The East Valley Tribune (Scott Bordow) reports: Mike D’Antoni likes to say that the ball will find the open man. That may be true in the second quarter of a January game, but it doesn’t always happen in May and June when the game slows down and becomes a half-court affair. If there’s one prescient thing Amaré Stoudemire said in the last few days — his comments about playing better defense are laughable considering he may be the Suns’ most inattentive defender — it’s that Phoenix needs to establish priorities on offense, much like the Spurs do. San Antonio knows exactly what it wants to do in the closing minutes of games. Phoenix still relies too heavily on Steve Nash’s improvisational skills. The Suns have to identify their first, second and third options and stick with them. They may become more predictable, but they’ll also become more reliable.
Month: May 2008
Nuggets not rising yet
The Sacramento Bee (Scott Howard-Cooper) reports: The Nuggets have made their moves (trading for Allen Iverson) and not made their moves (Artest), and it hasn’t mattered. They are still going nowhere fast, unable to register as more than a ripple in the West by going 31-28 last season after acquiring Iverson and 50-32 in 2007-08 as the eighth and final playoff entrant and a combined 1-8 in the two postseasons. And that supposed spike in interest once Iverson arrived? The Nuggets were 17th in attendance his first full season. The team with the No. 3 (Iverson) and No. 4 (Carmelo Anthony) scorers in the league, and center Marcus Camby as 2006-07 Defensive Player of the Year, squeezed into the playoffs and got summarily dispatched. The Nuggets didn’t get swept because Artest remained a King. They would have lost to the Lakers anyway. But there was something deserving about getting embarrassed after scuttling a trade for the best hope for a Bryant matchup because they didn’t want to part with Kleiza.
Wizards season ends
The Washington Post (Ivan Carter) reports on the Wizards: It’s a team that left its fans bouncing between optimism and pessimism. The Wizards (43-39 in the regular season) lost 10 games by 20 points or more but beat the Boston Celtics three times and finished 7-1 on the road in a Southeast Division that produced three playoff teams. Along with the Detroit Pistons, the Wizards are the only Eastern Conference team to make the playoffs four straight seasons. Then again, they’ve been knocked out of the first round three straight years by the same team and its dominating, just-entering-his-prime superstar. “We believed in each other all year,” said veteran guard Antonio Daniels, who played the final two months with a wrist injury that will require surgery this summer. “No matter what the circumstances were throughout the season, we laid it on the line. Guys played extremely hard, with a lot of heart, and a lot of confidence. I’m very proud of this team and the coaching staff.” HIGH POINT: Consecutive wins over the league-leading Celtics in January. Wizards fans won’t forget the sight of all-star Antawn Jamison celebrating a stunning comeback win in Boston on Jan. 14 by bounding to midcourt while doing a little wiggle dance. LOW POINT: Watching LeBron James and the Cavaliers celebrate yet another series-clinching victory Friday night, something that is becoming a Washington tradition right up there with the cherry blossoms.
May 3: Hornets 101, Spurs 82
The AP reports: David West scored a career playoff-high 30 points to lead New Orleans to a 101-82 victory over the San Antonio Spurs in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series Saturday night. Chris Paul added 17 points, 13 assists and four steals for New Orleans, which trailed by as much as 11 in the first half but stormed into the lead for good in the third quarter… One reason they’re off to such a good start against San Antonio is the way they played defense on Spurs center Tim Duncan. Duncan had what he considered one of the worst games of his stellar career, going 1-of-9 from the field for a career playoff-low five points and only three rebounds. Tyson Chandler was Duncan’s primary defender, but the Hornets also swarmed Duncan with double teams throughout the game, forcing San Antonio to look for points from outside. The Spurs hit 12 3-pointers in the game, but also missed 19. The Hornets dominated the inside, outrebounding San Antonio 50-34 and outscoring the Spurs 46-26 in the paint. The Hornets also shot 50 percent, while the Spurs finished at 40.8 percent.
InsideHoops.com Stat Notes: The Hornets shot 50%, the Spurs 40.8%. The Hornets took just 10 three-pointers, making 4, while the Spurs launched 31, hitting 12 (38.7%). Free throw attempts were fairly close, but the Spurs misssed plenty. The Hornets absolutely dominated the glass, getting 50 rebounds, the Spurs just 34. The Hornets had the assists edge, way fewer turnovers, and more steals.
For the Hornets, David West had 30 points, 9 rebounds and 2 steals. Peja Stojakovic had 22 points. Chris Paul on 16 shots had 17 points, 13 assists and 4 steals. Tyson Chandler (4-of-7) had 10 points, 15 rebounds and 3 blocks. Bonzi Wells scored 10.
For the Spurs, Tony Parker (9-of-17) had 23 points, 5 rebounds, and the same number of assists as turnovers (5). Manu Ginobili off the bench had 19 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists. Bruce Bowen (5-of-10, every shot was a three-point attempt) had one of his better offensive games with 17 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Mike Finley scored 13. Tim Duncan, in the worst game InsideHoops has ever seen him play, shot 1-of-9 for 5 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals and a block.
May 3: Pistons 91, Magic 73
The AP reports: The Detroit Pistons beat up Orlando physically and mentally. They shoved Dwight Howard out of his comfort zone and pushed the Magic’s buttons during heated exchanges, leading to Detroit’s 91-72 win Saturday night in Game 1 of their second-round series… The game got emotional at times, leading to technicals against Rasheed Wallace along with Orlando’s Hedo Turkoglu and Rashard Lewis… Howard had a relatively quiet night with 12 points, eight rebounds and three blocks after being the first player to score 20 points and grab 20 rebounds in three playoff games since Wilt Chamberlain did it in 1972… Detroit took control with a 19-3 run in the third quarter and after the Magic pulled within seven points, the Pistons put them away with a 17-4 burst to open the fourth quarter.
InsideHoops.com Stat Notes: Neither team shot particularly well, but the Pistons at least managed 3-of-8 three-pointers, while the Magic hit an awful 2-of-15. Free throw attempts were similar, but the Magic missed half, going just 10-of-20. The Pistons had more rebounds, more assists, and half the turnovers.
For the Pistons, Chauncey Billups had 19 points and 7 assists. Richard Hamilton had 17 points and 6 rebounds. Tayshaun Prince (just 6-of-16) had 12 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists. Jason Maxiell, who started in place of Antonio McDyess (10 points, 5 rebounds off bench) had 12 points, 9 rebounds and 3 blocks.
For the Magic, Rashard Lewis (20 shots, no free throws) had 18 points and 7 rebounds. Hedo Turkoglu (16 shots) had 18 points and 7 rebounds. Dwight Howard had just 12 points, 8 rebounds and 3 blocks. No other Magic players scored double-digits or did much of anything else.
Maccabi Tel Aviv, CSKA Moscow in Euroleague championship
The AP reports: After overcoming an 18-point deficit in Friday’s semifinal, Maccabi Tel Aviv doesn’t see anything stopping it from getting revenge on CSKA Moscow in the Euroleague basketball final. The two teams both enter Sunday’s game seeking a sixth title — putting it second only to Real Madrid’s eight — but the Israeli club is also trying to make up for a thrilling 73-69 loss to CSKA two years ago that gave the Russian club its first crown in 35 years. Maccabi captain Derrick Sharp said Friday’s 92-85 comeback win over Montepaschi Siena — after trailing 36-18 in the first half — has made the team confident it will lift its third trophy since 2004… CSKA held off Spanish club Tau Ceramica 83-79 Friday and knows a stronger effort will be needed against its Israeli opponent.
May 2: Jazz 113, Rockets 91
The AP reports: The Jazz beat the Rockets 113-91 on Friday night to win the series 4-2 and avoid having to play a Game 7 on the road. The Jazz did that a year ago against the Rockets and didn’t want to push their luck again in Texas. The third quarter all but guaranteed they wouldn’t have to. Deron Williams scored 13 of his 25 points in the period, making three of four 3-pointers as the Jazz outscored the Rockets 27-11… Williams had just seven points at halftime, then took over the game in the third quarter. He was 4-for-7 from the field and pumped up his teammates as Utah pulled away on a 20-5 run. Houston had already cut a 17-point lead to four and Williams wanted the Jazz to pull away—and stay there… Houston relied almost entirely on Tracy McGrady, who couldn’t beat the Jazz by himself—even with his 40 points… Luis Scola was the only other Rockets player in double figures with 15 points. The Rockets lost point guard Rafer Alston with a sprained ankle late in the second quarter and the offense never recovered… Mehmet Okur had 19 points and 13 rebounds, and Carlos Boozer added 15 points and 10 boards. Andrei Kirilenko scored 11 points and Williams added nine assists. The Jazz found their long-range shooting and made 10 of 22 3-pointers. Utah was 2-for-23 from beyond the arc in the previous two games.
May 2: Hawks 103, Celtics 100
The AP reports: The Celtics are still the obvious favorite, having won all three games at their place by an average of 22 points. But the Hawks have lasted longer than anyone would have expected… The Celtics looked as shell-shocked as anyone. Paul Pierce fouled out and spent the final minutes on the bench with a towel draped over his head, barely able to watch… Marvin Williams led the Hawks with 18 points despite missing much of the fourth quarter with a sprained left knee. Kevin Garnett had 22 for the Celtics and Ray Allen added 20, but Pierce—the other member of Boston’s Big Three—fouled out on a disputed call with 4:44 remaining… Joe Johnson, who went to the final period with just seven points on 3-of-9 shooting, came alive in the fourth. He saved his biggest shot for the end, getting James Posey in the air with a pump fake before hitting Atlanta’s only 3-pointer of the game to make it 100-95… Atlanta got double figures from every starters. Besides Williams’ 18, Bibby had 17, rookie Al Horford 16, Johnson 15, and Smith—who played less than 30 minutes because of foul trouble—finished with 11. Off the bench, Childress had 15 points and six rebounds, while Pachulia contributed nine points and six rebounds.
May 2: Cavs 105, Wizards 88
The AP reports: LeBron James had the last word. In an NBA playoff series filled with trash talk, hard fouls, 13 technicals, one ejection, one suspension and plenty more, James was everywhere and did a little bit of everything in Game 6. And, in what’s become his personal rite of spring, he led the Cleveland Cavaliers past the Washington Wizards. James compiled 27 points, 13 rebounds and 13 assists for his third career playoff triple-double, all the while helping slow Caron Butler at the defensive end, and the Cavaliers beat the Wizards 105-88 on Friday night to close the contentious series… It’s the third consecutive postseason that the Cavaliers eliminated the Wizards in the first round—ending each of those series on Washington’s home floor… He was more of a passer than a scorer early, with twice as many assists (four) as shot attempts (two) in the first quarter. That allowed his teammates to get in a rhythm, and Wally Szczerbiak scored a career playoff-best 26 points, Daniel Gibson added 22, and they combined to make 10 of Cleveland’s 11 3-pointers… Antawn Jamison led Washington with 23 points and 15 rebounds. The Cavaliers were ahead 56-48 at halftime, thanks in large part to a 15-0 run during the second quarter and 7-for-12 shooting on 3-pointers. The Wizards? They were 3-for-12 on 3s to that point.
Report: Kobe Bryant will win MVP
The AP reports: Kobe Bryant has won the NBA’s MVP award for the first time, the Los Angeles Times reported on its Web site Friday night, citing anonymous sources familiar with the outcome of voting by media members. The newspaper reported that commissioner David Stern will be in Los Angeles next week to present the trophy to Bryant.