Highlighting a great weekend of opening games from the 2011 NBA Playoffs, Shane Battier of the Grizzlies and Ray Allen of the Celtics hit clutch three-pointers to lead their teams to hard-earned victories. (below)
In other Game 1 action, Chris Paul absolutely took over, getting 33 points, 14 assists, and 4 steals, as the Hornets stunned the Lakers at Staples Center 109-100. OKC and Dallas both won close Game 1's in the other Western Conference matchups.
In the East, Chicago's Derrick Rose saved the Bulls from a embarrassing, flat loss to Indiana, the Hawks shot lights out and withstood Dwight Howard's 46-point outburst, and Miami survived a scare from the 76ers.
Game 2's start tonight, with 76ers-Heat @ 7 PM ET and Pacers-Bulls @ 9:30 PM ET on TNT.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Thursday, April 14, 2011
2011 NBA Playoffs- First Round Predictions
Western Conference
Spurs in 6 over Grizzlies: San Antonio has looked shaky down the stretch, and Memphis has actually improved as a team after losing Rudy Gay for the season. In the end, the playoff tested Spurs come out the victors, although Zach Randolph and the Grizz do finally win a playoff game.
Thunder in 6 over Nuggets: What a run the Nuggets have been on since the Carmelo Anthony trade. Nobody thought they could still make the playoffs without their superstar, but George Karl's squad has proved them wrong by playing as a true team. Against division rival OKC, it'll be a speedy point guard battle between Ty Lawson and Russell Westbrook. However, the Thunder also have scoring champ Kevin Durant and should have the advantage on the inside with Kendrick Perkins and Serge Ibaka against Nene and Kenyon Martin.
Mavericks in 7 over Trailblazers: It's a power forward match-up for the ages with Portland's LaMarcus Aldridge and Dallas' Dirk Nowitzki both borderline MVP candidates for their respective clubs. The Blazers are certainly capable of pulling off this upset, as Portland is very strong defensively, and Dallas has yet to consistently live up to its spectacular regular seasons with good postseasons. In the end, too much Dirk, Jason Terry, and J-Kidd is the difference.
Lakers in 5 over Hornets: The defending champs have been up and down again this season, but are once again favorites out West. Andrew Bynum may have the worst knees ever, but he, along with Pau Gasol will dominate New Orleans' bigs. (they are without David West) Chris Paul may be best player on court in the series, but Hornets just can't match the Lakers' length.
Eastern Conference
Bulls in 4 over Pacers: MVP D-Rose and Bulls roll over 37-win Indiana.
Magic in 6 over Hawks: Dwight Howard has made gigantic strides this season, after working with Hall of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon in the offseason. The effectiveness of Hawks center Al Horford's single-coverage defense on him will determine how long this series lasts. Both teams like to bomb three-pointers away, but I like Orlando's overall balance better than Atlanta's dependence on Joe Johnson.
Celtics in 6 over Knicks: C's traded away (in my mind) its 18th title earlier this year when it dumped center Kendrick Perkins, replacing him in the lineup with broken down Jermaine O'Neal and undersized Nenad Krstic. But more in later series. New York has Amare and Carmelo, the two best offensive players in the series, but as a team, is pathetically awful defensively, and Boston is too well coached not to execute offensively.
Heat in 5 over 76ers: Doug Collins has done a great job in his first season in Philly, and he has an outstanding bench led by Thaddeus Young and first team led by emerging star point guard Drue Holliday. However, Miami just has too much firepower with LeBron, D-Wade, and Chris Bosh.
Spurs in 6 over Grizzlies: San Antonio has looked shaky down the stretch, and Memphis has actually improved as a team after losing Rudy Gay for the season. In the end, the playoff tested Spurs come out the victors, although Zach Randolph and the Grizz do finally win a playoff game.
Thunder in 6 over Nuggets: What a run the Nuggets have been on since the Carmelo Anthony trade. Nobody thought they could still make the playoffs without their superstar, but George Karl's squad has proved them wrong by playing as a true team. Against division rival OKC, it'll be a speedy point guard battle between Ty Lawson and Russell Westbrook. However, the Thunder also have scoring champ Kevin Durant and should have the advantage on the inside with Kendrick Perkins and Serge Ibaka against Nene and Kenyon Martin.
Mavericks in 7 over Trailblazers: It's a power forward match-up for the ages with Portland's LaMarcus Aldridge and Dallas' Dirk Nowitzki both borderline MVP candidates for their respective clubs. The Blazers are certainly capable of pulling off this upset, as Portland is very strong defensively, and Dallas has yet to consistently live up to its spectacular regular seasons with good postseasons. In the end, too much Dirk, Jason Terry, and J-Kidd is the difference.
Lakers in 5 over Hornets: The defending champs have been up and down again this season, but are once again favorites out West. Andrew Bynum may have the worst knees ever, but he, along with Pau Gasol will dominate New Orleans' bigs. (they are without David West) Chris Paul may be best player on court in the series, but Hornets just can't match the Lakers' length.
Eastern Conference
Bulls in 4 over Pacers: MVP D-Rose and Bulls roll over 37-win Indiana.
Magic in 6 over Hawks: Dwight Howard has made gigantic strides this season, after working with Hall of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon in the offseason. The effectiveness of Hawks center Al Horford's single-coverage defense on him will determine how long this series lasts. Both teams like to bomb three-pointers away, but I like Orlando's overall balance better than Atlanta's dependence on Joe Johnson.
Celtics in 6 over Knicks: C's traded away (in my mind) its 18th title earlier this year when it dumped center Kendrick Perkins, replacing him in the lineup with broken down Jermaine O'Neal and undersized Nenad Krstic. But more in later series. New York has Amare and Carmelo, the two best offensive players in the series, but as a team, is pathetically awful defensively, and Boston is too well coached not to execute offensively.
Heat in 5 over 76ers: Doug Collins has done a great job in his first season in Philly, and he has an outstanding bench led by Thaddeus Young and first team led by emerging star point guard Drue Holliday. However, Miami just has too much firepower with LeBron, D-Wade, and Chris Bosh.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Charl Schwartzel Wins Masters
Incredible drama at Augusta National today in the final round of the 2011 Masters. At one point down the stretch of the back nine, nine golfers were within two shots of the lead.
In the end, it was South African Charl Schwartzel who came away with the green jacket and his first major championship. Schwartzel birdied the final four holes of his round, to finish at -13 and defeat Australians Adam Scott and Jason Day by two shots.
"It was just such an exciting day," Schwartzel said. "There were so many roars and the atmosphere out there was just incredible.
Among those adding to the roar was Tiger Woods, who shot 67 today, including -5 on the front nine. However, he was even-par on the back-nine, falling four back in a tie with Geoff Ogilvy and Luke Donald. Three-round leader Rory McIlroy, who had a four shot lead coming into today, led throught nine holes, but completely fell apart on the back 9, and finished shooting an 80.
In the end, it was South African Charl Schwartzel who came away with the green jacket and his first major championship. Schwartzel birdied the final four holes of his round, to finish at -13 and defeat Australians Adam Scott and Jason Day by two shots.
"It was just such an exciting day," Schwartzel said. "There were so many roars and the atmosphere out there was just incredible.
Among those adding to the roar was Tiger Woods, who shot 67 today, including -5 on the front nine. However, he was even-par on the back-nine, falling four back in a tie with Geoff Ogilvy and Luke Donald. Three-round leader Rory McIlroy, who had a four shot lead coming into today, led throught nine holes, but completely fell apart on the back 9, and finished shooting an 80.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Connecticut Shuts Down Butler for Title
53, 
41The Huskies' size defensive effort and Butler's offensive woes made for the worst shooting performance in NCAA championship history, as Butler made an embarrassing 12 of 64 shots to finish shooting 18.8% for the game, breaking a record for futility that had stood since 1941. The Bulldogs finished with just 19 points in the second half, as UConn's length on the inside (Huskies had 10 blocks) and quickness on the perimeter thorough frustrated Butler, as their leading scorers Shelvin Mack and Matt Howard combined to shoot 5 of 28.
As bad as their offense was in the game, don't knock Butler for not playing hard. Leading 22-19 at halftime, the Bulldogs' defense did not let up until late in the game when they had to gamble for steals. Star point guard Kemba Walker was held to just 16 points on 5 for 19 shooting. The Huskies made just one three pointer in the game. However, the impact guard Jeremy Lamb and center Alex Oriakhi made in the game, with the latter scoring 11 points, grabbing 11 rebounds, and blocking 4 shots, along with Butler's incompetent shooting helped UConn grab control of the game in the second half. When it was all over, the Huskies had won their unprecedented 11th straight tournament game to end the season with the championship trophy.
"You see the tears on my face," Walker said. "I have so much joy in me, it's unreal. It's surreal. I'm so happy right now."
Monday, April 4, 2011
2011 NCAA Championship Preview
#8 
vs. #3
8:23 PM CT CBS
Tonight, deep in the heart of Houston, the 2011 NCAA Basketball champion will be crowned on the floor of Reliant Stadium. In a season without a super-team, it has come down to the Connecticut Huskies, just 9-9 in the Big East, but winners of 10 straight tournament games (5 Big East, 5 NCAA) and the Butler Bulldogs, last year's national finalist that was one shot away from slaying mighty Duke, and ready to win this one.
Leading each of their respective teams are senior point guards in what should be an amazing position battle tonight: Shelvin Mack of Butler vs. Kemba Walker of UConn. More importantly, down low in the paint, Butler bigs Matt Howard and Andrew Smith must be successful against the UConn front-line of Alex Oriakhi and Roscoe Smith to give Butler an additional dimension in the back court. The play of Huskie freshman guard Jeremy Lamb on the biggest stage against the more-experienced Butler senior Shawn Vanzant will also go a long will in determining a champion.
In the end, although I will be rooting hard for Brad Stevens and the Cinderella story of the Bulldogs, I have to go with Kemba Walker and the Huskies to win the game.
My pick: UConn
vs. #3
8:23 PM CT CBSTonight, deep in the heart of Houston, the 2011 NCAA Basketball champion will be crowned on the floor of Reliant Stadium. In a season without a super-team, it has come down to the Connecticut Huskies, just 9-9 in the Big East, but winners of 10 straight tournament games (5 Big East, 5 NCAA) and the Butler Bulldogs, last year's national finalist that was one shot away from slaying mighty Duke, and ready to win this one.
Leading each of their respective teams are senior point guards in what should be an amazing position battle tonight: Shelvin Mack of Butler vs. Kemba Walker of UConn. More importantly, down low in the paint, Butler bigs Matt Howard and Andrew Smith must be successful against the UConn front-line of Alex Oriakhi and Roscoe Smith to give Butler an additional dimension in the back court. The play of Huskie freshman guard Jeremy Lamb on the biggest stage against the more-experienced Butler senior Shawn Vanzant will also go a long will in determining a champion.
In the end, although I will be rooting hard for Brad Stevens and the Cinderella story of the Bulldogs, I have to go with Kemba Walker and the Huskies to win the game.
My pick: UConn
Sunday, April 3, 2011
UConn Advances, Ousts Kentucky
In the nightcap from H-Town, Connecticut survived a second half rally from Kentucky and nipped the Wildcats 56-55 to advance to the national final on Monday night. The Huskies were up 10 at the half, but had to overcome a 16-5 run by the Wildcats to start the second half. In the end, Kemba Walker rose to the occasion, scoring 18 points, grabbing 6 rebounds, and dishing out 7 assists, as UConn is one win away from its third championship. For Kentucky, a great season comes to an end, with John Calipari's latest team of freshmen to head to a Final Four falling one point short of a title game appearance. In most likely their last college game, NBA lottery-bound point guard Brandon Knight had 17 points to lead Kentucky, while forward Terrence Jones added 11 points and 15 rebounds.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Butler Advances to Championship
Butler is in the national final for the second straight year, after defeating VCU 70-62 at Reliant Stadium in Houston. Bulldog seniors Shelvin Mack and Matt Howard had 24 and 17 points, respectively, as the tournament-experienced team from Indy stopped the Cinderella run of the Rams. For coach Shaka Smart and VCU, who I didn't even have winning a single game in the tournament, an amazing season comes to an end. Jamie Skeen had 27 points and 6 rebounds in the loss.
Game 2 Pick: In a rematch of an earlier season matchup, I like the tournament-tested Huskies over the upstart Wildcats from Kentucky. Brandon Knight and Kemba Walker should be an amazing guard matchup, but in the end, I have to lean with the team with the best player on the court.
Game 2 Pick: In a rematch of an earlier season matchup, I like the tournament-tested Huskies over the upstart Wildcats from Kentucky. Brandon Knight and Kemba Walker should be an amazing guard matchup, but in the end, I have to lean with the team with the best player on the court.
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