I don't like insinuations that the bubble elevated certain teams.
However, how do you explain the Heat's regression?
However, how do you explain the Heat's regression?
NBA 2020-2021
- Thread starter altodevil
- Start date
I think the bubble did elevate certain teams and players. Just look at the Pacers. For the Heat, they lost Crowder to the Suns and they were an average team with a bad road record.
They were fresh in the bubble and thrived off their own atmosphere. Dragic, Herro, and Robinson played consistently well while Bam and Butler did their thing. Seemed like whoever came onto the floor shot lights out.
Yeah the Heat certainly adapted to the bubble better than most. I think it definitely contributed to their elevated performance. A lot of people are being quite critical of Bam online though. So maybe him just not playing as well this season is a big factor.
we just don't have the size to guard AD all game
Tbf, not many teams in the league can guard him...especially when he is on the floor with the 2nd unit against a 2nd unit!
Well played by the Lakers.
Booker and CP3 just can't get going and only Ayton and Payne showed up tonight.
Gotta hope for a better showing in game 4
Booker and CP3 just can't get going and only Ayton and Payne showed up tonight.
Gotta hope for a better showing in game 4
Time to give up on CP3 and give Payne the keys. Either that or there really is no hope.
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I only saw game one. How is Paul's shoulder?
I underestimated our defence. We can easily let Rivers score 21. Nuggets in 5, maybe 6. Pointless to get past them just to get spanked silly by Lakers.
Regression of their key players namely Herro, Bam, Robinson and Butler.
Like teams swapped their way of scoring. It will balance it out in next game 2:2
Did they really, or is it more that the bucks are just much much better than last season?
That actually means "there is no hope". Time to pray CP3's shoulder gets better
Eh, Nuggets also just shot lights out from 3. Not really the defence's fault honestly, they just made a lot of tough shots
Nurkic's foul trouble were the killer, he was giving you a chance on a night were you shot horribly from 3 while they went supernova. Take him out and it would have been a blowout
Still expect this series to go 7
Bucks have definitely benefited from Jrue Holiday being there and bring not only a solid third scorer but also a defensive presence. Middleton has also been better.
Payne's the best performing player in this series so far not named Anthony Davis. We need to ride his hot form and play CP3 lesser to let him try and heal up in order to try to win the series at home.
Sure, but short of payne actually morphing into a top 10 player in the league within the next 2 days, you have no chance unless CP3's shoulder heals
Shooters find it easier to score when they get to keep playing on the same court. They know where's their hot spot and their body doesn't lose the rhythm so it's much easier to make shots.
Whole team played like ass apart from Payne and Ayton. We can still steal a game to get back home court advantage if everyone shows up, especially Booker.
Booker just got to stop acting like he's a superstar in front of the Kardashians and just focus on playing ball.
Giannis is a better and smarter player also, and they have a better bench.
I think the Bucks are my favourites to win the title at this point, they almost have the perfect line-up to match the Nets too.
Ayton has been absolutely monstrous.
Lakers looking like they have gained some momentum.
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AD is rounding into form, quickly. He's upped his intensity for the Lakers, but having Schroeder has been a masterstroke. And the bench guys are just being reliable when they are paired with a LBJ, AD, or Schroeder.
Booker cannot be scoring less than 30 points if Paul is playing essentially one half of basketball. Lakers are throwing bodies at him, but he's got to adjust if Suns want to win another game in this series.
Booker cannot be scoring less than 30 points if Paul is playing essentially one half of basketball. Lakers are throwing bodies at him, but he's got to adjust if Suns want to win another game in this series.
They were in top form back there but were also much better in regular season than they were this season. I think their squad got significantly worse too. They virtually replaced Olynyk with Dedmon, Crowder with Ariza. Small moves on paper but every bit matters in the playoffs and the gap - especially between Ariza who offers nothing and Crowder - is massive.
Butler playing like shite doesn't help obviously. Bam looks lost too. Herro has gone from balling to shite.
Payne. Payton is the disaster playing 5 minutes a game for the Knicks now. Funny how they are literally using him to soak up the first 5 minutes so that Rose doesn't have to play too much.
Knicks v Hawks by far the most interesting series for me so far. Going to stay up tonight to watch it.
They have the perfect matchup right until KD, Harden and Kyrie show up and blow the doors off on them...
Let's be serious here, something must go seriously wrong with at least one of those for the Nets to not win the title. Too much firepower for everyone otherwise
Booke won't be scoring 30+ points if he's being doubled at will because Chris Paul can't do anything out there. As long as they think it's a good idea for Chris Paul to play they have no chance.
You're too feckin small
You have to love him
You're too feckin small
I have a feeling Dallas are going to lose both games at home.
I have followed Dallas throughout the season and they've had a knack of losing games they are expecting to win. They had a worse record against minus .500 teams than plus .500 teams if I remember correctly.
They're a streaky team whose offense based on their 3 point shooting, in the first two games their shooting was fantastic but there will be a game when shots aren't falling and they'll struggle. And it's not as if Clippers don't have players can't score on their own.
Patrick Beverley is the biggest bitch. Got absolutely toyed with and runs to the ref.
Nah, they might lose this one though I have a feeling, but they are a better team.
That insane shooting is from free positions and as much as people pointing out they can't shot like that all series you will have certainly 4 games of shooting like that if you allow it. This is actually all on Mavs. They will shut Luka to an extent, but he will provide those shots as Doncic is all about that.
If your gameplan relies on the other team shooting bad, you know you are in trouble.
Agreed. It's just super tough on the Suns and I don't believe the media is focusing on his injury enough and how it changes the Suns from a top seed 2 or 3 to a 7/8 seed.
CP3 either plays literally at 50% since half his body can't function or he's on the bench.
Luka will get his and quite easily because Clips either have to double him or run KL or PG at him. But he will still get to his spots or just make the right decisions to an open Hardaway is matching PG scoring wise. Then the other starters for Dallas have been 10+ pts each. Outside of KL and PG, that Clippers team struggles to get 10 or 15 from a couple more players. They might defer too much to KL and PG, but they also aren't knocking down shots.
Clippers are a mess of a team. I'm more surprised at the defined roles and discipline the Nets are showing, compared to the Clippers. Although the Nets should face stiffer tests going through the Sixers and/or Bucks.
Excatly. You would say they won't hit the tide running with all the stars there and they have absolutely no trouble. Clippers on the other hand are all over the place.
My surprise team, would be Jazz here. They look something like Heat of last season, can shot the lights out of everyone and have a great rim protection.
If I do have a bet, it is Lakers again though.
Playoff P is in the house
Also good to see the Celtics turning up
Also good to see the Celtics turning up
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In fairness to the Clippers, they are playing against the best player in the game. Not sure what they can do.
Ty Lue might be the worst coach in history, why do they keep switching?
correct
3 point game with less than ten minutes to play in the Dallas clippers game.
You answered your own question.
Damn Luka FT % on Shaquille O`Neal level
Yea I like the Mavs but they're going to choke this. They've shown a weak mentality this whole season and I wouldn't be surprised if they fold now the pressure is on them.
The supporting cast has been horrible today, Porzingis and THJ.
The supporting cast has been horrible today, Porzingis and THJ.