Clippers Fall Short to Spurs

Last night playoff game was another close game between the Los Angeles Clippers & San Antonio Spurs. Any bad decisions could of resulted in a loss for either club. With DeAndre Jordan continuing to struggle with knocking down free throws shooting 7 for 16 from the free throw line helped the Spurs to slow down Chris Paul and Blake Griffin. As I said earlier one bad decision could result for any club well that's what happened to the Clippers DeAndre tried to tip in a shot that Blake Griffin took that was going in with 4.3 seconds left in the game which lead to Jordan being called for basketball interference. This lead to the San Antonio Spurs winning game 5 111-107 over the Los Angeles Clippers.





Hack a Jordan has really been working for Gregg Popovich and the San Antonio Spurs. They lead the series 3-2 and can close out the series tomorrow night at 9:30 PM Eastern in San Antonio. Even though the Clippers lost Blake Griffin had a great game having 30 points, 14 rebounds, 7 assists, 4 steals, and 1 block. Even with the bad judgment play by DeAndre Jordan late in the game he also had a good game he had 21 points, 14 rebounds, and 2 blocks. Chris Paul had 19 points, 10 assists, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists. JJ Redick had 13 points. Jamal Crawford had a tough shooting night shooting just 4-15 from the field but was able to score 8 points, 2 assists, and 1 steal. Glen Davis was able to contribute by having 7 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 steal.








The Spurs outscored the Clippers bench 48 to 17. Manu Ginoboli had 14 points, 6 assists, 3 rebounds, and 1 block. Patty Mills had 13 points, and 4 rebounds.  Boris Diaw had 10 points, 7 rebounds, and 1 steal. Marco Belinelli had 8 points and 2 rebounds. The starters for the Spurs played great as well. Tim Duncan had 21 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block. Kawhi Leonard had 18 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists. Tony Parker had 13 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists. Danny Green contributed with 9 points, 3 assists, and 2 steals.

Kevin Love out for Next Round of Playoffs

Kevin Love went down with a dislocated shoulder in Sunday's game 4 against the Boston Celtics. Kevin Love thought Kelly Olynyk dislocated his arm on purpose by locking their arms together and thinks Olynyk pulled on his shoulder to dislocate it. Love thought it wasn't a basketball play at all. I'm guessing the NBA thought the same thing since they suspended Kelly Olynyk for 1 game for next season. I didn't see anything wrong with the play I just saw two players going for a rebound and neither of them wanted to give each other any advantage to get the rebound so they held each other. The same type of play happened Monday night between Jeff Green and Nicolas Batum they both were arm locked going for a rebound only difference is nobody got a dislocated shoulder Kevin Love just was unlucky to get injured.


With the Cavs waiting for their opponent for the Eastern Conference Finals either between the Chicago Bulls or Milwaukee Bucks losing Kevin Love isn't good. Both the Bucks and the Bulls have a good big man play. The loss of Kevin Love will expose the limited depth the Cavaliers have at the big man position. Timofey Mozgov, Tristan Thompson, Brendan Haywood, and Kendrick Perkins must step of if the Cavs want to advance to the conference finals. Only two big men that has decent offense skills are Mozgov and Thompson and I don't think neither one of them will be handle to score that much on Pau Gasol, Joakim Noah, or Taj Gibson. Or John Henson, Ersan Ilyasova, and Miles Plumlee if they end up playing the Bucks.


So the Cavs basically have a lot of work ahead of them if they wish to bring a NBA Championship to Cleveland. But losing J.R. Smith for two games in the next round will hurt them. J.R. was suspended two games for the next round for hitting Jae Crowder in the face in Sunday's game 4 against the Boston Celtics. All the pressure now lies on Kyrie Irving and LeBron James if they play the way they been playing in the first round of the playoffs the Cavs should at least advance to the conference finals no matter who they play in the semifinals. Only time will tell how significant the loss of Kevin Love will be.

8th Seeds Clinched

Yesterday both 8th seeds were up for grab in both the Western and Eastern Conferences. For the West it was between the Oklahoma City Thunder and New Orleans Pelicans. All the Pelicans had to do was win and they would clinch the 8th seed regardless if the Thunder won and they did just that. The New Orleans Pelicans beat the San Antonio Spurs 108-103. They almost blew a 20 point lead but, were about to prevail. The Eastern Conference seed race was between the Brooklyn Nets and Indiana Pacers. The Brooklyn Nets held the tiebreaker over the Pacers so all they had to do was win and they also did just that. The Brooklyn Nets beat the Orlando Magic 101-88. The Indiana Pacers ended up losing to Memphis 95-83 so the Brooklyn Nets were set regardless.

If the New Orleans Pelicans continue the strong play they have been playing toward the end of the season they should at least give Golden State a run in the playoffs, They match up with them pretty well all they have to do is keep Golden State off the three point line and they might have a chance of beating them. Also their starters must stay healthy that's been the main problem for the Pelicans all year. Jrue Holiday has missed a lot of games if he can stay healthy the Pelicans might pull of an upset. The Pelicans must continue to feed the ball to Anthony Davis because although  Draymond Green plays pretty good defense it will not be enough to stop Davis and if they switch Andrew Bogut to guard him Anthony Davis will just blow past him because Bogut is to slow. This series starts on Saturday at 3:30 PM Eastern on ABC.

Now if the Nets want to do anything in the playoffs it all lies on what Deron Williams & Joe Johnson will show up. Deron was basically nonexistent in last year playoffs. You never know what Deron Williams your going to get the one who shows why people think he is a superstar or the Deron Williams who is moody and doesn't give too much effort. For Joe Johnson last year playoffs was the first time he actually played well in the playoffs because when he was in Atlanta he was basically a non factor. Also for once they have a healthy Brook Lopez in the playoffs so that helps them significantly in the post on offense and defense he's a good player when he's actually healthy. This series starts on Sunday at 5:30 PM Eastern on TNT.

It All Comes Down to One Game

The 8th seed in the Western Conference will be decided Wednesday between the Oklahoma City Thunder and New Orleans Pelicans. Everyone counted Oklahoma City out when word got out that Kevin Durant will have to sit out for the rest of the season due to foot injuries. But, Russell Westbrook stepped his game up to another level and put the team on his back. Since Durant has been gone Russell Westbrook has had 11 triple doubles. Also the trades the Thunder made helped them out tremendously by getting Dion Waiters, Enes Kanter, Kyle Singler, and DJ Augustin.

The New Orleans Pelicans has had to face some injuries from their star player also. Anthony Davis has had to sit out a few weeks after All-Star break to recover from a shoulder injury. But, when he came back to play off injury he came back stronger then ever. Anthony Davis is averaging 24.2 points per game, 10.2 rebounds per game, 2.2 assists per game, 2.9 blocks per game, and 1.5 steals per game. In any other season he would probably win the MVP race with those numbers he is putting up.

The New Orleans Pelicans own the tiebreaker against the Oklahoma City Thunder. All the New Orleans Pelicans have to do is beat the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday and they will make the make the playoffs to play the Golden State Warriors in the 1st round of the Western Conference Playoffs. The Oklahoma City Thunder however have to beat the Minnesota Timberwolves and need the New Orleans Pelicans to lose against the San Antonio Spurs in order to make the playoffs. Wednesday will be  a great day for sports fans to see who will get that 8th seed to make the playoffs. This will be a great season finale for the NBA.

Paul George Returns

Paul George returned yesterday to play the Miami Heat after suffering that horrific leg injury during the summer in the team USA exhibition game. Paul George was greeted with a standing ovation from Indiana Pacers fans when he checked into the game for the first time. His first basket came off a pick from Roy Hibbert where he was to able to get separation from the defender to hit a floater. Paul George played like he hasn't been sitting out for a very long time. Paul George may give the Pacers they lift they need to get the final spot in the playoffs in the Eastern Conference.

Paul George first game was much better then people expected. Most people thought he would come out rusty and would be missing a lot of shots. Or he would come out playing playing tentative because he was scared to get injured again. But Paul George came out with confidence and played like the old Paul George before he got injured. The Pacers couldn't of got him back at a better time.

Paul George played in just 14 minutes. But, Paul George was able to score 13 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals. Paul George made the most of his first game back. Paul George was able to hit 3 three pointers in his return. With Paul George back that 8th spot in the playoffs is looking a little more hopeful for Indiana Pacers players, fans, coaches, and personnel.

Wisconsin Upsets Kentucky

With Kentucky going into the final 4 they were two wins away from a perfect season and winning a national championship. But, Frank Kaminsky and company had another plan for Kentucky. Last night Wisconsin gave Kentucky their first loss. Unfortunately that one loss came at the wrong time for Kentucky considering the tournament is win or go home. Wisconsin shocked the world by beating Kentucky 71-64.

John Calipari continuously said that his team was not perfect but we're undefeated and only way his team will lose is if a team plays the way they play very well. Well last night Wisconsin played the way they play very well. Wisconsin matched up very well against Kentucky. Frank Kaminsky gave Kentucky's big men problems the whole game. Frank Kaminsky dominated the game on the offensive side and defensive side. Frank Kaminsky had 20 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 blocks.

Sam Dekker also played a good game for Wisconsin he had 16 points, and 3 rebounds, Nigel Hayes had 12 points, and 5 rebounds. Bronson Koenig had 12 points, and 4 rebounds. Traveon Jackson had 6 points, and 2 assists in just 12 minutes of play, The Harrison twins combined for 25 points. Karl Anthony-Towns had 16 points, and 9 rebounds. Trey Lyles had 9 points. Devin Booker & Tyler Ulis had 6 points a piece coming off the bench. Willie Cauley-Stein was basically nonexistent for most of the game he only had 2 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 blocks in 33 minutes of play. Wisconsin will play Duke for the National Championship tomorrow night at 9 PM Eastern.