Ballin’: Time to Become a Chicago Bulls Fan; Houston, Prepare for First Round Disappointment
NBA April 16th. 2009, 10:30amPhiladelphia 111, Cleveland 110, OT: Daniel Gibson was the hero at the end of regulation … but the goat in overtime, as he couldn’t get off a game-winning shot and Cleveland ended the season just 40-2 at home, one game behind Boston’s NBA record. The Cavs’ first round opponent: the Detroit Pistons. Cleveland should cruise, but there’s too much pride for the Pistons to get swept. The 76ers will open against Orlando. They can’t win that.
Houston 84, Dallas 95: Fourth quarter close game … and the Rockets offense bogs down. Houston was limited to 14 points in the final 12 minutes and as a result fell to the fifth seed in the West. Sadly, that late-game performance could be something that rears its ugly head in the playoffs against Portland. Dirk had 30, JT added 23 off the bench, and J Kidd had a triple-double (11-12-10). Dallas visits San Antonio in the first round.
Toronto 109, Chicago 98: Well, this is good news for anyone who likes to see Boston squirm – the Bulls five-game win streak was blown up, and coupled with Philly’s OT win over the depleted Cavs, the Bulls open with the Celtics. Wouldn’t surprise us if the Bulls won two or three in that series. Shawn Marion’s brief Toronto tenure ended with a season-high 34 points.
New Orleans 98, San Antonio 105, OT: And you thought the Spurs were dead. San Antonio rallied from down five with less than a minute to play – capped by Michael Finley’s three at the buzzer – and went on to win in overtime, locking up the No. 3 seed in the West and setting up an opening-round date with Mavericks. That’s actually not a terrible opponent for San Antonio.
Denver 76, Portland 104: So the Blazers and the Lakers in round two. Can Portland stretch it to seven? That’ll be heated. Yes, we’re assuming the Blazers waltz past the Rockets (Yao vs. Oden!!) in the first round. Neat stat from last night: Sergio Rodriguez had 12 assists in 18 minutes.
32 Responses to “Ballin’: Time to Become a Chicago Bulls Fan; Houston, Prepare for First Round Disappointment”
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April 16th, 2009 at 10:34 am
Blazers waltz past the rockets? I don’t see that. Also, it would almost be too perfect and ironic for the Rockets to advance to the second round with McGrady out.
April 16th, 2009 at 10:37 am
I’d love to see the Rockets win in the first round, just to solidify Tracy McGrady’s status as the Tony Romo of the NBA
April 16th, 2009 at 10:38 am
Portland vs Houston is going to be a good series. I will be surprised if Portland wins 2 games
April 16th, 2009 at 10:40 am
I agree with Sean Jean. That series should go 7, with the deciding game going to overtime.
San Antonio was given a gift by drawing the Mavs in the 1st Round.
I think Lakers-Jazz could be competitive.
I think the Nuggets win in 6.
April 16th, 2009 at 10:42 am
Ya’ll know that I’m a huge Blazer fan (lived here all my life), but I don’t think we can hang with the Rockets either. We’re a perimeter-based jump shooting team as of now, and going up against a team with several premier perimeter defenders.
Portland was 1-2 against Houston this year, and should have been 0-3 if Brandon Roy doesn’t make a miracle shot from 30ft.
Only way I can see us taking the series is if Houston plays like they have in the past in the playoffs, and if Portland can keep up the defense like they have in the last two weeks.
April 16th, 2009 at 10:43 am
So why would that be a good series?
Last night’s Cavs game was one of the best I’ve been to this year. Pretty embarrassing that it took Philly an OT to beat Boobie’s bunch. Lorezen Wright sucks ass.
April 16th, 2009 at 10:47 am
It will not. The Jazz have no chance of winning a game on the road, and are playing terribly right now. The Jazz will win one game at home at best.
April 16th, 2009 at 10:48 am
@nick – because i am looking forward to it. thanks buddy
April 16th, 2009 at 10:49 am
Couple weeks ago I thought the Sixers could give Orl/Bos a series, at least make it interesting. No more, they are terrible and will be swept by Orl.
So it looks like Port/Hou is the best opening series, which means they will be on at 3am in the East, awesome.
April 16th, 2009 at 10:49 am
havent watched them the past week but i dont see the rockets losing the series. I too want them to shit all over mcgrady. Hope it happens
April 16th, 2009 at 10:50 am
The Sixers blow ass. Terrible team.
April 16th, 2009 at 10:51 am
Also, why all the hate for McGrady? He seems like a good dude.
April 16th, 2009 at 10:52 am
All the credit in the world to him though. He’s only played about 6 games all year, has loved every minute of tutoring the young fellas, and busted his ass for 35 minutes last night.
But, yes, he does suck.
Philly almost lost to the end of the Cavs bench despite getting 43 FT’s to the Cavs 12. What does that say about the Sixers, especially when they NEEDED a win.
April 16th, 2009 at 10:58 am
Absolutely agree, but I think they take 2 home games. I think getting Odom out of the starting lineup actually helps the Jazz. They had no answer for him last year in the playoffs and I don’t think Bynum bothers them as much as Utah isn’t a team that takes the ball to the rim as much.
April 16th, 2009 at 10:59 am
Portland vs Houston is going to be a good series. I will be surprised if Portland wins 2 games
It’s going to be closer than that. Houston has the advantage inside with Yao vs LaMarcus/Oden, but Portland has a major advantage in the backcourt in the Roy vs Von Wafer/Aaron Brooks/Brent Barry/Kyle Lowry battle.
Meanwhile, I think the Hornets have a much better shot of taking down the Nuggets than they would facing Houston or Portland or even San Antonio. Chauncey Billups v Chris Paul should be one hell of a battle.
April 16th, 2009 at 11:03 am
don’t forget expensive…
but yea…they blow.
April 16th, 2009 at 11:07 am
Artest or Battier will slow Roy down.
Wafer/Brooks, et al. will guard Blake.
April 16th, 2009 at 11:09 am
seriously tbl all the mj bandwagon people got off the bulls bandwagon. so could you not becom a bulls fan?
April 16th, 2009 at 11:10 am
that K-Mart put back was filthy. I’m just happy he didn’t hurt himself in the process.
April 16th, 2009 at 11:19 am
Artest or Battier will slow Roy down.
One of them will have to help Scola against Aldridge. Otherwise, Aldridge will keep blowing past Luis.
Wafer/Brooks, et al. will guard Blake.
A fairer matchup in size.
BTW, Houston shouldn’t overlook Sergio or Travis Outlaw. Damn, that Portland GM has been stocking up.
April 16th, 2009 at 11:22 am
yep.
id kill to have outlaw on the cavs.
April 16th, 2009 at 11:23 am
The Raptors/Bulls score is reversed. The Bulls lost the game.
April 16th, 2009 at 11:31 am
It’s going to be closer than that. Houston has the advantage inside with Yao vs LaMarcus/Oden, but Portland has a major advantage in the backcourt in the Roy vs Von Wafer/Aaron Brooks/Brent Barry/Kyle Lowry battle.
Roy will be draped by Battier and Artest the entire game. Look for Artest to start wearing him down over the course of the series. And I expect Aldridge to be matched against Scola while Oden/Pryz are stuck on Yao. Has anyone checked to see how the individual head to head numbers looked in the season series?
April 16th, 2009 at 11:33 am
/welcome to the nba playoffs
April 16th, 2009 at 11:34 am
i like houston against any other western team other than the blazers (well…and lakers). they just got screwed.
April 16th, 2009 at 11:44 am
As a Laker fan the only team in the west that scares me is the Blazers. I’m with you Spence I’d love to have Outlaw with the Lakers he could have Walton’s minutes. I wonder how long the Blazers will be able to keep this group together.
April 16th, 2009 at 11:52 am
Raef and Francis come off the books so that is about 30M they have, plus the 9 for Miles. I do not think they will blow it. They should offer Roy someting fair now to extend. They have Rudy locked up for like nothing for a few years too.
April 16th, 2009 at 12:14 pm
Portland won’t get past Houston? The Blazers are one of the hottest teams entering the playoffs…the Jazz on the other hand are a different story. Portland scares me, mostly cause of thier depth; it actually stands up to the Lakers to some extent.
I’m not scared of Denever…anybody remember last year when Kobe was hot, and JR Smith started talking shit, saying something to the effect of “I dare you to do that to me”…and Kobe drove and scored on his ass the next posession despite JR’s deliberate attempt to foul him? Most underrated exchange I’ve seen in the playoffs in a long time.
I just remembered that because it reminds me how much I hate the Denver “Thuglifes”. Kenyon (bitch), Melo (bitch) and JR?? All their missing is Nate Robinson (douche).
April 16th, 2009 at 12:23 pm
I used to feel the same way about Melo karma, but I feel like he has really matured this year. It must have been the Olympics or something. He is playing extremely well, he is in great shape, he cut his hair. He really seems to be dialed in. I like it.
April 16th, 2009 at 12:28 pm
Melo’s okay….that “Stop Snitchin” thing is hard not to make fun of though. I think “Mr.Smooth” (I refuse to call him Mr.Big Shot – see Horry, Robert) has really helped him mature. I’m just disappointed that he hasn’t really exceeded his expectations. Melo vs. LBJ was supposed to be the next great rivalry in the league, matching Magic/Bird (I remember reading an article that stated that). LeGlobal Icon Wannabe is in a league of his own. Melo needs to step up a little more.
April 16th, 2009 at 12:42 pm
not to nitpick but can you really call someone a wannabe and then say they’re in a league of their own?
anyways, melo is good, great offensive player, and i like JR smith a lot too. i don’t care that they’re “thugs” or whatever, when JR gets hot, it’s a treat to watch.
April 16th, 2009 at 1:20 pm
I can’t see Portland beating Houston, Houston in 6.