Congrats to Minnesota T-wolves fans!

[Terry Penrod]

.

Well, after seven very frustrating tries, the Minnesota Timberwolves FINALLY won an NBA playoff series 4 games to 1 with a 102 to 91 victory over the Denver Nuggets (sans rookie sensation Carmelo Anthony tonight due to a strained knee). But a series win is a series win and now they move on to play the Sacramento Kings in the Western Conference semifinals starting next week.

Congratulations to you long suffering T-wolves fans.

Cheers, Terry

.

[Shardos]

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT

[Fzoulcmbyl]

Yep, I was watching tonight, and I would have bet money that there was going to be a fight.....unfortunately I would have lost that bet...but what can ya do eh?

Nice win for the T-Wolves, and now it's on to Sac-Town. Can't wait for this series to start... maybe they can call Steve Nash for some pointers...

:wink:


Fzoul

[DejaFu]

NICEE

[DanTheManPR]

Whoohooo, Minnesota kicked some arse.

[Ojnod]

Minnesota has a basketball team?



/kidding

[Eddie Ismail]

yesterday I was picking up my date and learned that the Miami Heat also beat the hornets yesterday, the series is 3-2 Heat, one more game and we're there, baby. wohooooooo.

BTW congrats to the T-wolves.

[RHooks]

Sacramento is soft and their team dynamics are bad since Webb came back. T-wolves may make it out of the second round too.

[Terry Penrod]

.

yesterday I was picking up my date and learned that the Miami Heat also beat the hornets yesterday, the series is 3-2 Heat, one more game and we're there, baby. wohooooooo.

BTW congrats to the T-wolves.


Yep, the Heat gave a really gutty performance last night against the New Orleans Hornets. Unfortunately, if they do win that series, the next round is going to be a LOT tougher.

THE series to watch of course is the Spurs vs. Lakers who have won the last five consecutive NBA titles between them They have a huge array of talented, veteran superstars at almost every position plus depth on the bench and solid coaching. Both teams are capable of playing great on offense and on defense, so it will be very interesting to see who outlasts who to play in the western divisional finals.

In the east, the Nets, Pacers and Pistons all have their strong points. But the Nets have the deep playoff experience at this point, the motivation, the very best guard / team leader in the game today (Jason Kidd) and are playing like men on a mission this season. Kenyon Martin is also playing with fire, inspiration and seasoned consistency for the first time in his career. Watch them closely all the way to the finals for a third straight year. But then watch them (probably) lose in a squeaker to an even bigger, faster, deeper, more experienced team from the west.

Then again, this is the playoffs and anything can happen - including serious injuries to key players, momentum shifts, bad calls and just plain good luck.

Cheers, Terry

.

[Terry Penrod]

.

Sacramento is soft and their team dynamics are bad since Webb came back. T-wolves may make it out of the second round too.

Yes, Webber has had to change his style pretty dramatically. He simply can not be as aggressive and he can not leap as high as before his series of well-publicized injuries.

But as a result, other players have stepped-up and they are not going to be a pushover against any team. First of all, they are now very experienced in the playoffs as a team and secondly, Bibby and Christie can wreak havoc on any given night. When both are hot, in tandem, they can destroy any defense. Divac is also getting healthier and you know he will play very hard at center - especially with Brad Miller in relief (or vice versa). Peja is also playing great right now at small forward and Bobby Jackson has been a big plus at guard.

They have a lot to prove and if they get in rhythm and stay healthy, they will score bunches of points, fast and often.

Cheers, Terry

.

[Eddie Ismail]

just passing this point is a good thing for the Heat, especiall that they have a new coach. goodluck MIAMI

[Terry Penrod]

,

Well, The Hornets staved-off a furious late rally by the Heat today to even the series at 3 wins apiece and force a decisive game 7. Later this afternoon, the Spurs bulled their way to a win over the Lakers with a huge 4th quarter surge to open that series 1 - 0. Tim Duncan was nothing short of amazing and is IMO still the MVP if not the very best overall player in the league.

Stay tuned...

Cheers, Terry

.

[DejaFu]

theres a kid at our school whos uncle is teh gm of the sacremento kings. So i'm going with the kings

[Terry Penrod]

.

Wow did the New Jersey Nets look like crap tonight in their opening game against the Detroit Pistons. The Pistons only scored a paltry 78 points but they still beat the Nets by a whopping 22. It was ugly and pathetic.

Cheers, Terry

.

[Fzoulcmbyl]

Well, I hesitate to get into sports related topics, because I am a huge fan of both Football and Basketball...in that order.

If I say anything "inflamitory", please take it in the "spirit" of the game...i.e. "trash talk".

and with that......

You are absolutely right about the game tonight. The Nets put up the worst game I think I've ever seen played, and I thought the Hornets had taken that title, just a few weeks earlier, before the Playoffs started.

The East is weak, and out of 7 games, they might have 2 good games, if they are lucky, and that would mean scoring just shy of 90 pts.

Any team that can consistenly score above 90 pts, has a very high chance of winning every game played against an Eastern Playoff opponent.

and while we are at it.... San Antonio flat-out sucks. I hate that team, I hate Tim Duncan, Tony Parker is a punk, and a lucky one at that, and the rest of the team gets by, from being in the right place at the right time.
Against the Lakers, it took a complete breakdown for the Spurs to win, and they only did that in the 4th quarter, that saw the Lakers score only 14pts.

The Lakers scored only 13 in the 1st quarter, and had a pathetic 66% at the Free-throw line...finishing with a total score of 78 pts for the game.

Now granted the Spurs didn't shoot much better, but they haven't shot well all season..so there is no consistency there, where-as the Lakers have almost every player on the team that shoots a Free-Throw % in the 80's+, and they consistenly score over 90pts a game....yet everyone on Talk-radio shouts from the highest mountain that the Spurs are such an incredible team, and that Tim Duncan is just short of being God himself. What a load of crap, they are getting by on "smoke and mirrors", and blind luck, and if they play all their Playoff games like this one, then they don't have a chance, because the Lakers won't play that badly again this series.

Now, the best series so far, was the Kings and Mavs...those guys put on one hell of a show, pactically every night of the 5 games.... 100+ scoring for both teams, they even had a few quarters where the total scoring % was 69%....that's unreal... 7 out of 10 shots were going in for the entire 12 min.....that is great basketball, especially when both teams are doing it,..it's not just a one-sided blow-out. 3 out of 5 games were decided on the last shot, very exciting.

It's looking like the T-wolves will be equally as challenging, as they are putting up consistently good numbers too. As it sits right now, the Spurs are the worst looking team in the West, but I'm going to give them 1 more game in the series.... I'll say Lakers 4-2 over the Spurs.


Fzoul

[RHooks]

I love Lakers fans. They kill me. Spurs look ugly and score fewer points because their emphasis is on defense and team ball. One of few teams in the NBA that actually tries to play as a team. Lakers have nothing past their starting five and they won't put their egos aside long enough to play as a team. That's why they'll be at home watching the Spurs again this year in the West final.

[RHooks]

Did you know that Phil Jackson named his last kidney stone "Kobe" because it refused to pass?

:wink:

[Terry Penrod]

.

Those are exactly the reasons I picked the Spurs over the Lakers again this year. They do play solid defense and have a good bench, along with a world-class superstar in Tim Duncan and enough good, starting role players to compliment his already highly effective, well-rounded style.

Fact is that the Spurs can and do score as many points as they need to win against the very best teams around - consistently and under pressure. So unless they have a major injury and/or the Lakers suddenly wake-up and begin playing inspired team ball in every game from now on, I can not see the Spurs losing a seven game series despite the raw talent of Shaq, Kobe, Malone, Payton and friends.

Of the other two teams left in the west, the Kings score in bunches but tend to go through highs and lows. The T-wolves have a true superstar in KG and two other seaoned starters who can score at will. They also have a decent defense compared to most NBA squads these days, and home court advantage. So uless the Kings can win on the road and at home consistently, they will not be going to the western finals. If they do, they will have to score a ton in order to face the winner of Spurs Lakers series.

However, the more likely scenario would pit a veteran playoff team that is defending NBA champ and that has yet to lose a game (the Spurs) against a less experienced team that has less overall depth (the T-wolves). Again, I have to go with the deeper, more experienced, playoff tested, team-oriented club with the better defense and that would be the Spurs. If the Kings win, then I think we could be in for a classic western conference final against either the Spurs or the Lakers. Either one would be very exciting match-up with all sorts of possibilities to set up a barn burning, seven-game, triple overtime nailbiter.

But that of course is just wishful thinking and the rest is plain old logic. The playoffs have a funny way of replacing that with good luck, bad luck, momentum shifts, injuries and other surprises. So I never bet on these things. Instead, I just watch and enjoy.

Cheers, Terry

.

[Kalbrecht]

*ahem*

Pistons all the way.






Bah. Let me dream!

I know the East is weak as watered down milk, but let me dream!

[Terry Penrod]

.

Well, they sure made the Nets (a VERY good team) look like little sissy pants girls last night and they sure have a great overall defense. So it may not be all that farfetched. But in order to compete with any of the four remaining western conference teams, the Pistons will HAVE TO score more than 78 points a game.

Cheers, Terry

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[Terry Penrod]

.

P.S.

For all you Miami Heat fans -

They came out smoking at home tonight in game seven of their first round series with the New Orleans Hornets. So far, they have already caused 8 quick turnovers and have an 11 point lead. If they keep the peddle to the metal, they will advance to play the Indiana Pacers next.

Cheers, Terry

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[Kalbrecht]

.

Well, they sure made the Nets (a VERY good team) look like little sissy pants girls last night and they sure have a great overall defense. So it may not be all that farfetched. But in order to compete with any of the four remaining western conference teams, the Pistons will HAVE TO score more than 78 points a game.

Cheers, Terry

.

Not only that, but their patented defense is going to have to deal with West teams who are known and proven at kicking it up those extra ten notches in playoff time.

The current Pistons don't have the depth to defend against the Western powerhouses. It's going to be very very tough.

Oh how I wish we had a big scoring star!

[Fzoulcmbyl]

No..not a Laker fan, a Kings fan.

but like I said, I hate the Spurs, so naturally I'm going to root for the Lakers. They have the 3 championships, and the coach with .....9 is it? and all the MVP's.
I know that the Lakers are not playing up to par, especially Malone and Payton, but I have to go with their history in the playoffs. They had one bad year last year, but we'll se if that's a fluke or not.

1 thing I will give the Spurs, is their winning streak....that's impressive.



Fzoul

[Terry Penrod]

.

One last update tonight -

The Miami Heat did hang on 85 to 77 at home against the Hornets to take that series in seven games and advance to the next round against the top ranked Indiana Pacers. Of course, the Hornets' best player Baron Davis went down with a severely bruised tailbone and serious back spasms pretty early in the game. But hey, those are the breaks.

Also, in the later game, the high scoring Sacramento Kings outplayed the Minnesota Timberwolves 104 to 98 on their own home court in the opening game of that semi-final conference series. The T-wolves simply had way too many turnovers and never got to the foul line enough in the end. But it was still a close, exciting game that could have gone either way right down to the last 30 seconds. Sam Cassell played brilliantly for them but KG and Sprewell had sub-par performances - particularly Spree.

More importantly though, this served as notice that it will be a very competitive, entertaining series and that's always good for the sport no matter who wins and who loses.

Cheers, Terry

.

[RHooks]

Spurs take #2 with team play and another good game out of Parker. Lakers didn't look sharp on defense and Shaq has become a liability in the fourth quarter.
Why is it when the Lakers beat someone by 10 points you see headlines like "Lakers Roll" or "Lakers Crush" someone but when a team like the Spurs beats the Lakers by 10 they read something like "Spurs hold on for victory"?

[Terry Penrod]

.

LA... Hollywood... Hype.

Oh, and we have not even seen a really solid performance from former Rocket / former Laker (with a brief stint in Phoenix in between) Robert Horry for the Spurs yet, let alone a reason for him to HAVE to hit another thrilling, last second, game winning 3-pointer. His first two main teams won 5 championships, he is now playing for the defending NBA champs and it looks like he may tie Scottie Pippin for the most rings of any still active NBA player.

However, Duncan and Parker have become so consistent, solid and complimentary that he simply doesn't need to come in and save the day on this team.

On a different note, does anyone else think that the Lakers are getting too old to keep up with a well balanced, younger team for an entire game? Kobe is still young and Shaq is not that old. But he has had injuries and both Malone and Payton are at the very end of their great careers. It's kinda like that last run the Rockets made with an aging Akeem along with Charles Barkley and Clyde Drexler. They were still very, very good but not good enough once Cassell, Horry and some of the other youthful talent was traded off. I think the same basic thing has happened in LA and we are now seeing the results.

But... this is the playoffs and strange things happen. So I'm still not quite ready to call this series totally over yet. They now go to LA for two games and do have a nice long lay-off between last night and the next game. So I expect them to win at least one out there. But winning 4 out of the next 5 seems unlikely.

Cheers, Terry

.

[RHooks]

Shaq's heavy. Malone is worn out. Kobe will always be Kobe. Payton's a baby, and an old one at that. On paper it looked like a good idea to get them all together but in reality there is still only one ball to go around. I have a strong suspicion that Payton is deliberately tanking because he's not happy. If I was Jackson I would keep him on the bench most of the time.

[Kalbrecht]

Shaq's heavy. Malone is worn out. Kobe will always be Kobe. Payton's a baby, and an old one at that. On paper it looked like a good idea to get them all together but in reality there is still only one ball to go around. I have a strong suspicion that Payton is deliberately tanking because he's not happy. If I was Jackson I would keep him on the bench most of the time.

I had a suspicion Payton would be the one to send them over the edge, ego-wise. A pity.

The Lakers really miss the one trait that marks Duncan's Spurs for Hall of Fame greatness.

The touch of silk. Silk smoothness. The same silk touch Robinson had, and the silk touch that Duncan/Parker seem to have these days. They gel, they work it, and they look very natural doing it all.

[RHooks]

And you have a good point. Duncan is a class act. He's not a selfish guy and still manages to ring up some very good stats. It's too bad not many NBA players will read this thread. Parker seems like a good natured kid as well.

[Terry Penrod]

.

Best of all, they truly look like their still having FUN out there and that really goes along ways toward making me as a fan feel good about watching them succeed at this high level.

Cheers, Terry

.

[Fzoulcmbyl]

Yep, that was another solid performance by the Spurs, and another terrible performance by the Lakers. It's looking like they just don't have enough anymore, which is too bad.

No matter who wins, I would be rooting for the Kings to eventually come out ahead, it's just that I like seeing all the teams bring their "A" game in the Playoffs, and see some real fire from both teams.

The Lakers almost look exactly like Sacramento did at the end of the season, like they were defeated before the game even started, and there is no energy in the way they played.

Sacramento obviously turned it around, and the Lakers have this last opportunity at home to do the same thing, otherwise...I think that team with be "Re-built" next year.



Fzoul

[Terry Penrod]

.

Tonight we had another deep team from Indiana (that also plays solid defense) get by a game but outmanned squad from Miami 94 to 81 - despite a slow start due to a very long 11 day layoff after they swept the Boston Celtics in the first round.

The Miami Heat just do not match-up well with the Pacers, who have home court advantage throughout the playoffs because they had the best record in the entire NBA during the regular season. Like the Spurs, Indiana plays team ball consistently on offense and defense plus they have lots of depth to keep fresh bodies coming at you from beginning to end. In addition, they have a real star in Jermaine O'neal and a very good set of complimentary starters in multi-talented Ron Artest and battle-tested Reggie Miller.

The result is a superior team that simply outguns and out defends most clubs. So I fully expect them to win this series and right now it looks like the Nets are not matching up any better against the defense-minded and much larger Detroit Pistons. That too will be a very tough conference final and the winner will be a bit beat up and bloodied - but also ready for anything the best of the west throws at them.

Cheers, Terry

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[Terry Penrod]

.

Just another quick update:

The Pistons trounced the Nets again last night 95 to 80 and now have a solid 2 to 0 lead in that semi final series. It looks like their larger overall size and staunch team defense are just too much for Kidd & Company this time around. So with Indiana playing so well on both offense and defense, with home court advantage throughout the playoffs (they're already up by 12 against the Miami Heat in the first half of tonight's game two), it's a good bet that they and the Pistons will face each other in the eastern conference finals this year.

Either one could play well against any of the remaining western teams - since size, depth and tough defense go a long ways toward equalizing things in a seven game series. In that light, I think we "might" just see as truly competitive finals for the first time in a while.

Also, we have game two of the high scoring Kings and T-wolves later tonight - which should be another great game to watch.

Cheers, Terry

.

[Fzoulcmbyl]

http://cache.nba.com/media/timberwolves/cassell_170_040508.jpg

Well, Minnesota wins this round of the fight 94-89. Both the Kings and Wolves combined to miss 6 FT in the final minute, and Minnesota had gone on a 16-1 run in the final 3 minutes, wiping out a Kings 10 pt lead, when the score was 88-78 in favor of Sacramento.

Not a big deal, because I didn't expect them to win both games on the T-Wolves home court, it's just that giving up 16 pts in the last 3 minutes is a bit disappointing, especially when they didn't score any points themselves to answer that run. One other thing that I wanted to point out here though, anyone who saw that game last night, knows that Garnett got at least 4 Michael Jordan calls by the refs. He committed offensive fouls that the refs called against Sacramento ( putting his shoulder into people and knocking them on their back ), ...he stumbled out of bounds with the ball in his hands...again knocking over a Sacramento player while doing that....but the foul was called on the Kings, and then towards the end of the game, Sacramento does foul him while the ball is down below his waist, Garnett then takes 2 more steps, then jumps and throws the ball....and the refs say that he was in the "Act of shooting", so he gets to go to the FT line and shoot 2 pts. Utter crap calls.....I can even understand the offensive foul calls, because he is on his home court, and sometimes you get those calls at home, but the other one's were blatent, and even the announcers said those calls were wrong, and they replyed it over again, so you could see it.

The Kings almost left Minnesota with a 2-0 series lead...

:thickskul


Fzoul

[Terry Penrod]

.

I watched both games last night too and agree that some of the calls down the stretch in The Kings - Timberwolves game were bogus. But a more interesting point is that the Kings came from behind in the second half and took that 10 point lead by playing aggressive team defense of all things. Then, unlike them, they went dead cold on shooting. So their usual style was reversed in the last quarter and in the end, it cost them the game. Great match-ups all around though and as I said, this should be a highly competitive, exciting series that will produce a good opponent for either the Spurs or the Lakers in the western conference finals.

In last night's other game, the Indiana Pacers held off The Miami Heat at home again to take a 2 to 0 lead in their eastern conference semi-final series.

Today, The Lakers trounced the Spurs at home 105 to 81 in game three by playing much better defense and by actually coordinating their offense smartly. If they can keep that up from here on in, that series too could go down to the wire.

Next up will be game three of the Detroit Pistons - New Jersey Nets eastern conference semi-final series and unless the Nets can find some real magic, it looks as if the Pistons will sweep them.

Cheers, Terry

.

[Fzoulcmbyl]

Ya, it's looking like the Pacers and the Pistons will both sweep their series.

I didn't get to see the Laker game today, but I will catch the highlights....unfortunately my movie group wanted to catch Van Helsing right when the game started...

:rolleyes:



Fzoul

[Kalbrecht]

Wow - so the Lakers got it together for game 3? Good - it's about time! Makes it more exciting.

Pacers - Pistons would be an interesting series. The Pacers are much more all rounded than the Nets, and will make it a very tough series.

[RHooks]

Awesome game last night between the Wolves and the Kings. I had written the Kings off and was about to go to bed when I decided to hang in and watch the last two minutes. Glad I did. Then, of course, I had to stay up for the overtime. I can see this one going all seven as neither team has shown clear dominance over the other.

[Terry Penrod]

.

Lots of surprises in the last few days and now we have some competitive series to watch the rest of the way through with no sweeps.

The Lakers put the hurt on the Spurs at home in game three of their series, the Nets crushed the Pistons at home in their's and the Heat held on against the Pacers to post a win at home while the surprisingly resilient T-wolves squeaked by the Kings in Sacramento for a terrific OT win last night. Now that was a good, old fashioned shoot-out.

Cheers, Terry

.

[Kalbrecht]

The Wolves-Kings game was excellent. Too bad for any fans who left early before the last quarter Kings run!

It really shows the lack of maturity, though, in the T-Wolves, and the depth in the Kings. The T-Wolves are going to find it very hard in the next round if they keep on missing their fundamentals and teamwork like they did in the last quarter, and much of the OT. Some shocking boxing out, boarding and terrible team support and misuse of their on-game players showed a lack of depth.

Likewise, the Kings, while not having a single A++ class player, showed how deep and crafty they can be. Unfortunately, their major lacking point is a single A++ class player like Garnett - a real impact monster. This will make it tough in the next round.

And props to K-G. What a legend.

And tears for my Pistons! Come on, lads!

[Terry Penrod]

.

Well Kalbrecht, the Nets easily cruised by the Pistons in New Jersey again tonight 91 to 79 to even-up that series at 2 games apiece. Now they return to Detroit with a vastly more confident Nets team vying for the advantage. We'll see if the boys from Motown can regroup and stave-off a full comeback by the two-time defending eastern conference champs, led by a rejuvenated Jason Kidd and a VERY fired-up Kenyon Martin.

In the meantime, the Spurs and Lakers are nip and tuck in the first half of their fourth game. That too suddenly looks like a barn burner with the eventual winners making for a classic western conference finals against either the T-wolves or the Kings.

Cheers, Terry

P.S.

Guess I spoke too soon as while I was posting the above, the Spurs went on a blistering 12 to 3 run to close the first half. They obviously made the necassary adjustments from their game three trouncing at the hands of the Lakers and now have a 10 point lead at halftime. But it's far from over and I plan to watch the rest of the game to see which team comes out smoking in the second half.

.

[Terry Penrod]

.

It's all over - at least for tonight.

Kobe and Shaq came out smokin' in the second half to make up a ten-point halftime deficit and beat the defending NBA champion Spurs in LA by a score of 98 to 90. Byrant was especially brilliant in the second half when you consider that he had to fly back from his Colorado plea hearing this afternoon. He scored every way possible in getting 42 points and making all sorts of defensive plays in between. Game five back in San Antonio should be great.

Cheers, Terry

.

[Kalbrecht]

Yeeeouch! These finals series are turning out to be as unpredictable as a swing in a tornado!

The Pistons may have hit their wall - when Kidd gets fired up, he can be quite unstoppable. Kenyon Martin is pretty good too!

I've got no idea who to predict - all my expectations after the first 2 games are being thrown out the window!

[Terry Penrod]

.

What's cool is that if the Heat and Kings win at home then all four semi-final series will be all tied-up. That hasn't happened in a very long time - if ever. It also means that the conference winners will battle tested to the max at home and away -which should make for a terrific finals.

Cheers, Terry

.

[Terry Penrod]

.

As a quick update to the above - The Miami Heat did win again tonight at home 100 to 88 to even their series with the Indiana Pacers at two games apiece. Lamar Odom lead a very balanced attack with six different Miami players scoring in double figures. I believe that makes 18 consecutive home wins for the Heat, stretching back to the regular season. The teams now return to Indiana for game five of their eastern conference semi-final series.

Also as we speak, the Sacramento Kings and the Minnesota Timberwolves are just getting things going in game four of their western conference semi-final series. So far, it is another tight, high scoring game.

Cheers, Terry

.

[Fzoulcmbyl]

Kings go into the half, with an 11 point lead, T-wolves have 13 turnovers already, and only 6 points in the paint.

Kings are doing a great job defensively, lets see if they can keep the lead...., personally I'd love to see a blowout, that would get into their heads in a big way.



Fzoul

[Terry Penrod]

.

Not a blow-out but at least a win at home tonight for the Kings 87 to 81 to tie that series with the T-wolves at two games each. That makes all the semi-finals tied at this point, meaning that all of them will go at least six games. I'd like to see them all go seven games in triple overtime.

Cheers, Terry

.

[Kalbrecht]

Wow. All tied up at 2-2 in each semi. Excitement plus!

Nice work by the Kings. They turned the closeness of the last game into a win. A win is a win, especially when you can square up the series and put pressure back on the T-Wolves. Next game is in Sac, too, isn't it?

[Terry Penrod]

.

Their using a 2, 2, 1,1,1 schedule in the playoffs which means that game five will be back in Minnesota. But win or lose, they will have to return to Arco Arena in Sacramento for game six on Sunday. However, each of those teams has already shown that they can win on the other team's court, so home advantage is evidently not as big a factor in this semi-final conference series as it has been in the other three. So stay tuned...

Also, the Spurs and Lakers go at it again tonight in their game five with the series tied at two each - back in sunny San Antonio, Texas just a couple hours' drive from here. Wish I could be there in person but alas, the good old digital cable TV will have to suffice.

Even if the Lakers end up winning that series, it's been pretty cool though - having all three Texas NBA teams in the playoffs this year. The Rockets are still very young too and bound to be contenders for some years to come... once Yao Ming fully develops. If Steve Francis and Company also keep improving, then watch-out.

Cheers, Terry

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[Terry Penrod]

.

Thursday Evening Playoff Update -

From the opening buzzer, the Lakers basically jumped all over the Spurs in San Antonio and had a solid 16 point lead right up to the end of the third quarter, when suddenly the Spurs caught fire and made up half the difference in the blink of an eye by playing good defense, forcing turn-overs, forcing bad shots and with superior bench play. As we speak, it is late in the 4th period and it is now a back and forth one-point game. It has also turned out to be a relatively low scoring match despite the early fireworks and it looks like the team with the deepest bench, freshest late-game starters and best defense will win - assuming they hit a few free throws down the stretch and don't make any really stupid mistakes as the clock winds down.

Who that will be is anyone's guess at this point. But stay tuned because it is a very close contest and there are super stars galore all over the court.

Oops, make that a 3-point game... the Spurs just took the lead by a single point, then immediately stole the ball back and scored again with just a couple of minutes left. Uhhh... Shaq just scored again to make it a one point game again... and... I'm getting dizzy.

Uh oh, spoke too soon.

Kobe Bryant just hit another amazing shot with 11.5 seconds remaining to take the lead back by one point. So now the Spurs need to inbound the ball and score. But the Lakers have a foul to give and... yep, there they go - they fouled the Spurs with only 5.4 seconds to play, so they'll have to inbound yet again and hit a two pointer within a few seconds to win...

WOW!

The Spurs inbound to Tim Duncan who spins, dribbles as he fades left, shoots falling away off balance from around 15 feet and hits nothing but net to take the lead back by a point with a mere .4 of a second left.

Can the Lakers do it too?

The Spurs also have a foul to give and a time out left...

They wait and see how the Lakers are going to line-up and then call that time out.

Now the Lakers get set and... they too call a time out - this is getting intense.

Here it comes, finally the last play of the game...

OMG! Instead of inbounding to Kobe, they pass it to Derek Fisher who spins around, leaps over a close defender and releases the ball with less than a tenth of a second to go...

The clock hits zero while the ball is still in mid air and...

HOLY COW, nothing but net. The Lakers win by a point.

Final Score in Game Five: Lakers 74 Spurs 73

Whew, I'm exhausted.

Okay, the home court advantage has now been broken in this great series and they go back to LA for game six on Sunday when the Lakers can actually close it out with a win to comeback from two games down and the right to face either the Kings or the T-wolves in the western conference finals.

Cheers, Terry

.

[Fzoulcmbyl]

Well how do ya like that! I gotta watch that again on Sportscenter....


:eek:



Fzoul

[Kalbrecht]

oh god I hope my friend taped this. Oh god oh god oh god. I GOTTA watch this game!

[RHooks]

Game 4 will come back to haunt Pop. A minute left and down by only 8 and you quit playing!?! :eek:
The basketball gods were not amused and the Spurs will suffer mightily because of that decision.

Kings and Wolves are proving to be the more interesting series. Tempers are getting short and play was getting physical in the last game so I can hardly wait for the next. Webber was big in that game but can you count on him to step up again?

[Fzoulcmbyl]

R-Hooks hit it on the head. In the Kings - Wolves series, there have been several "droughts", where only 1 pt, or no points were scored over the span of 3-4 min.

I don't care how good of a defense you play, you absolutely must score at least some points off of those defensive stops. In the last game, the T-Wolves turned the ball over in the 4th quarter... 4 or 5 times right in a row. Garnett was called for travelling twice, then Hassell for travelling, then a pass that went out of bounds....all this happened within a few minutes. So how many points did the Kinds score from those turnovers?


1

Only 1 point from a freethrow by Brad Miller, because of a foul. If you end up winning a game, after something like that, then you were lucky.

The Kings played a Hell of a great defensive game Wednesday, but just scoring 1 point ain't going to win ya a series.


Fzoul

[Terry Penrod]

.

Well, the following blurb says it all about the amazing triple overtime Nets win in Detroit tonight.


Once, twice, three times a classic

Chauncey Billups had 31, including a 40-foot bank shot that forced OT. New Jersey blew the lead in regulation, overtime and double overtime. Brian Scalabrine helped make sure the Nets didn't give it away again. The little-used reserve's last of four three-pointers helped cement the Nets' wild 127-120 victory at the Pistons on Friday. Game 5 lasted longer than four hours. The game's 83 fouls and eight disqualifications set postseason records in the shot-clock era.

MORE:

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/recap;_ylc=X3oDMTBpYTg2ZTBwBF9TAzk1ODYxOTQ4BHNlYwN 0bQ--?gid=2004051408

All I can say is WOW!

Plus, as we speak, the T-wolves and the Kings are going head-to-head in another close game five, this time in Minnesota.

Cheers, Terry

.

[Terry Penrod]

.

Last Update on Friday Night -

Latrell Sprewell played huge tonight in game five with 34 key points and a determined overall effort to star in the Timberwolve's 86 to 74 win in Minnesota to take a 3 game to 2 lead over the Sacramento Kings in their western conference semi-final series. They head back to California for game six on Sunday.

BTW, the Kings went ice cold tonight hitting only 33% of their shots from the floor and tempers did flare when King's center Brad Miller was tossed-out of the game for throwing a punch.

Speaking of the upcoming playoff schedule, I think I may have misspoken about when the Lakers and Spurs play their game six. It will be a late game tomorrow night, Saturday, May 15th not on Sunday. Like the T-wolves, the Lakers can also close-out their series in the next game. The difference is that they will be at home and Minnesota will be away.

Cheers, Terry

.

[Terry Penrod]

.

Saturday Night Update -

It's all over for the defending NBA champion Spurs this year, as the Lakers administered the knock-out punch at home tonight 88 to 76 to win their western conference semi-final series four games to two after losing the first two in San Antonio. The story of the game was that Kobe and Shaq were rock solid while the Spurs could not buy a basket down the stretch. They had plenty of opportunities too down by only six points with plenty of time left. But the Lakers' defense, better than average free throw shooting and San Antonio's inability to hit an open shot in the second half combined for an LA victory. The Lakers now await the winner of the Timberwolves - Kings series that resumes tomorrow afternoon in Sacramento.

In the earlier game tonight, the Indiana Pacers easily held serve at home to best the Miami Heat 94 to 83. The Pacers used a very balanced attack and stout defense all the way through to secure a three games to two edge in their best-of-seven eastern conference semi-final series. Now the Heat have to win at home to send it to a final and decisive game.

Cheers, Terry

.

[Kalbrecht]

I can't believe it.

All this amazing basketball and the ESPN coverage here stuffed us! They CANCELLED the game 5 replay for a stupid SPORTS QUIZ SHOW!

AAARGH!

Oh man the T-Wolves/Kings matchup is turning out to be a real scorcher!

And the Nets/Pistons sounds like one of the old Pistons matches of old with guys like Laimbeer on the floor!

[Terry Penrod]

.

Sunday Afternoon Update:

In game six of the highly competitve Kings - Timberwolves western conference semi-final series, the home team found things much easier in Sacrameno winning 104 to 87. Once again tempers flared and punches (actually elbows) were thrown late in the contest after the whistle. With the Kings win, they are now all tied-up again and a decisive game seven will be played back in Minnesota on Wednesday to determine who will face the Lakers - who eliminated the defending champs with an impressive all-around perfromance in LA last night.

If the Lakers to go on and win another NBA title this year, that will make 10 championships for coach Phil Jackson - an astonishing feat in this day and age - regardless of who is playing on your team.

Later this evening, the Nets are home in New Jersey to try and eliminate the feisty Detroit Pistons in game six of their topsy-turvy eastern conference semi-final series.

Cheers, Terry

.

[Terry Penrod]

.

Late Sunday Results -

The Pistons held on to beat the Nets 81 to 75 mostly due to Richard Hamilton's solid play and their typically solid team defense - especially the aggressive play of Ben Wallace. Now, New Jersey must defeat Detroit at home in game seven if they are going on to the eastern conference finals and the NBA finals for the third straight year. If they play like they did last night, that is not going to happen.

Cheers, Terry

.

[Fzoulcmbyl]

Great games so far,.... my 4-2 prediction was right for the Lakers-Spurs, and ya, I know....lucky guess. :p:


I Still think that Detroit will win the game seven, it bugs me when a team like NJ has such a poor performance in the Finals, and then comes back the next year and takes someone elses opportunity away, just so they can have another poor performance in the Finals again.

I hope Sacramento gets by the Wolves, yes Minnesota has not been there yet, but then again, the Kings are my team, so I can't root against them.
A Lakers/Kings battle would be great, and I think the NBA would be happy with that too.


Pacers/Detroit and

Lakers/Kings

The best scenario for the Final games.



Fzoul

[Terry Penrod]

.

Either way, the western conference finals ought to be very competitve and exciting again this year. But yes, the Lakers and Kings would make for a more dramatic match-up.

On other breaking NBA playoff news -

Anthony Peeler, the Sacramento guard who stiff-armed and elbowed Minnesota's super star, league player-of-the-year Kevin Garnett in their last game to incite an elbow in response, and then tried to clock the bigger man in the face with his elbow, was suspended by the commissioner without pay for two games.

Garnett was also fined and reprimanded but since he did not start or end the well televised scuffle, they are going to let him play in the seventh game in their series. That gives the T-wolves their best player at home against an undermanned King's squad, so it will take a herculean effort on their part to beat the home team and go on to face the Lakers.

Cheers, Terry

.

[Kalbrecht]

Ooo...that was good luck for the T-Wolves. I hope the T-Wolves make it past Sac. It's been a heck of a series, but I think the T-Wolves have just enough to make it past them.

Then on to the Lakers. Yeouch. Fun times. I think a Kings-Lakers series would be more exciting, but I've got hopes for the T-Wolves.

*sets out the incense for Detroit*

C'mon Palace of Auburn Hills. Be good for the Pistons...

[Fzoulcmbyl]

TNT's Kenny Smith, showed the fight develop from 2-3 incidents prior to Peeler's forearm.

1. Wally Z. set an illegal pick, and either elbowed, or forearmed Peeler in the mouth....he was bleeding from the mouth, and was showing the Ref. at the very end of the fight, if you watch the tape all the way.

2. After the Wally pick, Garnett then switched placed with him,....all this happened in a few seconds, so when Peeler gets cracked in the mouth, he then feels someone behind him, and so he throws an elbow into Garnetts stomach, ...and if you see on the film...Garnett then tumbles to the floor on his back.

3. Garnett then gets up, and moves around in front of Peeler, and give him a shot right back in the gut, or ribs...whichever...

4. Peeler then throws the elbow to Garnetts jaw,.. which is what everyone including the Refs saw, and what got played over and over again.

So, ....it all started with Wally. I don't know if he was fined, or if the Refs even looked that far back in the play, but I can understand if a guy gets hit in the mouth hard enough to make him bleed, and then gets punched in the gut, he's going to be pretty pissed off about it.
Peeler didn't play for the remainder of the game, and the Kings came out ok, and really....for the whole series, I don't think Peeler has been a major player, so the loss is minimal, but I do think that if I was handing out the suspensions, I would have fined Wally, and suspended both Garnett and Peeler.....that's only fair, since all 3 players were contributors to the fight.



Fzoul

[Kalbrecht]

I doubt they'd look that far back. Video replays have a tendency of concentrating attention on the single incident, I've noticed.

tsk tsk tsk.

[Terry Penrod]

.

During the game, I only saw the sequence from the point that Garnett went down to the floor, got up and then basically shoved Peeler in the chest with his elbow. Peeler's reaction (even if it was instigated by another player) should not have been a head shot right in front of the refs. It was disproportional / an over-reaction from what I could see. But that's based only on my immediate impressions as the action unfolded on live TV. Either way, those are the breaks and I agree that Peeler does not represent anywhere near as big a lose to his team as Garnett would to Minnesota.

That aside, it would also cause a huge ruckus if KG was suspended for game seven as the league MVP - especially since he was the one who first went down and his response was really not intended to be a knock-out blow.

On the Wally thing, if the replays clearly showed that full sequence of events, then perhaps he should have been fined or possibly suspended too. But I'd have to see the video to even try and form an opinion about that.

Cheers, Terry

.

[RHooks]

I didn't watch the game but from what I read in the sports columns Peeler punk'd KG out. :scared: He basically let him get away with it so why should KG be suspended? Unless it's for being a wimp. It's the play-offs. You're the leader on your team. The league MVP. You can't let someone disrespect you like that and not do anything. :eek:

[RHooks]

1. Wally Z. set an illegal pick, and either elbowed, or forearmed Peeler in the mouth....he was bleeding from the mouth, and was showing the Ref. at the very end of the fight, if you watch the tape all the way.


I'm thinking that if I'm Peeler I'm not admitting to anybody that Wally Z hurt me.

:wink:

[RHooks]

The "Big Ticket" finally came up big in a big game. T-wolves advance.

[Fzoulcmbyl]

*Sigh

:(:

Oh, well.... like I was saying, if you have these 5 and 7 min droughts, you're not going to win against anybody.

33 pts at the half.... Bibby and Peja combine for 5 of 21, how many lay-ups were missed?.... FT shooting was 8 of 17....not even 50%, that's ridiculous.

:thickskul


Unbelieveable that a team that was #1 for almost the entire season, puts up numbers like that.

:mad:


Fzoul

[Terry Penrod]

.

In the very end though, the Kings did make it very, very close and gave themsleves every possible chance to send game seven into OT. But that was just not in the cards as Kevin Garnett had a monster game at home for the T-wolves and Sam Cassell hit some crucial free throws in the closing seconds to maintain a 3-point lead.

The next step (although Miinesota will still have home court advantage) against the resurgent Lakers will be a lot harder as they are extremely experienced in the really big games and series. They also now realize just how easy it is to quickly fall behind by two games on the other guy's court and that the only way they can keep winning is to keep playing hard as a team on both defense and offensive for the full 4 quarters, while Shaq and Kobe do their thing.

But in more specific terms, Shaq will not have huge bodies double and triple teaming him on every play and that will allow him more room to score inside as well as to rebound on offensive and to play dominant defense on the other end. If Minnesota can not stop him, he will be a one-man wrecking machine in the coming western conference finals.

Cheers, Terry

.

[Kalbrecht]

Well, looks like the Pistons-Nets series is over.

GO PISTONS! Except for the absolute dud of a game that was Game 7!

Kidd scored...well, he didn't.

36% shooting from the floor, less than 19 points per quarter...

ugh. It's not even a good way to finish a series for the Pistons, who'll have to face the charged up Pacers on Saturday.

[Terry Penrod]

.

Yep, that 90 to 69 butt whoopin' was a shocking game seven given how close the Nets have played the Pistons in the last four games - winning three after losing the first two in Motown.

Holding Jason Kidd scoreless was a real feat and goes to show you just how tough Detroit's defense is. But it was the balanced scoring of Richard Hamilton, Ben Wallace and Chauncey Billups along with a decent contribution from Rasheed Wallace and a little more offensive help from the bench that made this a laugher. The Pistons scored at will in the middle part of the game while Kidd and Company couldn't hit a-n-y-t-h-i-n-g to save their playoff lives. The Nets did make a mini-run late in the game with 9 straight points. But Detroit came right back with 8 straight of their own to squelch any tiny chance that New Jersey might still have had at coming from as much as 25 points down.

So now they go on to face the Indiana Pacers who have home court advantage in the eastern conference finals. They had the best record in the entire NBA this year but are far from invincible and Detroit will match-up better with them than the Nets would have due to overall size, even better total defense and more diverse scoring. Of course THE matches to watch will be Ben Wallace vs. Ron Artest - the two best defensive players in the league - and former team mates at Portland, Jermaine Oneal vs. Rasheed Wallace who are both playing well.

In the western conference finals, key in on Sam Cassell for the Minnesota Timberwolves. If he shoots well and creates lots of opportunities for the rest of his team, then they at least have a chance to beat the Lakers. Remember that they had the best record in the west so they have home court advantage. They also have a true super star in Garnett and Sprewell can contribute a lot if he plays up to his potential. So that series too has some genuine intrigue - although something in me says that the combination of a healthy Shaq and a determined Kobe (assuming that legalitis doesn't take him out of the game), along with future hall-of-fame greats Karl Malone and Gary Payton are destined to win a(nother) championship for Coach Phil Jackson.

But hey, who knows? That's why I plan to stay tuned the rest of the way through.

Cheers, Terry

.

[Kalbrecht]

In the West, Spree is really going to have to turn in a pearler of a series. He's been a little iffy in the Kings series, IMO, so fingers crossed for him.

The East matchup will be great. A nice rivalry between two solid teams and some good matchups. I can't wait to see O'Neal v Wallace.

[Fzoulcmbyl]

Finally, there is going to be a reason to watch the Eastern Finals. That hasn't happened since the days of Ewing and the Knicks..... Charles Oakley, John Starks, Alan Houston, and Spike Lee... against Reggie and Co.

not to mention Michael and the Bulls....


On the West side, Cassell would be a key factor, if not for the fact that he has only had 1 day to rest his back/side, and I doubt that he has rested much at all, with the prep. that goes into getting ready for the Lakers in just 1 day.

I also think that Garnett has completely exhausted himself with the numbers he put up in game 7. I will be surprised if the T-Wolves put up 80 pts in this game.


Fzoul

[Terry Penrod]

.

I agree. The long, hard seven game series with the Kings was exhausting for the T-wolves and the aging Lakers got a very nice little break by beating the defending champion Spurs in six games instead of seven.

Cassell is a warrior though and he does have great playoff experience. Obviously, I recall his contributions to the Rocket's cause during their championship seasons and he seems to respond very well to pressure situations. But again, Kobe can be a hellish defender and Payton has just this one last chance to finally get his ring - as does Malone who can be a real defensive stopper too when Shaq is taking up the whole middle. So if the Lakers keep playing tough and as long as they stay focused and healthy, it will be very difficult for Minnesota to get past them - even with home court advantage. If anyone doubts that, just ask the now vacationing San Antonio Spurs.

Cheers, Terry

.

[RHooks]

Minnesota just doesn't match up well with L.A. They're really going to feel the loss of Troy Hudson in this series. Their only hope is to put enough heat on L.A. that they turn into the bickering Lakers again.

I really hope Detroit takes Indiana as I would like to see a Detroit/Lakers final. L.A. definitely has the edge in experience but I think the team that Larry put together can cause some problems for the Lakers. They are quick and athletic. If he keeps them playing hard and smart they can make it scarey for L.A. Conversely, I don't see the Lakers having any trouble with the Pacers.

[Shardos]

Minnesota is going to kick the Lakers' arse tonight :):
I can't watch the game though because I have volleyball semi-finals for state tonight

[Terry Penrod]

.

Final score in game one of the NBA western conference final series played tonight in Minnesota:

Lakers 97 Timberwolves 88


The story was that the Lakers came to Minnesota very well rested, healthy, extremely experienced in high pressure situations, confident and with a solid game plan based on most of the things that we have been talking about here leading-up to the game.

The T-wolves had no answer for Shaquille O'neal who bided his time early passing the ball and blocking out while Karl Malone made a lot of offensive plays hitting for 18. Then Shaq basically took over scoring and rebounding at will ending-up with 27 points, 18 rebounds and dominating the middle as usual. Even more amazing was that Shaq hit around 90% of his freethrows. In the meantime, Kobe Bryant did not showboat in getting 23 points, plus Gary Payton played unselfishly as did Devean George and then, just as the final quarter was closing with the score still very close, former starter Derek Fisher came off the bench and caught fire (scoring 14 points overall) and hitting a killer 3-pointer from the deep right corner at just under a minute to play.

On the other side, again as we speculated, the Timberwolves were still a bit tired from that incredible seven-game series with the Kings and Sam Cassell is evidently still hurtung badly because once he sat down near the end of the third period, the pain / spasms hit him and he simply could not return for the entire fourth quarter. That was a real blow too since he was having an excellent game to help offset the fact that the Lakers were defensing Kevin Garnett very well and they need Sam to both score and to create opportunities for everyone else. Latrell Sprewell had a super game though hitting 23 key points to keep things from ever getting out of hand and Minnesota had a clear chance to catch-up and win the game right up to the moment that Fisher tossed in that comeback stopping 3-pointer.

What this means is that the Lakers will return to LA at least tied in the series and can therefore determine their own destiny at home in the remaining six games. Game two will be on Sunday in Minnesota and I think it will be another very close, competitve test that could easliy go either way. These two teams are quite evenly matched and if Garnett, Sprewell and especially Cassell can come back strong and win game two, the T-wolves could give the mighty Lakers all they want... and then some.

Cheers, Terry

.

[Fzoulcmbyl]

I missed the game tonight, but I "TIVO'd " it.... :D:

I'll check it out between tonight and Sat., but hey...they scored more than 80...so I stand corrected on that, I didn't think they would have enough left in the tank for 88.

:thumbup:



Fzoul

[Terry Penrod]

.

Sunday Morning Update

They don't call Reggie Miller "Mister Clutch" for nothing. The aging star of the Indianapolis Pacers missed all six of his shots last night leading up to his final attempt - a majestic three-pointer with around thirty seconds remaining to break a tie and win the game.

Pacers 78 Pistons 74

Detroit played them tough though and Ben Wallace's defensive effort alone practically won the game for them. But in the end, you have to outscore the other team and they simply failed to display enough offense. You see, the Pacers also play solid defense and that kept things close all the way through - which gave Miller the opportunity to do what he has always done - sink an improbable bucket with the game on the line.

One thing's for sure though, like the Lakers - Timberwolves series, this one is also going to be fought tooth and nail right to the bitter end.

Cheers, Terry

.

[Kalbrecht]

Dang. That's what Detroit lacks - a clutch player. They're a solid team, but this was always going to be an issue for them. Miller's a classic clutch player. It gives Indy that slight edge which has me worried about Detroit's chances. This will be an all-bodies-in series, which is what Detroit do well!

I caught the end of the Lakers-TWolves. Oh dear - the Lakers just looked to solid to my eyes (even though I only saw the end). but I know the TWolves won't give up. I can't wait to see the next game!

[Shardos]

<cries>

[Terry Penrod]

.

Just a quick update from Sunday night -

The Minnesota Timberwolves came back very strong in game two to even their western conference final series with the Lakers, winning easily 89 to 71. Even though guard Sam Cassell had to leave just 43 seconds into the game and did not return, his substitute and former Laker Darrick Martin played brilliantly as Kevin Garnett, Latrell Sprewell and a good supporting cast of other players came through big time. Shaq was held to just 14 points and the whole Minnesota defense did a great job shutting down their rivals from LA. Karl Malone got so frustrated at one point in the game, that he was tossed out for a (very) flagrant foul when he quite literally flattened little Darrick Martin with a tremendous forearm - and a number of technical fouls were also issued along the way.

The teams now travel to sunny California to play games two and three later this week while Detroit and Indiana renew their battle in game two of the eastern conference finals tonight.

Cheers, Terry

.

[Terry Penrod]

.

Monday Night Update -

The Detroit Pistons rode 23 key points by Richard Hamilton and a team total 19 blocked shots to a hard fought, low scoring 72 to 67 victory over the Pacers in Indianapolis tonight to even their eastern conference final series at one win apiece. They now travel to Michigan for the next two games which should also be close, defensive contests.

Cheers, Terry

.

[Kalbrecht]

19 blocked. Whooo-wee. Looks like it's a old style Detroit body matchup from a decade and more ago!

*phew*

These are good series going on. I like! Nice work by the Wolves. It was always going to be a challenge to hold back the bigger and very talented Lakers, but they've got a lot of energy on their side. Great stuff.

Any word on whether Cassell will be back for the next game?

[Terry Penrod]

.

The last report I read about Cassell was that by coming out almost immediately last night, he will have had at least four full days rest and therapy before the next game starts. So it looks favorable for him to return and contribute in game three. Good news is that Martin played very well filling in for him and the T-wolves got the big win at home to even the series. If Sam can not play the full game at full speed in LA, then they have someone decent to back him up.

All-in-all, both series are just be too close too call - especially if the key offensive players stay healthy and the defenses keep playing so hard from buzzer to buzzer. They also set-up a terrific NBA finals this year - no matter who plays who - and you gotta love that.

Cheers, Terry

.

[Fzoulcmbyl]

I haven't heard, but it's my guess that he will sit out 1 game, especially since the series is all tied-up. Don't miss that game though, with all the "technicals" that were handed out, and all the hard fouls, ..this is going to be a wild ride down in L.A.

I also watched the Detroit/Indiana game, and I was really impressed with how hard those teams were going at it. Reggie and Rip were flailing all over each other the entire game, and the blocked shot by T. Prince at the end of the game was just unbelieveable. A very entertaining Eastern match-up.

:thumbup:


Fzoul

[RHooks]

Wolves should be encouraged that they were able to gut out a win without Cassell. If Cassell is able, he'll play. I think Flip is smart enough to know his team can't take a night off against the Lakers.

[Terry Penrod]

.

Tuesday Night Update -

Lakers 100 Timberwolves 89

Even with Sam Cassell in the game and Kobe Bryant only taking two shots the entire first half, Minnesota was no match for Los Angeles at home this evening.

Kobe did not score before halftime but came on strong in the second, matching Shaq's 22 points and helping make this a fairly easy win for Phil Jackson's team. Although the big three for the T-wolves had balanced scored and Wally came off the bench to score another 21, the Lakers starters were even better and their bench contributed too. The win gives LA a two game to one lead in the western conference finals and it will take a super effort for Garnett & Company to even things up again in game four before returning home for game five.

Cheers, Terry

.

[Terry Penrod]

.

Wednesday Night Update -

Pistons 85 Pacers 78

Although Jermaine O'neal played well for Indianapolis, the rest of the team was flat tonight in Detroit as the Pistons won game three at home in their eastern conference final series to take a two game to one lead.

Rasheed Wallace and Richard Hamilton shared the scoring lead for Detroit with 20 points apiece while Ben Wallace and Chauncey Billups chipped in as well and the whole team put out their typically staunch defensive effort getting out to a quick 13-point lead and then holding on in the late going to stave-off a Pacers comeback try.

Not a true nailbiter but it turned out to be another close, hard fought match and the that's always fun to watch.

Cheers, Terry

.

[Terry Penrod]

.

Thursday Night Update -

Lakers 92 Timberwolves 85

Kobe Bryant had yet another big court appearance this afternoon in Colorado and an even bigger court appearance tonight at Staples Center in LA where he scored 31 points and led the Lakers to a game four victory over the outmanned T-wolves in their western conference final series. Shaq also contributed heavily with 19 points to match his 19 rebounds.

For Minnesota, league MVP Kevin Garnett had a great all-around game with 28 points, 13 rebounds and 9 assists. But with Sam Cassell still hurting and unable to finish the game, Laker's guard Derek Fisher also scored easily and the rest of the Timberwolve's simply couldn't overcome the surging Laker's lead.

LA now takes a commanding three game to one lead in the series, which next returns to Minnesota for a possible close-out game five for Kobe, Shaq and company.

Cheers, Terry

.

[Kalbrecht]

Ouch. It looks like the Lakers' depth of talent has really made the difference.

Almost a triple-double for KG. That would have been nice, but unfortunately they're heavily against the ropes, and these are the times when the Lakers (and Jacksons' coaching) can really shine.

[Terry Penrod]

.

Friday Night Update -

Pacers 83 Pistons 68

Going into game four of their eastern conference finals against the Pistons in Detroit and already down two games to one, Indianapolis Pacers' coach Rick Carlisle made a bold move to start Austin Croshere. But it paid off instantly as his deadly three-point shooting quickly spread the Pistons' vaunted defense and allowed Ron Artest, Reggie Miller and Jermaine O'neal to score inside and out giving the visitors an easy win to even the series. Artest scored 14 in the first half to make sure that Detroit was playing catch-up and Crochere's timely three-pointers sealed the deal as Richard Hamilton was the lone Piston able to score consistently.

Jermaine O'neal had a scary moment when he hyper-extended his left knee coming down hard with a rebound in front of Big Ben Wallace. He had to leave the court twice but did return to have a great second half and when the Pistons threatened to make a run late in the game, Artest came through again with six more straight points.

With the teams now dead even at two wins apiece, the series returns to Indianapolis for game five, where Detroit has already proven they can win. But with the Croshere substitute in the starting line-up, they will have a tough time doing that again - especially since O'neal was not hurt badly and the rest of the Pacers seem to have finally clicked on offense.

Cheers, Terry

.

[Terry Penrod]

.

Ouch. It looks like the Lakers' depth of talent has really made the difference.

Almost a triple-double for KG. That would have been nice, but unfortunately they're heavily against the ropes, and these are the times when the Lakers (and Jacksons' coaching) can really shine.


You can say that again Chai.

Bless his heart though, but "little" Sam "I am" Cassell just can not play a full game, let alone effectively and that alone has hurt the T-wolves immensely.

Even though his substitute has played well, Sam was their key play creator and a far better overall scorer who formed a critical leg in their potent triple threat starting offense. With the Lakers healthy and now playing as a total team at both ends of the court, and with all the momentum, things look very bleak for Minnesota. But anything can happen and they are at home for crucial game five. Cassell will also have had a little extra rest and therapy, so if he can come back at full strength, they might have a chance to extend the series to a sixth game back in LA. There, I think it will end though as the Lakers just have too many hall of famers playing as a very effective, single unit right now. Two of them also know that this is probably their last shot at ever getting a championship ring and that is a LOT of incentive for them to play their guts out.

Cheers, Terry

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[Terry Penrod]

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Saturday Night Update -

T-wolves 98 Lakers 96

Even without ailing Sam Cassell in the line-up at home in Minnesota tonight for game five of their western conference finals, the Timberwolves played great and held on in a wild one to beat the Lakers and send the series back to LA for game six.

Garnett was brilliant as was Sprewell and Wally kicked in too, along with the Minnesota bench to edge LA by a whisker. Like the Detroit - Indianapolis contest, this series is also extremely close and I'd love to see them both go right down to the last second of OT in game sevens.

Cheers, Terry

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[Terry Penrod]

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Monday Night, Memorial Day Update -

Lakers 96 T-wolves 90

LAKERS WIN 2004 NBA WESTERN CONFERENCE FINAL SERIES 4 GAMES TO 2

Another close, exciting, drama-packed game for sure with both Shaq and Kobe in serious foul trouble early and the Timberwolves hitting an incredible 24 of 26 freethrows. But in the end, without injured Sam Cassell running the offense and adding that extra scoring touch, Minnesota was simply outmanned by LA.

Once again, Kevin Garnett and Latrell Sprewell played very well for the T-wolves and a couple of roleplayers pitched in too, to make this a near upset of the Lakers at Staples Center in Los Angeles tonight. Then, as he did in the first half, little-used Kareem Rush came off the bench in the second half to score another three 3-pointers, giving him six in the game and just enough scoring overall to stave-off the very determined Minnesota team.

The Lakers now get a nice, long rest until Sunday, when the NBA Championship Finals begin.

Speaking of which... last night, the Detroit Pistons looked VERY good in soundly beating an ailing Jermaine O'neal and the Indianapolis Pacers (who were playing at home) by the score of 83 to 65. Their defense was suffocating as usual and Richard "Rip" Hamilton scored almost at will in a superb all-around individual performance. Rasheed Wallace was also solid and the Pacers looked weak by comparison. They now take a 3 games to 2 lead in their eastern conference final series back to Motown, where they can close things out to advance to the finals against LA.

Cheers, Terry

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[Kalbrecht]

Ahhh, better luck next time, Wolves. You had a good go, but just don't have the allround beef like the Lakers.

A pity for Sprewell, and Cassell, too. The elder statesmen in the Lakers get to move another step closer to Ring Glory, but it's another big step closer towards older and more tired legs for Spree and Cass.

Detroit are exhibiting some very good characteristics now, and have gained some better confidence in scoring against the Pacers. Yes!

[Fzoulcmbyl]

Well Mr. Kalbrecht, right now your Pistons have scored a total of 27 points for the entire 1st half....that is dumbfounding... :wtf:

The previous game, the pacers scored a total of 68 for the game,..I just don't see how the East can have any hope at all, after this series...and I would say that no matter who they were facing in the West.

The Wolves would have killed them, San Antonio would have Dominated them,....they may have had a few good defensive games against Sacramento, but sheesh...it's just amazing how these teams can score in the 60's and know full well that they are going to be swept in the Finals. That must be a horrible feeling in the locker room.


Fzoul

[Kalbrecht]

Well, what can I say, Fzoul. Yay Eastern Conference! (NOT) It's depressing isn't it.

The only possible way for the Pistons (and Indiana, for that matter) to beat the Western teams is to bring them down to their level. And CAN they do it against such a potent offensive team as Jackson's Lakers?

*shudder*

This is going to be a painful finals series. *sigh* Oh well, at least the Pistons will have a much better chance in defense against the Lakers than the smaller Pacers (who are probably the better offensive team).

Overall though, I have to say that the scoring in these finals series (all round) have been pretty low-key. They've been nice and tight, and mostly seem to be very defensive games rather than run n gun breakout games overall.

End of the third and Indiana finally reached the 50pt mark.

[Terry Penrod]

.

Lest we forget that the Lakers also have some of the very best defensive players who ever donned sneakers. Shaq is a one-man wrecking machine. Malone has always been a big, super tough defender and Kobe has often been nominated as defensive player of the year. The rest of the team is also playing well at that end. So either the Pistons or the Pacers will find it very hard to score many points on them and will have even harder time stopping the purple crew from getting some solid offense in too - even if it does only come in spurts.

But as I've always said, in the playoffs anything can happen with a single injury to one key player, a few bad calls and a momentum shift that suddenly gives hope to the hopeless. So anything can happen from here on out. But the Lakers do look (on paper and on the court) to be the superior team this year - not to mention that their regular mainstays have something to prove after losing last season and that their two new starters this year are on a last-ditch quest for that elusive championship ring.

Cheers, Terry

P.S. With a little over 4 minutes left to go in the game, it's all tied up at 59 points each. So stay tuned...

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[Terry Penrod]

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Tuesday Night Update -

Pistons 69 Pacers 65

A very exciting finish but overall another low scoring game in Detroit tonight,
in what has to be one of the lowest scoring conference final series ever.

Next up... GAME ONE of the LAKERS - PISTONS NBA FINALS in Los Angeles this weekend.

Cheers, Terry

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[Kalbrecht]

Just saw that result on nba.com so...

WOOOHOOOOOO!!! Pistons are up to the big game!

Look: even Spiderman (wearing Pistons colours, natch) likes it:

http://www.chincdzine.com/personal/spideydance.gif

So, how many oxen do I need to sacrifice to win this one?

[Terry Penrod]

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You know Chaister, if they bring their very best team D and use it from the opening buzzer until they drop, the Pistons will be able to disrupt the Laker's natural offensive flow. But the question is, can Detroit score enough points consistently in a seven game series so that it matters? I mean, no defense in NBA history could completely shut-down this LA team (one that also has a pretty tough defense of their own). So I really think that scoring accumen under pressure, combined with total experience will win out in the end. And in those two areas, the lakers appear to be far better.

Butyaneverknow.

Cheers, Terry

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[Kalbrecht]

Yeah - once again, the Pistons lack of a scoring giant is going to hurt.

Sure, Rip et al have been scoring pretty well, and did good in some earlier games, but have still been scoring pretty much peanuts when compared to the Lakers, who have a LOT of scoring giants.

Fingers crossed. Crazy things have happened in the Finals before!!!