NBA

[Cards13 9,117]

Would be great to see the Celts vs Okies in the finals. I detest the Okies and I was a mad Sonics fan and f ing hate Clay and his cronies but in sayin gthat Kevin Durant is such a brilliant player to watch. The last tilt at a title for KG, Ray Ray and Pierce vs the youngsters and LeBron I just can not like.

[Macca 17,120]

Wow ! Great win to the Celtics . 15-1 run to end the 3rd quarter was a telling point and probably won it for them in all honesty .

Miami have really missed Bosh IMO . He played limited minutes today but might be better on Friday ( our time ) . James' 30 and Wade's 27 just wasn't enough with Boston's big 4 all doing well again - Garnett 26 , Pierce 19 , Allen 13 and Rondo 7 (with 13 assists) . Bass and Pietrus stepped it up as well . Just a good team effort again .

Boston weren't expected to make the final but one more win and they're in .

Spurs are at OKC tomorrow . I'm going with my earlier tip - San Antonio to force a game 7 . Won't be easy though . ESPN 11am .

Edited June 6, 2012 by Macca

[Macca 17,120]

The Thunder win game 6 and the series 4-2 ! The Spurs were brave and had their chances . Congrats to OKC for making the final . A team that has been threatening for a while and now they get their shot at glory . Durant , Westbrook , Harden and Fisher have all played well in this series . The Spurs lead by 15 at the half but couldn't hold on .

Tomorrow we're in Boston for game 6 . ESPN 10.30am . The Celtic's win and they're through . OKC can rest up and will be secretly hoping for a game 7 ! It's been a cramped season and an extra couple of days rest is a distinct advantage .

[Jack Jack 415]

Wow, what the hell happened to the Spurs? Does that mean after their incredible 20 odd win stretch that they just lost 4 in a row straight afterwards?

Would be kinda funny if the Celtics won. I reckon all hell would break loose in Miami. Trades? New Coach?

Bosh will be pushing for a lot more minutes today, I wonder if it will make any difference?

Looks like it will be a cracker of a match today.

[Jack Jack 415]

To say that Lebron was on fire would be an understatement. His 45-15-5 performance was the first in a final since Wilt Chamberlain in 1964.

The Celtics fans obviously appreciated it and rewarded him accordingly with a celebratory beer shower!

Bring on Game 7.

Edited June 8, 2012 by Jack Jack

[Macca 17,120]

To say that Lebron was on fire would be an understatement. His 45-15-5 performance was the first in a final since Wilt Chamberlain in 1964.

The Celtics fans obviously appreciated it and rewarded him accordingly with a celebratory beer shower!

Bring on Game 7.

I know in soccer they've made the player walkway/race 'spray proof' . Though in soccer it was a bit more than various 'Liquids' !

Wow ! Did Miami get serious today or what ? James was magnificent from what I've heard - some are describing it as his best game . I've heard the wrap-up but will catch the highlights later . Gonna be tough for Boston now but I wouldn't count them out yet .

Edited June 8, 2012 by Macca

[Macca 17,120]

Miami win game 7 though Boston were right in it until near the end . Great effort from the Celtics to push it to game 7 .

So it's OKC vs Miami in the final . OKC have home court advantage . Interesting that the final reverts back to 2 - 3 - 2 in terms of home court .

Game 1 is on Wednesday at 11am (ESPN) . I reckon it will be OKC in 6 . Miami should get 2 home wins .

[Jack Jack 415]

I was reading that the Memphis Grizzlies have been sold. I think they've got a contract to stay there for the next 9 years, so I doubt they'll be relocating.

Predictions for the upcoming series? I think Miami will finally get there, in 5 games.

[Macca 17,120]

I was reading that the Memphis Grizzlies have been sold. I think they've got a contract to stay there for the next 9 years, so I doubt they'll be relocating.

Predictions for the upcoming series? I think Miami will finally get there, in 5 games.

Your tipping has been quite accurate JJ , though Miami will need to get a move on after todays 94 - 105 loss to OKC in game 1 .

The Heat led by 7 at half time but were over-powered by the Thunder . Durant and Westbrook were prominent . James had 30 pts for Miami .

Game 2 is on Friday morning EST . 11am ESPN .

[Jack Jack 415]

Miami level the series. But I'm not entirely convinced. The players just don't look like they're in sync.

[Macca 17,120]

Miami level the series. But I'm not entirely convinced. The players just don't look like they're in sync.

Ha ! Your tip is back on track JJ ! All the Heat have to do is win their next 3 games (at home) . I reckon they'll win 2 of them . They need their big 3 to step up and that can happen . James has been great in these playoffs .

I reckon there might be some strange twist to come in the next few games - maybe an injury ? The games have been quite clean up until now . I'm always surprised that there aren't more injuries around the key .

[Jack Jack 415]

I didn't get to see the game, but Miami go up 2-1 in the series. I'm surprised they managed to get away with a win. The Durantula picked up a few dubious fouls which forced his exit late in the third, stopped his and OKC's run. Did their free throw shooting let them down?

It's still a worry for Miami, LBJ still going strong, shot 11 of 23 from the field. But Bosh & Wade combined was 11 of 34. Chalmers 1 of 8.

Edit: Got my stats wrong.

Edited June 18, 2012 by Jack Jack

[DemonDave 1,099]

Going to be hard now for OKC, Miami have shifted the momentum their way massively, and are now at home for the next two(?).

Cant see them getting beaten from here, unless Durant and Westbrook put on some stupendous shooting performances.

Spoke to one of my friends who is now on the Heat bandwagon, giving me crap about Spurs missing out on the big dance again, and I asked him

"Can you name any of their other players other than the Big 3?"

"How awesome is LeBron" was his response.....

[Jack Jack 415]

Going to be hard now for OKC, Miami have shifted the momentum their way massively, and are now at home for the next two(?).

Cant see them getting beaten from here, unless Durant and Westbrook put on some stupendous shooting performances.

Spoke to one of my friends who is now on the Heat bandwagon, giving me crap about Spurs missing out on the big dance again, and I asked him

"Can you name any of their other players other than the Big 3?"

"How awesome is LeBron" was his response.....

I wouldn't put it past OKC to win it from here. They did win 4 in a row over the Spurs last round, so they have it in them. Miami can't keep relying on Lebron and an extraordinary effort so far from Battier. If they can get Bosh & Wade up and running I'm sure they can do it, but I haven't seen it yet.

I wouldn't mind if Miami won. I think Lebron has copped a lot of unfair criticism, he's an incredible player. Would be unfortunate for such a great player not to get at least one ring.

Haven't seen much of Mike Miller. Has he got anything to offer?

[H_T 3,049]

Miami level the series. But I'm not entirely convinced. The players just don't look like they're in sync.

Lol.

[Macca 17,120]

Going to be hard now for OKC, Miami have shifted the momentum their way massively, and are now at home for the next two(?).

Cant see them getting beaten from here, unless Durant and Westbrook put on some stupendous shooting performances.

Spoke to one of my friends who is now on the Heat bandwagon, giving me crap about Spurs missing out on the big dance again, and I asked him

"Can you name any of their other players other than the Big 3?"

"How awesome is LeBron" was his response.....

Ha ha ! The next game might decide things . If Miami win then I could see them winning game 5 (which is also at home) . Game 4 is the one I thought OKC could win .

Fisher and Harden needs to do more if they're a realistic chance . They were both very good earlier in the playoffs .

Edited June 18, 2012 by Macca

[Jack Jack 415]

Miami go up 3-1 and get a few scares along the way. Wade went down with a back injury in the first half and Lebron went down with a hip injury or cramp late in the final quarter. Both came back into the game, Lebron more importantly came back with a few minutes remaining to drop a 3 pointer but did see out the final minute of play. If there's any ongoing injuries to these two it opens the door for an OKC comeback.

Westbrook had a massive game with 43 points. But between him and Durant they were the only 2 in double figures.

3 players scoring over 25, 4 in double figures, an ominous sign for OKC, Miami are starting to gel.

I don't know what to make of Harden so far. He hasn't troubled Miami much in this series. There's been talk this season of whethere he's a max salary player on not, if this series is anything to go by you'd have to say no.

[Macca 17,120]

Miami go up 3-1 and get a few scares along the way. Wade went down with a back injury in the first half and Lebron went down with a hip injury or cramp late in the final quarter. Both came back into the game, Lebron more importantly came back with a few minutes remaining to drop a 3 pointer but did see out the final minute of play. If there's any ongoing injuries to these two it opens the door for an OKC comeback.

Westbrook had a massive game with 43 points. But between him and Durant they were the only 2 in double figures.

3 players scoring over 25, 4 in double figures, an ominous sign for OKC, Miami are starting to gel.

I don't know what to make of Harden so far. He hasn't troubled Miami much in this series. There's been talk this season of whethere he's a max salary player on not, if this series is anything to go by you'd have to say no.

Nice to see those high 5's hitting the mark ! OKC on the other hand , are missing the mark big time . They go out to a 17pt lead early in the game only to have Miami go on a 16pt unanswered phase that seemed to only last 3-4 minutes of actual playing time .

I reckon the Thunder would be more than annoyed to go out in 5 games after playing so well for the majority of these playoffs . Miami , on the other hand , have stepped up to the plate when it has counted . It's theirs to lose now .

James has been outstanding . Wade , Bosh and now 'Super' Mario (Chalmers) have been excellent . Do we have one more twist ?

Edited June 20, 2012 by Macca

[Jack Jack 415]

Do we have one more twist ?

No team has lost after having a 3-1 lead. It would have to be one hellova twist.

[Macca 17,120]

No team has lost after having a 3-1 lead. It would have to be one hellova twist.

My idea of a twist is an extension to a 6th game ! I did read that since 1985 only 2 home teams have won all 3 of the 'middle' games of the 2-3-2 set up .

Don't ya just love stats ! The Americans certainly do . All the momentum is with the Heat now .

Edited June 20, 2012 by Macca

[Jack Jack 415]

My idea of a twist is an extension to a 6th game ! I did read that since 1985 only 2 home teams have won all 3 of the 'middle' games of the 2-3-2 set up .

Don't ya just love stats ! The Americans certainly do . All the momentum is with the Heat now .

Miami was one of those two teams. Won all three home games in their 2006 championship.

If stats/streaks are anything to go by it'll get to game 6. It's the first time since April this year that OKC have lost 3 in a row. However the last time they lost 4 in a row was April 2009.

You'd think OKC will come out swinging and force a game 6. But who knows, it's still a Miami home game so that must count for something too.

[Macca 17,120]

Miami was one of those two teams. Won all three home games in their 2006 championship.

If stats/streaks are anything to go by it'll get to game 6. It's the first time since April this year that OKC have lost 3 in a row. However the last time they lost 4 in a row was April 2009.

You'd think OKC will come out swinging and force a game 6. But who knows, it's still a Miami home game so that must count for something too.

Yeah , having watched how Miami have closed things out , it seems it's all theirs for the taking .

A lot of the chat is how James Harden has struggled . Yet , only a week or so ago the talk was whether Bosh could fulfill his role . Roles reversed in such a short space of time . And then we have 'Super' Mario stepping up with 25 pts today , effectively creating a (new) big 4 !

Miami have that real confidence as well now . I'd like this series to go to game 6 or 7 . Ya never know .

Edited June 20, 2012 by Macca

[Jack Jack 415]

5 Minutes left, Miami up 20 odd points, LBJ's already got a triple double.

Just a matter of time before the Heat take their second championship. I would have thought their GM would be more excited, but Pat Riley looks like he's about to fall asleep.

[H_T 3,049]

Did it comfortably. LBJ can be a relieved man now.

[Jack Jack 415]

Celebrating.... Like A Bosh!