76ers vs. Celtics: Game 1 TV Schedule, Live Stream, Spread Info and More
The Boston Celtics are hosting the Philadelphia 76ers for a Round 2 NBA playoff matchup.
It’s going to be an intense series between two rivals that have not had a good postseason series in a long, long time. That will change starting on Saturday during Game 1.
Keep reading to find out where to watch the game, who to keep an eye on and a prediction on the final score.
Where: TD Garden, Boston, Mass.
When: Saturday, May 12 at 8:00 p.m. ET
Watch: TNT
Live Stream: NBA League Pass
Betting Line: Currently Unavailable
Key Injuries: No Major Injuries to Report
What They’re Saying
Bob Ryan of The Boston Globe caught up with Doc Rivers and found he’s pleased with drawing the Sixers for one reason.
“At least we don’t have to travel,’’ reasoned Rivers. “It’s not the greatest team for us to play. They’ve got a bunch of gazelles coming in here. They beat us by a thousand two times. And I can tell you right now the key to the series: Don’t turn the ball over.’’
And while Doc would have loved to be starting a series on Monday, rather than Saturday, he’s pondered the alternative.
“It’s a short turnaround,’’ he agreed. “But I’d rather be in a Game 1 here than in a Game 7 in Atlanta.’’
Most Important Player to Watch: Kevin Garnett
KG was an absolute beast in Game 6 to close the Atlanta Hawks out. He put up 28 points, 14 rebounds, two assists and five blocks and came up with a clutch bucket down the stretch.
He decided to put the Celtics on his shoulders and play aggressive as all hell in order to get the win.
Can he continue to keep up that intensity and production against Philly? If so, it’ll be a short and sweet series. If not, this could go either way.
Key Matchup: Jrue Holiday vs. Rajon Rondo
These two elite point guards will be going head-to-head and hoping to control the flow of their respective offenses.
Rondo was the best setup artist in the league this year and has only gotten better in the playoffs. Holiday has boosted his scoring and other production immensely over his regular-season numbers.
It’ll be interesting to see what they do to try and stop one another and force turnovers.
Prediction
Celtics 95 – 76ers 90
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Which Future Hall of Fame Power Forward Has More in the Tank for the Playoffs?
One of the most bittersweet moments of the postseason is when a veteran player captures a(nother) championship.
This season, Kobe Bryant is trying to get his sixth ring with the Lakers, and there are two other veterans who could be making their final postseason title runs. Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett have both already won the hardware, but they’re looking to be crowned once again. Which player will have a greater impact on their team’s postseason success? Both are extremely important to their respective teams.
The Spurs and the Celtics are also both led by extremely skilled and talented point guards. Each of these teams also have brilliant coaches on the sidelines and systems that their players know inside and out.
So, who gets the edge?
The Celtics are Kevin Garnett. Whether he’s on the court or off of it, that intensity has become their identity, and his heart has become their soul. When you talk to anyone on the Celtics roster or in that locker room, they will sing his praises for days. While Duncan will certainly play a big role in the Spurs’ postseason run, the Celtics will go where Garnett instructs and Rondo leads.
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Pacers vs. Heat: Game 1 TV Schedule, Live Stream, Spread Info and More
The Indiana Pacers and Miami Heat are set to embark on what could be the most fascinating series of the second round of the NBA playoffs.
On one hand, you have the flashy and star-laden Heat, led by LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. If they weren’t already the Eastern Conference favorites heading into the playoffs, the torn ACL of the Chicago Bulls’ Derrick Rose cemented the Heat’s status as team to beat in the East.
Meanwhile, the Pacers lack a true superstar but have a lot of balance with players like Danny Granger, David West, George Hill and Roy Hibbert all contributing to the cause. They rebound well and play solid defense, and the Heat could have problems trying to match up with Hibbert down low.
These are very different teams, but make no mistake about it—this will be a very competitive series. The clash of styles and personnel only makes it all the more intriguing.
Where: American Airlines Arena (Miami, Florida)
When: Sunday, May 13th at 3:30 p.m. EDT
Watch: ABC
Betting Line: HEAT (-8.5), according to Bet Online
What They’re Saying
Charles Barkley thinks this series will be very competitive (via Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald):
The Pacers will enter the second round as clear underdogs, but TNT’s Charles Barkley predicts they will give Miami “trouble. That Indiana team is going to be very difficult. They are very deep. Danny Granger and Paul George can flat out play.”
Barkley went on to add that “the key to that series is going to be Roy Hibbert.”
Most Important Player to Watch: Roy Hibbert
Who am I to disagree with Charles Barkley?
We know that James, Wade and Granger will get theirs on the offensive end. The question will be how Bosh and Joel Anthony deal with the 7’2″ Hibbert on the glass.
Hibbert is a load down low and averaged 11.0 points, 10.8 rebounds and 3.8 blocks per game. If he consistently gets the Pacers second chances on the offensive glass and is effective in disrupting Wade and James when they drive inside, Game 1—and this series in general—could become very intriguing.
Key Matchup: Heat Defenders vs. George Hill and Darren Collison
James versus Granger will be the matchup people pay the most attention to, and dealing with Roy Hibbert will be the team’s biggest challenge, but how the Heat handle the speedy ball-handlers of the Pacers could be the key in the series.
Along with Hill and Collison, the Pacers also have Leandro Barboso to contend with. Hill is the best scorer of the three, but keeping Collison out of the paint and distributing to teammates will be vital.
The Pacers are dangerous because they are balanced offensively, and solid ball movement could make Miami and its aggressive help defense vulnerable to easy buckets. That will start with the play of the guards and, more importantly, how Miami matches up against them.
Prediction
I’ve spent a lot of time talking about the Pacers, but that’s mostly because they’re the lesser-known commodity. The fact remains that if James, Wade and Bosh are at the top of their game, they’re going to be too tough for the Pacers to beat.
This will be a competitive Game 1 and very good series to follow. But the Heat will prevail in both, taking the first game, 102-95, and the series in six.
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NBA Rumors: Knicks and More Teams That Must Make Offer to Steve Nash This Summer
Phoenix Suns PG Steve Nash is going to be one of the most coveted free agents on the open market this offseason.
Despite the fact that he is 38 years old, the future Hall of Famer is still one of the premier players at his position. That is statement is backed up by his eye-popping figures during the lockout-shortened season (62 GP, 31.6 MPG, 12.5 PPG, 10.7 APG, 3.0 RPG, 53.2% FG, 39.0% 3PT).
There are plenty of contenders who will gladly go to war with him as the starter because of his transcendent ability to find his teammates at impossible angles for wide-open shots.
He’s also completely capable of knocking down his own jumper from anywhere on the floor and still has a knack for getting to the rim when his passing lanes are taken away.
Here’s a look at some teams that should be making a big time offer when free agency starts.
New York Knicks
Just one day removed from a first-round playoff defeat, Amar’e Stoudemire is already publicly lobbying for the services of his former teammate.
According to Frank Isola and Kevin Armstrong of the New York Daily News:
“Everyone knows that Steve loves New York and that New York loves Steve,” Stoudemire said. “I love Steve. It would be great to have him here next year.”
While the Knicks employed a ton of different PGs this season (Mike Bibby, Baron Davis, Iman Shumpert, Toney Douglas, Jeremy Lin), none were truly effective, aside from a few weeks of Linsanity.
Nash and his ability to facilitate are sorely needed on a roster that features Carmelo Anthony and STAT. The offense gets far too stagnant at times with both players on the floor with an outmatched ball-handler trying to juggle their touches.
The two-time MVP would put winning and the open man ahead of stroking egos, and that would completely change the culture in the Big Apple.
Miami Heat
Based on the fact that Nash has seemingly accomplished everything possible in his illustrious career besides win a title, Miami might have the best shot of landing him.
The Heat are the clear favorites to win in 2012, and that status will not change anytime soon, not while LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade are on the roster.
Outside of the “Three Kings,” the team still has plenty of room to upgrade. A quality starting center is its biggest priority, but sending Mario Chalmers to the bench as a backup PG would also be wise.
There is no better player within reach this summer than Nash, who would make this offense run like a well-oiled machine. The Heat already get out and run the floor with the best of them, it’s almost unfathomable what they could do with an all-time passer leading the break.
Portland Trail Blazers
You probably didn’t see this coming, but Portland is actually a great destination for the close-to-retirement point guard.
Isola and Armstrong brought up that the City of Roses hosts the closest NBA franchise (R.I.P. Seattle Supersonics) to Nash’s native Vancouver. They point out that he owns a piece of the Vancouver Whitecaps FC (an MLS team) and has numerous other business ventures in the area.
Nash has also just recently been named the Canadian men’s basketball team general manager.
Aside from his off-the-court ventures in the north, Portland is actually an extremely promising ball club. The Trail Blazers likely have two picks in the stacked 2012 draft lottery (unless the Nets’ No. 1 lands in the top three) and a legitimate star big man in LaMarcus Aldridge.
They would be willing to alter their style around Nash’s strengths and the run-and-gun could definitely work with all of the young pieces surrounding him.
If Nash wants to enjoy his last few NBA seasons with an upcoming team close to his homeland, Portland is the best choice.
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JaVale McGee and More Underachievers Who Will Become All-Stars
It’s beginning to look like the Denver Nuggets knew exactly what they were doing when they moved Nene for the younger and less-proven JaVale McGee.
His three-and-a-half seasons with the Washington Wizards yielded mix results, but the opportunity to play with a better team appears to have set McGee on the right track. He’s had two breakout games in Denver’s first-round series against the Los Angeles Lakers, including a 21-point, 14-rebound outburst in the Nuggets Game 5 victory.
Given McGee’s size and the rarity of centers who can both score and defend, he has a solid chance of earning All-Star honors in another year or two. As he matures, he could become an even more imposing presence in the paint.
Tyreke Evans—G/F, Sacramento Kings
Calling Evans an underachiever might be a bit harsh, but he hasn’t improved as much as one might have expected after his absolutely stellar rookie campaign. He’s still young enough that it’s safe to assume his best days are ahead, but his All-Star fortunes may depend on what happens in Sacramento.
Evans has been asked to change positions on more than one occasion, and he’s already dealt with his fair share of coaching transitions. A little stability would go a long way for this guy.
Jrue Holiday—PG, Philadelphia 76ers
Holiday is averaging 19 points in Philadelphia’s first-round series against the Chicago Bulls, but his shooting has been entirely hit-or-miss (he went just 5-of-17 in the 76ers Game 5 loss). Still only 21 years old, Holiday is underachieving only in the sense that he’s yet to reach his full potential.
As the 76ers continue to grow as a team, expect Holiday to shine as one of the league’s best point guards. He has the size and well-rounded skill set to play like an All-Star and has shown flashes of actually doing so.
Josh Smith—PF, Atlanta Hawks
One of the most versatile defenders in the league, Smith has already had several seasons that make compelling cases for All-Star selection—including his most recent campaign. Despite his ability to impact games in a multitude of ways on both ends of the floor, he still settles far too often for ill-advised perimeter shots. With slightly better decision-making, Smith should be an All-Star in no time.
O.J. Mayo—SG, Memphis Grizzlies
Despite breaking into the NBA as a starter and averaging 18.5 points in his rookie season, Mayo has gone on to play a more limited sixth-man role off the bench. As his playing time decreased, so too did his shooting efficiency.
At the moment, Mayo doesn’t look to be headed in the right direction, but there’s no question the upside is still there. He’s got great range and plenty of untapped offensive ability. If he can find his way on to a roster that will feature him more prominently, he could develop into an All-Star.
(Honorable Mention) J.R. Smith—SG, New York Knicks
J.R. Smith has the “underachiever” part down but doesn’t stand the best chance of becoming an All-Star. Despite a world of talent, Smith still suffers from suspect decision-making in his eighth season. He can be an electric scorer, but questionable shot selection and inconsistent defense have detracted from what might otherwise be All-Star potential.
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Anthony Bennett: 3 Reasons Why UNLV Makes More Sense Than Oregon
Anthony Bennett should forget about Oregon and sign on with UNLV.
He is a 5-star recruit coming from Findlay Prep in Henderson, Nevada, so his inclination might be to get away from home and spread his wings out in Oregon.
The smart move for the long-term success of his college career and beyond would be for him to stay close to home, though, and there are a few reasons why it makes more sense for Bennett to choose UNLV.
Jimmy Kimmel Says So
Okay, so maybe this isn’t going to be at the top of Bennett’s list as far as reasons to choose UNLV, but bear with me as I flesh this one out.
UNLV needs you Anthony! @Salsaa_Stylez @ABennett24 @UNLVRebellion @Salsaa_Stylez @ABennett24 @UNLVRebellion
— Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) May 8, 2012
While Kimmel isn’t going to sway Bennett one way or another, it’s clear that UNLV would provide him a bigger platform to show off his skills in college than Oregon.
Las Vegas is a hot spot for celebrities, and Bennett would get a ton of exposure if he chooses to go play for the Runnin’ Rebels. If he decides to take his talents to the northwest, he won’t get nearly the same kind of publicity.
Stay Away from the Weed!
ESPN recently ran a story about the rampant drug use at the University of Oregon. The story didn’t focus on the fact that there’s a lot of marijuana on campus—rather they focused on the fact that many student-athletes were the ones doing the smoking.
It would be a terrific move for Bennett to stay away from Oregon for this very reason.
I’m not making a commentary on the drug, per se. Marijuana isn’t inherently bad, and Bennett could get weed anywhere in the country on any campus.
The reason it would be a good idea for Bennett to avoid that particular trap is that public perception is everything at the next level when marketing comes into play.
If Bennett plans on becoming one of the next stars of the NBA, he’d be wise to keep his image clean and stay away from a known center for drugs.
Championships are Everything
Oregon isn’t a powerhouse program like UNLV is becoming under the leadership of second-year head coach Dave Rice. They featured an extremely underrated, young team that was knocked out of the NCAA tournament in the second round by Colorado.
Bennett will fit into the scheme Rice is implementing. He’s an athletic, undersized power forward with range from the perimeter and power down on the block. He loves to rebound and block shots, even at 6’7″, and Rice would put him to work from the get-go at the No. 4 spot.
UNLV isn’t quite championship-caliber just yet, but they have a much better shot at getting there with the addition of Bennett than Oregon. Oregon isn’t even close.
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Rockies 6, Padres 2
Colorado AB R H BI BB SO Avg.
Scutaro ss 5 0 1 0 0 0 .261
J.Herrera 2b 5 1 1 0 0 0 .255
C.Gonzalez lf 5 2 2 0 0 0 .312
Cuddyer rf 4 1 2 1 0 1 .284
Giambi 1b 2 1 2 1 1 0 .240
Colvin 1b 1 0 0 0 0 1 .300
W.Rosario c 4 1 1 2 0 2 .229
Nelson 3b 4 0 2 2 0 1 .246
Fowler cf 4 0 1 0 0 1 .222
Friedrich p 3 0 0 0 0 2 .000
Brothers p 0 0 0 0 0 0 —-
Belisle p 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
b-Pacheco ph 1 0 1 0 0 0 .263
R.Betancourt p 0 0 0 0 0 0 —-
Totals 38 6 13 6 1 8
San Diego AB R H BI BB SO Avg.
Denorfia rf 4 1 1 0 0 0 .288
Spence p 0 0 0 0 0 0 —-
Brach p 0 0 0 0 0 0 —-
c-Kotsay ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 .303
Maybin cf 3 1 0 0 0 0 .208
Headley 3b 3 0 2 0 1 0 .257
Alonso 1b 4 0 2 1 0 0 .292
Guzman lf 4 0 2 1 0 1 .256
Hundley c 4 0 0 0 0 1 .183
O.Hudson 2b 4 0 0 0 0 2 .204
Parrino ss 4 0 1 0 0 3 .212
Bass p 2 0 0 0 0 2 .167
Hinshaw p 0 0 0 0 0 0 —-
a-Venable ph-rf 1 0 0 0 1 1 .245
Totals 34 2 8 2 2 10
Colorado 000 104 010 — 6 13 1
San Diego 101 000 000 — 2 8 1
a-walked for Hinshaw in the 7th. b-singled for Belisle in the 9th. c-flied out for Brach in the 9th.
E—Scutaro (3), Parrino (4). LOB—Colorado 7, San Diego 8. 2B—C.Gonzalez (4), Giambi (1), W.Rosario (4), Alonso (11). RBIs—Cuddyer (19), Giambi (6), W.Rosario 2 (10), Nelson 2 (7), Alonso (8), Guzman (11). SB—Cuddyer (3). CS—Scutaro (1). S—Maybin. SF—Cuddyer. Runners left in scoring position—Colorado 3 (W.Rosario, Friedrich, Cuddyer); San Diego 6 (Hundley 2, Guzman, Maybin 2, O.Hudson). RISP—Colorado 4 for 9; San Diego 2 for 10. Runners moved up—Denorfia, Guzman.
Colorado IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA
Friedrich W, 1-0 6 5 2 1 1 7 93 1.50
Brothers H, 4 L 1 0 0 1 0 16 3.86
Belisle H, 3 1M 2 0 0 0 1 20 2.25
R.Betancourt 1 0 0 0 0 2 13 2.08
San Diego IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA
Bass L, 1-4 5M 9 5 1 1 4 96 3.23
Hinshaw 1L 0 0 0 0 1 17 0.00
Spence 1M 4 1 1 0 2 36 4.82
Brach L 0 0 0 0 1 9 3.12
Inherited runners-scored—Belisle 2-0, Hinshaw 2-0, Brach 2-0. IBB—off Bass (Giambi). Umpires—Home, Tom Hallion; First, Alfonso Marquez; Second, Brian O’Nora; Third, Chad Fairchild. T—3:12. A—20,059 (42,691).
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Hawks vs. Celtics: Game 6 TV Schedule, Live Stream, Spread Info and More
With Atlanta forcing a Game 6 in their first-round series against Boston, it’s time for the veteran Celtics to stop messing around and put the Hawks away for good.
If the end of the fourth quarter of Game 5 was any indication of what’s to come, this game should be a defensive struggle with an ugly finish that leaves no one satisfied. That is, unless you support the Celtics.
Where: TD Garden, Boston, MA
When: Thursday, May 10, 8:00 p.m. ET
Watch: TNT
Live Stream: NBA League Pass
Betting Line (according to Vegas Insider)
Spread: Celtics -6.5, Over/Under: 174
With a very ugly ending to Game 5, the oddsmakers are hoping that bettors forget that no game for the last was that close. Not only should you take Boston giving the points, take the Over because this closeout game will be the Celtics’ scoring coming-out party.
Key Injuries (via CBS Sports):
Hawks
Zaza Pachulia, C, Out until Game 6 of Eastern Conference Quarterfinals at Boston
Celtics
Jeff Green, PF, Out for season
Jermaine O’Neal, C, Out for season
What’s at Stake?
Game 6 of this first-round playoff series is unbelievably important for both teams. While the Hawks try to win to force a Game 7 and have another chance to move on, the Celtics want to end it here and now. If this series goes to Game 7, Boston will have the advantage, but they will try to end it on the floor of the Boston Garden.
What They’re Saying
Knicks beat writer for the New York Daily News, Frank Isola, talks about just how bad the ending of Game 5 was:
How about the final minute of Hawks-Celtics? The last time I saw a conclusion to a game that inept was during the NCAA Tournament.
— Frank Isola (@FisolaNYDN) May 9, 2012
ESPN personality Tony Reali puts his two cents in on the travesty that was the Game 5:
I’ve had food poisonings that have looked/felt better than the last 10 seconds of Celtics-Hawks.
— Tony Reali (@AroundTheHorn) May 9, 2012
Most Important Player to Watch: Rajon Rondo
If the Boston Celtics want to avoid Game 7 in Atlanta, they will need star point guard Rajon Rondo to bring more to the table than he has during the team’s two losses in this series.
Atlanta doesn’t have an answer for Rondo and he should be burning them left and right but, instead, his 13 points and 12 assists was only enough to get a one-point loss. It’s time for him to step up more.
Boston’s key to winning is getting Rondo going offensively to the tune of around 20 points while still adding the 12-15 assists. If the team gets that much production out of the point guard, Game 7 will be unnecessary.
Key Matchup: Kevin Garnett vs. Josh Smith
While this won’t be the best finesse matchup of the playoffs, this is two men that have chips on their shoulders going head-to-head in what should be an epic battle.
Kevin Garnett loves to use his words and body to bully people around in the low post, but Josh Smith is just as aggressive in his style and attitude.
The problem for the Hawks is that Smith doesn’t bring that intensity every night, and a player like Garnett could get hot early and take his opponent out of the game mentally. If that happens, the series is over.
Prediction: Boston 101, Atlanta 81
With all the age and experience you could want from a team, the ability for the veteran-laden Celtics will have them buttoned down on defense and running at full throttle at the offensive end.
Atlanta has trouble at times in pressure situations, so when Boston punches them square in the mouth they will fall and won’t be able to stand up again. The series ends in Game 6.
Check back for more on the National Basketball Association as it comes, and check out Bleacher Report’s NBA Page to get your fill of all things basketball.
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Russell Westbrook disses reporter: ‘No more questions for you, bro’ (Video)
During the postgame presser following the Thunder’s series-clinching, Game 4 win over the Mavericks on Saturday, Jonathan Tjarks, reporting for Real GM, asked Russell Westbrook if he thought James Harden was worthy of receiving a maximum contract. It was a valid question. Harden, who scored a career playoff high in the game, was instrumental in the Thunder overcoming a late double-digit deficit.
Westbrook responded with your typical “he’s a great player yadda yadda yadda” non-answer. But apparently he didn’t like having to answer that question because when he was finished, he told Tjarks, “No more questions for you, bro.” And then, turn your volume up for this, he appears to mutter the word, “troll.”
The press room erupted in laughter after the quip. Tjarks thought it was funny, too, and didn’t take any issue with Westbrook. Here he is on Twitter joking about the situation with our pal Jose3030:
@jose3030: Lol. You hand the mic back to the PR person after you ask the question. Totally would have dropped a “thanks chief” otherwise.
— Jonathan Tjarks (@JonathanTjarks) May 6, 2012
Last month we shared with you a story about one NBA fan who met the Thunder at a casino and said Westbrook was a “d*ck.” Now we kind of see what that person meant.
H/T I am a GM
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2012 NBA Playoffs: Scoring 35 or More Points at Age 35-Plus in the Playoffs
A handful of older players (age 35 or older) are on the rosters of the teams remaining in the NBA playoffs. In fact, a few of those players play predominant scoring roles for their teams, including Boston’s elder statesmen Kevin Garnett (he will turn 36 on May 19) and Ray Allen (age 36), and San Antonio’s Tim Duncan (he just turned 36 in April). Could any of these three (or any other 35-plus player) light up the scoreboard with 35 or more points at age 35-plus in this year’s playoffs?
Karl Malone, at age 36 and 273 days, is the oldest player to score 50 points in an NBA playoff game.
Here’s a look at the players who have scored 35 or more points at age 35 (or older) in the last 25 playoffs (since 1986 playoffs).
Most playoff points by player 35 years of age and older (age), team, date
50: Karl Malone (36), Utah, 4/22/2000
45: Michael Jordan (35), Chicago, 6/14/98
41: Michael Jordan (35), Chicago, 5/19/98
41: Reggie Miller (35), Indiana, 4/24/2001
39: Michael Jordan (35), Chicago, 4/24/98
38: Michael Jordan (35), Chicago, 4/29/98
37: Michael Jordan (35), Chicago, 6/5/98
36: Alex English (35), Denver, 4/30/89
35: Michael Jordan (35), Chicago, 5/3/98
35: Michael Jordan (35), Chicago, 5/29/98
35: Reggie Miller (35), Indiana, 4/28/2001
If we drop the point total down to 30 points in a playoff game, here’s a look at the players age 35-plus who scored 30 points or more in the most playoff games in the last 25 years.
Most playoff games (1986-2011) with 30-plus points at age 35-plus
14: Michael Jordan
6: Reggie Miller
5: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl Malone
1: Ray Allen, Charles Barkley, Sam Cassell, Alex English, Eddie Johnson, Kevin McHale, Steve Nash, Clifford Robinson
Follow Jerry on Twitter @StatsonTapp
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Miami Heat vs. Knicks Game 4: TV Schedule, Live Stream, Spread Info and More
The New York Knicks will try to fight off elimination on Sunday as they suit up for Game 4 and another playoff matchup against the Miami Heat. The Knicks had a a four-point lead going into the second half of Game 3, but they ended up losing the game by a score of 87-70.
This should be a very interesting game, as elimination matchups are usually where coaches throw out all of the stops to try and earn that victory.
As we inch closer to Game 4 of this big playoff matchup, here is everything you need to know about another Miami Heat vs. New York Knicks playoff game.
Where: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
When: 3:30 PM ET, May 6, 2012
Watch: ABC/ESPNR
Live Stream: NBA League Pass
Betting Line: Miami -8
Key Injuries (via CBS Sports):
Miami: No injuries reported.
New York: Amar’e Stoudemire (doubtful with a hand injury), Jeremy Lin (out with a knee injury), Iman Shumpert (out with a knee injury)
What’s at Stake?
This is a do-or-die game for the Knicks—they either win here and extend the series for another game, or they lose and watch the Miami Heat move on to the next round.
What They’re Saying
Knicks center Tyson Chandler says his team will continue to fight despite being down 0-3.
It’s a tough one. It’s an uphill battle, but it’s one we have to go through. Obviously no one wants to be in a hole 0-3, you know in the playoffs especially against a tough team like (Miami), but that’s the way it is and we’ve got to keep fighting.
New York’s small forward Carmelo Anthony scored 22 points in Game 3, but he was only one of three Knicks to score in double-figures in that game. He was also the only player that scored more than 12 points. He says that the focus lately has been on defense, but more points are needed to win this game.
“When you can’t score the basketball, that makes the game extremely hard, no matter how much defense we go down there and play,” Anthony said.
Most Important Player to Watch: New York Knicks SF Steve Novak
The Heat has done a tremendous job of closing in on Novak and preventing him from shooting from beyond the arc. But the Knicks have to find ways to get him open and hope he can produce offensively. He’s one of the top three-point shooters in the league, but he has only scored a combined nine points in this series. In Game 3, he didn’t score at all in 22 minutes of playing time.
The Knicks need all the offense they can get right now, and Novak can really provide a boost for them if he gets going. In the 13 games this season where Novak has made at least three shots from beyond the arc, New York is 16-7. I’d take those percentages right about now if I were a Knick fan.
Key Matchup: Mario Chalmers vs. Baron Davis and Mike Bibby
We know Dwyane Wade and LeBron James are going to get theirs, and that’s fine. They’ve scored a combined 147 points and have 28 assists in the first three games. But it’s when you let the other Heat players go off that really puts you in a deep hole that’s nearly impossible to climb yourself out of.
Chalmers is a solid three-point shooter, but there’s no reason for him to make five of them in Game 3 and score 19 points. With many injuries to key Knick players, there are limited scorers on the floor for them. They need to limit scoring production from players such as Chalmers if they are to have any chance in this game.
Bibby played solid off the bench in 18 minutes of play, and you should expect to see him get even more minutes in this game.
Prediction
It’d be nice to see the Knicks show some kind of fight and find a way to win this game, but I just don’t see it happening. Miami is playing extremely well on both sides of the floor, and New York doesn’t have enough pieces to keep up.
Stoudemire may end up playing in this game, despite his cut hand, but I don’t expect him to be much of a factor. The Knicks’ season should end on Sunday, but they’ll enter next year healthier and ready to have a real shot at making a deep playoff run.
Heat Win: 102-87
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