1) Indiana closing it out. After splitting the two games in New York and then sweeping the two-game home stretch in Indiana, the Indiana Pacers hold a commanding 3-1 lead on the New York Knicks and are one more road victory away from guaranteeing a spot against the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals. Outside of a dominating 105-79 victory over the Pacers in Game 2, the Knicks have looked exceedingly vulnerable, a chilling contrast from their record-setting start to the season -- fewer three-pointers, Carmelo Anthony at small forward instead of power forward, and a lot of one-on-one offense. In Game 4, the Knicks shot just 35.6% from the field, and 61 of their 87 field goal attempts came from three players (Anthony, J.R. Smith, and Raymond Felton). If the Knicks continue their freakish stagnancy, they won't last beyond tonight.
2) Golden State staying alive. This is a personal choice. I'm a big fan of the Golden State Warriors and want to see them survive. They're down 3-2 to the San Antonio Spurs, but this is their last stand at home to force a Game 7. Earlier in the playoffs, Zach Lowe of Grantland called the Warriors' new offense -- particularly, Stephen Curry's new role thanks to the absence of David Lee -- "a glitch in the program." There's few things I enjoy more than watching a shooter dismantle a team from afar. Here's hoping Stephen Curry can do that tonight.
3) Golden State's Backcourt. On the heels of my gushing over Curry, I'd be remiss not to mention his partner in crime, Klay Thompson, whose production has plummeted since his 34-point, 14-rebound career night in Game 2 -- 17 points in Game 3, 10 points in Game 4, and just 4 in Game 5. The Warriors will need another great night from Thompson along with Curry to extend the Warriors' season to Game 7 -- will they get it?
Contests
Each day that there's a playoff game, we'll have three things to watch in the NBA playoffs. Each note will be accompanied by a contest. We'll announce winners after each round. Here's today's three things to watch:
1) Indiana doing it again. The Pacers now have a 2-1 lead over the Knicks in the second round of the playoffs, and it's no accident. While New York runs its offense through Carmelo Anthony at a historic rate (more on that in a bit), the Pacers utilize a balanced attack. Three different players (David West, Paul George, Roy Hibbert) have led the Pacers in scoring in their three games against New York, and they've gotten important contributions from George Hill and D.J. Augustin (in Game 1). It's not just their offense: the Pacers have done an excellent job funneling three-point attempts away from New York like no team has been able to this year. At home, their success should continue tonight.
2) An unlikely hero. With San Antonio joining the world in expecting Stephen Curry to shoot the Warriors through the playoffs, the Warriors got two unlikely heroes in their two series wins: guard Klay Thompson (who put up an enormous 34-14 in Game 2) and Harrison Barnes (who somehow took 26 field goal attempts in their Game 4 overtime victory). I'm guessing Thompson will do it again: you can only stay at home on Curry for so long without giving Thompson some open looks.
3) Melo the shooter. As Kevin Pelton of ESPN noted today, Carmelo Anthony is currently using 38.7% of his team's possessions in the playoffs, the highest of any multi-series playoff performance ever. He's taken 230 field goal attempts in the playoffs, just ten fewer than his next two teammates combined. If that trend continues and Anthony continues to shoot poorly -- just 39.1% in the playoffs an 29.5% from deep -- it could spell trouble for New York.
Each day that there's a playoff game, we'll have three things to watch in the NBA playoffs. Each note will be accompanied by a contest. We'll announce winners after each round. Here's today's three things to watch:
1) The series swings back to Indiana. The Pacers & Knicks split the first two games in Indiana in odd fashion -- the Pacers controlled Game 1 from start to finish, the score (102-95) salvaged only by a late Knicks run, and the Knicks dominated Indiana in Game 2, 105-79. After four days of rest, the series swings back to Indiana for Game 3. In three road games in the playoffs, the Knicks have gone 2-1, but Carmelo Anthony has only shot 29-83 (.349%) from the field on the road. New York's success often hinges on how effective Anthony shoots -- in wins, Anthony shoots 46.5% from the field and 39.4% from 3, in losses, Anthony shoots 41.4% from the field and 34.1% from 3. Against Indiana's top-level defense, who will come out on top?
2) Upset City? Oklahoma City is the #1 overall seed in the Western Conference, but an injury to star guard Russell Westbrook leaves them heavily reliant on Kevin Durant -- and as Rob Mahoney of Sports Illustrated notes, the presence of Kendrick Perkins has severely limited their offensive success in the playoffs. With the series swingig back to Memphis for Game 3, picking the Grizzlies -- replete with defensive juggernauts Tony Allen and Marc Gasol -- may not be an upset after all.
3) Well-roundedness in Indiana. Tonight's two series are quite similar: one team with a transcendent scorer (Carmelo Anthony/Knicks, Kevin Durant/Thunder) against a well-balanced lineup known for their class-of-the-league defense. The Pacers-Knicks series has swung mostly on the starters -- in Game 1, all five Pacers players scored in double figures in the first three quarters, and in Game 2, Knicks starters shot a scorching 60% from the field and matched the entire Pacers' scoring output alone. For Indiana, not reliant on one scorer like the Knicks and Carmelo Anthony, to make good on our first prediction, they'll need a well-rounded output from their starting lineup.
Each day that there's a playoff game, we'll have three things to watch in the NBA playoffs. Each note will be accompanied by a contest. We'll announce winners after each round. Here's today's three things to watch:
1. Miami, keeping pace. In Game 1, the Bulls asserted their physical presence on Miami and they won by 7. In Game 2, well, Miami happened. Miami won by 37. A game marred by technical fouls and referee-directed profanity, the Heat literally ran the Bulls out of the building. Officials called a much tighter game, one far more suited for the defending champions. But, tonight, the series shifts back to Chicago-- to the same building that the Bulls ended Miami's historic win streak earlier this year. Rose, Hinrich and Deng have all been ruled out officially for Game 3, but those pesky Bulls seem to hang around no matter what.
Unfortunately, it would seem as if the refereeing crew will go a long way in dictating what type of series this becomes. If they allow the Bulls to be physical against Miami, Game 3 should be a much closer affair. But if Gibson, Boozer and Noah get in early foul trouble once again, this could certainly be another laugher. Another thing worth noting: Joey Crawford, the NBA's most eccentric, theatrical referee, is on Game 3's staff tonight. Get ready for a buzzer beater or another blowout!
2. Golden State, keeping a stronghold. For the number two seed, San Antonio sure is getting outplayed by Golden State thus far. If it wasn't for Golden State's meltdown in Game 1's double overtime thriller, the sixth seed could (and should) be up 2-0 on the Spurs. Now back in the Bay Area, things don't get any easier for San Antonio. Look for Golden State's raucous fans to set the tone early and often. Playing against the frantic, rapid-fire offense lead by Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson has had San Antonio on their heels and they've suffered offensively and defensively. The Spurs have struggled a little bit thus far, having hardly held a lead at all for longer than five minutes in Game 1, but counting out Popovich, Duncan and Parker would be a crucial misstep. San Antonio scored 129 in Game 1, but just 91 in Game 2. Game 3 in Golden State, can they break 95?
3. LeBron James, doing it all. LeBron James has the potential to utterly dominate every facet of any particular basketball game-- th. But will he tonight? Has Joakim Noah gotten in his head? Can Jimmy Butler do anything to neutralize the 4-time MVP? Neither are particularly likely and given that tonight's game is Chicago, James will probably look to send a message to all the fans and players that still believe the Bulls have a pulse in this series. In Game 1's loss, James tallied 8 rebounds (two more than Bosh's six) and tied Chalmers with 7 assists. In Game 2's blowout win, James notched just 5 boards, one less than Norris Cole; but handed out 9 assists, four more than fellow superstar Dwyane Wade.
Will Thunder strike again? (AP)
Each day that there's a playoff game, we'll have three things to watch in the NBA playoffs. Each note will be accompanied by a contest. We'll announce winners after each round. Here's today's three things to watch:
1) Indiana vs. Manhattan. The Pacers defeated the Knicks 102-95 in Game 1 on the road, thanks to a balanced effort -- six Pacers scored in double figures and they led by 16 heading into the fourth quarter. With a win today, the Pacers would secure a dominating home-court advantage -- needing just two wins with as many as three more games at home. The Pacers produced a convincing 44-30 edge in rebounding, unexpectedly led by Brooklyn-born guard Lance Stephenson.
2) Kevin Durant. Oklahoma City barely eked out a victory in Game 1, winning 93-91 against the Memphis Grizzlies, one of the league's best defenses and a team that starts Marc Gasol, the league's Defensive Player of the Year. Kevin Durant led OKC to victory behind 35 points on 13-26 shooting, adding 15 rebounds and a 19-footer to take the lead for good with 11 seconds left. There's few ways -- if any -- to stop Kevin Durant, but if any team has the capability of doing it, it's the Grizzlies, who employ both Gasol and Tony Allen, arguably the league's best perimeter defender. Memphis has a bevy of talented scorers, and the Thunder barely won even with Durant's routine explosion and may need an unlikely hero to seal Game 2.
3) Carmelo Anthony's shooting. Anthony is no stranger to shooting -- Game 1 marked the 44th time this season that he's recorded more field goal attempts+free throw attempts than points. He averaged 28.7 points on 28.8 FGA+FTA per game in the regular season, which makes this proposition basically a 50-50. The Knicks will be most successful if Anthony's shooting efficiently -- will he?
The Brooklyn Nets season has ended, with a 49-33 regular season record and a 3-4 postseason record, and much like in the regular season, we've got three winners for our first-round contest, The BK Playoff Game:
First place: Brian McNamara
Second place: Joey Convery
Third place: Rebecca Nesi
Congrats!
Fun note: Joey also finished second in our regular season game, The BK Game Streak. Always a bridesmaid...
On to important news: the Nets may be out of the playoffs, but we're not. We're going to continue The BK Playoff Game for each round of the playoffs, with a lean towards following the NBA playoffs as a whole.
Here's how it'll work: Each day that there's a playoff game, we'll have three things to watch in the NBA playoffs. Each note will be accompanied by a contest. We'll announce winners after each round.
Here's today's three things to watch:
1) Chicago's resiliency. If any team's fanbase knows how good this Chicago team can be, it's Brooklyn. The Nets an up against a supremely focused and prepared Chicago roster, and the Bulls ended up the victors despite missing Derrick Rose, Kirk Hinrich, and Luol Deng. Now the Bulls take on a much tougher task: the defending NBA champion Miami Heat, who have had a week of rest after sweeping the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round. All signs point to a Miami victory -- but they also pointed to a Brooklyn one in Game 7.
Weight: If you pick YES and it happens, you'll win nine points. If you pick NO and it happens, you'll win one point. Wrong answers do not affect your score.
2) Stephen Curry. At 24.3 points per game, Curry leads all players in tonight's Warriors-Spurs matchup in points per game in the playoffs. He can score in a variety of ways, most notably from behind the three-point line; I've never seen someone who has as many moves into scoring from beyond the arc. He's not just a spot-up shooter or an in-rhythm shooter, he's a fire-from-25-feet-at-any-angle shooter. He dropped 54 points against the New York Knicks this year and look how he did it. Just watch from 3:15 on if you're short on time. It's insane. While Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, and Tony Parker all have the capacity for enormous scoring nights, no player shoots as frequently or as efficiently as Curry does.
Weight: If you pick YES and it happens, you'll win six points. If you pick NO and it happens, you'll win four points. Wrong answers do not affect your score.
3) LeBron James. James deservedly earned his fourth MVP Award this weekend for what's arguably his best season yet: as Brian Windhorst eloquently stated, James moved from competitor to chessmaster this season, dominating the mental aspect of the game like never before. After finishing the season with averages of 26.8 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 7.3 assists per game, shooting 56.5% from the field and 40.6% from three-point range on nearly 18 shots per game. One way to celebrate this accomplishment: by notching his fifth triple-double of the season and his first of the playoffs. James was on cruise control against the hapless Milwaukee Bucks -- how will he adjust to the Bulls?
Weight: If you pick YES and it happens, you'll win seven points. If you pick NO and it happens, you'll win three points. Wrong answers do not affect your score.
Warm-Ups
@deronwilliams has to come out guns blazing tonight. #Nets #NBAPlayoffs
— Nicholas Russo (@NicholasRusso18) May 3, 2013
If I'm Nate, I'm sneezing on every Nets players. #TakeOneForTheTeam
— Simon Phoenix (@Ed_Johnson) May 3, 2013
No luol deng, this game is designated for us to win let's go! #Nets
— C.P. (@_Paulie__) May 3, 2013
no deng, rose, hinrich, and a fatigued noah. NO EXCUSES NETS! not must WIN, must EMBARRASS!
— × (@mrsereda) May 3, 2013
Well, Game 1 went well. So we're looking positive for Game 2 of "The BK Playoff Game"! Instead of relying on a streak, this game is points-based, and we'll have a new one for every round of the playoffs -- even if the Nets don't advance.
Here's how to play:
1. To make your prediction for each event, select "YES" or "NO." Instead of building a streak, you'll earn points for each correct pick, and riskier predictions earn more. (Note: you must log into Facebook to play.) There are three chances for every game, and if you pick incorrectly, you won't lose any points -- you just won't gain any.
For example: if you pick "YES" for "Brooklyn will beat Chicago by 6 or more points," and it happens, you'll win 4 points. If you pick "NO," and Brooklyn wins by five or fewer points, or Chicago wins, you'll win 6 points.
2. The player with the most points in each round wins a trophy and cash prize. Follow game results on the leaderboard.
The players with the three highest point totals at the end of each round win a trophy and an Amazon Gift Card, and become part of The Brooklyn Game lore.
Read all rules for the contest here. Good luck!
It's a brand new season, and we've got a brand new game to play: The BK Playoff Game! Instead of relying on a streak, this game is points-based, and we'll have a new one for every round of the playoffs -- even if the Nets don't advance.
Here's how to play:
1. To make your prediction for each event, select "YES" or "NO." Instead of building a streak, you'll earn points for each correct pick, and riskier predictions earn more. (Note: you must log into Facebook to play.) There are three chances for every game, and if you pick incorrectly, you won't lose any points -- you just won't gain any.
For example: if you pick "YES" for "Brooklyn will beat Chicago by 5 or more points," and it happens, you'll win 4 points. If you pick "NO," and Brooklyn wins by four or fewer points or Chicago wins, you'll win 6 points.
2. The player with the most points in each round wins a trophy and cash prize. Follow game results on the leaderboard.
The players with the three highest point totals at the end of each round win a trophy and an Amazon Gift Card, and become part of The Brooklyn Game lore.
Read all rules for the contest here. Good luck!
The Nets end their regular season tonight, meaning you've got one more chance to extend your regular-season streak in "The BK Game Streak," where you can build a streak predicting how well the Nets will do in each game for a chance to win a $200 Amazon Gift Card!
The game is as simple as it sounds:
1. The contest relies on a standard betting line for each game. (Note: you must be logged into Facebook to play.) To make your prediction, select YES or NO to agree or disagree. For example: today's line is "Brooklyn will beat Detroit straight up." If you think the Nets will win tonight and end the season 49-33, select "YES." If you think the Pistons will win tonight, dropping the Nets to 48-34, select "NO."
For the record: The Nets are expected to play their starters 18-24 minutes tonight.
2. String together wins and try to get the longest streak of correct predictions before the end of the NBA regular season. Follow game results on the leaderboard on the right sidebar.
At the end of the season, we'll award three prizes to the players with the best three streaks: The Gold Net Trophy (longest streak) and a $200 Amazon Gift Card will be awarded to first place, the Silver Net Trophy (second-longest streak) and a $50 Amazon Gift Card to second place, and the Bronze Net Trophy (third-longest streak) $25 Amazon Gift Card and a Bronze Net Trophy to third place.
Read more rules for the contest here.
Good luck!
With just two games left until the regular season closes, the 47-33 Brooklyn Nets will likely rest their best players en route to the playoffs, but our contest plugs on: another chance to extend your streak in "The BK Game Streak," where you can build a streak predicting how well the Nets will do in each game for a chance to win a $200 Amazon Gift Card!
The game is as simple as it sounds:... MORE →
The 47-32 Brooklyn Nets are in Toronto taking on the Toronto Raptors, and the chance to race for 50 wins and a potential third seed also means another chance to play "The BK Game Streak," where you can build a streak predicting how well the Nets will do in each game for a chance to win a $200 Amazon Gift Card!
The game is as simple as it sounds:
... MORE →
Players
Message: give people flowersdc90 while they are alive dont wait until they are dead to praise them.
6 hours ago
it's easy to say you would wanna be in my shoes .. but everybody ain't built for this ... dcaa http://t.co/0rkcyDjzL6
8 hours ago
RT @JLed2: @lolojones lmao hey i knock @JChillin an he drives a rarri. U sayin I can't ? Hes scuured to race my ford.--u dont want it bro
22 hours ago#NETS
Reports: Charlotte initiate 'Hornets' name change... http://t.co/wMIxsSrh2I #NBA #NewJersey #Nets
4 hours ago
RT @NetsDaily: Corey Joseph, cousin of #Nets Kris Joseph. Danny Green, cousin of ex-Nets Gerald Green. We need better scouts on cousins.
4 hours ago
RT @schoi21: Small win as a #Nets fan this season - ESPN just showed Draft Lottery time and I didn't bother entering it in my calendar.
4 hours agoTHE BK GAME STAFF
Gotta pay for Fisher's $22,000 watch somehow. RT @KBergCBS: Billy Hunter sues NBPA, Derek Fisher for defamation, BoC. http://t.co/yTi1OvVxFz
3 days ago-
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