Tuesday Predictions…
There's 9 games on the books today in the NBA and I'm in the mood for some predictions. So here's my take on the games for November 3rd. Now you might raise your eyebrows at a couple of my suggestions, but I'll explain my reasons as we go.
Washington @ Cleveland: There's a big rivalry between these two teams and this game will be no exception. The Wiz are on their way upwards while the Cavs are finding their feet. Prediction: Cavs by 4. Result: Cavs by 12.
Denver @ Indiana: These two teams played each other in China during the pre-season. I think if Indiana get to within 10 points, they can consider it a win. Prediction: Nuggets by 14. Result: Nuggets by 18.
Boston @ Philadelphia: The Celtics aren't going to lose this... there is no way. Philly have some nice emerging talent but the Celtics are WAY too deep and will win easily. Prediction: Celtics by 18. (Side bet: Rondo to have a triple double by 3/4 time to celebrate his contract heist!) Result: Celtics by 31.
This is Rajon showing you how many millions he's going to be earning per year from now on. Also, how many points, rebounds and assists he's likely to get tonight.
Orlando @ Detroit: The Pistons have had an indifferent start and the Orlando Magic are trying to look as deep as Boston. They're not doing a bad job thanks to Ryan Anderson and JJ Redick. I think Ben Gordon will be the only thing that keeps this close for three quarters. Prediction: Orlando by 14. Result: Pistons by 5.
Phoenix @ Miami: A hard one to pick in my opinion. Both teams have a perfect 3-0 record and I really wouldn't have said either of them would be 4-0 to start the season. One of these teams has to be however and I'll have to go for the Heat but only because they are at home. Prediction: Miami by 3. Result: Suns by 8.
Milwaukee @ Chicago: United Center. Where Derrick Rose will happen. Prediction: Bulls by 10. Result: Bulls by 2.
The Bulls need a BIG night from Derrick Rose tonight...
LA Lakers @ Oklahoma City: The Thunder do look exciting and there's a few reasons to predict an OKC victory here but I'm sticking with the Lakers in a close one. Russell Westbrook has the opportunity to score 25 on Fisher and Farmar. I'm most interested to see if Artest guards Durant, and if so... the results. Prediction: Lakers by 8. Result: Lakers by 3.
Utah @ Dallas: I couldn't care less about this game but in the spirit of equality and objective journalism, I will predict a 15 point win to the Mavericks. Mainly because of Okur's gimpy foot. Result: Mavericks by 11.
Atlanta @ Portland: In my opinion the most exciting game of the night. I definitely predict a shoot out. If Oden and Aldridge can have a large impact, I see the Blazers doing it fairly comfortably. However, that is not a certainty. This one is ultimately a flip of the coin for me and I think it'll go overtime. Prediction: Portland by 4 in OT. Result: Atlanta by 6.
Here's to another entertaining day in the NBA!
Hawks, Heat and Thunder…
Here's a quick look at some of the games played last night...
29 Problems But The Knicks Aint One...
The Heat took a nice first step in their 09/10 campaign by dominating the New York Knicks 115-93 last night in Miami. The game was the second attraction on the menu however as the Heat's former All-Star Point Guard Tim Hardaway had his number 10 jersey retired. A nice service that was obviously done now, rather than when Hardaway was in the news for less attractive reasons. A well deserved honor for a great servant of the club... even if it was only for 5 and a half seasons.
Tim Hardaway accepts the honor of having his number retired last night.
Miami got out to an early lead and never surrendered it, outscoring the Knicks 63-39 in the 2nd and 3rd quarters combined. The Heat were led as always by Dwyane Wade with 26 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Jermaine O'Neal and Michael Beasley combined for an impressive two-headed box score of 43 points, 15 rebounds, 4 assists and a combined 19-26 from the field. If the Heat can get that on a consistent basis from their front court, it could be a great year for Miami.
Indiana Can't Keep Pace With High Flying Atlanta
Danny Granger played amazingly, Troy Murphy nearly got a triple-double, Earl Watson scored 20 points and the Pacers shot 53% from the field! So why didn't the Indiana Pacers record a road victory to open their 09/10 account? Defense and turnovers, that's why. Atlanta took care of business at the Philips Arena last night by a score of 120-109. The game saw 17 steals made with 16 being made by the Hawks. Ouch.
Danny Granger was great... Atlanta were better.
The Atlanta big three of Joe Johnson, (25p, 6a, 4stl) Al Horford (24p, 16rb, 4a, 2blk) and Josh Smith (18p, 8a, 5stl, 2blk) all had big games. It's safe to say there will be some happy Fantasy Managers out there from this game. Next up for the Pacers is a visit from the Miami Heat, while the Atlanta Hawks host the revitalized Washington Wizards on Friday night.
One Down, Only 81 To Go...
The Sacramento Kings season of slow, unrelenting torture is now one game old. With only 81 games to go until they can get better, they were made to look even worse tonight by the young and exciting Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder nailed 10 of their first 13 shots and didn't let the Kings back into the game, leading 39-22 at the first break.
Kevin Durant got his season off to a great start with a home win over Sac-Town.
Leading the way was Kevin Durant with 25 points and 11 rebounds. Russell Westbrook got his 09/10 campaign off to a fast start with 14 points, 13 assists and 7 rebounds. For the Kings it was the usual story, Kevin Martin vs the World. Martin hit 14-14 from the line on his way to 27 points. Next up for the Thunder is a road match up with the Detroit Pistons who easily took care of the "shoot-first" Memphis Grizzlies last night. The Kings take a trip to Bourbon Street to take on the 0-1 Hornets.
Rabbits, Hats & the 2010 Playoffs…
Orlando? In my opinion, the Magic could add the real superman and would still fail to make the NBA Finals this year. They've peaked... and it's over. The only way they'll make the Conference Finals this year is if Boston and Cleveland meet in the opposite half of the bracket. Even then, I'd probably take the Hawks in the Conference Semis over Yawn-lando in 6. The addition of Vince Carter does not produce the NBA Championship rabbit that Orlando left strangled in a purple and yellow hat last June. Bring on the real deal... Boston vs Cleveland, LeBron vs Pierce, Shaq vs K-Perk and Rondo vs West and his guitar case!
Orlando... where finishing 3rd in the East happens!
2010
As far as predictions go, I realize this is practically impossible to get 100% correct. A full scale prediction of every team's win-loss record for the upcoming season. And worse yet, it's only September! However, I thought this would be interesting to look back on in June 2010.
Eastern Conference W L
Western Conference W L
Cleveland 60 22
Boston 56 26
Orlando 54 28
Atlanta 50 32
Toronto 45 37
Chicago 43 39
Miami 42 40
Charlotte 39 43
Indiana 38 44
Washington 37 45
Detroit 34 48
Philadelphia 32 50
Milwaukee 28 54
New York 27 55
New Jersey 24 58
LA Lakers 62 20
San Antonio 56 26
Dallas 54 28
Denver 50 32
Portland 50 32
Utah 48 34
New Orleans 42 40
Oklahoma City 41 41
Houston 38 44
Phoenix 37 45
LA Clippers 36 46
Golden State 35 47
Memphis 31 51
Minnesota 28 54
Sacramento 15 67
In making these predictions, I've taken into account all roster changes up to and including the 13th of September 2009. As soon as a blockbuster deal goes down, I may have to edit these figures.
I'm excited to see what Blake Griffin can do for the Clippers, what Allen Iverson can bring to the Grizzlies and how Amare Stoudemire will handle being stuck on a 37-win team. But most importantly, it will be interesting to see who can secure home court advantage throughout the entire Playoffs. This one fact alone may determine the Champion this year.
As always, time will tell and bring on the upcoming season!!!
Threads of success…?
I've had a theory for a long time now regarding NBA teams and new uniforms. This theory has been ridiculed before but the stats don't lie. If an NBA team makes a significant change to their uniforms, they are historically likely to experience a distinct improvement for the current or next season and in a lot of cases a trip to at least the Conference Finals. I'm not saying this is psychological, it just happens.
Let's run through a list of teams that have changed their uniforms and seen prompt results.
 2009 - Orlando Magic (2009 NBA Finals) |
 2008 - Atlanta Hawks (2009 ECSF) |
 2006 - Cleveland Cavaliers (2007 NBA Finals) |
 2005 - Dallas Mavericks (2005 NBA Finals) |
 2003 - San Antonio Spurs (2003 NBA Champions) |
 2001 – New Jersey Nets (2001 NBA Finals) |
 2000 – Los Angeles Lakers (2000 NBA Champions) |
 2000 – Indiana Pacers (2000 NBA Finals) |
 1997 – Utah Jazz (1997 NBA Finals) |
 1996 – Chicago Bulls (1996 NBA Champions) |
 1996 – Seattle SuperSonics (1996 NBA Finals) |
 1993 – Chicago Bulls (1993 NBA Champions) |
 1993 – Phoenix Suns (1993 NBA Finals) |
 1992 – Portland Trailblazers (1992 NBA Finals) |
I'm sure there's more that I can't recall...
So far I've only heard whispers of Philadelphia, Utah and Golden State making uniform changes for this upcoming 09/10 season. I wonder if any other teams are looking to make changes?
Will the trend continue?
Note: All images sourced from: www.sportslogos.net
A little slice of Cleveland history pie
I agree that Cleveland haven't beat 60 win teams, but they did beat a 54 win team. Atlanta is better people think. I would suggest it's wrong to judge them just by the way they were manhandled by the Lebrons. Granted Detroit was the weakest team in the playoffs, but that’s what you get for finishing topsies. Doesn't change the fact that Atlanta were better than Utah... they started that series relatively healthy, whereas Utah were in freefall entering the playoffs AND had major injury concerns, yet people were still talking about them being dangerous. It's all about perception.
The 8 game streak is hugely impressive... not only for the fact that they’ve done it, but how. With limited doses of Lebon, besides his huge explosion in game 3.