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nba playoffs

NBA playoffs expansion: let in all 30 teams

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NBA commissioner Adam Silver held a press conference at the league's Vegas Summer League, and one of his topics was how to create more revenue. He spoke of an in-season tournament like many of the European leagues have. He also spoke about how much all of the league's executives love coming to Vegas. If he wants to add revenue by adding a few more games in a tournament … [Read more...] about NBA playoffs expansion: let in all 30 teams

How Derrick Rose’s injury ultimately impacted the NBA playoffs

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Now that Miami has clinched the NBA Finals with a decisive Game 5 victory, we can most accurately assess what impact Derrick Rose’s knee injury may have had in the 2012 NBA Playoffs.  Think back nearly two months ago, when Chicago (50-16) was the NBA’s top seed—holding the tiebreaker over San Antonio thanks to a head-to-head victory—with its star point guard seemingly back at … [Read more...] about How Derrick Rose’s injury ultimately impacted the NBA playoffs

NBA Finals: Lack of execution late leaves Thunder in 3-1 hole vs. Heat

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With the game once again knotted up late in the fourth quarter, Oklahoma City choked. Despite the league’s best player—the only guy who has shown the ability to slow down Kevin Durant, by the way—checking in and out of play with a leg cramp, the Thunder failed to execute on both ends of the floor, falling into a 3-1 hole in the NBA Finals with a third consecutive … [Read more...] about NBA Finals: Lack of execution late leaves Thunder in 3-1 hole vs. Heat

Thunder pass Final test, erase 18-point deficit to oust Spurs

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Could there have been a more perfect way for the darling Oklahoma City Thunder—an energetic bunch of youngsters who for years were described as “waiting their turn”—to make their first trip to the NBA Finals? Since moving to Oklahoma City, the Thunder have simply climbed the Western Conference ladder step by step.  After missing the playoffs in 2009, they lost to the … [Read more...] about Thunder pass Final test, erase 18-point deficit to oust Spurs

Game 5 shockers in Conference Finals put Spurs, Heat on the brink

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Anybody who saw this coming, please raise your hand now.  Just raise it up.  Raise it up nice and high.  Anybody?  OK…I didn’t think so. With Oklahoma City winning in San Antonio Monday and Boston winning in Miami Tuesday, the NBA Playoffs have suddenly been flipped upside down.  After trailing 0-2 in their respective series, both the Thunder and the Celtics have done the … [Read more...] about Game 5 shockers in Conference Finals put Spurs, Heat on the brink

NBA Playoffs: Predicting LeBron James’ game tonight

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There is no denying the significance of tonight's Game 5 between the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat in Miami. After winning the first two games of the series, the Heat dropped the next two and allowed Boston to bring it back to Boston, to either close the door on the Heat's season or stave-off elimination. Tonight's game will decide the situation. But know that LeBron James … [Read more...] about NBA Playoffs: Predicting LeBron James’ game tonight

NBA Playoffs: Kevin Durant is a “closer”

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I have said this many times and will continue to say it until people realize it: Kevin Durant is the best BASKETBALL player on this planet. Not only is he 6'10, long, and lanky, but he can score, rebound, take over and close games. There is a big difference between him and 3-time MVP LeBron James: Durant lives in the gym. There is no denying James' talent, but I am taking a … [Read more...] about NBA Playoffs: Kevin Durant is a “closer”

Back in the series? Spurs-Thunder will hinge on Game 4

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After falling down 0-2 to San Antonio in the Western Conference Finals, Oklahoma City continued its home court playoff dominance and ended the Spurs’ remarkable 20-game winning streak with a convincing 102-82 victory in Game 3.  The Thunder stomped San Antonio up and down the court by playing stifling defense and scoring in the paint at will, handing the Spurs their largest … [Read more...] about Back in the series? Spurs-Thunder will hinge on Game 4