The Cavs did what great teams do time and time again: they win despite not playing anywhere near their best, because of superior talent.
2009 NBA Playoffs
- Thread starter BillD1984
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The Cavs did what great teams do time and time again: they win despite not playing anywhere near their best, because of superior talent.
Bill, I am not trying to dinimish the win or minimize what Cleveland did.
I am giving an opinion on both sides of the game, stating things I saw from both teams.
It was a different type of game from the first two, and I was stating some of the trends I noticed.
No worries, I know where you were coming from. :up
I was just stating that great teams do what the Cavs did tonight.
You are correct in that aspect- a great team not playing perfectly, but still doing enough to win.
That reminded me of game 1 of Montreal/Boston- the Bruins did not play a perfect game like they did in games 2 and 4- that was when the Habs overcame a two-goal deficit to tie the game.
Like the B's, the Cavs turned it on with a big moment- Boston's big moment was that huge bomb from Chara to break the tie, while Cleveland went on that big run late to close it out.
Philly gets a late shot to beat Orlando 96-94 and take a 2-1 lead (They also took a 2-1 lead on Detroit last year- game 4 will be THE most crucial game of this series).
IMO, of the eight playoff series, this is the most surprising one- Philly did not head into the playoffs with a head of steam ala Portland, while Orlando is my pick to reach the East Finals against the Cava.
As for Philly- I watched many of their games, and IMO, were a team that lived and died with the two Andres- Igoudala and Miller. I thought that they were a two-man team.
(BTW, the two Andres combined for over 50 points, and they needed those points in a close game.)
IMO, of the eight playoff series, this is the most surprising one- Philly did not head into the playoffs with a head of steam ala Portland, while Orlando is my pick to reach the East Finals against the Cava.
As for Philly- I watched many of their games, and IMO, were a team that lived and died with the two Andres- Igoudala and Miller. I thought that they were a two-man team.
(BTW, the two Andres combined for over 50 points, and they needed those points in a close game.)
Game 3 Recap
Cavs win! 79-68. The series is now at 3-0 as they look to close it out in Motown on Sunday!
BTW guys.... This was a classic Cavs/Pistons game for 3 quarters. Low scoring and tough-as-nails defense. I give the Pistons a lot of credit in their effort.
And if you were to tell me before the game that Mo Williams & Delonte West would be 1 for 18 from the field for a combined point total of 4 points, I would've thought a loss was certainly in store. Yet, the same story remained as seen during the regular season. When someone stuggeled, another stepped up. This time, our bigs stepped up HUGE! Joe Smith and Z in particular.
In the end, LeBron and Company impossed their will and continued to drive to the lane, get critical rebounds and cause timely turnovers. In a game that the Pistons actually led the Cavs in the 4th, the Cavs seemed to switch a gear and kick it up a notch down the stretch.
Cavs win! 79-68. The series is now at 3-0 as they look to close it out in Motown on Sunday!
BTW guys.... This was a classic Cavs/Pistons game for 3 quarters. Low scoring and tough-as-nails defense. I give the Pistons a lot of credit in their effort.
And if you were to tell me before the game that Mo Williams & Delonte West would be 1 for 18 from the field for a combined point total of 4 points, I would've thought a loss was certainly in store. Yet, the same story remained as seen during the regular season. When someone stuggeled, another stepped up. This time, our bigs stepped up HUGE! Joe Smith and Z in particular.
In the end, LeBron and Company impossed their will and continued to drive to the lane, get critical rebounds and cause timely turnovers. In a game that the Pistons actually led the Cavs in the 4th, the Cavs seemed to switch a gear and kick it up a notch down the stretch.
When I saw Joe Smith hitting those big shots, I knew they were going to get the win.
As for Big Z- at the end of the first half, I thought he had hit a three-pointer to beat the buzzer. From my perspective, I kinda thought the clock was a bit quick.
HD, should that have counted or was the right decision made? (I know it didn't affect the outcome- otherwise, the final margin would have been 14 instead of 11- but it was something that caught my eye.)
You're right Sabres. I didn't expect this fight out of this Phila team either. This was a team who barely won against the Cavs bench on the final regular season game of the season. Going into the playoffs, I called the Sixers the worst of the 8 teams in the Eastern Conferance. I'm not sure if the Sixers are this good, or this Magic is a just a team who turns into a pumpkin every playoff season??
More fishy business going on in Utah. Bynum was called for his 6th foul at the end of the 3rd quarter, however he only had 5 according to nba.com
Bynum did not have a great scoring night, but it would have given some defense in the post. It is also encouraging that the Jazz only won by 2 points after horrid performances by Kobe, Gasol, and Bynum.
Bynum did not have a great scoring night, but it would have given some defense in the post. It is also encouraging that the Jazz only won by 2 points after horrid performances by Kobe, Gasol, and Bynum.
I was looking at the backboard as it lit up red. When it was red, Z still had the ball in his hand. I accept the decision by the refs.
Saturday's Playoff Schedule- All Times Eastern
Denver at New Orleans- Game 3- 1:00 PM [ESPN(HD)]
San Antonio at Dallas- Game 4- 4:00 PM- [TNT(HD)]
Atlanta at Miami- Game 3- 6:30 PM- [TNT(HD)]
LA Lakers at Utah- Game 4- 9:00 PM- [ESPN(HD)]
Denver at New Orleans- Game 3- 1:00 PM [ESPN(HD)]
San Antonio at Dallas- Game 4- 4:00 PM- [TNT(HD)]
Atlanta at Miami- Game 3- 6:30 PM- [TNT(HD)]
LA Lakers at Utah- Game 4- 9:00 PM- [ESPN(HD)]
I am SO pist with the NBA! How can the HOME team of ANY playoff game NOT be allowed to broadcast locally on network TV??!!! I mean the NBA DOES have an agreement with ABC, which OWNS ESPN....if I am not mistaken. NOT everyone has cable and I am sure alot of HEAT fans, especially those who economically do not have the means for cable....would LOVE to see their team in the playoffs!!
Stern aware of security issue for Tony Allen
By: Mike Petraglia
Speaking in Philadelphia Friday night, Commissioner David Stern said he was aware the NBA has increased security around Celtics guard Tony Allen, though he wouldn't give specifics about the situation. "I want to say this the right way. That issue is not a new issue for us in our league over the last 25 years," Stern said Friday before watching the 76ers play the Orlando Magic in Game 3 of their first-round series. "It's just you haven't read about it and we haven't talked about it. I'm not going to talk about it now other than to say it's something we're aware of. We always deal with it and we have a security representative in every city. We liaise with law enforcement and we do what we have to do at all times. It's nothing new at all." The Boston Herald and Boston Globe both reported on Friday that Allen, a Chicago native, has been receiving death threats. Game 4 between the Celtics and Bulls is set for Sunday at 12:30 p.m. ET in Chicago.
By: Mike Petraglia
Speaking in Philadelphia Friday night, Commissioner David Stern said he was aware the NBA has increased security around Celtics guard Tony Allen, though he wouldn't give specifics about the situation. "I want to say this the right way. That issue is not a new issue for us in our league over the last 25 years," Stern said Friday before watching the 76ers play the Orlando Magic in Game 3 of their first-round series. "It's just you haven't read about it and we haven't talked about it. I'm not going to talk about it now other than to say it's something we're aware of. We always deal with it and we have a security representative in every city. We liaise with law enforcement and we do what we have to do at all times. It's nothing new at all." The Boston Herald and Boston Globe both reported on Friday that Allen, a Chicago native, has been receiving death threats. Game 4 between the Celtics and Bulls is set for Sunday at 12:30 p.m. ET in Chicago.
Hornets avoid going down 3-0 with a close one-point win over Denver.
Chris Paul carried the team today- 32 points, 12 assists.
Chris Paul carried the team today- 32 points, 12 assists.
Sunday's Playoff Schedule- All Times Eastern
Boston at Chicago- Game 4- 1:00 PM [ABC(HD)]
Cleveland at Detroit- Game 4- 3:30 PM [ABC(HD)]
Orlando at Philadelphia- Game 4- 6:30 PM [TNT(HD)]
Portland at Houston- Game 4- 9:00 PM [TNT(HD)]
Boston at Chicago- Game 4- 1:00 PM [ABC(HD)]
Cleveland at Detroit- Game 4- 3:30 PM [ABC(HD)]
Orlando at Philadelphia- Game 4- 6:30 PM [TNT(HD)]
Portland at Houston- Game 4- 9:00 PM [TNT(HD)]
