Official 2013-2014 NBA Playoffs Thread

[Atomic Playboy]

If the Spurs come out like they did at the start of last game (or any game in this series, really), LeBron is going to have to go into total "fuck you" mode for Miami to have a shot. At this point, if LeBron isn't playing like the best player in the last decade, the Heat can't overcome the depth of the Spurs. If I'm the Spurs, my only concern is consistency; you aren't shooting 90% in a quarter or 80% in a half again. But the Spurs, outside of a couple games against Dallas and the end of Game 2 against the Heat, have been unbelievably consistent this postseason; it speaks volumes about Pop's ability as a coach and the commitment of his players to the system.

I honestly think the Spurs will win this one, but I'm picking Miami because I want to see a tightly fought series that goes the distance, and that won't happen if Miami drops two at home. LeBron needs to get involved from the start.

 

[dbk]

Refs are going to make sure that the Heat win. Dont be surprised if Kawhi and Duncan both pick up 2 fouls in the 1st 10 mins...

 

[smackababy]

I have never seen so many people cry about the refs. Clearly, there is a conspiracy by the referees to make sure one team wins... It was blatantly obvious the refs favored SA in game 3. It couldn't have been the fact they scored 71 first half points. Shooting 76% in a half is average...

 

[lupi]

I said it during the game and Ginobili's buzzer beater was perfect example for the game. When you're tossing up that much crap and it all manages to go down the net, it's about impossible to be beat unless the other team is doing the same.

 

[Blackjack200]

As much as I would like to see the Spurs take both away games I don't see it happening. Series is going back to SA at 2-2 imo. Which I think still puts the Spurs in a favorable situation with the "best of 3, home court advantage" backing them.

I think there's no question that The Spurs will have an advantage no matter who wins game 4, the only question is if it will be an edge or a stranglehold. That being said, even if SA wins tonight, I don't think Miami is done.

I have never seen so many people cry about the refs. Clearly, there is a conspiracy by the referees to make sure one team wins... It was blatantly obvious the refs favored SA in game 3. It couldn't have been the fact they scored 71 first half points. Shooting 76% in a half is average...

It's pathetic. Nobody has offered any statistics to suggest biased referreeing.

 

[DesiPower]

Refs are going to make sure that the Heat win. Dont be surprised if Kawhi and Duncan both pick up 2 fouls in the 1st 10 mins...

Agreed with you 100%, I think it will be sooner, and I wont be surprised if its 3 fouls in the 1st quarter. They will make sure today LeFraud has a 40+ game

 

[DesiPower]

I have never seen so many people cry about the refs. Clearly, there is a conspiracy by the referees to make sure one team wins... It was blatantly obvious the refs favored SA in game 3. It couldn't have been the fact they scored 71 first half points. Shooting 76% in a half is average...

Heat for 7 free throws in 1st half and 13 in 3rd quarter, go figure

 

[Atomic Playboy]

Heat for 7 free throws in 1st half and 13 in 3rd quarter, go figure

So you'd agree that when the Spurs shot twice as many free throws as the Heat in Game 1, it's because the referees were handing them the victory? I mean, obviously such a massive free throw disparity has to be an indication that the game isn't being called fairly; it couldn't possibly be because there are actually more fouls happening based on how aggressive a team is being, right?

 

[vi edit]

My biggest issue with the reffing this series has been the bi-polar nature of the calls. Not necessarily the team bias of them.

You'll see a player make an agressive drive to the hoop, get mauled, miss a shot and no call. Then turn around and get called for an illegal screen or phantom hand check. Now we have two or three of the best flopping maestros in the game playing this series so it's been a bit odd to see them get called for some things but not the other.

 

[smackababy]

I said it during the game and Ginobili's buzzer beater was perfect example for the game. When you're tossing up that much crap and it all manages to go down the net, it's about impossible to be beat unless the other team is doing the same.

Exactly! The first half, I thought the Spurs were playing defense almost as bad as the Heat. The difference was the Heat couldn't buy a bucket and the Spurs couldn't miss.

But, of course, as soon as your team loses, out come the excuses. "The refs were evil!" "Silver commanded it" "A/C Gate! OMG"

 

[Blackjack200]

Heat for 7 free throws in 1st half and 13 in 3rd quarter, go figure

So you figure they called 9 third quarter fouls on the Spurs and 5 on the Heat to try to even up a 21 point game? Yeah, that makes sense. By the way, three of those five Miami fouls were offensive fouls. Because when you're trying to get a team back in the game, you should call offensive fouls against them.

 

[smackababy]

So you figure they called 9 third quarter fouls on the Spurs and 5 on the Heat to try to even up a 21 point game? Yeah, that makes sense. By the way, three of those five Miami fouls were offensive fouls. Because when you're trying to get a team back in the game, you should call offensive fouls against them.

Don't even bother. It is obvious every time your team gets a no call or fouls, it is the refs acting against them and every time the other team fouls, it is because they are dirty cheaters and the refs are just calling them every now and again to seem "even".

It is blatantly obvious that Miami being passive the first half of the game and then being extremely aggressive the 3rd quarter has nothing to do with how many fouls were called.

 

[Atomic Playboy]

If my team shoots twice as many free throws as their opponent, it's simply justice as the opposing team was undoubtedly caught playing dirty. If the opponent shoots twice as many free throws as my team it's a global conspiracy to undermine the integrity of the game by getting the referees to ensure that the obviously superior team is made to lose through blatant cheating and manipulation. There is no other possible answer.

 

[smackababy]

^And Sterling was outsted because he upset the NBA illimunati who wanted to keep racism alive and well in the NBA. He put too much public scrutiny on it, so they had to get rid of him. That is why the Spurs have to win the NBA championship. They have a lot of white-ish people on their squad.

 

[DesiPower]

So you figure they called 9 third quarter fouls on the Spurs and 5 on the Heat to try to even up a 21 point game? Yeah, that makes sense. By the way, three of those five Miami fouls were offensive fouls. Because when you're trying to get a team back in the game, you should call offensive fouls against them.

Clearly you didn't watch the game. The timing and context made it pretty clear about what was going on, anyways nothing to worry about, you will get plenty of chance tonight. Just wipe Lefraud off your eyes and watch, I know Lefraud got 5 fouls in the last game and clouds the judgement of many people.

 

[slayer202]

I've been rooting for the spurs but was hesitant coming into the series even after last year when they should have won. The 3pt shooting last year was INSANE, without that I can't imagine it would have been close. But that offensive first half in game 3 was ridiculous. I think Spurs take game 4. Depending on how badly Silver wants it, Heat may win the next two but fall in game 7

 

[manly]

I think there's no question that The Spurs will have an advantage no matter who wins game 4, the only question is if it will be an edge or a stranglehold. That being said, even if SA wins tonight, I don't think Miami is done.



It's pathetic. Nobody has offered any statistics to suggest biased referreeing.

Statistically the winner of game 3 going up 2-1 has a big edge in the NBA. IIRC it's roughly 75% to win the series. If the Heat equalize tonight, they will still be less than 50% to win because the Spurs retain home court advantage.

I'm not saying the NBA rigs outcomes, but you're absolutely wrong by stating there are no statistics out there. Read the book Scorecasting, it goes into thorough detail how refs across all major sports around the world react to the home crowd conditions.

If you've watched the NBA playoffs for years and don't think the refs have some impact on outcomes, then you haven't been paying close attention.

 

[smackababy]

Statistically the winner of game 3 going up 2-1 has a big edge in the NBA. IIRC it's roughly 75% to win the series. If the Heat equalize tonight, they will still be less than 50% to win because the Spurs retain home court advantage.

I'm not saying the NBA rigs outcomes, but you're absolutely wrong by stating there are no statistics out there. Read the book Scorecasting, it goes into thorough detail how refs across all major sports around the world react to the home crowd conditions.

If you've watched the NBA playoffs for years and don't think the refs have some impact on outcomes, then you haven't been paying close attention.

Statistics: Spurs went up 2-1 last year in the finals as well. Ask them about that 75% and how much it means? Ask Miami the same thing.

These are both teams that are going to fight tooth and nail to win. I give SA the edge, mostly due to home court and their benches play at home. But, I wouldn't count the big 3 out yet, especially with Lewis playing like he isn't washed up and Birdman doing good. The main problem with Miami, in my eyes, is their point guards aren't doing a thing. No defense, no offense, nothing.

 

[manly]

Statistics: Spurs went up 2-1 last year in the finals as well. Ask them about that 75% and how much it means? Ask Miami the same thing.

These are both teams that are going to fight tooth and nail to win. I give SA the edge, mostly due to home court and their benches play at home. But, I wouldn't count the big 3 out yet, especially with Lewis playing like he isn't washed up and Birdman doing good. The main problem with Miami, in my eyes, is their point guards aren't doing a thing. No defense, no offense, nothing.

Statistics are probabilistic, not predictive.

I'm not counting out the Heat, I'm saying that winning 3 out of the next 4 games is actually very difficult. Esp. if that means a game 7 on the road when the visitor rarely comes out on top.

 

[dougp]

I think the correct stat is 85% or 87%. Kawhi was asked if he knew that or if it mattered and he said no. Those kinds of stats don't matter much to players, it's just the media spewing numbers to keep us entertained.

 

[manly]

http://www.whowins.com/tables/up21.html

 

[slayer202]

Don't forget the series format has changed this year

 

[Miramonti]

I have no idea what to expect tonight. I want to say that Miami comes out swinging and goes up by 20 in the first 10 minutes of play. San Antonio dogs it and gives their main guys a breather the rest of the game.

This is what I'm expecting. However anything else would be a pleasant surprise and not necessarily a deviation for the schizophrenic play by the spurs this offseason.

Last series, the spurs got blown out on the road until they won game 6 in okc (iirc, lol.) It was bizarre to see this same team stomp the heat in miami on tuesday. Not only their offensive production, but reversing the 2nd half run by the heat when they got within 7, were both mind-blowing.

 

[DesiPower]

I guess their strategy last night was all wrong, 3rd quarter is too late, and it becomes obvious, not that people don't know, but still one has to maintain some decency. They need to stick with their earlier strategy that worked, atleast 3 fouls to two key player in the first quarter, that way Lefraud is free is do whatever he wants, have a 40+ point night. I am pretty sure they will do that in game 4, hell, maybe even bring Joye in. Common, NBA, you can do it, go refs go

tru dat

 

[Attic]

Not really a series until the heat lose 2 in a row. If the heat win tonight they are strong favorites in series IMO. If the heat lose tonight, it's still a series.

Heat are that good and they also get benefit of refs whistle in close games. Look back at their wins against OKC and what was done to Durant to get him in foul trouble and look at the whistle in all the close games during this heat run. The calls have insanely favored the heat. It's gross and it's obvious.