Cavaliers To The East Finals

Lebron James will be in the East finals in 4 consecutive seasons, beating the Chicago Bulls wickedly at United Center Thursday night, 94-73. He missed another triple-double by a single rebound, finishing with 15 points, nine boards and 11 assists, and was the dominant player in the series, the focal point of Cleveland's attack and Chicago's attempted resistance. 

Despite James poor shooting, he got helped from young teammates in Thompson and Dellavedova. He turned over the ball four times. And he probably wouldn't have eliminated the Bulls and reached the Eastern Conference finals for a seventh time, not yet anyway, without the work in Game 6 of the two guys next to him. 

Both Thompson and Dellavedova had just played in the 10th postseason games of their young careers. And they went podium. 

At one point during the postgame questions and answers, Thompson referred to James as "this great father over here." And despite the impossible math of that -- James is 30, Dellavedova and Thompson both 24 -- that's really what he was. Beaming between them and proud as any papa. 

"I just try to bring that leadership to these guys," James said, "that energy, to make these guys even believe they're [more] supernatural sometimes than they are. The things they did tonight was unbelievable. These two guys right here? Wow. They were spectacular." 

This had been coming, and it was a fitting finish to a trying, challenging, transformative series for Cleveland. In the time between its start 10 days earlier and the end of this Bulls business Thursday, the Cavaliers seemed to grow and develop exponentially. 

 

James, Cavs coach David Blatt and his staff and most of northeast Ohio faced a bunch of unknowns and more than a little apprehension when it began. Losing forward Kevin Love to postseason-ending shoulder surgery. Missing gunner J.R. Smith for the first two games to suspension. Worrying about Kyrie Irving and the All-Star point guard's gimpy wheels. Wondering, not really knowing, how the jumbled pieces left behind would fit. And hoping that the least experienced of them, guys like Dellavedova and Thompson more than Irving, wouldn't cave, never mind their contributions. 

But get a load of the contributions: Thompson scored 13 points and grabbed 17 rebounds as Cleveland toyed with the Bulls on the glass, 53-32. The kid from Toronto who lost his starting job when the Cavaliers' ambitions ratcheted up -- James coming home, Love added for the three-starred stool, Timofey Mozgov acquired to replace Anderson Varejao -- wound up as the leading rebounder on either team in the series. And this thing was decided by rebounds, the winner in each game owning that category. 

Then there was Dellavedova, a 6-foot-4 gnat from Maryborough, Australia who had gone undrafted after a modest college career at St. Mary's College in California. Already disliked in Chicago for the leg lock he put on the Bulls' Taj Gibson in Game 5, leading to Gibson's ejection, Dellavedova made more enemies by scoring 19 points -- more than James, more than anyone on the floor besides Jimmy Butler (20). 

The pesky Aussie eased the loss of Irving, who exited after playing 12 minutes when he aggravated what the Cavs have been calling tendinitis in his left knee. Dellavedova scored 16 of his points after halftime, 11 in the fourth quarter that forced the Bulls to perish any thought of late heroics. 

Dellavedova 19 points, Derrick Rose 14. Dellavedova-Thompson 32 points and 19 rebounds, James-Irving 21 and 10. 

Dad loved it. 

Nodding to Thompson, James said: "He's not the most athletic guy right here, he's not the tallest power forward in our league, he's not the strongest power forward in our league. But not too many guys can keep him off the glass." 

Thompson playfully scrunched up his face as James ticked off all his shortcomings, but he knew there was a heavy compliment in there. Ditto with Dellavedova. 

"This guy right here," James said of the guard, "he's not the most athletic, fastest, doesn't shoot it as great as all the other point guards in our league. But I'll put him out there versus anybody. This guy has to guard Kyrie Irving every single day in practice." 

Anyone paying close attention to James when the series began, and even when the Cavaliers fell behind 2-1 in the best-of-seven series, could see a superstar who had reservations about the crew with which he was working. He knew how raw some of the supporting cast was. He did not know how they would perform or respond. 

Now, while admitting he was a "little bit surprised," James knows much more. Thompson and Dellavedova got tested like never before in their careers and, in James' view, aced them all. 

Ten days ago, so late in the long NBA season, he still was shepherding them. Now he's rolling with them.

"Throughout the playoffs, I have never seen a shadow of doubt, fear or [loss of] focus on anyone's face," Blatt said. "I have to give LeBron a lot of credit. He is a true leader here. He is vocal, willful and committed to helping this team succeed. He is really leading these guys to believe in what they can do." 

Salty vets such as James Jones, Mike Miller, Shawn Marion and Kendrick Perkins have been relegated to bit roles. Love is out. Irving is hurting. Dellavedova and Thompson? They're up on that podium. 

"I just think it's the development of the mind more than anything," James said. "Then the game'll take care of itself. These guys work their tails off before and after practice. ... But I think the development of the mind -- how you think the game, how you approach the game mentally -- will take you a lot further than just going out and dribbling the basketball and shooting it. 

"Obviously we have stats sheets and we have highlights that everyone sees after the game, and things of that nature. But how you approach the game mentally will take you a lot further." 

From their side, Dellavedova and Thompson have both an opportunity -- playing alongside the game's best player, in his prime, while soaking up everything they can learn from him -- and a responsibility not to mess it up. Free agents alter their careers for the chance to play with James and here they are, so young, having him plopped into their midst. 

"The biggest thing for me is, how much he takes care of his body, I've really learned that," Dellavedova said. "I don't think it's a responsibility, it's just a big opportunity. So you want to make the most of the opportunities that come and we've obviously got a great opportunity here." 

Said Thompson: "It just motivated us to work harder, because at the same time, we want to be great in our [own way]. It started from Labor Day -- LeBron's the first one in the gym working out, getting ready for the season. And as a young player, that just shows you he's never stopped working on his game. 

"If he's doing that, we need to do probably triple. Because this opportunity's definitely been a blessing for us and we've got to make the most of it. And help him, especially in the playoffs, just have success."

Father's Day, after all, is coming, synched up pretty nicely with the end of the NBA Finals.

Warriors Advance to Second Round

The Warriors defeated the Pelicans and advance to the next round of the playoffs with a 109-98 win and a 4-0 sweep on Saturday night. 

The Warriors did a great job prior to the 20-point comeback lead by All Star point guard Stephen Curry in the fourth quarter of Game 3 and simply take the win. The Warriors overwhelmed the Pelicans in scoring but All Star Anthony Davis wouldn’t give up and push hard for the Pelicans. As the team that has set the pace in the NBA practically from opening night of the season and won more games than any other in the history of the franchise, this Golden State bunch still steps into new territory each night it goes out onto the court with more to learn. 

"I think just feeling the pressure at home and on the road," said rookie coach Steve Kerr. "We're a favorite with the best record. This team has playoff experience the last few years as an underdog. I think it's easier as the underdog. You just come out and run loose. When you're the favorite it's a little different feeling. So I felt that was important. 

"Both home games we felt a lot of pressure. They outplayed us several segments of each game and our guys needed to respond and that was good. To come on the road and win two is a really good accomplishment and something that we can build on." 

The Warriors lead by the “Splash Brothers” and Green combined for 86 points, 21 rebounds and 18 assists while shooting 30 of 53 (.567) from the field and 13 of 21 (.619) on 3-pointers. Moreover, with the Warriors tight defense, they limit the Pelicans fast break points. Curry and Green lead the first quarter for the Warriors and not letting the Pelicans fill their heads with any more cute notions of pulling off the upset. And when New Orleans put together a couple of runs to get what was a 24-point lead down to seven on a couple occasions late, Green took a feed from Curry for a tourniquet of a layup and then Thompson buried one more three. 

"I'd say we reacted pretty well at the end of Game 3 being down," Kerr said. "But that was a little different because it was desperation and we just had to let it rip. 

"Tonight was more indicative of the feeling of being the favorite. You play a great game. You're in control and all of a sudden you're not...Yeah, it was good composure." 

Kerr told his team to focus and be serious following the morning shoot around for what he perceived was a less than laser focus. 

"To be totally honest, Coach got into us," Curry said. "He didn't feel like we had a sense of urgency. But I think if you ask the players, we knew what the mission was and what was at stake." 

 

Anthony Davis did a great job for his team leaving the game with 36 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks once again on the Warriors. So much so that Kerr embraced him at mid-court and told Davis that he was happy not to have to see him again until next November. 

Finally, the Warriors are now at the top of the NBA with a lot of expectations. But this is the situation that any NBA team wants as far as building the team. They have built a team from underdogs to favorites. The team’s management did well in terms of finding the right pieces for the team’s success.

"It's a huge difference," Thompson said. "But this is the spot you want to be in. It's what we worked all summer for and all regular season. Still a long ways to go to accomplish what we want to do, but it feels a lot different." 

Harder?

"No," Thompson said. "We've had a bullseye on our back the whole year, so we're used to playing as the hunted. I don't think it makes it any harder. It makes it more fun actually. It's great to have expectations." 

Good luck for the Warriors in the next round.

Cavaliers Wins the Series But in Danger

The Cavs wins the series against Boston Celtics in a physical game to advance to the conference semifinals waiting for either the Bulls or the Bucks. But their team is in danger in their next round due to the fact that Kevin Love is injured and JR Smith will have a probable suspension. The Cavaliers defeated the Boston Celtics Sunday, finishing off the No. 7 seed in a 101-93 Game 4 win Sunday at TD Garden. 

Kevin Love was hurt early in the first quarter trying to get a rebound when he got tangled up with Celtics reserve big man Kelly Olynyk and got his left arm dislocated when Olynynk yanked his arm. "I thought It was a bush league play," Love said afterwards from the Cleveland locker room with arm in a sling. "I was out there and Olynynk was in a compromised position with no chance to get the ball, and it's just too bad that he would go to those lengths to take somebody out the game and do that to someone. I have no doubt in my mind that he did that on purpose." 

Love will be reevaluated on Monday, so there is no telling what his status will be as the Cavaliers await the winner of the Chicago Bulls (up 3-1) and Milwaukee Bucks series. Injuries of this nature can require varying degrees of treatment, depending on if there was just a sprain associated with the dislocated shoulder or a tear of the labrum or rotator cuff, according to a head athletic trainer for one NBA team. A minimum 2-3 weeks is a standard recovery time for a sprain. A labrum tear or rotator cuff tear could require surgery and anywhere from 4-6 months recovery time.

JR Smith also got ejected due to a Flagrant 2. Smith delivered the blow after halftime, swinging and knocking Jae Crowder to the the floor as the two battled under the basket fighting for position on a rebound with 10:24 to play. Crowder sprained his left knee on the fall and Smith was ejected. He knows that a suspension is on the way. 

 

Kevin Love said he expects the league to look at the play and the punishment for Olynyk needs to be "just and swift." Smith, on the other hand, is sure to see a multiple game suspension for the lick he passed, a vicious, no-look right hand that caught Crowder clean across the chin. 

"This is a beautiful game and it's also a physical game," Cleveland coach David Blatt said addressing the play Love was injured on while also acknowledging the inevitable where Smith is concerned. "And you have to expect the physicality. But there's a line that shouldn't be crossed and that's what the league is for." 

The Big Three of the Cavaliers wins their first playoff series together but will be at a disadvantage in the next game. All of the good vibrations from this Cavaliers crew completing their first playoff series together as a group, the need for LeBron James, Love and Kyrie Irving to cross this first item off their postseason bucket list as a Big Three, pales in comparison to the reality of their situation going forward. But sadly, the Cavaliers took a lot of damage because they engaged the Celtics in a street fight rather than rising above the chippy play and just allowing their talent and seasoning to rule the day. 

"You want to play the game of basketball the right way," LeBron said. "You want to play physical. But you never want to have the game to get out of hand where you have injuries. And we had two of them tonight. And you don't wish that on nobody. And now look where we are sitting, possibly with one of our big guys out possibly, and their respective team they have a guy who may be out for a period of time as well. So you don't ever want the game to get out of hand. You just want guys to play the game right way." 

Cleveland Cavaliers still have some time to fill in others players for the two as the team wait for their opponent. Cavaliers will have some time to see what they did well and what they didn't do as well against the Celtics. They should have time to dissect the video from these first four playoff games for this group and come up with some remedies for whatever didn't work and fine-tune the things that did. 

Love and Smith both are great shooters and can make the offense flow especially when Lebron is doubled. Both of them can make clutch shots and they will be badly needed for the coming games if the Cavaliers continue to advance. 

In the end of the day, the goal was fulfilled. The Cavaliers takes the win and advance, but could pay for it dearly in the immediate future, depending on the word on Love's shoulder and Smith's suspension.

The “Truth” Shall Prevail

 
This is what happened in the series between Washington Wizards and the Toronto Raptors, which ended in a four-game sweep after the Wizards pummeled the Raptors, 125-94, in Game 4 on Sunday. These teams were separated by just three games in the regular season standings. Both had great starts, combining to go 46-15 through Dec. 29. And both were rather mediocre after that. They suffered losses right after the All Star break. But before the series began, Paul Pierce of the wizards throws some intimidating comments to the Raptors team that ignites the drama of the series. Moreover, Paul Pierce proves that his comments were real.

These two teams were expected to have at least a game 6 or go to a “do or die” game 7. Instead, these teams went in completely opposite directions. The Wizards maintained their status as a top-five defensive team, while scoring at a rate that was more efficient than any four-game stretch they've played since early December. The Raptors, meanwhile, maintained their status as a bottom-10 defensive team, while failing apart offensively. 

Toronto point guard Kyle Lowry suffered foul troubles throughout and was also overwhelmed by his match-up John Wall of the Wizards. Also, Lowry has very few contributions in terms of scoring which is expected from him because he is one of Toronto’s star players. The Wizards responded as a good team should. They moved the ball quickly until it found the open man. They're not the Spurs, but they were the much more reasonable facsimile in this series. The Wizards played unselfish basketball by creating shots through assist. Over the four games, the Wizards passed the ball 219 more times than the Raptors. And in the context of how the teams tried to defend each other, that number says it all. 

Marcin Gortat played well for the Wizards and proves himself as one of the necessary pieces. "It was a process for us," Wizards center Marcin Gortat said afterward, giving credit to reserve Drew Gooden as an offensive spark who moved the ball, set screens and spread the floor. "We just started playing together, having fun, distributing the ball. It doesn't matter who's going to score, as long as we're winning. I think we understood this at the end of the season. Now we're having fun playing like that in the playoffs." 

DeMar DeRozan pushed his team to compete but it wasn’t enough. The Raptors could not execute defense enough to limit the Wizard’s offense. All they can do is look back at DeMar DeRozan’s late-November groin injury as the turning point of their season. They had been playing well on both ends of the floor until that point, but as head coach Dwane Casey tells it, they then got too focused on how they'd keep their offense afloat without their leading scorer. At that point, their defense went in the tank, and it never returned. 

Toronto takes an unwanted early vacation. General manager Masai Ujiri will have to figure out if the defense can be restored with the existing roster and staff. And while he's at it, he'll need to determine if the Raptors' top-five ranking on offense was just a regular-season thing that fell apart when they were forced to play together and move the ball. 

John Wall made his team flexible by distributing the ball. That's what the Wizards have done. Paul Pierce won't be going through customs until it's time to take his family on a summer vacation. His team is moving on to the conference semifinals as a much different squad than they were just two weeks ago.

Thunders’ Decision

The Thunder management fired Scott Brooks. The coach did his best for the team but he was fired due to the fact that the Thunder could not win a championship. Brooks was a former NBA coach of the year who led the team to three conference finals in four years only to falter this season as his players were hit hard by injuries. 

Brooks had many achievements in coaching the Thunder. Starting in 2010-11, he led the team to the Western Conference finals three out of four years, and the Thunder reached the NBA Finals in 2012. The Thunder failed to make the playoffs this past season, as injuries limited them to a 45-37 finish.

Brooks was the 2009-10 NBA Coach of the Year with a 338-207 (.620) percentage. He said last week that he expected to be the coach next season.

The bad start led to the management’s disappointments and eventually they fire the coach who made huge accomplishments in the team. The Thunder stumbled to a 3-12 start this season as injuries took their toll. As the season progressed, Brooks became annoyed with speculation and doubters. 

The two All Stars namely Durant and Westbrook had said Brooks did a good job this past season under the circumstances. Durant played just 27 games this season after breaking a bone in his right foot. Serge Ibaka, the team's defensive anchor, missed the final month of the season after right knee surgery. Several other players, including Westbrook, missed significant time with injuries. I think the Thunder made a bad decision on firing Brooks. The question is that what will happen to the Oklahoma City Thunder next season?

Dallas Going Down

 

The Rockets has a 3-0 lead in the first-round series prior to Dallas Mavericks loss on Tuesday night. In addition, point guard Rajon Rondo will not return to Dallas next season and forward, Chandler Parsons is out for the rest of the playoffs with a right knee injury that will require surgery. 

The Dallas coach tried to dodge a question about the timing of the Rondo announcement before giving the much more direct answer about the 29-year-old guard's future in Dallas.

Rondo is a typical point guard and had 10 playoff triple-doubles with the Celtics, who won the title in 2008 and went the NBA Finals again two years later. The Mavericks gambled that they were getting the player Rondo was before missing large parts of two seasons because of a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. 

Rondo was acquired in exchange for point guard Jameer Nelson, center Brandan Wright and forward Jae Crowder to Boston. Rondo seems to be a bad fit for Dallas. The Mavericks are being among the league's best at the time of the trade in terms of offense. Rondo also missed six games because of a broken bone near his left eye. 

Rondo sat for all but the first 34 seconds in the second half in game 2. He was pulled after quickly picking up his third and fourth fouls guarding James Harden, and getting a technical after one of the calls. While Rick Carlisle could have hidden behind foul trouble as the reason for yet another ineffective game, the coach changed everything by leaving Rondo on the bench for good. 

The two quick fouls were puzzling, but paled compared to Rondo inexplicably getting called for an eight-second backcourt violation while walking the ball up the court in the first half. His poor defense right after the call led to an easy 3-pointer for Jason Terry. 

Carlisle still didn't go back to Rondo early in the fourth quarter in game 2 despite Dallas leads over Houston. J.J. Barea, who scored 13 points, and seldom-used Raymond Felton were his choices.

Cavaliers Triumphs

LeBron James knows the playoffs but some of his teammates, those without a wealth of playoff experience, are getting some well-worn lessons in the art of postseason competition away from the confines of home that will come in handy down the road. Now, the Cleveland Cavaliers leads the series 3-0.

Boston Celtics fought hard in home floor. They tried to double team Lebron James, only to see James passed to Kevin Love for a triple. The Celtics are giving a valiant effort in a battle they have little chance of prolonging beyond this weekend. Game 4 is here Sunday afternoon and provides the Cavaliers an opportunity to wrap up this business early with a date in the conference semifinals against the Chicago Bulls, which took a 3-0 lead over the Milwaukee Bucks. 

This will be a valuable experience for Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving for the upcoming years. The two stars experienced their first playoff road action of their careers Thursday. The plays that have to be made under duress with a hostile crowd howling serving as the soundtrack of the night is on-the-job training that cannot be simulated. 

There is a huge difference between the two teams in terms of talent and experience, one that is even more pronounced when LeBron's playoff history -- he was battling the Big 3 Celtics in the playoffs when several of the current Celtics were still in grade school -- is factored into the equation. 

Brad Stevens, Celtics new coach has done as fine a coaching job as anyone in the league, especially under the constantly changing circumstances he was dealt with all season, acknowledged as much.

"Obviously, No. 23 is one," he said of what separated these two teams Thursday night and basically any other time. "And obviously they've got other very talented guys, right? I thought Love made huge shots. I thought Irving made huge shots. And then J.R. Smith, he went to a different level than he's been in the first two games. So I think all of those guys, and then you add in the (Tristan) Thompsons and the rebounders and all of those guys, so you've got all those guys that are good players around super, superstars and they just become better when they're around them. And that's what the great ones doe, they make everybody else rise up." 

Cleveland’s bench has some playoffs experience in addition to Lebron James. Veterans Shawn Marion, Kendrick Perkins, Mike Miller, James Jones and Brendan Haywood all have extensive playoff experience and each has played in The Finals at least once in their careers. But Jones was the only one who played on this night, and his work consisted of just four minutes and 15 seconds of spot duty off the bench. 

The Cavaliers chance is now. They have 3 reliable stars that will carry them. They have a great bench and a bunch of playoff veterans there. 

Love made huge contributions especially when James is doubled team. He finished with 23 points (6-for-10 from beyond the 3-point line), nine rebounds and three assists. They need it now as they try and finish off the stubborn Celtics and they'll need even more from Love, Kyrie and the rest as this playoff odyssey continues.

Clippers in Trouble

San Antonio Spurs now leads the series 2-1 despite the home court disadvantage. The Los Angeles Clippers’ now is in trouble facing the veteran Spurs prior to their loss in game 2. The Clippers turn the ball over in the final seconds in game 2 which their team led by two points. It was Blake Griffin, who committed the costly error. Griffin’s turnover wasn’t the only flub that cost L.A. key playoffs win, but it’s one that he will remember for a long time. Griffin lost the ball following a pair of between-the-leg dribbles with his team holding a two-point lead late in regulation Wednesday night, one of a handful of missed opportunities during a momentum-shifting 111-107 overtime loss to the San Antonio Spurs in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series at Staples Center. Griffin finished with a triple-double but surely regrets his mistake. Griffin finished with 29 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists in addition to five turnovers. Griffin certainly wasn’t the only Clippers culprit. DeAndre Jordan made six of 17 free throws and Matt Barnes and Jamal Crawford combined to make two of 13 three-pointers, but Griffin’s play will be the one that probably will haunt the Clippers most.

In game 2, Tim Duncan had a huge game scoring 28 points and the veteran lead the Spurs to victory despite his age. Meanwhile in game 3, Kawhi Leonard led the Spurs to victory with a career high 32 points. Leonard is the Kia Defensive Player of the year. The Spurs crushed the Clippers in that game with a 100-73 victory. Now, can the Clippers win the game 4 and tie the series?

Struggling Pelicans

The New Orleans Pelicans are in trouble following game 3. The Golden State Warriors made a huge comeback to win the game. The Pelicans are down 3-0 in their first-round series against the Golden State Warriors. Pelicans star Anthony Davis made huge shots and carry the team. But it wasn’t enough to get the win in their home flour. For the most part, New Orleans’ roster is lacking in players who have been on long playoff runs — except for one. Point guard Norris Cole from the Miami Heat— whom the team acquired at the trade deadline — was a part of three NBA Finals runs (and two championships). Davis, writes Tom Haberstroh of ESPN.com, often turns to Cole as his answer man for questions about the playoffs:

Norris Cole accepted the role for mentoring Davis for the playoffs. The energetic point guard who has yet to celebrate his 27th birthday guides the Pelican’s star about the playoffs.

The Pelicans had some nice plays and the team improves in their perimeter shooting but they are premature. The fact that the team’s designated seasoned vet is a 26-year-old who has never started a playoff game in his career. At Oracle Arena, the Pelicans placed Cole’s locker next door to Davis’ in case the MVP candidate needed some pregame playoff advice.

Norris Cole guides the team on what to do in the playoffs. “For sure,” Cole said. “It’s all in the preparation. I try to tell the guys, it’s all in the preparation. As long as you prepare, which I believe we are, we give ourselves a good chance to win and go out there and compete and fight.”

Davis regularly cites Cole’s résumé as a guiding light in this series against the Golden State Warriors. When Davis was asked about Tyreke Evans possibly missing time with a knee injury, Davis pointed to the vet backups.

The Pelicans don’t have much of a choice but to go ahead with this young group. They will need to figure out what’s needed for the team to win. David is still young and had much potential. I am sure he has a bright future ahead of him. The team will face a great challenge next season.

Hawks Leads Series

The Hawks leads series 2-0 against the Nets. The team emphasizes “team play” much like the San Antonio Spurs with a pace-and-space offense that showcases smart passing and 3-point shooting. Also, Atlanta had a decent defense, too, ranking 7th in Defensive Rating (they were 7th in Offensive Rating, too). That ability to lock down opponents was needed last night as the Hawks’ defense got sluggish in Game 2 and it came through with flying colors, writes our own Sekou Smith:

The Hawks offense now is balanced with their pace-and-space type of offense that has dazzled all season long ground to a halt as the Hawks shot just 39 percent from the floor (35-for-90) and from beyond the 3-point line (12-for-31), missing out on opportunity after opportunity to put some distance between themselves and the Nets. The free-flowing offense was missing in action on this night, replaced by a bunch that got plenty of good looks but simply could not find the mark.

They had a hard time with the Nets. As ugly as their shooting was, the Hawks have no problem resting their case on their defensive efficiency rating that ranked among the top six teams in the NBA during the regular season, a fallback plan that showed its playoff legs Wednesday night.

This series hasn’t been as easy as some people assumed it would be for the Hawks. This is the result of not playing a hard for the final three weeks of the regular season. Well, just like the Spurs, the team limited their starter’s minutes getting ready for the upcoming playoffs.

“It was what you expect in the playoffs,” said Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer, who was recognized before the game as the 2014-15 Red Auerbach Trophy winner as NBA Coach of the Year. “They’re a good team. They kept coming back and there were big possessions late in the game. I think we feel fortunate that we made just enough plays, just enough stops. Defensively, we got a little bit better tonight. But we need to play better going forward, to play better for longer stretches.”

The two teams are head to head in the last two games. The two games are close. Give credit to the Nets. Veteran backup point guard Jarrett Jack is playing lights out (23 points on 5-for-7 shooting, five rebounds and three assists) to go along with Johnson’s steady attack (19 points, nine rebounds) and Brook Lopez (20 points, eight rebounds and three blocks) inside, these Nets do not resemble a team that needed the final night of the season to determine whether or not they’d even make the playoff field.

Wizards Crushed the Raptors

Washington crushed the hopes of the Toronto Raptors prior to the win of the wizards that leads the team to a 3-0 advantage. The veteran Paul Pierce contributed big in their surge. As a free-agent addition last summer, this time of the year is when they figured having him around would pay off most. ESPNNewYork.com’s Ohm Youngmisuk reports that Pierce has had a profound impact on strengthening the playoff mettle of Bradley Beal and Otto Porter:

Paul Pierce has spent all season trying to pass along wisdom to John Wall and Bradley Beal and make them better leaders. In Game 1, the two guards had off shooting nights but still made contributions in other areas to help Washington take the opening game. In Game 2, Pierce beamed after seeing Wall and Beal combine to score 54 points. Wall, and particularly Beal, played with attitude. In Game 3, Paul contributes clutch triples for the win.

Pierce is most proud of is the play of young Otto Porter. The second-year pro who has struggled since being drafted third overall in 2013 — he averaged 6.0 points, 3.0 rebounds and 0.9 assists in 19.4 minutes a game with an 11.6 PER this season — has become sort of Pierce’s pet project.

Porter emerges off the bench in Game 2 from the bench and had 15 points in 35 minutes. Playing more minutes than any other Wizard not named Wall or Beal; Porter made 6 of 8 shots, including two 3-pointers. And of his nine boards, four came on the offensive glass.

“He’s getting confident,” Pierce said. “He’s growing. I think at the end of the year, he finally got the opportunity to play more minutes and his confidence has just been growing going into the playoffs.

“I am steadily trying to feed it every day in the game and practice. He has a lot of potential, man. He can be the X factor for us and he’s proving that right now in this series.”

So even when Pierce isn’t hitting a ton of daggers like in Game 2, his impact can be felt in the play of Porter.

“He’s unbelievable as far as mentoring,” Porter said. “[He] really doesn’t have to say much. It’s just what he does.

“And for me, a young guy, I am willing to see that and I am going to soak as much up as I can by just watching him, how he comes in and prepares, how focused he is, his routines, things like that.”

Cavaliers Getting Ready for Postseason

The Cavaliers clinched the Central Division Title and the number 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. In the team's big three, only Lebron James have experience in the playoffs. Lebron James is doing what he can to to ready Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love for the playoffs. They are relatively healthy and ready for it. On the other hand, some players of the team are veterans in the playoffs like Shawn Marion (former Maverick), Mike Miller(former Heat) and James Jones(former Heat). They have also acquired valuable pieces in JR Smith and Iman Shumpert which the team acquired through trade from New York Knicks. Surely, these two will add more firepower to the Cavaliers.

Despite achievements of Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love in the regular seasons, All Star and FIBA games, the two lacks playoff experience. Kyrie never reached the postseason in the pre-Lebron Cleveland era and also Love in Minnesota. Will Lebron be able to guide the team in the postseason and reach his 5th consecutive NBA Finals?

Young Raptors

The young Toronto Raptors exits the first round last year against the Brooklyn Nets in Game 7 but this year it's different. If the raptors becomes third in rank and face the Bucks, they can have a much higher chances to land in the second round of the playoffs in the East. They have a overwhelming support from their fans last year but sadly didn't make it though. Mostly, the games were close especially in game 7. Overall,the series was very exciting and thrilling.

Demar Derozan and Kyle Lowry have improved this year. Derozan have participated in the Fiba World Cup of Basketball and have gained experience. Also they have reliable center in Jonas Valanciunas who can do both offense and defense. As the East now, they can be consistent in the top four and landed number 1 in the Atlantic Division which proves their might. On the other hand, I don't see this team will be in the Eastern Conference championship this year but they have the potential. Moreover, who knows the unexpected happens in the playoffs. Accidents occur and upsets may happen.

Can the Rockets Fly to the Second Round?

Houston Rockets is one of the teams in the NBA that suffered early playoff exits in the association. Mostly the team performs well in the season but cannot reach the second round especially during Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady Era. Now in the new face of the franchise in James Harden, can he lead the team deep in the playoffs with the help of All Star Dwight Howard and Josh Smith which is recently acquired by the team to strengthen their defense near the rim. Also their team has a legit three pointer in Trevor Ariza. I hope they will not face San Antonio in the first round because it will lessen their chances to advance.

James Harden is now one of the candidates for MVP this season, a feat he will not reach if he stayed in the Thunder together with Durant but also lessen his chances to appear in the NBA Finals. But it's all in the past, the question is, Can he deliver the expectations from him in his current team? Well he is still young and have many opportunities coming his way. Good luck to the Rockets in the upcoming playoffs.

Consistent Spurs

Congratulations to the Spurs for reaching the playoffs again. As far as I can remember the Big three did not start with Miami's Lebron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh but with San Antonio's Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker. The Spurs have a consistent playoff appearance thanks to their core players. Tim Duncan gave the team the needed effort despite his age. Duncan help the team reach  to the playoffs many times since his first appearance with the team and after a couple of years Parker and Ginobili joined to strengthen their team's campaign. I applaud the team for their patience in retaining their coach and core players compared to the Destroit Pistons that traded their point guard that leads to their downfall.

Can the Spurs make it to the NBA Finals this year and finally make a Back to Back Championship. Well in terms of potential, they have it because most of the players signed to stay in the team. But can they beat the "Splash" brothers and the Golden State Warriors that showed superb performance this season. In terms of experience the Spurs have already won in a big margin. Will this season be their team's 6th championship? Let's just watch how far the team can reach.

Wizards Downfall

Before the All Star Break, the Washington Wizards seems an exciting team who would compete in the Eastern Conference but after the break, the teams seems going downwards. Consecutive losses proves the team has inconsistencies. They have All Star players namely John Wall, Bradley Beal and Paul Pierce. They are superb in a fast pace game. Wall can easily run and drive for an easy layup in a fast break or kick out to Beal for a three. On the other hand, what if the game were in a slow pace. The team seems inconsistent in offense, they are relying mainly in their big men. Sometimes their front court can make shots but what if they miss a lot. Frankly, their guards must have more plays in a half court set.

Hopefully in the playoffs, they will make some adjustments and prove they can be a threat to the East and be a Eastern Conference contender. I am sure they can if they will try hard with John Wall and Bradley Beal leading the Team with the help also of Paul Pierce.

Lebron and the Cavaliers

Everyone knows that the Cleveland Cavaliers are on a roll right now. Who would have expected that they could grab second place in the eastern conference when at some time they were nearing eight places endangering a good position come playoff time. I know! There are no safe opponents in the playoffs. It doesn’t matter whether your number one or number eight in the standings. Every team is dangerous! Upsets can happen plus every team is tough that’s why you want every inch of an advantage and home court is not a bad reward. Now based on that you could conclude that the last four teams that would compete for the NBA crown(If the standings remained unchanged)would be Atlanta, Cleveland, Golden State and Houston but you just couldn’t count out San Antonio plus Houston haven’t gotten to the second round of the playoffs since the departure of Metta Worldpeace and Yao Ming. Correct me if I’m wrong but I think Golden State also hasn’t gone far either. The last impressive stint that they were in was a second round showdown with San Antonio but you just couldn’t forget their titanic upset over Dallas a few years back.

Now here comes a question can the Cleveland Cavaliers with Lebron James go all the way? For me it’s “yes”. Now here is my thought on what would be key on Cleveland’s success. First their guards must dominate if not just be consistent. Kyrie Irving and J.R Smith must provide steady numbers in every game. I think 20 points apiece will do. They also need some help from their bench guards. Second Lebron needs to showcase his superstardom! Meaning fill up the stats, make life easier for his teammates and lead his team to victory! If he can do it in Miami, he can also do it in Cleveland. Lastly their bigs must improve their defense. If you pinpoint one weakness on Cleveland’s game is the ability of their big men to defend the opposing bigs of the other team. They have a decent big men in Mozgov, Love, Thompson, Perkins and James but can they hold on individually against teams which have dominating big men such as Atlanta, San Antonio and Memphis. You cannot depend on the double-team all the time. It will leave shooters open and they will surely make you pay! If you double you must know where the ball is going next, players must communicate in locating and defending that’s open in the opposing team and defend every man until the last second just like what San Antonio did last NBA finals. The NBA playoff is coming! You could sense the excitement in the air. Can Lebron James bring the NBA trophy to Cleveland? That remains to be seen but with Cleveland’s lineup today I think there is hope to that!

Golden Season for the Warriors

The Golden State Warriors are definitely going to be must watch team in the NBA League. They have a great backcourt duo in Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson to do the shooting that leads to their famous “Splash Brothers”. Currently they lead the team in scoring and their team sits atop the overall standings so their team will have the overwhelming home court advantage. They have also defensive players like Andrew Bogut and Andre Iguodala to protect the rim. On the other hand, can their defense stop the defending champion San Antonio Spurs which have veterans Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili if ever they will meet in the playoffs?

The Golden State Warriors are an American professional basketball team based in Oakland, California. They are a member of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association. This is a golden opportunity for them since their current team is well balance in terms of offense and defense. The “Splash Brothers” will be a great factor in the playoffs. Will these players lead their team to Victory? Let’s just sit back and watch.

Will the Hawks Soar High?

The Atlanta Hawks are in the top seed in the Eastern Conference but can they sustain their position and reach the east finals. Can the hawks defeat Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Well, the hawks have some history were they can reach the playoffs but cannot go all the way. This is the perfect time for them since they perform team basketball like last year champion San Antonio Spurs. They got what it takes to go all the way to the NBA Finals. This year is the perfect chance because Lebron and the Cavs will be much more of a threat next season.

The 2014-15 Atlanta Hawks season is the 65th season of the franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the 47th in Atlanta. Their Southeast Division championship was the first for the Hawks since winning the Central Division in 1994. It was the best finish by the team since finishing first in the Eastern Conference since the 1993-94 season. This was the first time since the Southeast Division was created for the 2004-05 season that the division title was not won by either the Miami Heat or the Orlando Magic.