**2014 Official NBA Playoffs Thread**

[-King-]

Round 1:

EAST:

#8 Hawks @ #1 Pacers
#7 Bobcats @ #2 Heat
#6 Nets @ #3 Raptors
#5 Wizards @ #4 Bulls

WEST:
#8 Mavericks @ #1 Spurs
#7 Grizzlies @ #2 Thunder
#6 Warriors @ #3 Clippers
#5 Blazers @ #4 Rockets

[KC_Connection]

Originally Posted by okcchief

I really think KD wore himself out chasing the MVP and scoring streak.They need to do a better job of managing his minutes next year.

There's a reason why LeBron takes it easy these days during the regular season. Barely exerts much defensive effort throughout games at all. But it should be said that in the Eastern Conference, it's also much easier for the team to do that.

OKC relies on Durant to play at a ridiculous level constantly just to pick up wins against West teams.

[Rudy tossed tigger's salad]

It's ****ing Gameday! I'm surprisingly optimistic. Rockets have already let me down and they can only surprise me by stealing the series. Houston fans need to get over the first two games and get them into a Game 6.

Black Steve Kerr!

Black Steve Kerr!

BLACK STEVE KERR!!!


If they can get that chant going, Daniels hits ten 3s and the Rockets win by 35.

[KC_Connection]

Clippers have this. Suspect it's going to game 7, though.

[KevB]

Originally Posted by okcchief

I really think KD wore himself out chasing the MVP and scoring streak.They need to do a better job of managing his minutes next year.

When OKC was coming back from 20 down, guys like Conley and ZBo were on the bench while Brooks played KD/Westy straight through the second half. Fatigue has to be a factor.

[okcchief]

Originally Posted by KevB

For the record, I'm not complaining about the officiating. I didn't love a few calls throughout the game, but I'm sure Thunder fans felt the same way on their end (Crawford's shitshow being chief among them I'm sure). I will say getting to the bonus early in the 4th were legit calls. OKC picked up 3 quick ones early, and they were each legit fouls. I actually expected it to hurt Memphis because of their terrible foul shooting. ZBo missed one or two and Allen missed one, but Prince got the tap out on Allen's miss.

Memphis has clearly been the better team the majority of the time IMO, but these two teams are so evenly matched, who the hell knows what will happen.

I never said they weren't legit. I just don't belive calls were lopsided or even in OKCs favor.

OKCs big 2 have played like junk. If they show up they can win. If they don't then they won't. Doesn't really matter since they arent good enough to win it all IMO. If this series gets Brooks canned it would be better than moving on. Though I doubt it will.

They played the first 32 minutes tonight like they were playing the Bucks in the regular season. Pretty dissapointing.

This team just isn't playing good ball. It's the worst I've seen them play by far. I think it was a mistake to put Jones and Lamb on the shelf for Butler and Fisher. That is when the climate changed.

This series had been pretty bad IMO even if it is dramatic. I have seen both teams leave it wide open for the other in the end.

[lcarus]

i thought it was funny how Crawford got BOTH of those reviewed out of bounds calls wrong. first one was off Randolph. second was off Durant. Crawford is just awful.

[KC_Connection]

Can't win it all? Only other team who can beat OKC in the West is the Spurs and they probably wouldn't even do it. You doubt their chances against the Heat that much?

[Pushead2]

What a weird NBA playoffs so far eh?

[Pitt Gorilla]

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

For all the shit LeBron has taken over the years, you'd think the vipers would be out after Durant botched a tying FT with 28 seconds left, shot under 40 percent, and scored a whopping 15 points the game before.

I've let him have it. He hasn't looked like a winner at all.

[TEX]

Originally Posted by Rudy lost the toss

It's ****ing Gameday! I'm surprisingly optimistic. Rockets have already let me down and they can only surprise me by stealing the series. Houston fans need to get over the first two games and get them into a Game 6.

Black Steve Kerr!

Black Steve Kerr!

BLACK STEVE KERR!!!


If they can get that chant going, Daniels hits ten 3s and the Rockets win by 35.

I hear ya, but No way and I've been a Rockets fan since the day they moved to Houston from San Diego. There's a reason why they're down 3-1. When it comes to crunch time in this series, they've only performed well ONCE. When plays have to be made, they don't make them. They might win tonight but realistically the series is over. I think Portland is just a little bit better team, especially down the stretch when it matters most...

I realistically expected them to win round one in 7 against Portland and take two games against whoever they met in the 2nd. Anything less is TOTAL FAIL IMO.

[Anyong Bluth]

Originally Posted by TEX

I hear ya, but No way and I've been a Rockets fan since the day they moved to Houston from San Diego. There's a reason why they're down 3-1. When it comes to crunch time in this series, they've only performed well ONCE. When plays have to be made, they don't make them. They might win tonight but realistically the series is over. I think Portland is just a little bit better team, especially down the stretch when it matters most...

I realistically expected them to win round one in 7 against Portland and take two games against whoever they met in the 2nd. Anything less is TOTAL FAIL IMO.

As a Portland fan I've got tremendous amount of respect for Houston's team and think they have a few pieces holding them back - 1st being Lin. 2nd being a real need to fix the Hardin situation. Namely finding the right mix of getting him his shots without chucking up 35+ shots with a terrible % made. Maybe it's a product of trying to get the foul I don't know, but the better part of the whole 4th quarter last game was a lot of running the clock down to about 7-8 seconds and then just let him do whatever.

[KC native]

Mavs fansare awful quiet tonight.

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by KC native

Mavs fansare awful quiet tonight.

Yep. Just not good enough. Dirk has been below average this series, we need prime Dirk to pull this off.

Not happening.

[dirk digler]

Spurs now in control of the series

[dirk digler]

Mike D'antoni has resigned. Laker fans rejoice everywhere