The 2017 NBA playoffs thread

[Errntknght]

Celts up 5 in overtime 1:07 to go

 

[Ronin]

Thomas with the +1. Morris fouls out.

 

[Errntknght]

Jazz scoreless 4 min into 1st Q... GSW leading 7-0

 

[Errntknght]

Celtics win 129-119

 

[Ronin]

Final
Wizards 119
Celtics 129
Celtics take a 2-0 series lead

 

[Sunburn]

I'm not a fan of the Celtics, or IT. I have to applaud them tonight though. That was gritty. IT with an amazing performance. First time since we traded him that I feel a little regret...... He's the real deal. On the offensive side. If I was the Wizards, I might try to punish the C's next game by posting up IT every possession. I'd like to see how that plays out.

 

[Errntknght]

I'm not a fan of the Celtics, or IT. I have to applaud them tonight though. That was gritty. IT with an amazing performance. First time since we traded him that I feel a little regret...... He's the real deal. On the offensive side. If I was the Wizards, I might try to punish the C's next game by posting up IT every possession. I'd like to see how that plays out.

Chi kept trying to force IT to switch onto Jimmy Butler, the Celts had IT just stay away from the area and sent someone else. Bsically they zoned IT, having him guard an area of the floor away from the ball (and out of the paint). They have more experience hiding IT than the Wiz have exposing him... so the latter may do more harm than good in trying to change their offense to capitalize on IT's D.

 

[elindholm]

Brian Mahoney‏Verified account@briancmahoney 18s18 seconds ago
NBA says all 44 first-round games were sellouts, the fourth straight year entire first round was sold out.

"But ... the game is sold out."

"The games are never sold out. And -- [dramatic pause] -- they're never fake."

 

[Russ Smith]

I'm not a fan of the Celtics, or IT. I have to applaud them tonight though. That was gritty. IT with an amazing performance. First time since we traded him that I feel a little regret...... He's the real deal. On the offensive side. If I was the Wizards, I might try to punish the C's next game by posting up IT every possession. I'd like to see how that plays out.

He's pretty fun to watch. I remember at UW his freshman year him going up against Jrue Holiday and all the UCLA fans were saying Jrue was this huge star and IT was a chucker and I made the comment that I think IT is actually better than Holiday. Upside wise I would have taken Jrue just on the size, but at the time it was obvious who was better and IT ate Holiday up that year head to head.

He's just not big enough to ever be a good defender in the NBA, he is very strong for his size but he gets in situations where he's too small and just goes for the steal and if he doesn't get it, concedes the layup.

 

[slinslin]

I think Hoiberg has a point though in that IT consistently and very obviously travels even under the more relaxed rules in todays league.

Also that IT oversteps on the freethrow line on every freethrow but never gets called for it.

 

[Russ Smith]

I think Hoiberg has a point though in that IT consistently and very obviously travels even under the more relaxed rules in todays league.

Also that IT oversteps on the freethrow line on every freethrow but never gets called for it.

If the NBA started calling the rules it would be interesting to watch. IT travels, Wall carries the ball constantly, and it goes on and on.

There's a video from earlier this year in the playoffs where Lebron goes from the inbounds pass to halfcourt without dribbling and the refs don't call a walk, he took at least 6 steps. Nobody was guarding him but it's still supposed to be a walk. Curry coming off screens curling will often take 4 steps.

If they just enforced walks and carries it would be fascinating to see the impact on scoring, it's so much easier to beat a guy when you can hang the dribble in mid air and then change direction.

 

[Ronin]

Today's games 4/3/17
Raptors Vs Cavaliers Game 2 (TNT) 4:00 p.m. The cavaliers lead the series 1-0
http://www.espn.com/nba/preview?gameId=400952463
Rockets Vs Spurs Game 2 (TNT) 6:30 p.m. The Rockets lead the series 1-0
http://www.espn.com/nba/preview?gameId=400952491

 

[Ronin]

ESPN Stats & Info @ESPNStatsInfo
Isaiah Thomas: 86 points in Games 1 and 2 - the most points in the 1st two games of a playoff series in @celtics history (via @EliasSports)

 

[Ronin]

Houston Rockets' Nene fined $15,000 for pushing San Antonio Spurs' Dewayne Dedmon

NEW YORK -- Houston Rockets center Nene has been fined $15,000 for escalating an altercation by pushing San Antonio Spurs center Dewayne Dedmon above the shoulders, it was announced today by Kiki VanDeWeghe, Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations.

The incident, for which Nene was assessed one technical foul and ejected, occurred at the conclusion of the third quarter of the Rockets’ 126-99 win over the Spurs on May 1 at AT&T Center.

http://www.nba.com/article/2017/05/03/houston-rockets-nene-fined-altercation/?rss=true

 

[Ronin]

Jeff Zillgitt @JeffZillgitt
Dwane Casey won't say if he's changing his starting lineup: "We don’t want to give them a heads-up to prepare who we’re going with."

 

[Ronin]

Monte Poole @MontePooleNBCS
Stephen Curry (L foot/ankle) sat out today's very light #Warriors practice. Precautionary. Expected to play in G2 vs Utah.

 

[Ronin]

Boston Celtics @celtics
#NEBHInjuryReport: Avery Bradley (hip) feels better today but will not practice. All signs point toward him playing in Game 3, says Stevens.

 

[Ronin]

NBA.com/Stats @nbastats
LeBron James' rank during the #NBAPlayoffs:
1st STL per game - 2.6
2nd PTS per game - 33.2
5th AST per Game - 8.0
CLE x TOR 7PM/ET on TNT

 

[Ronin]

Monte Poole @MontePooleNBCS
Semi-update on Steve Kerr: Still closely involved with staff, still undergoing tests/examinations addressing his chronic pain.

 

[Ronin]

ESPN Stats & Info @ESPNStatsInfo
The @etrade #DidYouKnow: Gregg Popovich has the 2nd-most series wins in NBA history among head coaches when facing 1-0 series deficit.

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[Ronin]

NBA.com @NBAcom
If @KingJames scores 25 tonight, he will pass @kaj33 for No. 2 on #NBAPlayoffs all-time scoring list:

 

[Ronin]

Michael Grange @michaelgrange
Lowry in Raptors two wins vs. Cavs in ECF last year: 28 pts/game on 63% from the floor ..

 

[Ronin]

Blake Murphy @BlakeMurphyODC
Powell and Patterson start for Carroll and Valanciunas, per @TSNScianitti. I dig it.

 

[Ronin]

Raining threes in Cleveland.

 

[Ronin]

Ibaka 0/2 from three point land