Playoff Game #7: Rockets at Lakers

Yoa Ming is out. And when it comes to Game 7s, you need your top performers to be in there. Kobe is going to get his. And without Ming, the Rockets have responded well. But it is crunch time.

There is NO need to delve into stats. In times like this, Superstars shine.

I will say this, the Lakers are 5-1 at home in the playoffs. The Rockets are 2-4 on the road.

Forecast: I don't like the Lakers. I am not a Laker fan... not now, not tomorrow, not the next day. With that said, the Lakers are better than the Rockets. The Rockets are without a key player, injured earlier in this series. This is where that injury will be felt, as the Lakers win this series and move onto the Nuggets. Score: 107-94.

Home Court

Playoff Game #7: Magic at Celtics

This is the fourteenth playoff game for the Celtics. They are getting tired. In the first round, they went 3-1 at home, droping the first game of the series at home. In this series against the Magic, they are 2-1 at home, again dropping the first game of the series at home.

The Magic are 3-3 on the road, including the first series against the 76ers.

The winner of this series does face up against the Cavs. Some are saying that the Cavs will go undeafeted in the Eastern side of the playoffs. I personally don't think so.

Forecast: I like the defending NBA champs in this one. Look for a score of 97-92, Boston.

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Playoff Game #5: Mavericks at Nuggets

I realized that this might be the last time I get to do this (Re: McNugget Logo above), so I didn't want to blow this opportunity.

You want to know something? Dirk has heart. He has a hunger that the rest of the team doesn't share. Don't get me wrong, the rest of the team do have hunger, but they don't have the hunger that Dirk has right now... the hunger that when down 3-0, you put the team on your back and push them to another level of playing. Dirk has that heart. He has that hunger.

With the Mavericks headed to Denver for another elimination game, I am certain that the Mavs have to grab that hunger that Dirk has right now, or they come home for the off-season. I don't know how long Dirk can carry this team like he did in Game 4. But it win or die time for the Mavericks. Dirk has been here in this situation and done well before...

Anyway, the Nuggets have a good game plan. They have pushed the Mavs, owned the Mavs, and generally had their way through the whole series. Even in Game 4, the Nuggets were right there.

Forecast: Yes, I didn't really delve into stats on this post. And with that statement, I mean that I didn't give one single stat in the above text. I really don't think that it is necessary. The Mavericks dropped their first SEVEN games this season/post-season to the Nuggets. Let's just say the clock is ticking. Miracles do happen. Mavericks proved to themselves they can beat the Nuggets. It's just everybody else I'm concerned about. Denver wins the series tonight with a 112-105 score. Johnny Out.

Home Court

Playoff Game #3: Mavericks vs Nuggets

I haven't covered the Mavs/Nuggets games yet. And now that Dirk sent his fiance to the slammer, I think Game 3 is going to have a little extra buzz to it. It seems that the Nuggets are the favorites by far. What does it mean? Well, it boils down to the record, the margin of victory, and so on... And the fact the Mavs lost six in a row to the Nuggets (0-4 in regular season and 0-2 in the playoffs), I would say the Mavs are due. And rightfully so, they should be the "underdog".
Of fourteen predictions... the Mavericks have a 14.3% chance to win this series. And to be honest, I am a little surprised that none of the fourteen predicted a Nuggett sweep.
The one with the "X" are the underdog in the starting matchup. I was actually torn between Kidd and Billups. Kidd is much better than Billups in a great deal of ways, but Billups gets his points.

Forecast: Mavericks win this one 98-93. Why? They cancelled the pre-nup.

Home Court

Playoff Game #3: Lakers at Rockets

I think everyone expects the Lakers to take this series. I wouldn't be so sure.

Yao Ming is still a force, almost as much as Kobe. If the Rockets were to gel as a team, this could become a rather huge upset. Beating the Lakers in LA isn't necessarily a cake walk. And the Rockets have done it once.

Key Players:

• Kobe Bryant averages 26.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.9 assists for the Lakers.
• Yao Ming average 19.7 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 1.8 assists for the Rockets.
• P. Gasol averages 18.9 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 3.5 assists for the Lakers.
• R. Artest averages 17.1 points, 5.2 boards, and 3.3 dishes for the Rockets.
• A. Bynum puts up 14.3 points, 8.0 boards, and 1.4 assists for the Lakers.
• L. Scola averages 12.7 points, 8.8 boards, and 1.5 assists for the Rockets.

The Lakers have the better numbers, albeit by a fairly slim margin overall.

Forecast: We are in Houston, which should give the Rockets a slight edge. The Lakers, well, they are for real. My gut tells me that the two games in Houston will be split. I like the Rockets in this one, although I am really not sure as to why. Rockets win this one, 97-96.

Home Court

Playoff Game #3: Celtics at Magic

This series is tied at one to one.

For the Celtics:

• R. Rondo averages 11.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 8.2 assists.
• R. Allen averages 18.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.8 assists.
• P. Pierce averages 20.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.6 assists.

One notable stat is that Perkins averages 8.1 rebounds.

For the Magic:

• D. Howard averages 20.6 points, 13.8 rebounds, and 1.4 assists.
• R. Lewis averages 17.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 2.6 assists.
• H. Turkoglu averages 16.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.9 assists.

I like the Magic's top three over the Celtics top three. Overall, their numbers feel better.

Forecast: I am going to keep this one simple. Magic win due to home court. Score should be something like 98-94.

Home Court

Playoff Game #2: Hawks at Cavs

Really, do the Hawks stand a chance? In this series, all you need to say is LeBron. Still, it is time to evaluate the Hawks to see if they can pull one win in this series.

Hawks won 19 games less than the Cavs during the regular season. They are without their top rebounder from the regular season, which, if they are to upset the Cavs on any level, it would take a step up on defense and key offensive awareness. Joe Johnson is the teams leading scorer and also leads the team with 5.8 assists in the regular season. Josh Smith will have to step up his rebounding if the Hawks are going to complete.

Case in point, the Hawks just aren't going to match up against the Cavs.

Forecast: It would simply be foolish to pick the Hawks in any game in this series, unless they start showing up gumph and gusto. Cavs win this one, 112-81.

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Playoff Game 2: Rockets at Lakers

The Seasonal Series:

• Sunday, November 9th, 2008: The Lakers topped the Rockets in LA with a score of 111-82.
• Tuesday, January 13th, 2009: The Lakers topped the Rockets in Houston with a score of 105-100.
• Monday, March 9th, 2009: The Lakers take the third game between the two, again in Houston, with a score of 102-96.
• Friday, April 3rd, 2009: The Lakers complete the sweep in the season series, this one in LA, with a score of 93-81.

Then comes the playoffs. The Rockets take game one in LA with a score of 100-92. Surprised? I think everyone is a little shocked. Probably even the players, although they would most certainly not admit it.

A look at a few players:

• Yao Ming averages 15.8 points against LA with 10.3 rebounds and 3.25 blocks, not including what he did in Game One against LA in the playoffs.
• Ron Artest averages 13.3 points against LA but only two assists a game. The difference maker in Game One is that he had 21 points and seven assists. That indicates that they are moving the ball more and taking better shots.

Forecast: The Rockets win if the continue to do what they did in Game One. I think they have maybe figured out the Lakers, but I believe the Lakers will win in Game Two. Score: 108-99.

Home Plate

Playoff Game #5: Mavericks at Spurs

Now, the Mavericks have three games to wrap this series up. It will only take one. Jason Terry is the 6th man. He has an award to prove it.

Eric Dampier is looking like a center. Finally. It's time to stop calling him Erica. Dirk played a great game and didn't really shoot much at all in game 4. New trend for him to let others play and not take all the shots? It definitely made the team better.

After the Mavericks 2-7 start, they played 48-25, which is a .658 winning margin coming into the playoffs. The Spurs were .659 for the entire season. Evenly matched?

The Spurs led after the first quarter in game 4. If they come out with the same momentum in game 5, will they fizzle like they have in pretty much this entire series? I think so. Unless, of course the margin at the end of the first quarter is 15 or higher. If the Spurs have a 20 point lead at half-time, look for the Mavericks to take the series back at home in Game 6. It may benefit the team for the starters to sit most of the second half, should that be the case.

Forecast: I like what the Mavericks have done this time in the playoffs. They have a spark. They know how to win and they are doing it. They have already won this series in my mind. Now, it is just winning tonight. Mavericks wrap up the series with a 97-91 victory.

Home Court

Playoff Game #4: Mavericks vs Spurs

Game 4. Mavericks have controlled two of the three games thus far. The Mavericks will win this series. And they will, at least in my mind, have a 3-1 advantage going into San Antonio. They have learned their lesson. They have learned not to blow a series up by two games.
These five starters will go into to round two. Round one is just a workout at this point. I could talk about how Dirk is really leading this team. I could talk about how Kidd is directing the players on the court. A NBA Champion team needs three strong key players. The Mavericks have those three players. They have Dirk. They have Josh Howard. They have Jason Kidd. And JJ Barea doesn't look too shabby, really. I'm not handing out an NBA Title just yet... they the pieces are there. Time isn't.
Forecast: I don't need to talk about the Spurs. They are out to pasture, at least for this post-season. Mavericks win Game 4 with a score of 97-89.

Home Court

Playoff Game #3: Mavericks vs Spurs

Three of the next four playoff games are in Dallas. I say four games, but the next three wins for either team will determine if there is three games or five games.
If you compare the two teams, the Mavericks simply have more weapons. They may have caved in Game #2, but in the long run, in the run of the series, I would take the Mavericks over the Spurs by simply the weapons they have.
The Spurs do find ways to win. But the ship is sailing on them now. They are going out to pasture, per se. Ginobili is a serious threat to the Mavericks and he is out for the season. The Mavericks also started the season 2-7 and finished with 50 wins, the first team to ever accomplish such a feat.
Forecast: Mavericks take Game #3... I don't want to get ahead of myself, but let's just say the Mavs win this one in overtime. Score: 131-127.


Home Court

NBA Playoffs Update

No team in the NBA Finals has come back to win when down 3-1. And so far, seven "experts" are wrong. Three remain in the hunt... but it is doubtful for two. Legler seems like the only smart one of the bunch. Johnny Out.

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NBA Playoffs: Game 4

Well, after two games into the Finals, two "experts" are already knocked off the "who got it right list". Tonight, five more get knocked off. And in the end, none of these guys are going to be able to brag around the water cooler. Well, maybe Legler, since he was the only one to pick the Celtics.

Here's what's going to happen. The Celtics are going to win tonight. The Lakers end up winning game 5. And in game 6, in Boston, the Celtics win the NBA Title.Because if you can't beat 'em, you might as well "choke".
Here's the remainder of the schedule and the remaining games left. No game seven this year.

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The NBA Finals

The NBA Finals

Game 1: Lakers @ Celtics – 7:30PM Central on 6/5/2008 (Game @ 8PM)
Game 2: Lakers @ Celtics – 8PM Central on 6/8/2008
Game 3: Celtics @ Lakers – 8PM Central on 6/10/2008
Game 4: Celtics @ Lakers – 8PM Central on 6/12/2008
Game 5: Celtics @ Lakers – 8PM Central on 6/15/2008
Game 6: Lakers @ Celtics – 8PM Central on 6/17/2008
Game 7: Lakers @ Celtics – 8PM Central on 6/19/2008

I do not understand why the late times of these games. I might be able to wrap my head around the time for the east coast; however, the time in California when this game would START would be Midnight. That just doesn’t sound right. I can’t say that I would be up watching a game at midnight. In fact, I am not sure if I would be even watching so much as the tip-off… but that’s just my 2¢. I think the better team happens to be the Celtics. I know… LAKERS-LAKERS-LAKERS… I’m just not a Kobe fan. And I’m not a Lakers fan. Between the Spurs and the Lakers, I would have preferred the Spurs any day. Anybody vs. the Lakers… I would go with anybody. Even the Clippers… but that’s just me.

Now, I honestly prefer the Celtics, not because they are playing the Lakers and therefore I prefer them, but I really think that they have the better team. I will admit that my bias does pull me in the direction, but I also have logic at play. The Celtics are more prepared, meaning that they are fresh on the court and not tired out by one long series after another. The Lakers have strong star power, but they don’t have as much depth as the Celtics. And with those two things, I think they will persevere over the Lakers in the series. The Lakers will space out two wins along the way.

Boston won both meetings this season:

• November 23, 2007: 107-94
• December 30, 2007: 110-91

Forecast: Boston in 6.

Home Plate

NBA Playoffs: 2008

What a mess the Western Conference has become. A very competitive bunch. I do have some concerns about the Dallas Mavericks. How many games have the Mavericks won with Jason Kidd at the helm (games against teams with a winning record)? None. They are 0-6. On the flip side, they haven't lost against a team with a losing record. But who cares about that. Seriously, will the Mavs make it past the first round this time in the playoffs? That simply depends if they are learning from the loses. On a good note, they only lost to the Lakers by two points. It is sad that a loss by two points is A GOOD NOTE. How weird.

So some think the Mavs will place high when it is all said and done. I just am not that optimistic. But here is how I think it will look, seeded one through nine in the Western Conference, currently which is separated by a total of six games from first to ninth.

1. LA Lakers (will finish first overall, a very complete roster)
2. San Antonio (it's hard to pick against the SPURS)
3. Houston
4. Utah (Not the only one from division to make playoffs)
5. Phoenix (A better record than Utah)
6. Dallas (would've have benefited better at #7 position)
7. New Orleans (I just don't see them holding up a #3 spot)
8. Denver (CINDERELLA)
9. Golden State (they fall apart and lose a playoff spot)

Now, the Lakers vs. Denver... not much of a surprise, the Lakers take the series, in a good battle split 4-1... yeah, a "good battle". Scores will be close for a few of the games.

San Antonio vs. New Orleans: Both teams battle rather hard, San Antonio wins 4 of 7 to advance. Seventh game to go OT? It could happen.

Utah vs. Phoenix: a nice yawn. Phoenix dominates the series.

Dallas vs. Houston: The QUESTION... Does Dallas Depart Drearily? Maybe Mavs Make Miracle? It is hard to say... Dallas is having trouble with Kidd against good teams. Could it all gel in the playoffs? I am not optimistic. I've already said that. I'm going AGAINST my gut and will say the Mavs take out Houston in 6 games. A few are tight, and the Mavs fall behind in the series early, down 2-1 before taking the next three to advance.

SECOND ROUND:

Lakers vs. Phoenix: Whoops. I call this one another tough series. In fact, really the match-ups one through eight are all quality teams. Pretty weird. Anyway, Lakers and Phoenix fight through seven games with Phoenix pulling off an upset to go to the conference finals. Two games of this series go into OT.

Dallas vs. Spurs: Spurs dominate the series and face Phoenix in the finals. Kidd might need diapers. OK, OK, OK. That was just for a pun. Anyway, Spurs have home court.

Western Conference Finals:

Spurs vs. Suns: Suns pull off a surprise and knock off the aging Spurs in a five game series. Nash is all but gassed out, but in better shape than in years past, or so it would seem.

NBA Finals:

Suns vs. Detroit: In a series that might be talked about for a while, injuries plague the Finals. Nash plays through pain but almost is ineffective. He has enough gas to make a difference, but not too much. Suns still persevere and win the thing in six games, with two victories coming in OT.

Mavericks vs. Warriors (Game 6)

BAH HUMBUG!!!

Mavericks vs. Warriors (Game 5)

OK, I've probably talked this one into the ground, sssooo I guess I will keep it short and sweet. Being game 5, it's "Do or Die in Dallas" for the Mavs. Should the boys in blue win here, they will then face have to do the same in Game 6 in Oakland.

Here's the probable starting lineup:

Goofy Spitball Pow-Wows:

• PG: Byron Davis
• SG: Monta Ellis
• SF: Jason Richardson
• PF: Stephen Jackson
• C: Al Harrington

Dallas Mavericks:

• PG: Jason Terry
• SG: Greg Buckner
• SF: Josh Howard
• PF: Dirk Nowitzki
• C: Erick Dampier

I guess the biggest key to this game is how much frustration can the Mavericks put on Golden State. When these kids get frustrated, they start making HUGE mistakes. I've noticed it happening to a masterful veteran team like the Mavericks, which is why they are in this hole. If the Mavs can turn it around and place pressure on the Warriors - they've snagged Game 5, and placed huge momentum back into their own minds. And that's all they need to do right now.

Forecast: Mavs win a "yawner" for the first time in the series for them - score: 108-89.

Mavericks vs. Warriors

Well, I am wrong on Sosa going homerless today. Oops. I almost said Wilkerson would do the same. Boy, would I have looked silly.

I've posted some things on one of my other blogs about this Mavs/Warriors series... It's on my "Punko and Bruno" blog, which I am thinking of renaming (won't say just yet). The Mavs in Oakland. First off, the Mavs are 31-10 on the road vs. the Warriors 30-11 at home (evenly matched). Now, what's amazing is the stat of how the Warriors having the best record over the last "x" amount of games left in the regular season to make the playoffs... the broadcasters on television thinking that they were so smart to point that one out. Now, for me to point out that the Mavs weren't playing everybody during every game. They rested starters and when they played starters, Avery didn't keep them in that long to make a COMPLETE impact, the impact they would normally make in a game.

Don Nelson's lack of a bench is going to really kill him, and a penalty to Jackson would simply take away the golden chance the Warriors have right now. In all aspects of the "numbers" game, the Warriors have home-court. They will loose home-court... tonight? I don't think so. Golden State is going to retake the momentum for one last time, and then it will be all Mavs the rest of the series.

Forecast: Storm clouds with high-pressure in Oakland, swirling winds and confusion as Don Nelson and the Warriors throw one last bit of confusion on the Mavs. Score 107-101.

NBA FINALS

NBA FINALS

THE DALLAS MAVERICKS vs. THE MIAMI HEAT

Now, to be honest, I just keep wanting to think the Mavs will take this thing in 5 games. The only thing holding me back is the 2-3-2 series. It just seems a lot more likely that Miami will take two at home instead of just one. My original thoughts after dabbling in the stats a few days ago (sorry for not taking notes then, I was doing school homework at time, so I was jumping back and forth, paying very much attention to the Ranger game, Miami stats, and school homework – LOL) Mavs will win the first two at home, drop the first in Miami, then win the second, the third is the kicker… The Mavs will, in my mind already be up 3-1 in the series and could simply close it out. In my mind, they should not hold back and give Miami momentum of any kind. Close it and get the trophy. Being in desperation, thought, I think Miami will win and the Mavs will want to, at least inside, want to close out at home. They may not say it, nobody actually says it, but that’s what most likely will happen. Game 6, Mavs win the finals at home.

And for those of you who like free stuff, I’ve been slacking on this, simply because it’s been increasing my odds of winning, but alas… what can I say. I want the free Mavs stuff. Now, they’re just giving away sports junk, so not much interest right now, but I’m still playing. You never know, I can always buy my kid more baseball gear or something if I win a gift card or whatever… here’s the link, it’s sponsored by the local newspaper and the Dallas Mavericks. http://www.mavstriviaslam.com/