as many points to their opponents as they pick up themselves. Last night versus and Boston and Monday against New Orleans, they almost blew leads of 25+ points. Boston trailed 83-56 (27 point deficit) with 7:07 left in the third quarter. The Celtics chipped away and with 3:31 remaining in the game, they cut the lead to six points at 108-102. Monday night, the Thunder led the Hornets by 26 points at 68-42 with eight and a half minutes to go in the third quarter. From that point until a minute remained in regulation, they were outscored 49 to 29. Oklahoma City did hang on to win 101 to 93.
The Thunder’s attempt as a team to play defense is like TNT NBA analyst Charles Barkley’s effort to play good golf. Both of them try but miserably fail. Oklahoma City should win tonight since they are the home team in their matchup with the Lakers. Nevertheless, I would pick L.A to win a best-of seven series in the postseason. I will go with Kobe, Andrew Bynum, and the Lakers with or without Pao Gasol versus Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and the Thunder. At least Los Angeles can some play defense.
In short, I predict the Heat over Linsanity and the Thunder over the Lakers tonight because they’re playing at home. However, there is a long way to go. The All-Star break is this weekend. This is the end of the first half of the NBA season, they still have to play the second half.
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