God it would be MARVELOUS if the Pacers made it out of the East and were in the finals against OKC, San Antonio, or Memphis. ESPN would basically hemorrhage from that small-market boredom

Have gotten five out of seven series correct in my original picks (MIA in 4, NYK in 6, IND in 6, OKC, SAS). Missed on DEN and LAC (Golden State surprised me, Memphis didn't). Could get six if Brooklyn wins tomorrow. But considering that BKN/CHI series is pretty irrelevant to what is going to happen in the next round, it's time to make some new ones.


MIA over BKN/CHI in 4

Hard to see either one of the Nets or Bullls getting a game off the Heat. I suppose the Bulls could do it if Derrick Rose somehow returns and is actually good (or if they get a ton of homer calls like that one game that broke the streak). If the Heat give a full effort for all of these games, though, they won't be beaten.

NYK over IND in 7

Meh. Both flawed teams but the Knicks have home advantage so I'll take them.

MEM over OKC in 6

The Thunder are going to have some real trouble scoring against that Memphis defense if game 4 and 5 of the Houston series are any indication. They're going to need more than just Durant to get by (so basically an offensive performance like tonight with significant contributions from Jackson/Martin/Ibaka). I see Memphis holding serve at home and picking up one on the road.

SAS over GS in 5

The SAS machine is just better in every facet. Golden State may pick up a game at home with their hot shooting.

LeBron will prevent such a horror.

Reminded me of some of those asshole umpires in MLB that make the game all about them.

Paul definitely took a shot at Gasol :

Glad Paul and Griffin are gone

Given his history, I'm surprised he didn't just kick him in the nuts while he wasn't looking.

Omg, I missed this.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/wIw_iQIlAb4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

LMAO LMAO LMAO LMAO LMAO

Eh. Nothing that deserved an ejection. I wouldn't even call it a fragrant. Hard foul.

Agreed, but still a cheap shot. Game was all but over, Gasol walking away from the basket....it was a punk move.

Don't agree.

Gasol wasn't even turned to set a screen.

Good riddance to Vinny Del Negro, who's like a basketball version of Peeholi and Crennell all rolled up into one. DeAndre Jordan must go as well and Chauncey really needs to retire, he's officially washed up.

Memphis was the better team and the better-coached team. They deserved to win the series. That being said, the officiating all series was absolutely atrocious, and this game was the worst by far. Joey Crawford is a miserable old douchebag who further hurts the league's already-laughable credibility with every whistle he blows. He completely ruined what should have been a good game with his desperate attention-whoring and one-sided whistlefest tonight. The fact that Stern continues to allow guys like Crawford to ref in this league with no consequences for their actions proves that there's some truth to the theories about rigged games, IMO.

This would have been a throw up series even with Russ. Aside from Miami, Memphis is our toughest matchup. I think we can win a few, but don't think we can win the series. I'll at least be able to enjoy this one as the underdog. The Houston series was pissing me off because Brooks made it much tougher than it should have been. Luckily, Brooks normal lineup will be ok against the Grizz, but hopefully it doesn't take him games to Remember Serge sucks against ZBo and Nick gives him fits.

One sided? Serious? It was bad both ways. Griz took a bunch of foul shots, but that's the nature of how they play, especially with the Clippers not having anyone to guard inside. When you guard Gasol/Randolph with the likes of Odom/Barnes/Grant Hill, you're going to foul. Gasol/Randolph/Conley all had four fouls in the 3rd quarter....that's not one-sided. That's just grossly over-officiated.

I like the Griz chances without Russ and with ZBo getting back to his old self. BUT, in these playoffs you just never know. You still have home court, and that's a tangible advantage. Should be fun. I'm happy the Grizzlies advanced and knocked the Clippers out, so the rest is gravy.

The Thunder won't make it easy, but its a golden opportunity for the Grizz.

Yeah, Paul knew what he was doing. Although I'm sure Gasol takes hits worse than that during the actual game play. He wasn't prepared for that one, though.