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NBA 2008-09 Regular Season Discussion Thread

#121
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2/24/09 at 9:13am
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Re: NBA 2008-09 Regular Season Discussion Thread

I heard Scal got hurt AGAIN, so we may need KG back anyway.

(What a concept! )

"How wonderful it will be to have a leader unburdened by the twin horrors of knowledge and experience." -- Mr. Wick

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#122
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2/24/09 at 10:58am
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Re: NBA 2008-09 Regular Season Discussion Thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by Aaron Silverman
I heard Scal got hurt AGAIN, so we may need KG back anyway.

(What a concept! )
Yeah, he strained his neck. I hope it's not serious.
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#123
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2/24/09 at 12:10pm
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Re: NBA 2008-09 Regular Season Discussion Thread

It looks like McGrady's going in for his surgery today, and in related news the doctor that originally advised him that he was ready to play after his offseason knee surgery admitted that McGrady wasn't ready to go at the beginning of the season and that playing on the knee wouldn't strengthen it as McGrady had been told. Good job, quack!
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#124
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2/25/09 at 8:15am
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Re: NBA 2008-09 Regular Season Discussion Thread

Nothing is final yet, but it looks as though Marbury will be coming to Boston. As I've said a few times, I'm in favor of this move. And according to everything I've read over the past five or six weeks, the team is in favor of him coming to Boston as well.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3931801

Boston also signed Mikki Moore (from Sacramento); he played for the Celtics a few years ago. I think his 7' frame will be a welcome addition down the stretch.
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#125
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2/25/09 at 8:52am
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Re: NBA 2008-09 Regular Season Discussion Thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by Andy Sheets
Why would the Celtics want Marbury? I can't see them repeating if they're in a tight game and "Starbury" starts waving off Garnett and Pierce because he's the Greatest Point Guard in the World.
Andy,

Here you go. This is one of the primary reasons I want Marbury to come to Boston. I thought you deserved a better explanation than the one I gave you the other day.

"Let's start with the fact that although House is many things, a smooth ball handler is not among them. Dogged ball pressure drives him crazy, forcing him to use precious shot-clock seconds just getting the rock across half court; this weakness is well-known to Boston's playoff opponents and could work against the Celtics without another player available as a safety valve."

Hollinger: Marbury move might make great sense for C's - ESPN

I also found this intriguing:

"Marbury doesn't need to be Starbury to help the Celtics considerably. If he just puts up numbers similar to the ones he put up in New York the past two seasons and defends with reasonable effort, he'll be a massive improvement on the Pruitt-Scalabrine combo; it's possible he could be an upgrade on Tony Allen for the playoffs, too."

I also believe that Hollinger's remark that "Marbury needs Boston a lot more than Boston needs Marbury" is spot on.

See also: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3931801
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#126
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2/25/09 at 9:57am
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Re: NBA 2008-09 Regular Season Discussion Thread

Right on. If he doesn't play nice in the locker room then the Celts won't hesitate to cut him.

"How wonderful it will be to have a leader unburdened by the twin horrors of knowledge and experience." -- Mr. Wick

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#127
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3/5/09 at 10:37am
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Re: NBA 2008-09 Regular Season Discussion Thread

Yao finally loses it:

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#128
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3/12/09 at 2:51am
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Re: NBA 2008-09 Regular Season Discussion Thread

Marbury so far has played terribly. Not in the no-help sort of way, but in a "he's actively hurting the team," or "it's hard to imagine worse" kind of way.

Didn't watch the Lakers-Rockets game. From reading the stories and box score, Artest had one of those inexplicable games. I've watched Kobe since he's come into the league; he has his flaws. Great team defenses can pack the lane, take away his drive, and make him chuck up jump shots after two pump fakes. Teams can bait him into taking consecutive 29 footers. Sometimes Kobe wants the ball every possession, and once in a while he refuses to shoot for an entire half. Good passing teams can usually rotate the ball and catch a role player Kobe's assigned to defend completely free for an easy shot. But you cannot win one on one against the man when he is angry. I hope Artest does not learn this lesson.
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#129
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3/12/09 at 10:28am
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Re: NBA 2008-09 Regular Season Discussion Thread

I'm willing to chalk up Marbury's lack of performance to rust for at least a little while longer. Let him start for another week and see how it goes. If there's no improvement then there'll still be time to get Pruitt some minutes before the playoffs.

"How wonderful it will be to have a leader unburdened by the twin horrors of knowledge and experience." -- Mr. Wick

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#130
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3/12/09 at 11:04am
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Re: NBA 2008-09 Regular Season Discussion Thread

Cleveland and L.A. are in a real dogfight for the best record. I have this sneaky suspicion that the Cavaliers will end up with it, maybe by one game over the Lakers. But, I don't know if it will be enough to bring them a championship. I actually doubt it.

I'm also rethinking my position on the Lakers making the finals. I have to give some more thought to this, and look at some statistics as well. At this point, I think two teams in the west are capable of defeating them in a seven game series. I also think only one team in the east is capable of defeating the Lakers this year, but I don't see them making the Finals.
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#131
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3/13/09 at 10:34am
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Re: NBA 2008-09 Regular Season Discussion Thread

The Cavaliers and Lakers both played very well last night to win 'must' games on the road. This is fun watching them battle for the best record.

I think Orlando needs to finish second (ahead of Boston) in the east to have any chance of moving relatively deep into the playoffs. If the Magic have to play the Pistons (this is whom they would play if the season ended today), then they probably won't make it out of the first round. The Pistons are 3-0 against Orlando thus far this year. I believe the Magic would much rather play either Philadelphia or (assuming all things remain the same), the Bucks.

I didn't feel too confident a month or two ago, but I now believe that if Boston is healthy -- and if they finish second in the east and have to play Cleveland at some point -- they will win at least one game in Cleveland. And even though the Lakers are 2-0 against the Celtics this year, I think (I am in agreement with Jon Barry on this point) that Boston remains their biggest obstacle to winning the championship this year. But playing Boston would motivate Los Angeles more so than playing any other team. They want Boston -- I just hope we can deliver this time around.
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#132
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3/13/09 at 11:41am
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Re: NBA 2008-09 Regular Season Discussion Thread

Hello all.

I saw an interesting stat the other day. do you know that since Christmas day 10 teams have a better record than Boston? While I don't think Boston cares much one way or the other as long s they are healthy. I think it does bode well for Orlando. The Magic are only 1 back in the loss column and Boston is still struggling with a ton of injuries

I think it is very likely that Orladno ends up with the 2 seed in the east. Which gets them around playing Detroit in thre first round.

Mark F. Leiter

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#133
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3/13/09 at 1:10pm
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Re: NBA 2008-09 Regular Season Discussion Thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark Leiter
Hello all.

I saw an interesting stat the other day. do you know that since Christmas day 10 teams have a better record than Boston? While I don't think Boston cares much one way or the other as long s they are healthy. I think it does bode well for Orlando. The Magic are only 1 back in the loss column and Boston is still struggling with a ton of injuries

I think it is very likely that Orlando ends up with the 2 seed in the east. Which gets them around playing Detroit in the first round.

...and Detroit is probably the one team that Orlando does not want to face in the first round. The Pistons have beaten the Magic consistently throughout the Dwight Howard era, including this season when the Pistons have looked very bad against most of the rest of the league.

I've pretty much written off this season for the Pistons. I think their only chance of getting out of the first round is if they do draw Orlando. I think Boston, Cleveland or Atlanta would have their way with Detroit. They certainly have little chance of making back to the conference finals again.
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#134
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3/13/09 at 6:27pm
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Re: NBA 2008-09 Regular Season Discussion Thread

Read an article the other day that a quadruple double has only happened 4 times in the history of the NBA (even though it may have happened more since block and steal stats were not kept until 1974) The last one to achieve it was Robinson in 1994. Of the current crop of players who do you think has the best chance of doing it?

Nate Thurmond, October 18, 1974, Chicago vs. Atlanta; 22 points, 14 rebounds, 13 assists, 12 blocks. (OT)[1]
Alvin Robertson, February 18, 1986, San Antonio vs. Phoenix; 20 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists, 10 steals.[2]
Hakeem Olajuwon, March 29, 1990, Houston vs. Milwaukee; 18 points, 16 rebounds, 10 assists, 11 blocks.[3]
David Robinson, February 17, 1994, San Antonio vs. Detroit; 34 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, 10 blocks.[4]


I think D. Howard has the best chance with LBJ and CP3 about an equal second place.

Mark F. Leiter

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#135
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3/14/09 at 8:35am
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Re: NBA 2008-09 Regular Season Discussion Thread

I think CP3 and Josh Smith have the best chance for the quadruple double.
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#136
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3/14/09 at 3:13pm
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Re: NBA 2008-09 Regular Season Discussion Thread

Sad news this morning for Pistons fans. Owner Bill Davidson has passed away at 86 years of age.

Mr. Davidson was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame last autumn. He's been a terrific owner for many years, and will be missed. RIP.
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#137
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3/16/09 at 1:29pm
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Re: NBA 2008-09 Regular Season Discussion Thread

Sorry to hear that.

It's a shame he'll never see Rondo's quadruple double. . .

(Of course, neither will we, probably!)

"How wonderful it will be to have a leader unburdened by the twin horrors of knowledge and experience." -- Mr. Wick

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#138
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3/16/09 at 3:49pm
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Re: NBA 2008-09 Regular Season Discussion Thread

^^^

I do hope Rondo has one of them -- preferably in the 2009 NBA finals.

Boston is looking mediocre at best, but some of this can be attributed to having four or five injured players. I hope they are healthy come playoff time.

It looks like they will be either the second or third seed. If they don't get the number one seed (which they really aren't going to be able to get at this point barring a major collapse on the part of Cleveland), I don't think it matters if they are second, third, or fourth.

I am hoping that the Cavaliers get the overall best record. I believe they need it to have any chance of winning it all this year.
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#139
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3/17/09 at 10:54am
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Re: NBA 2008-09 Regular Season Discussion Thread

Carl Landry went to get some take-out food after the Rockets' flight came in late last night and ended up getting shot in the leg after his car was bumped by another car. Luckily it's just a flesh wound and they're saying he'll only be out a couple of weeks.
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#140
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3/17/09 at 8:05pm
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Re: NBA 2008-09 Regular Season Discussion Thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by Andy Sheets
Carl Landry went to get some take-out food after the Rockets' flight came in late last night and ended up getting shot in the leg after his car was bumped by another car. Luckily it's just a flesh wound and they're saying he'll only be out a couple of weeks.
Andy,

Yes, I heard this on the radio today. Thank goodness it was only a flesh wound. I heard that his car was bumped, and when he got out to see what had transpired, two men were in the car behind him, and one of them shot him in the leg.
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#141
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3/18/09 at 6:28am
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Re: NBA 2008-09 Regular Season Discussion Thread

The Celtics continue to lose, and the Cavaliers win again. The Lakers lost a tough one at home to the Sixers, meaning they are now playing catch-up with Cleveland. I think it is possible that the Cavaliers will run the table at this point before the playoffs. They do look very strong.
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#142
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3/18/09 at 6:56am
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Re: NBA 2008-09 Regular Season Discussion Thread

I'm really impressed with Cleveland this year. I don't know if they're quite good enough yet to win it all, but I think they've got a very good chance of making the finals again and seriously competing for the title.
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#143
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3/18/09 at 9:23am
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Re: NBA 2008-09 Regular Season Discussion Thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by Andy Sheets
I'm really impressed with Cleveland this year. I don't know if they're quite good enough yet to win it all, but I think they've got a very good chance of making the finals again and seriously competing for the title.
Agreed, they are formidable. If I were to hazard a guess, my crystal ball would say that the Cavaliers will make the finals, and lose to the Lakers, who will split in Cleveland (and thus winning the championship in six games). I just don't see L.A. not winning it all this year. I still think the mental toughness is not there for Cleveland -- yet.
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#144
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3/19/09 at 12:44am
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Re: NBA 2008-09 Regular Season Discussion Thread

The Cavs have been the most consistent team throughout the season. I feel that the Lakers still play to the level of their competition at times, evidenced by them sweeping the season series against the Cavs and Celtics, winning back to backs in Texas, etc., but also giving up big leads and let mediocre teams back into the game. Sure, they end up winning a lot of these close games, but outside of the first month of the season, they have not beaten down opponents. The Cavs, OTOH, routinely destroy, absolutely decimate teams, and thus have a significant edge as the no. 1 team in points differential. That said, it's also tough for me to see them not losing another game in the regular season.

The ultimate playoff picture is still too difficult for me to predict. Right now it looks like the Cavs have the edge against the Celtics, but I also don't see KG re-integrating into the team to be a difficult task. He's the kind of guy that goes all out whenever he plays. Maybe that hurt the Celtics after their amazing start, but with fewer games left, I could see the Celtics suddenly galvanizing into a great team again. I see Bynum as close to a necessity for the Lakers to win it all, just as a matter of adding depth, a bit more interior defense, and giving Gasol more rest. Since Bynum has gone down, Gasol has averaged 40 minutes a game and played magnificently, but that might just be too much for him over this stretch plus the brutal playoff season.
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#145
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3/19/09 at 7:21am
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Re: NBA 2008-09 Regular Season Discussion Thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kirk Tsai
The Cavs, OTOH, routinely destroy, absolutely decimate teams, and thus have a significant edge as the no. 1 team in points differential. That said, it's also tough for me to see them not losing another game in the regular season.

This reminds me that statisticians often cite point differential as by far the most important number in predicting the eventual NBA champion. I forget how often it's been accurate but it's a compellingly high percentage.
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#146
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3/21/09 at 4:47pm
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Re: NBA 2008-09 Regular Season Discussion Thread

I'm thrilled to learn that the Lakers - Bulls game is on WGN tonight. It should be a good one. Chicago is playing pretty well lately, and the Lakers need to win to keep pace with the Cavaliers, who have already won today against the Hawks. With app. 12-13 games left in the regular season, Los Angeles (14) doesn't want to fall two games behind Cleveland (13) in the loss column.

The Celtics (18) are playing in Memphis tonight. Garnett looked pretty good in his return against the Spurs in San Antonio last night. He began the game 0-4, but finished 5-5. He played approximately seven minutes in two quarters. I don't think Orlando, whom Boston plays soon in Florida, wants to fall behind the Celtics in the loss column. Right now, both teams are at 18.
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#147
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3/23/09 at 8:36am
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Re: NBA 2008-09 Regular Season Discussion Thread

Did they show that game? The Celtics and Bulls were on WGN last week, but when I turned it on, It was "WGN America" and they were showing reruns of Star Trek: The Next Generation.

(Is that something new? Usually I can see the Red Sox when they play the White Sox or Cubs on WGN -- it would suck to lose that.)

"How wonderful it will be to have a leader unburdened by the twin horrors of knowledge and experience." -- Mr. Wick

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#148
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3/23/09 at 1:53pm
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Re: NBA 2008-09 Regular Season Discussion Thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by Aaron Silverman
Did they show that game? The Celtics and Bulls were on WGN last week, but when I turned it on, It was "WGN America" and they were showing reruns of Star Trek: The Next Generation.

(Is that something new? Usually I can see the Red Sox when they play the White Sox or Cubs on WGN -- it would suck to lose that.)
Aaron,

Yes, the Lakers-Bulls game was shown in its entirety (in Michigan, anyway) on WGN.
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#149
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4/1/09 at 9:04pm
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Re: NBA 2008-09 Regular Season Discussion Thread

Well, as much as I like Nowitzki, I've been pulling for the Suns to nab that final playoff spot in the West. But after the Heat lost to Dallas tonight (I didn't think they would), I don't think Phoenix will be in the postseason. Besides liking Nash a lot, and wanting to see Shaq one last time in the playoffs before he retires, I think the Suns would give the Lakers a better first-round matchup than would the Mavericks. Phoenix defeated L.A. not too long ago in their own back yard (and of course, the Lakers defeated them in their back yard), so I thought it might be a fun series.

Random thought: The Rockets and Suns are currently tied at 88-88 at the end of three quarters.

I was also watching the Celtics, Lakers, and Magic games off and on tonight, as well as the Grizzlies / Wizards. Those Bobcats really are pesky, aren't they? They and the Celtics are the only teams in the NBA with a winning record (franchise-wise) over the Lakers.

And how is this for an interesting tidbit? I had no idea it had been thirty years!

"The Bobcats visited Boston one night after a 94-84 win over the Lakers in Charlotte. In the last 30 years, only one team has beaten both the Lakers and Celtics on consecutive days -- the Sonics in 1997 (102-91 at Los Angeles and 113-108 over the Celtics at Seattle on Feb. 16-17, 1997)."

Charlotte Bobcats vs. Boston Celtics - Recap - April 01, 2009 - ESPN
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#150
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4/2/09 at 6:32am
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Re: NBA 2008-09 Regular Season Discussion Thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ockeghem
Random thought: The Rockets and Suns are currently tied at 88-88 at the end of three quarters.

I think last night's game was a good example of why I don't think any team should fear the Rockets in the playoffs. For all his virtues, Yao simply doesn't demand the ball in pressure situations. (Adelman has even called him out on this in the press, which I think is kind of pathetic.) And Artest's decision-making isn't what you want from a closer, not that that's a surprise The rest of the team are fairly even-playing scrappers and glue guys - a great bunch of supporting pieces but not a single one of them is a threat to just pop off for a scoring or defensive explosion.
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