Month: April 2009

Billups leads Nuggets past Hornets in Game 1

The AP reports: Chauncey Billups scored 36 points and made a career-best eight 3-pointers in leading Denver to a 113-84 rout of the New Orleans Hornets, the second-biggest blowout in the Nuggets’ playoff history. Capitalizing on their first home-court edge in a playoff series in 21 years, the Nuggets nearly bested their previous biggest margin of victory, a 141-111 wallop of San Antonio back in 1985. Billups sank four of his 3s in the third quarter, when the Nuggets began to turn a tight game into a laughter. At one point, they led by 34. Denver used a 21-0 run spanning the third and fourth quarters to build a 95-69 cushion, a run that was highlighted by Billups’ seventh and eighth 3s.

InsideHoops.com notes: The Nuggets shot 50.7%, the Hornets just 37.2%. Both teams were excellent from three-point range. The Nuggets rebounded well… For Denver, Carmelo Anthony shot just 4-of-12 for 13 points and 7 rebounds – a quiet night… Denver simply had more contributions from across the board. Very few Hornets stepped up.

Hawks destroy Heat 90-64 in Game 1

The AP reports: With Josh Smith delivering one rim-shaking dunk after another and plenty of teammates chipping in, the Hawks made Miami look like a one-man team, running Dwyane Wade and the Heat ragged for a 90-64 blowout in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference series Sunday night… “We can’t worry about what anyone else is doing,” Joe Johnson said. “We’ve got to control our own destiny.” For one night at least, they did just that by holding Wade to 19 points—11 below his NBA-leading average—and allowing only one other Miami player to reach double figures… The Hawks tied a franchise record for fewest points allowed in a playoff game. Wade spent much of the night on his backside or complaining to the referees, his frustration growing as the Hawks raced to a 20-point lead by halftime in the opener to the best-of-seven series.

InsideHoops.com notes: The Heat shot just 36.6%… Both teams were lousy from three-point range… The Hawks had 50 rebounds, the Heat 35. The Hawks had 23 assists, the Heat 12… All five Hawks starters scored 10 or more points, plus Zaza Pachulia had 10 with 10 rebounds off the bench… Wade had 19 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals but 8 turnovers.

Iguodala jumper helps Sixers stun Magic in game 1

The AP reports: Andre Iguodala made a 22-foot jumper with 2.2 seconds remaining, and the Sixers rallied from an 18-point deficit to beat Orlando 100-98 in Game 1 of their opening-round playoff series Sunday… Iguodala had 20 points, eight rebounds and eight assists, and Louis Williams scored 18 to help the Sixers beat the Magic for the first time in four tries this season—and when it mattered most. Hedo Turkoglu’s fadeaway 3-pointer missed at the buzzer, and Magic fans stood in disbelief before filing out quietly… Dwight Howard had a career playoff-high 31 points and 16 rebounds, and rookie Courtney Lee scored 18 for the Magic. It was the biggest lead the Magic blew all season, topping the loss on Oct. 31 to Memphis when they were ahead by 15 points. Game 2 in the best-of-seven series is Wednesday night in Orlando.

InsideHoops.com notes: This game was pretty even. The Sixers were better from outside, but rebounds, assists, turnovers, steals, blocks and fouls were all extremely close… Willie Green and Sam Dalembert only played 17 minutes each… Lou Williams shot 7-of-11 for 18 points off the bench… Donyell Marshall, who many fans forgot existed, came off Philly’s bench to shoot 4-of-5, including 3-of-4 three-pointers, for 11 points in just 11 minutes.

Lakers beat Jazz 113-100 to win Game 1

The AP reports: Kobe Bryant scored 24 points, Trevor Ariza added 21 and Pau Gasol 20 as the Lakers pretty much had their way against the eighth-seeded Jazz. They led by 22 points at halftime and then answered resoundingly both times Utah got within nine in the second half… Carlos Boozer led the Jazz with 27 points and Deron Williams added 16 points and a career playoff-high 17 assists. Both were in foul trouble, with Boozer getting his third just before halftime when Williams already had two… The Jazz sorely missed Mehmet Okur, who sat out with a mild right hamstring strain. He averages 17 points and 7.5 rebounds and gives Utah a much-needed inside presence against the Lakers’ twin 7-footers, Andrew Bynum and Gasol.

InsideHoops.com notes: The Lakers shot 55.6%, the Jazz just 39.1%. And the Lakers nailed 7-of-15 three-pointers, the Jazz just 3-of-13. Bryant had 24 points and 8 assists, but 6 turnovers. Ariza shot 8-of-10 for his 21 points. Gasol shot 7-of-11 and also had 4 blocks. Boozer shot 11-of-16.

Free t-shirts for 76ers fans in Philly at Game 3

As the Philadelphia 76ers now lead their series 1-0 over Orlando, fans will bring some extra KRYPTONITE against “Superman” Dwight Howard when the Sixers return home this Friday (April 24) and Sunday (April 26).

Fans attending Game 3 at the Wachovia Center on Friday, April 24 at 8 p.m. will receive a free lime-green Kryptonite T-Shirt (image attached).  Fans attending Game 4 on Sunday, April 26 at 6:30 p.m. will receive free Kryptonite Green Glow Sticks.

Anthony Johnson dunks in game 1

Sunday afternoon the Orlando Magic are hosting the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 1 of the 2009 NBA playoffs round 1.

And at the very end of the first quarter, Magic guard Anthony Johnson, who is about 93 years old, saw an opening, drove right down the middle of the paint and threw down an enthusiastic one-handed slam. And he did it despite big, tall, shot-blocker Theo Ratliff running over to help.

Magic bench player Marcin Gortat was so excited, he ran a few feet onto the court in celebration, until coach Stan Van Gundy grabbed and pulled him away from a potential technical foul situation.

76ers need more home fan support

I’m looking at attendance stats for the 2008-09 season, and notice that the Philadelphia 76ers had the lowest average home attendance of any team that qualified for the playoffs.

The Wizards and Clippers, who were absolutely awful this season, had more fans at their home games than the Sixers did.

With 41 wins and 41 losses, Philly was good enough to land them the 6-seed in the Eastern conference playoffs. They’re a good, fun team that deserves more filled seats at home.

Post your opinion in this forum topic.

Fans predict first round playoff results

InsideHoops.com posted a poll two days ago asking fans to predict the results of the 2009 NBA playoffs first round.

In the East:

325 fans picked the Cavaliers to beat the Pistons. Just 29 picked Detroit.
321 fans picked the Magic to beat the 76ers. Just 20 picked Philadelphia.
258 fans picked the Celtics to beat the Bulls. 87 picked Chicago.
And in the East’s only fairly close result, 183 fans picked the Heat while 155 picked the Hawks.

As expected, other than the Lakers-Jazz series, the voting was pretty close in the West:

336 fans picked the Lakers to beat the Jazz. Just 17 picked Utah.
241 fans picked the Nuggets to beat the Hornets. 113 picked New Orleans.
224 fans picked the Spurs to beat the Mavericks. 122 picked Dallas.
198 fans picked the Trail Blazers to beat the Rockets. 152 picked Houston.

Yao has 24 points, Rockets beat Blazers 108-81

The AP reports: The 7-foot-6 Yao Ming scored nine of Houston’s first 11 points and finished with 24 in the Rockets’ 108-81 victory over the Trail Blazers on Saturday night. It was the opener of their first-round playoff series… Yao scored all of his points in the first half, and added nine rebounds. He hit all nine of his attempts from the field and all six of his free throws… Aaron Brooks added 27 points for the Rockets, who haven’t advanced out of the first round of the playoffs since 1997. Brandon Roy had 21 points for the Blazers in their first playoff appearance since the 2002-03 season. Portland embraced the young team this season, and some 10,000 fans showed up at a downtown rally earlier in the week in support of the team… Luis Scola finished with 19 points, and Artest had 17.

Mavericks beat Spurs 105-97 in Game 1

The AP reports: In a giant Game 1 road victory for the Mavericks, who hadn’t won a road playoff game or postseason series since going to the NBA finals in 2006, Josh Howard scored 25 points and Dallas stole the home-court edge in 105-97 victory Saturday night… Tim Duncan scored 27 points, and Tony Parker had 24 for the Spurs… Jason Terry scored 12 points for the Mavs, including two 3-pointers. But the NBA’s leading candidate for Sixth Man of the Year took a backseat in the fourth to Barea, whose floating runner with 5:31 left made it 93-83.