Cavs would prefer GSW in the finals rather than Spurs. Spurs are not a great match up for them.
Leonard vs LeBron would be the shit though.
Leonard vs LeBron would be the shit though.
NBA 2016-17
- Thread starter ArmchairCritic
- Start date
Think GSW are just saving their energy for playoffs, after last year and exerting themselves to break the record they ran out of puff when it really mattered.
No - Draymond Green decided to kick people in the nuts once too many times and Bogut got injured (AGAIN_\). 3-1 up, with all the momentum in the world...if, Draymond doesn't get suspended, they finish the Cavs off in 5.
As for them atm...this isn't them resting, but Steph and Klay not shooting very well. Steph is in a proper slump, he had a good game the other night, but his 3 point shooting has been really poor recently.
Against the Celtics, they had 8 turnovers in the 4th quarter - just sloppy, lackadaisical play. Durant is a big miss like everyone mentioned...but, they should have still won.
Their mentality is still quite weak, I don't think they really carry themselves as (excuse the pun) Warriors, or Champion-level players often enough. Plus they did get a few strokes of luck particularly against OKC in the run up to the final, it was bound to run out.
Steph & Klay will get their shooting back on track when it counts.
It wasn't luck that cost them last year. They had the Cavs dead to rights. Without Draymond making a "balls" of things, as @Neutral points out the series would have been over in 5. Where I do agree with you though is that I think they did "run out of puff" so to speak. I think they were right on the edge as far as being on their last legs were concerned after game 4. I think momentum would have carried them to the win in game 5. After the loss, they were done.
As to Steph and Klay, I hope they can get their shooting boots on again in time for the playoffs. Unfortunately, I don't think it's that simple. Up to KD's injury, I do think they were coasting somewhat. Now they are struggling - big time. They also have to play the Spurs twice, both on the second night of a back-to-back, the second game after playing Houston the night before. Personally, I think the number 1 seed is already gone or is at least out of their hands (Pop might decide to rest his guys to help them out). However, if KD can come back and be at 100%, I'd still marginally make them favorites to at least get out of the West and maybe to win it all.
I definitely agree with the coasting aspect, it looks like their mentality is focused more on the playoffs than their season form, and that's moreso what I mean.
At the end of the day they're still a Championship-calibre team and I'm sure they'll want revenge for last year.
I personally want Spurs to go to all the way, however I do think the trolling of the Warriors has been OTT too, and wouldn't mind them beating the Cavs either.
LeBron turned the clock back 10 years last night.
NURKIC!!!!!!!!!!
God, how absolutely incredible Nurkic is. 28 points, 20 rebounds (!!!), 8 assists (!!), 6 blocks, 2 steals and only 3 turnovers.
The best trade of season. Cannot believe we got this gem for Plumlee and they even added a pick. Season has just gone from a complete write-off to a proper exciting one. I know we would still lose to Warriors but we could give them a scare if Nurk is playing like that and Durant is still out. He'd absolutely toy with Pachulia and McGee in his current form.
God, how absolutely incredible Nurkic is. 28 points, 20 rebounds (!!!), 8 assists (!!), 6 blocks, 2 steals and only 3 turnovers.
The best trade of season. Cannot believe we got this gem for Plumlee and they even added a pick. Season has just gone from a complete write-off to a proper exciting one. I know we would still lose to Warriors but we could give them a scare if Nurk is playing like that and Durant is still out. He'd absolutely toy with Pachulia and McGee in his current form.
What is happening with Cavalieres? They've had 3 defeats in a row, and now Celtics are just 2 matches behind them (same as Spurs with Warriors).
Suddenly, the battle for the top has become interesting.
Suddenly, the battle for the top has become interesting.
They just don't care about regular season. They will cruise through games and only turn it up when their first seed is on the line (and maybe not even then).
I want Spurs to win it this year.
I know that they don't care, but at the same time they surely want the first spot. And now, the first spot is on risk.
This.
Spurs have a lot of weaknesses tbh and just like for the Dubs with KD wins seem to hide issues with the team. Spurs won 9 straight before today's loss but there were so many close games and so I don't think that the number 1 seed is done yet. Warriors definitely need to get a split in the two games left vs Spurs and then it will come down to which coach wants to take more risks.
What is up with LaMarcus Aldridge these days? Dude looks fat and like he doesn't really care.
Kawhi out due to concussion protocol...
Dubs lost AGAIN - Curry was trash.
Oh and Kerr said, Curry, Thompson, Green and Iggy will sit out tomorrow night against the Spurs.
Even without Kawhi...Spurs will win that game now for sure.
Dubs lost AGAIN - Curry was trash.
Oh and Kerr said, Curry, Thompson, Green and Iggy will sit out tomorrow night against the Spurs.
Even without Kawhi...Spurs will win that game now for sure.
It's strange to have all of them rest against Spurs considering the implications it could have for the playoffs, but I said they looked like they switched off for the regular season. Looks like Cavs are doing the same too
Saving face. We only lost to Spurs because we rested our stars.
I don't think they have switched off at all. You don't fight your way back from a 17 point deficit like they did last night if you've switched off. This has been a brutal trip (eight different cities in 12 nights) and with the additional loss of KD they are knackered. IMLTHO they would have lost this game against the Spurs anyway. Might as well just take it on the chin and go home.
Ma boi Jokić dominating again! Nuggets are a crazy team, they can pretty much beat any team, bar Spurs, Spurs are their cryptonite, but they can as well lose to anyone.
Too inconsistent atm but lots of talented young players like Jokić, Murray, Hernangomez, Mudiay, Beasley...
Too inconsistent atm but lots of talented young players like Jokić, Murray, Hernangomez, Mudiay, Beasley...
Mavs need to stop winning to assure themselves a chance in the lottery.
Dude they won't start tanking it now when they're just 1.5 win away from 8th spot. They're still very much in game.
How good is Jokic from the Nuggets?
I don't watch them regularly but he does seem a very fun player to watch.
I like what is going on at Denver.
I don't watch them regularly but he does seem a very fun player to watch.
I like what is going on at Denver.
Their best player pretty much.
Why would have they lost against Sopurs without Leonard?
Of course, now they would lose, but I don't see why Kerr is doing this. A victory against Spurs is worth more than any other victory, so they should have gone all in for this match IMO, and get again a healthy +2 point difference.
Aldridge out indefinitely with heart arrhythmia.
The Spurs are still a pretty good team without Kawhi. The Dubs have been awful this last 10 days and I don't think Steve Kerr wanted to take the chance of losing to a team that is probably going to be their biggest competition in the West and who didn't have their star player. Now that Aldridge is also out though, I am wondering if Kerr wishes he could have a do-over.
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Idiotic decision from the coach IMO. Warriors would have won for sure if they gone full strength against Spurs without Leonard, Aldridge and Parker. And with that win, the first spot would have been almost secured. Now, I think that the first spot is gone for good, considering that even if Dubs manage somehow to win as many matches as Spurs in the remaining games, Spurs lead 2-0 in head to head so they're gonna get the first spot.
At least Leonard should get the MVP award now. He surely deserves it.
The Heat are a super dangerous potential 8th seed.
This. Cavs want no part of them that early in the playoffs, that's for sure.
It's unbelievable what they have done in the second half this season. They're now 21-4 in the last 25 games (will be hard to maintain this run but it's still impressive).
Having said that it's still far from certain that they're gonna make the playoffs. They have some tough games to go and they're still effectively at 10th (they'll lose tonight).
Knicks have no shame, losing to Brooklyn
Big game for Harden vs the Cavs, didn't think we'd win this one.
I don't understand what happened to Heat. Personnel wise they are not good at all, before season you would maybe call Dragic and Whiteside good players and that's all. A lot of average players stepping up to a much higher level than you'd expect from them plus Whiteside monstering day in day out.
Anyone can win vs Cavs right now, their defense is absolute shambles. 22nd in DE.
Doubt that Rockets defense is much better.
I think it is the point when it starts to be worrying for Cavaliers. After cruising through February they are now 2-5 in their last 7 games.
Warriors vs Thunder as the first playoff series would be fun, even if the result is mostly foregone. The media will be rubbing their hands with glee.
If Durant is not there, the way the Dubs have been playing recently, the result is far from foregone.