Game 7: Grizzlies vs Thunder

05/15/11

Our first Game 7 of this years NBA Playoffs. And boy it should be a good one.

With the game heading back to the Thunder's homecourt in Oklahoma City, it would seem that the Thunder have the advantage in this game, but, this series has been anything but predictable. Both teams have stole a game from the others homecourt.

We saw an amazing turnaround by the Grizzlies in Game 6 when they came back from a 10 pt halftime deficit, and pulled off the win by 13 pts. This after losing by 27 in Game 5. The Grizzlies never lose that edge that they are ever too far down to come back and win. They are an extremely resilient team. How much will they be able to withstand if the Thunder do make a big run at some point in the game?

In Game 6 we saw the Grizzlies defense really step up and shut down the Thunder in the second half. The Thunder shot 29% and shot 11 for 38, and scoring a total of 29 pts in the second half combined.

The Grizzlies got huge play from Zach Randolph who had 30 pts, and 13 rebounds. Coach Lionel Hollins also made a call to put OJ Mayo into the starting lineup instead of playing Sam Young. That proved to pay huge dividends. Mayo scored 16 huge pts, and also had 4 steals. Mike Conley still struggled shooting going 3-12 for the game, but he had 11 pts and 12 assists.

Where was Kevin Durant? Seems as if he gets shaken up a little bit by the tough and physical defense of Shane Battier and Tony Allen. Durant shot just 3-14, and had only 11 pts. Durant had this to say after the game. " "It was frustrating to go out there and prepare so hard and not play as hard as I wanted to. But I have to stay positive. My teammates always encourage me, so I feel good about that. I just have to get back to work tomorrow. It's going to be a tough Game 7 at our place, so I'm looking forward to it".
The Thunder just can't win without getting good play out of him, and he better give it his all in Game 7, or the Thunder will be heading home.

A bright spot for the Thunder was Russell Westbrook's play, he had 27 pts on 50% shooting, but he did have 5 turnovers and shot 22 times. It should be interesting to see who will get the most shots between Durant and Westbrook, after a lot of people were talking about there being a minor dispute between the two about shot selection and number of shots.

Keys to Thunder victory:

1. Shut down Zach Randolph. Shut him down and the Thunder walk out with a victory, plain and simple. Randolph is what makes that team go offensively. Without him scoring the bulk of the points for the Grizzlies, they just don't have enough other fire power to get a win.

2. Win the rebounding aspect of the game. Keep the Grizzlies away from getting offensive boards, and second chance points.

3. Kevin Durant should have more shots than Russell Westbrook by games end. I'd say the most Westbrook should shoot is about 20 shots.

4. Get to the free throw line. Westbrook and Durant do this extremely well when they win, and lead the league in free throw attempts per game. If they can get 8-10 free throws a piece, that would be huge.

5. Need production from somebody off the bench. James Harden has played great in most games, but they need an extra weapon off the bench to play well, whether it be Eric Maynor, or Daequan Cook.


Keys to Grizzlies victory:

1. Zach Randolph has to score 25+ pts, and have over 10 rebounds to even have a chance.

2. Marc Gasol and Randolph need to pound the offensive glass and get as many second chance pts as possible.

3. Shoot the 3 ball well. The Grizzlies need someone to help spread the floor by hitting some 3's and help loosen the Thunder defense up inside. Mayo helped with that in Game 6.

4. Shut down Kevin Durant and make Russell Wesbrook take the bulk of the shots. Battier and Allen have done a great job roughing him up, and getting him off his game.

5. Same as the Thunder. The Grizzlies need some bench production. Sam Young, Darrell Arthur, Greivis Vasquez, and Shane Battier all have had some decent games. Tonight in Game 7, they all need to show up.


Who will be heading to Dallas to play the Mavericks in the Western Conference Finals???

Image Source Page: http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2010/may/27/grizzlies-randolph-zach-remains-valued-member-griz/

Miami Heat vs Chicago Bulls: Eastern Conference Finals Preview

05/13/11

With the Chicago Bulls winning their series last night against the Atlanta Hawks, we now have one of the best matchups in this years NBA Playoffs.

We will get to see MVP Derrick Rose clash with former 2-Time MVP Lebron James, and superstars Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh.

This series could go 7 games, and have some of the most exciting highlights to come.

The Chicago Bulls beat the Miami Heat during the regular season all 3 times they faced each other. But, the Miami Heat are a different team than they were during the regular season. Right now they are meshing better than ever, and playing extremely good defense. It will be interesting to see what types of scores the games will end up, as both of these teams are extremely good on the defense of end.

The keys to the Bulls success:

1. Carlos Boozer HAS to play well, and by well, I mean extremely well. They cannot afford to get the same type of production they got from him in the previous series. He must be tough on the boards, and be an offensive threat to relieve Derrick Rose of all that scoring pressure.

2. Derrick Rose can't be taking 30+ shots a game. He just can't. They will lose every single time that happens. Rose needs to be the distributor, drive the lane and draw fouls on the Heat defense. Make them be the reactor, and be aggressive.

3. Hold the Heat from having too many easy fast break points that gets the crowd ignited. If they can limit their own turnovers, and force the Heat to play more of a half court offense, that should bode well for the Bulls.

4. Kyle Korver. Any basketball fan will know why. His shooting stretches the floor so much for the Bulls, and they could use somebody to really make the defense think twice about collapsing the lane on Rose.

The keys to the Heat success:

1. It's obvious yes, but the Miami "Big 3" all have to produce, and with big numbers.

2. Chris Bosh has to put up big rebounding numbers, and really be the inside force for the Heat. Without some type of inside presence, the defense is going to focus all it's energy on Wade and Lebron. The Bulls are too good of a defensive team to allow that and still get a victory.

3. The bench. Somebody from the Heat bench has to step up. Whether it be Mike Bibby, James Jones, or even Mike Miller.

4. Another simple and obvious point, but the Heat have to limit what Derrick Rose does. Either force him to shoot 30+ times, or limit him getting good open shots for his teammates.


I'm looking forward for this star studded matchup. Whoever wins will be heading to the NBA Championship.

Either way, this years Championship game will have 2 brand new teams in it.

Image Source Page: http://theburnesblog.wordpress.com/2010/07/15/derrick-roses-path-to-superstardom/