Basketball (NBA, College, etc.)

bmwracer wrote:Wow, Arizona is schooling Duke right now, 84-68, with 4:29 to go.

EDIT: Final score, 93-77.

It was surprising that Arizona won by that big of a margin.

Jav_sol wrote:It was surprising that Arizona won by that big of a margin.

Duke's defense disappeared in the second half and Arizona got hot... A perfect storm.

Celtics play one awful game and lose to Charlotte. :shakehead:

^^ Rondo really needs to get his game back in gear, he's been struggling so bad for the last month, :bleh: really affecting them offensively, he was running away with leading the league in assists, now he's somehow dropped down to 2nd. Bulls and Heat both win again, they may drop down to the 3rd seed, least the home team at MSG continue on their usual losing ways. :naughty:

^ Sounds like the C's are running out of gas.

Lakers beat the Clips, 112-104.

Hmm, their D seems to have lost focus the last two games, giving up over 100 points each. :sweat:

bmwracer wrote:Lakers beat the Clips, 112-104.

Hmm, their D seems to have lost focus the last two games, giving up over 100 points each. :sweat:

Yeah, they've given up a bit too much, but atleast they outscored their opponents and continued to stay hot. I just wonder how long they can keep winning like this, hopefully going into the playoffs with some momentum. Lakers are the hottest team right now, and are starting to assert themselves as defenders of their championship.

qilver wrote:Yeah, they've given up a bit too much, but atleast they outscored their opponents and continued to stay hot. I just wonder how long they can keep winning like this, hopefully going into the playoffs with some momentum. Lakers are the hottest team right now, and are starting to assert themselves as defenders of their championship.

Yup.

Celtics and Spurs seem to be stumbling a bit right now because of injuries and maybe age(?)...

bmwracer wrote:
Yup.

Celtics and Spurs seem to be stumbling a bit right now because of injuries and maybe age(?)...

I actually want to the the Celts to do better....so they can kick Miami's arse in the playoffs, and only to succumb to the power of the Lakers! Spurs are on a slight descend to earth, their record is not as good as they really are, and now after two losses they are slipping, but not sure if Lakers will catch them for the top spot in the west with only 10 games left in the season.

^San Antonio has been without Tim Duncan in those two losses. I wouldn't judge San Antonio based on those two losses.

^SA is a great team, I am just saying I doubt they'd get far to the finals and win it all, i'd be very surprised.
I just suggest their record is more than meets the eye, and now that Duncan is indefinitely out, there potency is less, added that more pressure will be on the 2 of the big three to step up.

Just two losses, let's see how they finish the season. Like I said, I doubt Lakers will catch the top spot being down 5 from the Spurs, too much to ask for in topping that.
I think OKC is an even bigger threat to Lakers than Spurs.

bmwracer wrote:^ Sounds like the C's are running out of gas.

I agree, that bench is so weak the starters are playing too many minutes, too many for older players, :sweat: they should be able to win in round one easily enough but would face the Heat in round 2, we all hope they could defeat them but at this stage not sure if it's possible. :puppydog:

^ Miami doesn't have a deep bench either. If any one of their big 3 are off, they're vulnerable. I think even an unhealthy Boston would beat Miami in a 7 game series.

Butler defeats Florida, 74-71, and makes the Final Four. :woot:

mrsmith10 wrote:^ Miami doesn't have a deep bench either. If any one of their big 3 are off, they're vulnerable. I think even an unhealthy Boston would beat Miami in a 7 game series.

I agree, while the Heat may have the more stars the Celts are a better team overall, if it comes down to a game 7 though anything can happen, hopefully the can hold the Heat off and play that game 7 in the Hub. :sweat:

UConn beats Arizona to make the Final Four, 65-63. :(

March Madness continues: VCU vs. Kansas right now.

Go VCU! :woot:

mrsmith10 wrote:^ Miami doesn't have a deep bench either. If any one of their big 3 are off, they're vulnerable. I think even an unhealthy Boston would beat Miami in a 7 game series.

i concur. I do think that even if Miami tries to stay competitive, somewhere down the line, their bench will have to really step up big to give their big-3 some crucial rest during important stretches of the playoffs, especially in later rounds. There is a tremendous amount of pressure on those 3, their margin of error is even more evident, but their talent could off-set that margin of error if they get hot, and score a lot. Their weakness could be there interior defense, or even just with their overall defense. Bibby at the point might help, but they are still missing their other main PG who is still out with injury. Celtics have a deeper bench, and much more Playoff experience, despite Wade/Lebron's experiences. I am saying overall as a TEAM, Celtics have more advantages, despite their recent losses. We've seen how vulnerable Miami could be, in their blowout losses, even if they have won in long stretches. Only the playoff time will really show how well they can come together as a team, despite their imbalances from the BIG THREE.

VCU stuns Kansas, 71-61. :woot:

Kentucky beats North Carolina, 76-69.

The Final Four:

Kentucky vs. UConn

VCU vs. Butler