Showing posts with label NBA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NBA. Show all posts
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San Antonio Spurs,
Utah Jazz
POD: San Antonio @ Utah+2.0 (3K units)
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POD: Minnesota @ LA Clippers-8.5 (3K units) L
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Preview: With an injury to their No. 1 overall draft pick and four consecutive losses, it was a difficult first week of the season for the Los Angeles Clippers.
They’ll look to change their fortunes Monday night, when they try to snap a three-game home losing streak to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Drafting Oklahoma forward Blake Griffin(notes) with the first selection in the draft was supposed to help turn around the fortunes of a Clippers franchise that’s been to the playoffs four times since 1976. After the team confirmed a stress fracture in Griffin’s left kneecap last Monday, though, Los Angeles opened the 2009-10 campaign with last season’s consensus college player of the year sidelined up to six weeks.
“He could play on it, but it won’t get better,” Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy said. “Once that became apparent, there was no question: Let’s shut it down. Him playing at a lesser level isn’t going to do us much good.”
Without Griffin, the Clippers find themselves where they were last season: 0-4.
Los Angeles snapped its six-game slide to open 2008-09 with a victory over Dallas, but the Clippers couldn’t repeat that effort this season, falling to the Mavericks 93-84 on Saturday.
Center Chris Kaman(notes) grabbed 11 rebounds and scored a career-high 27 points, but his hook shot with 4:41 left was Los Angeles’ only field goal in the final seven-plus minutes.
“We need to start playing harder in the fourth quarter,” second-year guard Eric Gordon(notes) said. “We also need to do a better job of stopping the other team on defense. We had a couple of good runs and a few leads, but they made big plays and made the tough shots in the end.”
Kaman missed the first two games against Minnesota last season with plantar fasciitis in his left foot, and also did not play in an 87-77 loss to the visiting Timberwolves on April 7 due to flu-like symptoms.
Gordon hit five 3-pointers and scored 28 points in that game - the Clippers’ third straight home loss to Minnesota.
The Timberwolves (1-2) make their first visit to Los Angeles this season following Sunday’s 120-112 loss at Phoenix.
Minnesota pulled within 110-105 with 3:13 left on Ryan Hollins’(notes) jumper, but the Suns outscored the Timberwolves 8-2 until Ryan Gomes’(notes) 3-pointer with 12 seconds remaining.
“These guys are young,” said first-year coach Kurt Rambis, who returns to Los Angeles, where he was a Lakers assistant for 10 years. “Without experience or knowledge, they don’t know how to play against them (the Suns). They don’t understand all the nuances of playing a team like that. Late in the game, we gave ourselves a chance. But they made a couple of shots down the stretch.”
Gomes had 23 points and 15 rebounds while teammate Al Jefferson(notes) scored 21 and shot 9 of 23. Still working his way back from an Achilles’ injury, Jefferson played a season-high 33 minutes.
He averaged 24.0 points and 12.5 boards in the first two games against the Clippers last season before missing the April 7 matchup with a torn ACL.
Minnesota is shooting 41.7 percent from the field, including 28.1 percent from long distance.
The Clippers are 0-4 for the fifth time in their history.
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New York Knicks,
Philadelphia 76ers,
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POD: Philadelphia @ New York+2.5 (5K units) L
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Adding to the New York-Philadelphia sports-themed weekend, the Knicks open their home schedule looking to snap a five-game losing streak to the 76ers on Saturday night at Madison Square Garden.
While this contest doesn’t carry the same luster as the Yankees-Phillies World Series games this weekend or the Giants-Eagles NFL matchup Sunday all in Philadelphia, it means something to the parties involved.
“I can’t stand those guys right now, all three of those (New York) teams,” said Philadelphia forward Elton Brand(notes), who grew up in suburban Westchester, N.Y. “It’s a huge weekend, especially with football, baseball. Right now, ours doesn’t have much importance, but it’s still a rivalry.”
Philadelphia, which last season swept the four-game series from New York for the first time since 1985-86, looks for its second straight victory after bouncing back from a dismal season-opening loss with a 99-86 win over Milwaukee on Friday.
New York, meanwhile, looks to avoid losing its first three games for the first time since an 0-5 start in 2005-06. The Knicks fell 102-100 in double overtime at Charlotte on Friday, after falling 115-93 at Miami on Wednesday.
While the 76ers contributed to the Knicks’ miserable 32-50 mark last season, they’ve won 13 of 15 over New York and five of seven at MSG. Philadelphia averaged 111.8 points and shot 53.1 percent against New York in 2008-09.
After each were held to eight points Wednesday against Orlando, Andre Iguodala(notes) scored 19 points and Brand added 17 on Friday for the 76ers as they put forth a much better effort than against the Magic, who led by as many as 31 in the 120-106 win.
“It was a great bounce-back game from that embarrassing Orlando loss,” said Brand, who was 2 for 7 from the floor against the Magic, but 6 for 11 on Friday.
First-year 76ers coach Eddie Jordan was not concerned about the slow start from Iguodala, who averaged a team-leading 18.8 points last season, and hopes Brand’s latest effort will help his cause.
Brand averaged 13.8 points and 8.8 rebounds, but was limited to 29 games due a shoulder injury last season - his first in Philadelphia.
“He’s banging, he’s fighting in there, he’s in the trenches,” Jordan said. “When you feel like things are going your way, it sort of builds your momentum.”
Brand is averaging 21.2 points in 20 games against New York, but was held to six in 13 minutes of Philadelphia’s 116-110 home win Jan. 24.
Al Harrington(notes), who averaged 20.3 points against the 76ers last season, was one of three players with 17 Friday for the Knicks, who rallied from an 18-point, fourth-quarter deficit to force overtime.
David Lee(notes) had 17 points and 18 rebounds while second-year forward Danilo Gallinari(notes) added 16 after scoring 22 in the opener. New York rallied despite shooting 38.8 percent and trailing 47-26 at one point to the lowly Bobcats.
“Our worries are trying to get the right combinations on the floor and play like we did for part of the game,” Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni said. “If we can bottle that, keep it, then we’ll be fine.”
The Knicks, whose 44.5 field-goal percentage was among the lowest in the NBA last season, is shooting 38.4 after two contests. New York shot 42.5 percent against Philadelphia in 2008-09.
Lee, however, could be in store for another big night after averaging 16.3 points and 10.7 boards against Philadelphia last season. (Y! Sports)
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Other leans:
- Detroit+3.5 @ Milwaukee PinoyCapper's Choice (2nd best pick)
- Dallas-2.5 @ LA Clippers
Adding to the New York-Philadelphia sports-themed weekend, the Knicks open their home schedule looking to snap a five-game losing streak to the 76ers on Saturday night at Madison Square Garden.
While this contest doesn’t carry the same luster as the Yankees-Phillies World Series games this weekend or the Giants-Eagles NFL matchup Sunday all in Philadelphia, it means something to the parties involved.
“I can’t stand those guys right now, all three of those (New York) teams,” said Philadelphia forward Elton Brand(notes), who grew up in suburban Westchester, N.Y. “It’s a huge weekend, especially with football, baseball. Right now, ours doesn’t have much importance, but it’s still a rivalry.”
Philadelphia, which last season swept the four-game series from New York for the first time since 1985-86, looks for its second straight victory after bouncing back from a dismal season-opening loss with a 99-86 win over Milwaukee on Friday.
New York, meanwhile, looks to avoid losing its first three games for the first time since an 0-5 start in 2005-06. The Knicks fell 102-100 in double overtime at Charlotte on Friday, after falling 115-93 at Miami on Wednesday.
While the 76ers contributed to the Knicks’ miserable 32-50 mark last season, they’ve won 13 of 15 over New York and five of seven at MSG. Philadelphia averaged 111.8 points and shot 53.1 percent against New York in 2008-09.
After each were held to eight points Wednesday against Orlando, Andre Iguodala(notes) scored 19 points and Brand added 17 on Friday for the 76ers as they put forth a much better effort than against the Magic, who led by as many as 31 in the 120-106 win.
“It was a great bounce-back game from that embarrassing Orlando loss,” said Brand, who was 2 for 7 from the floor against the Magic, but 6 for 11 on Friday.
First-year 76ers coach Eddie Jordan was not concerned about the slow start from Iguodala, who averaged a team-leading 18.8 points last season, and hopes Brand’s latest effort will help his cause.
Brand averaged 13.8 points and 8.8 rebounds, but was limited to 29 games due a shoulder injury last season - his first in Philadelphia.
“He’s banging, he’s fighting in there, he’s in the trenches,” Jordan said. “When you feel like things are going your way, it sort of builds your momentum.”
Brand is averaging 21.2 points in 20 games against New York, but was held to six in 13 minutes of Philadelphia’s 116-110 home win Jan. 24.
Al Harrington(notes), who averaged 20.3 points against the 76ers last season, was one of three players with 17 Friday for the Knicks, who rallied from an 18-point, fourth-quarter deficit to force overtime.
David Lee(notes) had 17 points and 18 rebounds while second-year forward Danilo Gallinari(notes) added 16 after scoring 22 in the opener. New York rallied despite shooting 38.8 percent and trailing 47-26 at one point to the lowly Bobcats.
“Our worries are trying to get the right combinations on the floor and play like we did for part of the game,” Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni said. “If we can bottle that, keep it, then we’ll be fine.”
The Knicks, whose 44.5 field-goal percentage was among the lowest in the NBA last season, is shooting 38.4 after two contests. New York shot 42.5 percent against Philadelphia in 2008-09.
Lee, however, could be in store for another big night after averaging 16.3 points and 10.7 boards against Philadelphia last season. (Y! Sports)
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POD: Oklahoma @ Detroit-5.0 (3K units) L
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Gordon and Villanueva will make their home debuts with the Pistons when they take on Kevin Durant(notes) and the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday night.
Detroit president of basketball operations Joe Dumars knew he needed to change his club after it went 39-43 last season and was swept by Cleveland in the first round of the playoffs, ending its run of six straight Eastern Conference finals appearances.
After firing coach Michael Curry and giving John Kuester his first NBA head coaching job, he added Gordon and Villanueva as free agents, while also coaxing Ben Wallace(notes) - who played for the Pistons from 2000-06 - out of retirement.
All three players contributed to a 96-74 rout of Memphis on Wednesday. Gordon scored 22 points and hit four 3-pointers, Villanueva added seven points and Wallace contributed nine rebounds off the bench.
Richard Hamilton(notes) led Detroit with 25 points as the former University of Connecticut guards went a combined 17 of 31 from the floor, even though Hamilton missed five of his first six shots.
“I don’t think there’s ever been a problem, especially in this locker room,” Hamilton said of sharing time with Gordon. “We’re UConn guys. We know how to win.
“We just go out there and try to feed off each other on the floor.”
Some questioned whether the two high-scoring guards would work well together, but the Pistons liked what they saw in the opener.
“We’re in a situation where we have two guys that are legitimate scorers in this league at the (shooting) guard position,” said forward Tayshaun Prince(notes), whose streak of 437 straight starts is the longest in the NBA. “To put (the questions) to rest, we just have to go out and play basketball and know those two guys are going to do that.
“They stepped up big for us, but that’s what we are going to need from them throughout the season for us to be the team we want to be.”
Oklahoma City doesn’t have any question about who its top scorer is, with former Rookie of the Year Durant leading the way. He had 25 points and 11 boards in a 102-89 season-opening victory over Sacramento on Wednesday.
The Thunder cruised after building a 39-22 lead after one quarter.
“That’s one of the best first quarters we’ve ever had,” Durant said. “Guys did a great job of making shots - which is rare when everybody makes shots - but we did a great job on the other end of limiting backdoor cuts, which get them going as a team.”
The Pistons may use the long-armed Prince to defend Durant, who averaged 29.0 points on 57.5 percent shooting in two games against Detroit last season. Each team won one meeting at home.
The Thunder franchise has lost five straight and 10 of 11 at Detroit. (Y! Sports)
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Other leans:
- Miami @ Indiana+1.5 PinoyCapper's Choice (2nd best pick)
- Dallas+8.5 @ LA Lakers
- Orlando @ New Jersey+8.5
Gordon and Villanueva will make their home debuts with the Pistons when they take on Kevin Durant(notes) and the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday night.
Detroit president of basketball operations Joe Dumars knew he needed to change his club after it went 39-43 last season and was swept by Cleveland in the first round of the playoffs, ending its run of six straight Eastern Conference finals appearances.
After firing coach Michael Curry and giving John Kuester his first NBA head coaching job, he added Gordon and Villanueva as free agents, while also coaxing Ben Wallace(notes) - who played for the Pistons from 2000-06 - out of retirement.
All three players contributed to a 96-74 rout of Memphis on Wednesday. Gordon scored 22 points and hit four 3-pointers, Villanueva added seven points and Wallace contributed nine rebounds off the bench.
Richard Hamilton(notes) led Detroit with 25 points as the former University of Connecticut guards went a combined 17 of 31 from the floor, even though Hamilton missed five of his first six shots.
“I don’t think there’s ever been a problem, especially in this locker room,” Hamilton said of sharing time with Gordon. “We’re UConn guys. We know how to win.
“We just go out there and try to feed off each other on the floor.”
Some questioned whether the two high-scoring guards would work well together, but the Pistons liked what they saw in the opener.
“We’re in a situation where we have two guys that are legitimate scorers in this league at the (shooting) guard position,” said forward Tayshaun Prince(notes), whose streak of 437 straight starts is the longest in the NBA. “To put (the questions) to rest, we just have to go out and play basketball and know those two guys are going to do that.
“They stepped up big for us, but that’s what we are going to need from them throughout the season for us to be the team we want to be.”
Oklahoma City doesn’t have any question about who its top scorer is, with former Rookie of the Year Durant leading the way. He had 25 points and 11 boards in a 102-89 season-opening victory over Sacramento on Wednesday.
The Thunder cruised after building a 39-22 lead after one quarter.
“That’s one of the best first quarters we’ve ever had,” Durant said. “Guys did a great job of making shots - which is rare when everybody makes shots - but we did a great job on the other end of limiting backdoor cuts, which get them going as a team.”
The Pistons may use the long-armed Prince to defend Durant, who averaged 29.0 points on 57.5 percent shooting in two games against Detroit last season. Each team won one meeting at home.
The Thunder franchise has lost five straight and 10 of 11 at Detroit. (Y! Sports)
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POD: Philadelphia @ Orlando-8.5 (5K units) W
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Instead, that’s just when they got one going.
The Magic made it all the way to the NBA finals after surviving the 76ers, but a de facto offseason swap of Hedo Turkoglu(notes) for Vince Carter(notes) may determine how far they can advance in the 2009-10 season, which begins Wednesday with a visit from Philadelphia.
Orlando cruised to the Southeast Division title last season, improving upon its 2007-08 record of 52-30 by seven wins, but was in danger of a quick postseason exit when it lost two of the first three games to Philadelphia.
The Magic rallied to win the series’ final three games - including a decisive 114-89 victory in Game 6 without the suspended Dwight Howard(notes) - and advanced past Boston and Cleveland to the franchise’s first NBA finals since 1995.
Orlando wasn’t able to win its first championship, falling in five games to the Los Angeles Lakers, but that was an impressive step nonetheless for a team few pegged to have a chance to knock off the Celtics or Cavaliers.
Howard, the reigning defensive player of the year, emerged as one of the league’s true superstars during the playoff run, but it was the Magic’s deadly outside shooting that put them over the top in the East.
That stable of shooters is led by Rashard Lewis(notes), Mickael Pietrus(notes) and All-Star point guard Jameer Nelson(notes) - who suffered a torn labrum in early February and returned with little effectiveness in the finals - but there’s one major change in the starting lineup.
The Magic were unable to re-sign Turkoglu - who often initiated the offense in Nelson’s absence - but by the time the swingman left for the Toronto Raptors on July 9, they already had a replacement. General manager Otis Smith acquired Carter, an eight-time All-Star and Orlando native, from New Jersey on the day of the draft for guards Courtney Lee(notes) and Rafer Alston(notes) and forward Tony Battie(notes).
“As a young guy, you play because you want to show the world that you can score and do this and that. But as you get older and you’ve accomplished things, now it’s all about winning championships and helping your team,” Carter, who will be wearing Turkoglu’s old No. 15, told the Magic’s official Web site.
“I’ve never had an opportunity before me like this, and … that motivates me more than anything because I know I can help this team.”
Carter was the 1998-99 NBA rookie of the year, but perhaps Orlando’s more surprising acquisition is the player who finished second in that voting. Jason Williams(notes), who has career averages of 11.4 points and 6.3 assists, will serve as Nelson’s backup after returning to the league from a one-year retirement.
“We have a lot of new pieces, but I really think that we’re a better team now,” Lewis said. “But what I tried to express to the team was that with as much talent as we have around here, the word this season will be ‘sacrifice.’”
The Magic have looked motivated from the beginning of the preseason, winning all eight games by an average of 18.0 points. They’re 20-2 in preseason games since coach Stan Van Gundy was hired in May 2007.
Philadelphia (41-41) hired former Washington coach Eddie Jordan in the offseason to take over for assistant general manager Tony DiLeo, who went 32-27 as interim coach after the firing of Maurice Cheeks.
The 76ers lost one veteran leader in the offseason when point guard Andre Miller(notes) signed with Portland, but they should have another back at full strength.
Elton Brand(notes) was limited to 29 games due to right shoulder surgery in his first season with the 76ers after signing a five-year, $82 million deal.
“It was very disappointing, especially the playoffs, that was hard,” Brand said of watching from the sidelines. “So I am revved up, ready to go and add my piece to what we know the guys can do. … This year, we are under the radar, which is fine with me. We won’t be under the radar for long.”
Much of the Sixers’ success will depend on how they fill the gap at point guard. Louis Williams(notes), who averaged 12.8 points and 3.0 assists in 23.7 minutes a game last season, will start, but leading scorer Andre Iguodala(notes) (18.8 points per game) may frequently initiate the offense.
Some of those duties may also fall to rookie Jrue Holiday(notes), but perhaps the young player who most excites Philadelphia is Thaddeus Young(notes). The 21-year-old forward upped his scoring average from 8.2 to 15.3 points in his second season.
“Thad and I have been working together a lot on the court the past few weeks, trying to get the offense,” Brand said. “You can’t stop option A, B, C. … When you stop one play, the other option’s going to be open. We have the players that can really see that offense.”
Young averaged 9.5 points over the final four playoff games against Orlando after averaging 17.0 in the first two. (Y! Sports)
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Other leans:
- Indiana+8.5 @ Atlanta
- Cleveland-5.0 @ Toronto PinoyCapper's Choice (2nd best pick)
- Charlotte @ Boston-10.0
- New York @ Miami-5.0
- Detroit-2.5 @ Memphis
- New Orleans+9.5 @ San Antonio
- New Jersey+1.5 @ Minnesota
- Utah @ Denver-6.5
- Houston @ Golden State-6.5
- Phoenix-2.0 @ LA Clippers
Instead, that’s just when they got one going.
The Magic made it all the way to the NBA finals after surviving the 76ers, but a de facto offseason swap of Hedo Turkoglu(notes) for Vince Carter(notes) may determine how far they can advance in the 2009-10 season, which begins Wednesday with a visit from Philadelphia.
Orlando cruised to the Southeast Division title last season, improving upon its 2007-08 record of 52-30 by seven wins, but was in danger of a quick postseason exit when it lost two of the first three games to Philadelphia.
The Magic rallied to win the series’ final three games - including a decisive 114-89 victory in Game 6 without the suspended Dwight Howard(notes) - and advanced past Boston and Cleveland to the franchise’s first NBA finals since 1995.
Orlando wasn’t able to win its first championship, falling in five games to the Los Angeles Lakers, but that was an impressive step nonetheless for a team few pegged to have a chance to knock off the Celtics or Cavaliers.
Howard, the reigning defensive player of the year, emerged as one of the league’s true superstars during the playoff run, but it was the Magic’s deadly outside shooting that put them over the top in the East.
That stable of shooters is led by Rashard Lewis(notes), Mickael Pietrus(notes) and All-Star point guard Jameer Nelson(notes) - who suffered a torn labrum in early February and returned with little effectiveness in the finals - but there’s one major change in the starting lineup.
The Magic were unable to re-sign Turkoglu - who often initiated the offense in Nelson’s absence - but by the time the swingman left for the Toronto Raptors on July 9, they already had a replacement. General manager Otis Smith acquired Carter, an eight-time All-Star and Orlando native, from New Jersey on the day of the draft for guards Courtney Lee(notes) and Rafer Alston(notes) and forward Tony Battie(notes).
“As a young guy, you play because you want to show the world that you can score and do this and that. But as you get older and you’ve accomplished things, now it’s all about winning championships and helping your team,” Carter, who will be wearing Turkoglu’s old No. 15, told the Magic’s official Web site.
“I’ve never had an opportunity before me like this, and … that motivates me more than anything because I know I can help this team.”
Carter was the 1998-99 NBA rookie of the year, but perhaps Orlando’s more surprising acquisition is the player who finished second in that voting. Jason Williams(notes), who has career averages of 11.4 points and 6.3 assists, will serve as Nelson’s backup after returning to the league from a one-year retirement.
“We have a lot of new pieces, but I really think that we’re a better team now,” Lewis said. “But what I tried to express to the team was that with as much talent as we have around here, the word this season will be ‘sacrifice.’”
The Magic have looked motivated from the beginning of the preseason, winning all eight games by an average of 18.0 points. They’re 20-2 in preseason games since coach Stan Van Gundy was hired in May 2007.
Philadelphia (41-41) hired former Washington coach Eddie Jordan in the offseason to take over for assistant general manager Tony DiLeo, who went 32-27 as interim coach after the firing of Maurice Cheeks.
The 76ers lost one veteran leader in the offseason when point guard Andre Miller(notes) signed with Portland, but they should have another back at full strength.
Elton Brand(notes) was limited to 29 games due to right shoulder surgery in his first season with the 76ers after signing a five-year, $82 million deal.
“It was very disappointing, especially the playoffs, that was hard,” Brand said of watching from the sidelines. “So I am revved up, ready to go and add my piece to what we know the guys can do. … This year, we are under the radar, which is fine with me. We won’t be under the radar for long.”
Much of the Sixers’ success will depend on how they fill the gap at point guard. Louis Williams(notes), who averaged 12.8 points and 3.0 assists in 23.7 minutes a game last season, will start, but leading scorer Andre Iguodala(notes) (18.8 points per game) may frequently initiate the offense.
Some of those duties may also fall to rookie Jrue Holiday(notes), but perhaps the young player who most excites Philadelphia is Thaddeus Young(notes). The 21-year-old forward upped his scoring average from 8.2 to 15.3 points in his second season.
“Thad and I have been working together a lot on the court the past few weeks, trying to get the offense,” Brand said. “You can’t stop option A, B, C. … When you stop one play, the other option’s going to be open. We have the players that can really see that offense.”
Young averaged 9.5 points over the final four playoff games against Orlando after averaging 17.0 in the first two. (Y! Sports)
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November 6, 2009
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POD: Boston @ Cleveland-4.5 (3K units) L
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Shaquille O’Neal(notes) and Rasheed Wallace(notes) have some experience doing just that.
The veteran big men may eventually make a difference for their new teams in the postseason, but the spotlight will still be on reigning MVP - and potential free agent - LeBron James(notes) and Boston’s Big Three in the NBA’s season opener Tuesday night as the Cavaliers seek a 12th straight home win over the Celtics.
Cleveland (66-16) and Boston (62-20) were the top two seeds in the Eastern Conference last season, and considering they had represented the East in the past two NBA finals, but both teams were ousted by the Orlando Magic. The Celtics fell in seven games in the conference semifinals before the Cavaliers were eliminated in six in the East finals.
Those postseason failures sparked Cleveland general manager Danny Ferry and Boston counterpart Danny Ainge to tinker with their respective rosters, but that wasn’t all on the minds of the two Eastern powers. James can opt out of his contract following this season, and Ray Allen(notes) can do likewise with the Celtics, leaving the possibility Boston may rebuild around point guard Rajon Rondo(notes) considering the mileage on veterans Kevin Garnett(notes) and Paul Pierce(notes).
The Cavaliers signed free agent swingmen Anthony Parker(notes) and Jamario Moon(notes) while Boston added similar versatility in Marquis Daniels(notes). The biggest changes, though, came at center—Cleveland jettisoned Ben Wallace(notes) and Sasha Pavlovic to Phoenix for three-time finals MVP O’Neal, while the Celtics signed Wallace, a four-time All-Star who’s been on a playoff team for 13 consecutive seasons.
“I’ve heard, ‘Is Shaq good for their team?’ Like, how could he not be?” Celtics coach Doc Rivers said. “I’ll take him. He gives them size, he gives them another post player, he gives them a great passer. He gives them a rebounder. He’s one of the most intimidating forces in the league.”
While the burly O’Neal will partner with the solid shooting of backup center Zydrunas Ilgauskas(notes) to give Cavaliers coach Mike Brown two very different big men, Boston should have the same luxury on the interior. Center Kendrick Perkins(notes) is a consistent scorer in the low post, while Wallace, who’s attempted 4.6 3-pointers a game over the past four seasons, provides a threat on the perimeter.
“He’ll spread the floor offensively, something we’ve never had,” Rivers said. “Heck, most people don’t have a (center) sitting behind the 3-point line. Defensively, he’s been terrific. He’s also going to give us some post play on the offensive end.”
The other thing Wallace adds is a hot temper, having been whistled for 291 technical fouls since entering the league in 1995.
O’Neal has 117 himself since Wallace debuted, and many feel his dynamic personality won’t mesh with James’.
“People look too far into individuals than the team aspect of things,” James said. “They think two stars can’t coexist. But it’s not just about me and Shaq, it’s about the whole team. Me and Shaq can’t do it by ourselves. We need everybody on the floor to work hard every day to make this thing happen.”
While All-Star point guard Mo Williams(notes) gives James a secondary scorer, Cavaliers guard and former Celtic Delonte West(notes) didn’t play during the preseason after being arrested last month for carrying three loaded guns while riding a motorcycle. In addition, his wife reportedly filed a domestic violence report over the weekend, adding further doubt to his already murky playing status.
Wallace likely will join Daniels on Boston’s second unit along with Eddie House(notes), Glen Davis(notes) and Shelden Williams(notes). Wallace, Davis and Williams should provide excellent depth in case Garnett’s surgically repaired right knee - which caused him to miss 25 games last season - hampers him.
Garnett, the 2007-08 defensive player of the year, Pierce and the Celtics have held James to 40.0 percent shooting in 14 combined regular-season and playoff games the past two seasons, but James has averaged 30.3 points on 45.1 percent shooting in his past seven games against the Celtics at Quicken Loans Arena, while Pierce has been held to 14.7 points while shooting 34.3 percent.
The Cavaliers have won 11 straight at home over Boston by an average of 12.8 points, with their last loss coming in overtime on Dec. 18, 2004. Overall, the home team has won 16 consecutive games in the series. (Y! Sports)
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Shaquille O’Neal(notes) and Rasheed Wallace(notes) have some experience doing just that.
The veteran big men may eventually make a difference for their new teams in the postseason, but the spotlight will still be on reigning MVP - and potential free agent - LeBron James(notes) and Boston’s Big Three in the NBA’s season opener Tuesday night as the Cavaliers seek a 12th straight home win over the Celtics.
Cleveland (66-16) and Boston (62-20) were the top two seeds in the Eastern Conference last season, and considering they had represented the East in the past two NBA finals, but both teams were ousted by the Orlando Magic. The Celtics fell in seven games in the conference semifinals before the Cavaliers were eliminated in six in the East finals.
Those postseason failures sparked Cleveland general manager Danny Ferry and Boston counterpart Danny Ainge to tinker with their respective rosters, but that wasn’t all on the minds of the two Eastern powers. James can opt out of his contract following this season, and Ray Allen(notes) can do likewise with the Celtics, leaving the possibility Boston may rebuild around point guard Rajon Rondo(notes) considering the mileage on veterans Kevin Garnett(notes) and Paul Pierce(notes).
The Cavaliers signed free agent swingmen Anthony Parker(notes) and Jamario Moon(notes) while Boston added similar versatility in Marquis Daniels(notes). The biggest changes, though, came at center—Cleveland jettisoned Ben Wallace(notes) and Sasha Pavlovic to Phoenix for three-time finals MVP O’Neal, while the Celtics signed Wallace, a four-time All-Star who’s been on a playoff team for 13 consecutive seasons.
“I’ve heard, ‘Is Shaq good for their team?’ Like, how could he not be?” Celtics coach Doc Rivers said. “I’ll take him. He gives them size, he gives them another post player, he gives them a great passer. He gives them a rebounder. He’s one of the most intimidating forces in the league.”
While the burly O’Neal will partner with the solid shooting of backup center Zydrunas Ilgauskas(notes) to give Cavaliers coach Mike Brown two very different big men, Boston should have the same luxury on the interior. Center Kendrick Perkins(notes) is a consistent scorer in the low post, while Wallace, who’s attempted 4.6 3-pointers a game over the past four seasons, provides a threat on the perimeter.
“He’ll spread the floor offensively, something we’ve never had,” Rivers said. “Heck, most people don’t have a (center) sitting behind the 3-point line. Defensively, he’s been terrific. He’s also going to give us some post play on the offensive end.”
The other thing Wallace adds is a hot temper, having been whistled for 291 technical fouls since entering the league in 1995.
O’Neal has 117 himself since Wallace debuted, and many feel his dynamic personality won’t mesh with James’.
“People look too far into individuals than the team aspect of things,” James said. “They think two stars can’t coexist. But it’s not just about me and Shaq, it’s about the whole team. Me and Shaq can’t do it by ourselves. We need everybody on the floor to work hard every day to make this thing happen.”
While All-Star point guard Mo Williams(notes) gives James a secondary scorer, Cavaliers guard and former Celtic Delonte West(notes) didn’t play during the preseason after being arrested last month for carrying three loaded guns while riding a motorcycle. In addition, his wife reportedly filed a domestic violence report over the weekend, adding further doubt to his already murky playing status.
Wallace likely will join Daniels on Boston’s second unit along with Eddie House(notes), Glen Davis(notes) and Shelden Williams(notes). Wallace, Davis and Williams should provide excellent depth in case Garnett’s surgically repaired right knee - which caused him to miss 25 games last season - hampers him.
Garnett, the 2007-08 defensive player of the year, Pierce and the Celtics have held James to 40.0 percent shooting in 14 combined regular-season and playoff games the past two seasons, but James has averaged 30.3 points on 45.1 percent shooting in his past seven games against the Celtics at Quicken Loans Arena, while Pierce has been held to 14.7 points while shooting 34.3 percent.
The Cavaliers have won 11 straight at home over Boston by an average of 12.8 points, with their last loss coming in overtime on Dec. 18, 2004. Overall, the home team has won 16 consecutive games in the series. (Y! Sports)
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