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New York Knicks – Rivalry is all That’s Left
It’s been a weird and mostly disappointing season for the New York Knicks, but at least they won their regular season series against the Brooklyn Nets, not needing Carmelo Anthony to beat a team that actually has something to play for 109-98.
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Golden State Warriors – This Style is Their Only Chance
This season was supposed to be about taking a step forward if you’re the Golden State Warriors, and for that to happen they need more games like their 130-120 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, which makes everyone forget about defense while Stephen Curry has the space and freedom to show us his full range of abilities.
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Houston Rockets – Dwight Howard Matters More Than Jeremy Lin & James Harden This Time
Even though we love to focus on the “power struggles” between James Harden hero ball and Jeremy Lin-style basketball, the 104-98 win for the Houston Rockets over the San Antonio Spurs was mostly about Dwight Howard and the front court dominating to complete a four-game sweep in the regular season over the team with the best record in the N
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Oklahoma City Thunder – Kevin Durant Should be Worried
One more game left before the end of the season, and the Oklahoma City Thunder still haven’t sewn up the second spot in the Eastern conference. A 101-89 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans did come while Russell Westbrook wasn’t playing, but it went to show once more that all the superlatives thrown at Kevin Durant and his scoring ability might be masking other, more serious problems this team has.
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NBA Playoffs – Memphis Grizzlies In, Phoenix Suns Out
The Memphis Grizzlies had the luxury of losing in a do or die game for the Phoenix Suns but came away with the win that clinched them a playoff spot, winning 97-91 to make it a fourth consecutive postseason while the Suns came a lot closer than anyone expected them to.
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NBA Playoffs – Miami Heat Not Even Trying to Finish First
Even though there was still a chance to finish first in the Eastern Conference, the Miami Heat have decided to opt out of the race for it by resting LeBron James and Chris Bosh in a 114-93 loss to the Washington Wizards, with Dwyane Wade getting a few minutes to get himself in playing shape for the upcoming postseason.
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Portland Trail Blazers – LaMarcus Aldridge Makes Them Believe
The Golden State Warriors continue to look like a team that isn’t going very far no matter how many points Stephen Curry scores while the Portland Trail Blazers have been hit with a jolt of lightning named LaMarcus Aldridge, leading them to a 119-117 win and feeling a lot more confident heading into the playoffs.
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Pacers Over Thunder – Kevin Durant Can be Stopped
Contrary to popular belief, Kevin Durant isn’t that clutch, and he actually can be blocked. The Oklahoma City Thunder lost to the desperate Indiana Pacers who played an improved blend of bad offense and excellent defense, as Russell Westbrook showed once again how unintelligent he can be with some macho moves that make no difference, and the 102-97 win brings the Pacers closer to clinching that crucial top spot in the Eastern conference.
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Dallas Mavericks – Dirk Nowitzki, Back in the Playoffs
A year after bearding their way through the season and not making the playoffs, the Dallas Mavericks are back where they’re used to be, which means postseason basketball, following a 101-98 win over the Phoenix Suns after huge night from Monta Ellis who got plenty of help from Dirk Nowitzki.
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NBA Playoffs – No Celtics, Knicks & Lakers For the First Time Ever
The two royal dynasties of the NBA are the Boston Celtics with their 17 championships, followed by the Los Angeles Lakers winning 16. The New York Knicks only have two, but they’re a special part of the league’s history, and for the first time all three teams aren’t going to be in the playoffs, while Carmelo Anthony, part of his equation, missed the postseason for the first time in his career.