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Official 2013-2014 NBA Playoffs Thread

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indy wasn't ready for the miami shooters to come out hot to start the game (finally). then they tried to clamp down on the interior game to minimize the damage and started getting into foul trouble. and james is now making sure they know they have no chance in the fourth.
 
allen snags a pass deflected off on an indy leg, takes a time running out 3 and makes it a 21 point margin. game..set...match
 
Wonder how Pop is going to adjust this game, and if Parker can be aggressive. I think they need to run the P&R with whomever is being guarded by Ibaka, or go into the post against him, and exploit that leg.
 
They are going to have to really exploit the time Ibaka is on the bench and hope Green can get hot and spread everyone for when Ibaka is in. I'd like Leonard to be more aggressive and drive more, but I'm sure Parker will be doing most of that. I think Diaw will play a big role off the bench as well (and Manu, as usual).

I am really hoping the Spurs don't just fall apart like the last time they were up 2-0 against the Thunder. Hopefully, this last game reminds them of just what can happen and they start playing again.
 
They are going to have to really exploit the time Ibaka is on the bench and hope Green can get hot and spread everyone for when Ibaka is in. I'd like Leonard to be more aggressive and drive more, but I'm sure Parker will be doing most of that. I think Diaw will play a big role off the bench as well (and Manu, as usual).

I am really hoping the Spurs don't just fall apart like the last time they were up 2-0 against the Thunder. Hopefully, this last game reminds them of just what can happen and they start playing again.

Like I said, the game on Sunday really reminded me of the game in Portland - looked stellar for the series, and came in with an off game and very telling signs; i.e. Parker not doing well, no one passing, turnovers/rebound issues, etc. They adjusted in the game after that very well, so hopefully they can do it again.
 
They are going to have to really exploit the time Ibaka is on the bench and hope Green can get hot and spread everyone for when Ibaka is in. I'd like Leonard to be more aggressive and drive more, but I'm sure Parker will be doing most of that. I think Diaw will play a big role off the bench as well (and Manu, as usual).

I am really hoping the Spurs don't just fall apart like the last time they were up 2-0 against the Thunder. Hopefully, this last game reminds them of just what can happen and they start playing again.

If Thunder win tonight, they will win the series in 6

If Spurs win tonight, they will win the series in 7

I do think the Thunder will win tonight (admitted homer). I see it being close again until midway through the 3rd and then they will start to pull away just like last game. The biggest thing will be halftime adjustments. Pop knows what the Thunder are going to do as far as starting lineups tonight, so he will be ready this time.
 
Like I said, the game on Sunday really reminded me of the game in Portland - looked stellar for the series, and came in with an off game and very telling signs; i.e. Parker not doing well, no one passing, turnovers/rebound issues, etc. They adjusted in the game after that very well, so hopefully they can do it again.

The thing we haven't seen yet in this series is a great game from Durant. Westbrook has been siphoning off shots from him most of these playoffs and it shows. Durant should be able to go off for 50 against these Spurs. I think the Thunder need a monster game to counter the adjustments Pop will have if they are going to win.

We'll see if the MVP has it in him or not.
 
The thing we haven't seen yet in this series is a great game from Durant. Westbrook has been siphoning off shots from him most of these playoffs and it shows. Durant should be able to go off for 50 against these Spurs. I think the Thunder need a monster game to counter the adjustments Pop will have if they are going to win.

We'll see if the MVP has it in him or not.

Game 1:
10-19 FG, 4-7 3P, 4-4 FT, 9 rebounds, 5 assists and 28 points isn't a great game?

If the Spurs had someone put up those numbers next to Manu, they would have won on Sunday.
 
Game 1:
10-19 FG, 4-7 3P, 4-4 FT, 9 rebounds, 5 assists and 28 points isn't a great game?

If the Spurs had someone put up those numbers next to Manu, they would have won on Sunday.

It's a great game, but average for him. A monster game would be closer to 50 points.
 
Game 1:
10-19 FG, 4-7 3P, 4-4 FT, 9 rebounds, 5 assists and 28 points isn't a great game?

Frankly, no, considering the three month stretch between January and March that saw him average 34 Points, 6.7 Rebounds and 6.2 Assists is why he won the MVP award to begin with. When you average 34/7/6, 28/9/5 is not a "great" performance. He's not the reason the Thunder lost Game 1; they needed people who weren't Durant or Westbrook to step up, and no one answered the call. But if Durant had played a great game by the metric we use to judge Durant (40+ points, double digit rebounds), the outcome may have been different. Hell, the last game of the Thunder/Clippers saw Durant put up 39/16/5; that's a great game. 28/9/5 just isn't impressive when considering the season Durant has had.
 
Putting up numbers below his season averages isn't a great game. When you consider that his defense is still pedestrian and he only really impacts one end of the floor, Durant needs to be dropping 40+ a game right now.

FWIW I'm aware of Durant's defensive numbers, opposing FG% etc is better than Lebron. Lebron is often on the opposing team's best scorer, regardless of whether they are playing 1 through 4. Durant is often "hidden" on an easy cover where his length can compensate for lack of footspeed or general "want to".
 
Putting up numbers below his season averages isn't a great game. When you consider that his defense is still pedestrian and he only really impacts one end of the floor, Durant needs to be dropping 40+ a game right now.

FWIW I'm aware of Durant's defensive numbers, opposing FG% etc is better than Lebron. Lebron is often on the opposing team's best scorer, regardless of whether they are playing 1 through 4. Durant is often "hidden" on an easy cover where his length can compensate for lack of footspeed or general "want to".

Durant isn't going against a pedestrian defender, either.
 
Durant isn't going against a pedestrian defender, either.

Same as when Leonard was trying to lock up Nowitzki, Durant's height and skillfull shooting negate Leonard's athletic advantage. The only thing that will stop Durant from going off is Durant not trying to go off.
 
Same as when Leonard was trying to lock up Nowitzki, Durant's height and skillfull shooting negate Leonard's athletic advantage. The only thing that will stop Durant from going off is Durant not trying to go off.

Yeah, Leonard is a terrible defender.

Jackson out, might be done now. That looked bad.
 
Yeah, Leonard is a terrible defender.

Jackson out, might be done now. That looked bad.

Not terrible at all, but he gives up 4 inches on Durant. His weight and speed aren't as advantageous against Durant because Durant won't muscle guys or utilize speed to get open. It is still waaaaay early but Leonard is playing Durant to a stalemate now and that can't happen. Leonard is content to burn Durant just as Mike Miller did in the Finals a few years back. Watch that game five anytime you'd like to see Durant's defense putting the championship on a silver platter for the Heat.

If Lamb and Jones get more PT I don't think that is a bad thing. The Thunder need as much speed as possible on the floor with or without Jackson.
 
Same as last game they are not getting to the line (thought TP is getting into the paint) and losing the rebounding battle.
 
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