NBA Game Seven Weekend: Big Stars Shine the Brightest

Every night there is some sort of drama about the NBA Playoffs. Every game is worth talking about even if it is just to make fun of somebody. The recaps look at the game itself and what could be upcoming for the teams.  


Brooklyn hangs on after a near-collapse in Toronto
The poor Raps. They battled like hell back in the fourth quarter after being down 10, and it seemed like there was no chance they could win this basketball game yet Toronto came back to make it a game in the final minute. DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry did not have a defining Game 7 performances for the right reasons. DeRozan took it to the tin with three minutes left drawing an offensive foul and then a technical. Thankfully, Brooklyn came up empty on both attempts, but still, you need to keep their composure. Lowry had the final shot for a win and Brooklyn collapsed on him with three defenders yet he didn't pass the ball. That needed to happen, but instead Lowry tried to be the hero which did not work out for him.

Amid the comeback, Joe Johnson came to play on Sunday. We talked at the beginning of the series about how Brooklyn had closers on their team with Johnson, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett. Joe Cool stepped out to close out this basketball game. He had eleven straight points for Brooklyn at one point in the fourth. Solid performance from Johnson.

Clippers close out Warriors with a big second half
What a great game this was to close us out on Saturday night. Golden State had an early lead, but slowly, but surely, Los Angeles started to put themselves back in the game with some tremendous performances by the primetime players for the Clippers. Once again, DeAndre Jordan played terrific making all six of his shots, having 15 points and grabbing 18 rebounds. I have said this once, will say it again, if Jordan provides this kind of production, Los Angeles is the best in the West. Chris Paul had a great game after some concern about him with his injuries to his hand and hamstring. Paul had 22 points with 14 assists. J.J. Redick came up big late in the game which helped send Golden State home.

I am trying to figure out what Golden State's management's issue with Mark Jackson. Stephen Curry wants him to keep his job which would probably be my indicator he should stay put, but if Golden State forces him out, it will be interesting to see what it does for team chemistry.

The best shine through in Oklahoma City. 
We tend to see big players step up to the plate when it comes to Game 7's. Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant are two of the best in the league, and they showed it on Saturday with major performances. Durant had 33 points with 12/18 shooting with eight rebounds. In the last two games since the whole newspaper snafu, he has been excellent. But the bigger story was Russell Westbrook. He had another triple-double with a bananas stat line. Westbrook finished the game with 27 points, 16 assists and 10 rebounds including a couple steals and blocks to go with it. He really looked strong out there, and if Russ is playing at this level with the good 90 percent, not the bad 10 percent, Oklahoma City is a scary, scary team. I like everything they are doing right now.

Pacers handle their business, dispose of Atlanta 
ROY HIBBERT FINALLY SHOWED UP. Well kinda. He had 13 points with seven rebounds making six shots which is more than what Hibbert has done in this whole series. Have to respect Frank Vogel for still trotting him out there and trusting him when literally no one had his back. Paul George was the bigger story. A primetime player stepped up in the big moment with 30 points taking over in the second half. George finished off the Hawks with great ease and looked great out there. Even though Indiana's story has been about their struggles, George is excelling in the playoffs. The numbers are up in both points and rebounds with George averaging a double-double with him being the top player on this team. Also worth noting how well Lance Stephenson played with an efficient scoring night with 19 points 14 rebounds and five assists.

Spurs wake up and finish off Dallas with ease 
Many people wondered how the Mavericks got to seven games with San Antonio? It seemed like Dallas could maybe get one or two games, but no one thought this team could bring it to seven games. San Antonio shot over 70 percent in the first two quarters meaning it was complete curtains for Dallas' chances to pull the upset. Tony Parker was excellent with 32 points with making eleven shots on 19 attempts with none being from outside the arc. Parker dressed down this Dallas team, and it is fair to say, he is healthy from his ankle injury which could be big trouble for Portland. Another thing to keep an eye on is Danny Green's performance, he had been struggling, but last two games, he is averaging 16.5 points with 6/8 from three. If Green comes to play, this is a different San Antonio team.

Charlie.

Tapping The Keg Podcast Episode 86

Tapping The Keg podcast rolls on with a late afternoon edition features the two stalwarts of the SnoTap Podcast game with Charlie and Mitch yapping at you about all things sports. We talk about James Young sitting next to Rihanna last Friday, and who would be some of the people we would be nervous to sit next to, this also leads into another couple fun tangents. Despite their loss today, we talk about the Milwaukee Brewers success in the first month of the season and why they are for real with no collapse involved. We also talk about Wei-Chung Wang's spot on the team. We move on to discuss Donald Sterling scandal more so from Doc Rivers angle plus some other things. We talk about the upcoming NBA playoff games and Jameis Winston's crab leg mistake.

Charlie.

NBA Playoffs Recaps: Disappointed Pacers, Spurs Survive & Heat Sweep

NBA Playoffs will be going on throughout the days. Charlie Tritschler gives quick recaps of each game with a video, GIF, Vine or picture to describe for the people that missed it.

Indiana finds a way to lose Game 5 at home...
The Indiana situation might be something we have never seen before in professional sports. This isn't a team that's choking rather a team that is the most inconsistent and broken up team we have ever seen in NBA history. Going from 33-7 to being on the brink of elimination to one of the weakest eighth seed of all-time. Atlanta blew them out for three quarters with an insane second quarter from Mike Scott. The Hawks are one game away from winning the series and moving on to the second round for the first time since 2010-2011. How does Indiana respond in Wednesday's game? I am running out of answers for this Pacer team. Just when you think they are ready to be a threat in the playoffs, they turn around and get blown out at home. Even though they made it a game, Indiana still disappointed in a major way. Pathetic loss by the team and the organization. I would rather have a 38 win team make to the second round versus what we have with Indiana right now. At least they give a shit.    

Appropriate video: Mike Scott making it rain.



Dallas nearly steals another from San Antonio
Can we be honest with each other here.... In three of the four games, Dallas has been the better team and yet we are knotted up at two's.  Boris Diaw hit the big shot of the evening with his three-pointer late breaking the tie, and San Antonio stayed ahead the rest of the way. DeJuan Blair's attempt to kick Tiago Splitter in the face at the end of the game might have been one of the dumbest moves I have seen in basketball. He gave San Antonio an extra point in a game where Dallas certainly could not give up. It was a lowlight on a great game from Blair who had 12 points and eleven rebounds. Tony Parker turned his ankle and struggled mightily in this game leading to Gregg Popovich benching him for a bit in the middle part of the fourth quarter. I expect a better Parker performance in Game 5. This feels like it will be a game where San Antonio lets Dallas who is boss of this series.

Appropriate Video: Blair's karate kick.



Miami takes down a spirited Charlotte team
The first team is eliminated from the playoffs as Charlotte loses to the Heat for the fourth straight game meaning Miami picked up the sweep and gets to rest for awhile with their next opponent at least playing two more games. Charlotte hung with them without Al Jefferson as he missed the game with a foot injury. Kemba Walker had his best game of his playoffs with 29 points making four threes, five rebounds and five assists, but LeBron James was too much. He had 31 points and played a large part in powering a big third quarter for Miami. I have a feeling Charlotte will be back in the playoffs next year and years to come. The future is bright for the now Hornets. It really does look like it is Miami and everybody else in the NBA Playoffs.


Appropriate picture: Michael Jordan and LeBron share a handshake then a hug.


Charlie.

Eight Thoughts About NBA Playoffs Weekend

Even though I am taking a slight break form SnoTap, I still am watching as much sports as possible. I had work through the weekend so I DVR'd a ton of NBA programming much to the dismay of my 'roommates.' What a weekend for the NBA on the court. Obviously, what happened off the court is terrible for the league, but we can make the argument, has the league ever been better than right now?  Every night is must-see television with four series and a possible three more going sixth games (Sorry Bobcats) is fantastic for the product.  Let's talk about some of the things that happened this weekend. 

1.) Rockets-Blazers is the best 3-1 series I have ever seen - WHAT A SERIES. Three of four games have went to overtime. Each game has been must-see television and will be again when Portland tries to close them out in H-Town on Wednesday night. Once again, Houston had Portland where they wanted them until a late run yet Houston battled back finding a way to earn it at the free throw line giving them a quick lead before Mo Williams happened. Jeremy Lin is the obvious goat in this game. All he had to do was pass the ball ensuring Williams would not cause the turnover and then he had a putrid close out against Williams which allowed the long-time veteran to force overtime Wes Matthews had two clutch steals in the extra period to ensure victory for Portland. Four Trail Blazers had 20+ points.

2.) Reggie Jackson is owed millions of fruit baskets - Game 4 was a true turning point in the Oklahoma City-Memphis series because the Thunder won an overtime game where Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook combined 30 points. 30!  That's usually a point total for either Durant or Westbrook so the fact they won forcing another trip back to Memphis is unbelievable. All the credit goes to Reggie Jackson with 32 points and nine rebounds with 11/16 from the field. Jackson is a true slasher but he did add two threes in this one. He played 21 more minutes than he did in Game 1 or 2 so I will be interested in seeing how much run Jackson gets from the rest of this series.

3.) Washington might be the second strongest team right now... Wait what? - Dead serious man. It is Miami and then Washington. You could put Portland there too, but let's be real, they have played better in the final five minutes of the game rather winning complete games. Washington has it all right now ranging from scoring guards to tough interior presence as well as guys who aren't going to take any shit from anyone i.e. Nene getting popped for a game for head-butting Jimmy Butler and Bradley Beal getting in Kirk Henrich's face. I love the makeup of this team right now, and I think it is not unreasonable to think this team can end up in the Eastern Conference with ease.



4.) Vince, Monta... Dallas up 2-1?  How? - Man, I have no idea. Your guess is as good as mine. I thought when San Antonio played Dallas, it was better than facing Memphis. But these are a group of wily veterans who have been there before and Rick Carlisle is one of the most underrated coaches in professional sports are giving them all sorts of problems. Monta Ellis has been terrific thus far in the series creating all sorts of problems for San Antonio. I don't think the Spurs are in trouble, but this is definitely going six or seven games.

5.) Clippers too distracted to win the series? - We already talked about Los Angeles situation with Donald Sterling this morning, but now I am wondering if they are in a little bit of trouble with the Warriors. Los Angeles gave up 118 points on Sunday with Golden State going 55 percent from the field and nearly 50 percent from three including a red hot from Stephen Curry. Also Los Angeles had 19 turnovers. I am not saying they will mail the series in through the rest of the way, but I cannot help but think they are wondering 'Why am I playing for this team?'  It's a fair question to ask right now.



6.) LeBron's staredown of MJ is a full heel move and an awesome one  - Not much to say here, but it was a professional wrestling move from LeBron. He knows people compare him and Michael Jordan all the time where Jordan is still the fan favorite. LBJ gave him the 'I don't give shit who you are look, I am the king of this business.'  I loved it. Embrace the villain Bron, I have been saying that for years. Although now, I think Miami needs to win another championship or LeBron's staredown will be a popular meme this June.

7.) Brooklyn and Toronto looks like a hockey playoff series - This has become quite a physical series where the fouls are hard and scoring is not easy. Toronto held Brooklyn to 79 points on their home court with a strong defensive effort plus the one-two punch of DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry combining for 44 points. Toronto also had a great night from the free throw line missing only four free throws while Brooklyn missed 10 of them which is an obvious difference in an eight point game. It will be absolutely bananas in Toronto for Game 5. I think this game gave T.Dot all sorts of confidence.

8.) Pacers are being held together by string - One of the big themes from this series is Indiana's slow starts in the first half of the games. Pacers only had 42 points in this one before coming on strong in the second half with Paul George and David West hitting big 3-pointers for them late in the game. Indiana is going to win this series, but if they were playing a high-quality, above .500 eighth seed, I don't think it is a given Indiana is winning the series.    

SnoTap NBA Playoffs: LMA's Dominance, Heat Hang on & Road Mavs?

I am a man of the people. I realized our NBA Playoff recap blog posts where not really popping as they suffered in hits, but story of this blog's life for 2014. I want to try something different with the hopes that maybe this is more what people want versus having to rely on three different blogs. We are going to try to include a GIF or video for each recap, but I cannot make any promises. We will also rank the games because why not?

1. Portland 112 Houston 105 (Blazers lead 2-0) - LaMarcus 'Don't call me LAM, call me LMA' Aldridge dominated for the second straight game with 43 points with eight rebounds. Aldridge is averaging an insane 44.5 through the first two games of the playoffs. Aldridge will be even more of a household name tomorrow morning. Good for LMA though. He is a really good player that doesn't get credit for being great sometimes, and he will get his due. It really seems like Houston has no answer for him, and Aldridge knows damn well this is the case. Fascinating to see how he plays for the reminder of the season.

As for Houston, Dwight Howard played his ass off with a 32 points, 14 rebounds performance although most of it came in the first half when Howard wasn't in foul trouble. Howard still looked like a guy ready to put the team on his back. James Harden is starting to develop a reputation of disappearing in the playoffs a la Tracy McGrady and others. Harden has missed 30 shots from the field already, and it will not get easier heading into a fired up Rose Garden.

Approrirate Video: Robin Lopez ended Jeremy Lin's life. (h/t @cjzero) 



2. Miami 101 Charlotte 97 - Honestly, Miami did not play well at all in this game besides LeBron James, but that's all it takes for Miami to win basketball games. Heat are the only home team with a 2-0 lead which is crazy to think about given the lack of parity in the NBA. James delivered 32 points, eight assists and six rebounds which is also known as another night at the office. Chris Bosh played well with 20 points as well. Charlotte needed a better late game shot down three. Gary Neal got the ball and tried to be the hero leading him passing the ball to Chris Douglas-Roberts whose asshole was tighter than a wet cat on a rain barrel. It should be Kemba and only Kemba who showed a Big East glimpse hitting a big shot late from the top of the key. Yet he struggled from the field as Al Jefferson and him combined to go 14/41 for the game.

Approrirate Video: Josh McRoberts throat chops LeBron. WHO SAYS THIS SERIES CAN'T GET CHIPPY. McBob landed a pretty nice shot to James' Adam Apple. (h/t Sports Illustrated) 



3. Dallas 113 San Antonio 92 - Um what the hell?  This was a series expected to last four or five games, but maybe the Mavericks want to throw it back old school where we have these teams playing seven with some ridiculous games thrown in.  Dallas had four players score more than 15 points last night - Dirk Nowitzki, Shawn Marion, Monta Ellis and Devin Harris, were all great for the Mavs at some point. They used a balanced attack to take down San Antonio and make this a more intriguing series. For the season, Harris or D-Ha if you're from Wauwatosa, averaged right under eight points, he is averaging 18.5 in two games versus San Antonio. He is an obvious problem for them.

Another big issue for San Antonio was the turnovers. Spurs gave away the ball 22 times which is very un-Spurs like. Tim Duncan only had eleven points with shooting five times. That cannot happen. Duncan needs to get way more involved to ensure a deep run for San Antonio. If you want one bright spot, Manu Ginobli looked like his old self with 27 points making five threes and only missing three shots for the game He had 17 on Sunday so it appears there might be a bit of a mismatch problem.

Charlie.