I'm loving the playoff series this year, West is super competetive, and the East is throwing up a couple of suprises - it's realistic the Wizards could make the conference finals.

Huuugge OKC fan, think Grizzlies have done a great job shutting down our (albiet predictable) offence, think we'll scrape through the Grizzlies but all these OT games will come back to bite us

I spent the best part of Feb and March travelling around watching NBA games (saw 11 in total), gee I miss seeing them live

I'm loving the playoff series this year, West is super competetive, and the East is throwing up a couple of suprises - it's realistic the Wizards could make the conference finals.

Huuugge OKC fan, think Grizzlies have done a great job shutting down our (albiet predictable) offence, think we'll scrape through the Grizzlies but all these OT games will come back to bite us

I spent the best part of Feb and March travelling around watching NBA games (saw 11 in total), gee I miss seeing them live

... and, you're back in it. Excellent win today, Westbrook was immense and Ibaka makes a big difference.

Tim Legler of ESPN reckons OKC should now win the series You'll have to snag a win in San Antonio but the games are now being played every 2 days (which may suit the younger team) Game 5 may decide the series.

Hard to see Miami slipping up from here but I can see that series going to 6 games. King James just needs his offsiders to keep stepping up when they can.

Spurs get through after a close one.

San Antonio get home court advantage but they'll probably have to win at least one game in Miami to win the whole thing. Finals start on Friday (our time) with the first 2 games @ the Spurs.

If the Heat win one of the first 2 games, they'll gain a decisive advantage. Miami in 6 is my tip.

"They're trying to smoke us out of here" ... LeBron James.

The A/C broke down in the San Antonio facility in yesterday's game and James was forced out of the game late with severe cramps (brought on by the heat, apparently)

In any event, the Spurs win game 1 and if they can notch up the next one at home, it's game on!

... highlights of game 1

Spurs get through after a close one.

San Antonio get home court advantage but they'll probably have to win at least one game in Miami to win the whole thing. Finals start on Friday (our time) with the first 2 games @ the Spurs.

If the Heat win one of the first 2 games, they'll gain a decisive advantage. Miami in 6 is my tip.

The world's worst tipster at work again ... serial offender.

Well done to the Spurs though ... Popovich is the master and his group of players were just too good. Patty Mills had a terrific series as well. Tim Duncan - 5 championship rings ... what a player he's been.

There's been a lot of rumours and specualtion of late, but there's finally big news in the NBA. Lebron's finally annouced his decision (2.0) and is heading back to the Cavs.

I, for one, think it's great for the sport, and shows a lot of character on his behalf. Well done Lebron.

I'm Coming Home

One of the rumours was that Bosh was holding off for James' decision with the possibility of going to Houston if he left. But he's now signed a max deal to stay with Miami.

Still no news on where Carmelo is going to sign. NY must be getting a little nervous.

And a recap on the draft, well done Dante Exum and Cameron Bairstow. Another 2 Aussies into the NBA.

Exum has been widely touted as a lottery pick and was chosen by the Jazz with the 5th pick in the draft. Cameron Bairstow picked up by the Bulls with pick 49.

Jazz is probably a good place to start for Exum. But after losing DWill a few years back because they wouldn't add more talent around him, I wonder what the ceiling is for the Jazz team.

In any case, it'll be exciting journey. Certainly the Jazz fans think so with close to 10000 people turning up for a practice match.

There's been a lot of rumours and specualtion of late, but there's finally big news in the NBA. Lebron's finally annouced his decision (2.0) and is heading back to the Cavs.

I, for one, think it's great for the sport, and shows a lot of character on his behalf. Well done Lebron.

I'm Coming Home

One of the rumours was that Bosh was holding off for James' decision with the possibility of going to Houston if he left. But he's now signed a max deal to stay with Miami.

Still no news on where Carmelo is going to sign. NY must be getting a little nervous.

And a recap on the draft, well done Dante Exum and Cameron Bairstow. Another 2 Aussies into the NBA.

Exum has been widely touted as a lottery pick and was chosen by the Jazz with the 5th pick in the draft. Cameron Bairstow picked up by the Bulls with pick 49.

Jazz is probably a good place to start for Exum. But after losing DWill a few years back because they wouldn't add more talent around him, I wonder what the ceiling is for the Jazz team.

In any case, it'll be exciting journey. Certainly the Jazz fans think so with close to 10000 people turning up for a practice match.

Yeah, I agree. It's certainly different though. I'm trying to think of another "great" sportsperson who has returned to their original team after leaving that team in rather acrimonious circumstances. It's a huge move all the same and I like it.

He'll be embraced by the large majority of Cleveland fans you'd reckon. The city has been so starved of success so in many ways, they have to embrace him.

I can't see how it won't work either in terms of them becoming an automatic playoff contender (especially in the East) As for being a true contender, time will tell. 50 wins? 55? A lot may depend on Wiggins and Irving. Kevin Love may be pursued and Wiggins hasn't actually been signed yet despite being drafted as the no.1 pick overall.

The other question is what happens to Miami now? (who play in the same conference of course) Ironically, Cleveland have got Miami's first round draft pick next year.

... and well done to the 2 Aussies (Exum & Bairstow)

Feel sorry for all those parents who now have to fork out more money for a LBJ guernsey again.

Unless they didn't ditch/burn the old one.

At least he was thoughtful enough to go back to the same number.

Feel sorry for all those parents who now have to fork out more money for a LBJ guernsey again.

Unless they didn't ditch/burn the old one.

At least he was thoughtful enough to go back to the same number.

If you are to believe some of the reports, LBJ signing with Cleveland will bring hundreds of millions of dollars into the local/state economy. I, for one, don't believe the reports, but there must be some truth to it.

And being a town that has been devoid of success for so long in all their major league teams, having soeone like Lebron back in town must have a huge effect on morale.

A few noteworthy happenings in the NBA of late

PG broke his leg, during Team USA practice. If you haven't seen the footage yet, don't, it can't been unseen. An incredibly unfortunate incident that now sees him out for a likely 12-18 month recovery.

Cleveland looks like they've secured Kevin Love. They're reported to be trading No1 picks Bennet & Wiggins plus a protected future 1st round pick. Seems like a high price to pay, but Love is still pretty young and will further confirm the Cavs as a legit title contender. The trade can't be made until the 23rd (30 days' after Wggins signed).

The joy of Aussie basketball doesn't stop with the drafting of Exum. Keep an eye out for Ben Simmons and Thon Maker (and possibly his brother too). Australia is the next basketball powerhouse

Rondo to the Mavs ... can they win the whole thing now?

Mavericks' rank in West with Rondo?

The finals start tomorrow, a few good matchups for the first round will make things interesting. I guess the big question that everyone will be asking is how will Cleveland fair when 2 of their big 3 have no finals experience?

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Atlanta Hawks vs. Brooklyn Nets

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Boston Celtics

Chicago Bulls vs. Milwaukee Bucks

Toronto Raptors vs. Washington Wizards

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Golden State Warriors vs. New Orleans Pelicans

Houston Rockets vs. Dallas Mavericks

Los Angeles Clippers vs. San Antonio Spurs

Portland Trail Blazers vs. Memphis Grizzlies

I think it only fitting that we begin the playoffs with a look at the MVP candidates for the year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-7DqhGrI_s

It would be no real surprise if the Clippers knock the Spurs out but the other teams in the West would be mighty thankful if that happened. A 7 game series beckons but it's a toss up.

Bit late with the tips but for what it's worth ... (likely winners in dark italics) Golden State to meet Cleveland in the final,

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Atlanta Hawks vs. Brooklyn Nets

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Boston Celtics

Chicago Bulls vs. Milwaukee Bucks

Toronto Raptors vs. Washington Wizards

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Golden State Warriors vs. New Orleans Pelicans

Houston Rockets vs. Dallas Mavericks

Los Angeles Clippers vs. San Antonio Spurs

Portland Trail Blazers vs. Memphis Grizzlies

It's hard to disagree with those predictions Macca.

The Mavs look good on paper, but it just hasn't come together for them of late. Still should be an interesting series. The Raptors Wizards and Clips Spurs series should also be worth keeping an eye on.

It's hard to disagree with those predictions Macca.

The Mavs look good on paper, but it just hasn't come together for them of late. Still should be an interesting series. The Raptors Wizards and Clips Spurs series should also be worth keeping an eye on.

The Wizards won again today so there's one tip that's highly questionable

The Mavs, Spurs and Portland can all win their respective series' too. It's not all that clear cut really ... wouldn't surprise me if a team just gets hot and takes the title (outside of GSW & Cleveland) Rose and Bulls might surprise in the East whilst there's a number of teams in the West with claims.

Spurs out! ... came down to the last play in game 7 - the Clippers now go on to play Houston.

Cleveland will miss Kevin Love - I now believe that the Bulls can win their conference semi-final match-up. The other series' can go either way.

Conference semi final match-ups

Atlanta Hawks vs Washington Wizards

Cleveland Cavaliers vs Chicago Bulls

Golden State Warriors vs Memphis Grizzlies

Houston Rockets vs Los Angeles Clippers

Great game by Matt Dellavedova. Stepped up when Irving went off with an injury. The Bulls wiki page has been updated accordingly.

Clips would be cursing themselves, they got smashed in the last quarter.

The Clippers. What a toilet bowl of an organisation.

The Clippers. What a toilet bowl of an organisation.

Spoken like a true Lakers fan there pantaloons

I reckon Leno had the Clippers in nearly all of his monologues over the years - as soon as he his tonight show ended, the Clippers finally came good.

Cavs through and now Houston have home court for game 7.

Spoken like a true Lakers fan there pantaloons

I've hardly given league pass a look this year. Is Cavs-Warriors a lock?

I've hardly given league pass a look this year. Is Cavs-Warriors a lock?

Wouldn't say so. Think Houston if they get past the Clippers could beat the Warriors. Cavs are a fairly battered lot at the moment but LBJ won't die wondering. Very happy my boys got past the Bulls today.

Wouldn't say so. Think Houston if they get past the Clippers could beat the Warriors. Cavs are a fairly battered lot at the moment but LBJ won't die wondering. Very happy my boys got past the Bulls today.

Yeah, the West is harder to pick but I reckon the Cavs should beat Atlanta or Washington. As you said, injuries are playing a part.

The Warriors best is probably better than the other 3 remaining teams in the West but you never know.

Houston should push the Dubs, but they've been behind on too many occasions to fill me with any great confidence.

Hawks and Cavs should be interesting. From all accounts Irving could have come back in game 6, so the injury may not be that serious. If the Cavs can stay healthy then they are surely the favorites, but they're still a relatively inexperienced team. A lot rests on Lebron's shoulders, but that is nothing new.

I must admit, I haven't followed the Hawks much this season. Who's likely to win it for them, or are they just a good all round team?

Looks like the way is being paved for a Cavs-Warriors finals that most savoured. Lebron pretty much willed them through games 4 and 5 and Irving can even play like a superstar when injured.

Well Golden State/Houston starts tomorrow. I give the Rockets a really good chance of getting past the Warriors - not totally convinced about the Warriors to get it done when it really counts.

Hopefully my Cavs can get past Atlanta. Not particularly confident but winning 1 or more of the first 2 in Atlanta will be the key.

WHO DOES NUMBER 2 WORK FOR?!