NBA Franchise of the Year: Passion. Pride. Pacers.
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2010 NBA Playoffs 1st Round Breakdown:
#1 vs #8
All that young talent in Portland flourished this season as the Blazers went on to the #1 seed this year. The face the Clippers, who earned the #8 seed in the West for the 2nd straight season. And much like last season, we don't expect the Clippers to make it out of the 1st round.
Our Prediction: Blazers in 5
#2 vs #7
The Lakers never could quite catch the Blazers despite an impressive late season push. The Hornets have returned to the postseason after falling short of the playoffs a season ago. Two rookies in the Hornets starting lineup probably won't be able to oust the very experienced Lakers though.
Our Prediction: Lakers in 6
#3 vs #6
Despite a rough start out of the gates for the reigning NBA champs from Phoenix, they have sinced turn things around in a big way and speaheaded themselves to the 3rd seed. The Nuggets are still a force to be reckoned with but the Suns look mighty focused on repeating.
Our Prediction: Suns in 7
#4 vs #5
Allen Iverson and company kept the T'Wolves in the running for home court advantage in the #3 spot for a majority of the season. That was until Randy Foye went down with an injury. The same injury that will keep Foye out of this playoff series. Without Foye to guide the ship, we can't see the T'Wolves getting by the battle-tested San Antonio Spurs.
Our Prediction: Spurs in 6
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#1 vs #8
Behind Dwight Howard and the usual suspects, the Magic have shot up to the top of the Eastern Conference standings. The Pistons, who started off very slow have wiggled their way into the postseason behind Rip Hamilton's best season of his career. The Pistons are a team with a mix of young guys and veterans, but hardly as talented as the Magic are.
Our Prediction: Magic in 4
#2 vs #7
The Heat are one of the most talented teams in the league from top to bottom. A formidable starting lineup with a whole lot of depth. The reigning Eastern Conference champs finished a disappoint 42-40 this season but that means nothing now. Now is the time to make it count. Lebron is going to have to have a hell of a series if he plans to get his team out of the first round.
Our Prediction: Heat in 6
#3 vs #6
Last season, the Celtics got hit the injury bug hard in the 1st round allowing the Sixers to advance past them. The Celtics are healthy now and looking for some revenge. This will be a tough, hard fought battle.
Our Prediction: Celtics in 7
#4 vs #5
On paper, the Hawks look like they should be amongst the NBA's elite. However, a 46-36 finish has them locked in the 5th spot and set to take on the Pacers in the round 1. Disappointing season or not, the Pacers will have their hands full trying to ground these Hawks.
Our Prediction: Pacers in 7Last edited by mfbmike; 06-09-2009, 08:08 PM.Comment
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Pacers-Hawks: First Round Breakdown And Analysis
#4 vs #5
This is by far, the closest 1st round matchup of this years playoffs. The Pacers earned much-needed home-court advantage with their best finish since going 61-21 in 2004. Now is the time for the Pacers to improve upon an impressive playoff push from a season ago. This should be a fun showdown of All-Star perimeter talents, Danny Granger and Joe Johnson. Let's take a deeper look into the series...
Granger's Going To Need Help:
The Pacers won 49 games this season and obviously have capable players around Granger. The key is whether or not these guys show up in this series. History has shown that even superheroes need a sidekick. Where would the Lone Ranger have been without Tonto? Or Dangermouse sans Penfold? Even Superman got the occasional assist from Lois. If Indiana is to conjure some magic of its own, then others need to dip into their box of tricks. "We're most successful when you don't know where we're coming from", explained Pacers guard Jamal Crawford.
Hawks Not Completely Gelled?:
One look at the Hawks starting 5 on paper could make any opposing head coach's knees shaky. However, a 46-36 finish by the Hawks leads one to ask the question, "Has this collection of talented players completely gelled as a team yet?" The Pacers will have to use that lack of chemisty between the Hawks to their advantage.
Slowing Down The Hawks "Big 3":
Joe Johnson will be the main target of Indiana's defense, drawing help on back-downs and attracting defenders in transition when he spots up. He needs to be a ball-mover when he gets too much attention. Josh Smith will probably be the best athlete on the court who can overwhelm some of Indiana's defensive rotations with his quickness and jumping ability. His ability to block shots from the weak side could make things tougher on Cleveland's inside finishers, if they are always on the lookout for him. Al Horford is outsized by Chris Kaman, so not only will he have trouble contesting Caveman's shots, but he'll have those long arms in his face when he shoots. Still, Horford can win this matchup by using his speed in the full court to get easy buckets or pick up fouls. He might look for his shot more when Sean Williams is on him.
3 Matchups This Season:
The Hawks managed to take the season series 2-1. The Pacers won the 1st matchup in Atlanta while the Hawks took the remaining 2, 1 at the Conseco and 1 in front of the home crowd.
Game 1 - Pacers 108, Hawks 99
The Pacers struck fast and hard in these two teams first matchup the season. eventually leading by as much as 30 until the reserves were subbed into the game in the 4th quarter.
Game 2 - Pacers 108, Hawks 111
This one came down to the wire. Jamal Crawford just wasn't able to knock down a buzzer beating 3 that would've sent the game into the overtime. Maybe it was a bad call from Pacers head coach Jim O' Brien. Either way, the Pacers fell to the Hawks in front of the home crowd.
Game 3 - Pacers 99, Hawks 116
Danny Granger's 32 points and 10 rebounds weren't enough to outweigh the 6 Hawks players that scored in double digits. Frontcourt play proved to be the deciding factor. Carlos Boozer and Al Horford were in control down low while Chris Kaman and Rasheed Wallace well, weren't.Comment
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Originally posted by ARobb21Predicting my Pistons to get swept?
Originally posted by mikelewi42another great article. Gotta do good with everyone to beat the hawks
Originally posted by IVODEMDAMMIT stop these teasers give us a game!
Originally posted by Lakers4LifeWolves-Spurs seems like the most interesting matchup followed closely by your series with the HawksComment
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Don't get cheesy michael
Originally posted by Len BLupe is good peeps. He gets a bad rap from people who take message boards too seriously and forget what it's like to be young and online. I consider Lupe a top 100 prospect in the minors and someday becomes a solid poster.
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Hahaha, yeah....
Update coming. lol.Comment
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Granger Pulls Out All The Stops; Helps Pacers Escape With Win In Game 1
Starting Lineups:
Andre Miller (80) PG (80) Acie Law
Jamal Crawford (80) SG (93) Joe Johnson
Danny Granger (90) SF (91) Josh Smith
Rasheed Wallace (85) PF (93) Carlos Boozer
Chris Kaman (89) C (90) Al Horford
(0-0) 106 vs 100 (0-0)
Acie Law can't stop Danny Granger from rising up over him for 2 of his team high 25 points.
Top Performers:
Player Of The Game:
Danny Granger
Quote Of The Game:
"This game was a roller coaster. We got out in front by double digits after the 1st quarter. Next thing we know, we are down heading into the 4th. That's the playoffs. Teams are going to make runs on you. It's about stopping the bleeding before too much damage is done." - Danny Granger
Next Game:
Game 2 vs AtlantaComment
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No more sleeve for granger? He looks so weird without it. I put a sleeve on outlaw :D
Originally posted by Len BLupe is good peeps. He gets a bad rap from people who take message boards too seriously and forget what it's like to be young and online. I consider Lupe a top 100 prospect in the minors and someday becomes a solid poster.
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Around The League Scores:
Roy Shines In Game 1 Win Over Clippers; Blazers Lead 1-0
105 80
POR|26|22|29|28||105
LAC|6|25|22|27||80
B. Roy | 22 pts , 2 reb , 8 ast , 3 stl
J. Bayless | 12 pts , 4 reb , 4 ast
S. Blake | 12 pts , 3 reb , 7 ast
M. Dunleavy | 17 pts , 4 reb
E. Gordon | 13 pts , 2 reb , 3 ast
B. Davis | 13 pts , 5 reb , 3 stl
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Carmelo Powers Nuggets Past Suns For 1-0 Lead
101 114
PHX|30|34|16|21||101
DEN|31|25|28|30||114
S. Nash | 19 pts , 4 reb , 7 ast
L Barbosa | 19 pts , 5 reb , 2 ast
J. Richardson | 16 pts , 8 reb , 2 ast
C. Anthony | 35 pts , 8 reb , 4 ast , 2 stl
J.R. Smith | 15 pts , 6 ast, 2 stl
D. Gooden | 14 pts , 8 reb , 2 stl , 2 blk
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Pistons Shock Magic In Game 1
79 84
ORL|22|8|23|26||79
DET|20|22|12|30||84
H. Turkoglu | 12 pts , 4 ast
D. Howard | 12 pts , 7 reb , 4 blk
C. Lee | 12 pts , 5 reb , 2 stl
R. Hamilton | 15 pts , 2 reb , 4 ast
T. Prince | 15 pts , 5 reb , 5 ast
J. Maxiell | 14 pts , 8 reb
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Allen Drops 33 On The Sixers In Game 1 Victory
114 92
BOS|19|36|27|32||114
PHI|21|23|25|23||92
R. Allen | 33 pts , 6 reb , 2 ast
P. Pierce | 18 pts , 3 reb , 9 ast
K. Garnett | 15 pts , 12 reb , 4 ast , 2 blk
A. Iguodala | 18 pts , 5 reb , 8 ast , 2 stl
L. Williams | 18 pts , 6 ast
T. Young | 12 pts , 3 reb
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Jefferson Helps T'Wolves To Win In Game 1
89 93
SAN|19|23|24|23||89
MIN|34|23|22|14||93
T. Duncan | 29 pts , 10 reb , 3 ast , 2 stl , 2 blk
T. Parker | 23 pts , 2 reb , 9 ast
M. Ginobli | 15 pts , 3 reb , 7 ast
A. Jefferson | 19 pts , 11 reb , 2 stl
A. Iverson | 19 pts , 2 ast
K. Love | 13 pts , 8 reb , 2 ast , 2 stl
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Paul's 36 Not Enough In Game 1 Against Lakers
124 116
LAL|34|34|28|28||124
NOH|32|28|21|35||116
K. Bryant | 23 pts , 3 reb , 4 ast
L. Odom | 19 pts, 7 reb , 4 ast
P. Gasol | 17 pts , 9 reb , 5 ast , 4 blk
C. Paul | 36 pts , 6 reb , 5 ast
D. West | 15 pts , 9 reb , 2 ast
E. Clark | 15 pts , 8 reb , 7 ast , 3 blk
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D Wade, Heat, Take Game 1 Despite Lebron Dropping 31
88 81
MIA|14|19|30|25||88
CLE|25|9|28|19||81
D. Wade | 13 pts , 2 reb , 10 ast , 7 stl
M. Chalmers | 12 pts , 3 reb , 2 ast , 2 stl
M. Beasley | 11 pts , 10 reb , 2 blk
L. James | 31 pts , 13 reb , 7 ast
M. Williams | 13 pts , 4 reb , 11 ast
T. Murphy | 12 pts , 15 rebLast edited by mfbmike; 06-06-2009, 10:35 PM.Comment
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Originally posted by BlazeHoly fuck, the Hawks are one 85+ PG away from being godly.
nice win.
Originally posted by Zolor23Great win, Bibby was still there = You lose in 4Comment
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LIES LIES LIES MICHAEL!
Originally posted by Len BLupe is good peeps. He gets a bad rap from people who take message boards too seriously and forget what it's like to be young and online. I consider Lupe a top 100 prospect in the minors and someday becomes a solid poster.
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