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2013 NBA Playoff Scenarios
Entering the final day of the 2012-2013 NBA Season, there is still one ticket to the playoffs up for grabs, going to either the Los Angeles Lakers or the Utah Jazz, while the Houston Rockets, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, Denver Nuggets and Memphis Grizzlies have positional battles in the West; the Atlanta Hawks and the Chicago are the only teams left interested in the finish out East.
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Los Angeles Lakers – Dwight Howard is Better Off Without Kobe Bryant
The sample size of the games without Kobe Bryant this season is too small up until now (only three), but the early conclusion is that the Los Angeles Lakers aren’t doomed without their alleged best player, especially when his absence makes life a little bit easier for everyone on the floor, and especially Dwight Howard, who like it or not is made to be a star on a team, and not just a bystander waiting for a chance.
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Houston Rockets – Jeremy Lin Perfectly Complements James Harden
Sometimes, when a talented player like James Harden goes off on an unstoppable shooting spree, it really doesn’t matter that the backcourt relationship and balances is often all wrong for the Houston Rockets, putting too few of the possession time in the hands of Jeremy Lin. However, it takes a smart player to know where the flow of the game is going, and Lin doesn’t get enough credit for being a very intelligent basketball player.
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Denver Nuggets – Andre Iguodala Can Still Play Like a Superstar
During his evolution as an NBA player, Andre Iguodala turned from an athletic, electrifying scorer into a defensive stopped and someone who can do pretty much anything on the court. But with Kenneth Faried twisting his ankle while Wilson Chandler and Corey Brewer weren’t really in the kind of shooting zone they’ve been recently, it was up to Iggy to revert to his old form and lead the Denver Nuggets to another franchise record.
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New York Knicks – Chris Copeland Makes Up for Ordinary Carmelo Anthony
After seven consecutive games of scoring over 31 points, Carmelo Anthony had to take a little breather from out-of-this-world shooting, without having to worry about the New York Knicks needing him too badly. Thanks to the surprising contribution of Chris Copeland while the more expected scoring of J.R. Smith also came in handy, there really wasn’t any need for ‘Melo to be special.
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Miami Heat – LeBron James Isn’t MVP’ish All the Time
Some nights, LeBron James is just normal, which means he plays better than most NBA players and not every single one of them. Luckily for him, he’s got a good enough band of teammates at the Miami Heat to make up for these weaker games, and notch up another win that was more about revenge and feeling good than anything else.
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Ricky Rubio & Derrick Williams Make the Minnesota Timberwolves Worth Watching
It’s been a long time since the Minnesota Timberwolves last had a chance to make the postseason, but it doesn’t mean they can’t make the garbage time of the season a little bit more fun, and with Ricky Rubio back to the best of his ability, making Derrick Williams seem like someone Rick Adelman sorta missed out on this season, it does look like a team worthwhile watching despite the lack of playoff interest or chances.
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Los Angeles Clippers & The Most Important Win of the Season
We didn’t see anything special from Chris Paul or Blake Griffin, yet the Los Angeles Clippers looked quite pleased walking off the court in a game that proved once again that this team has the right mix of players, stars and bench guys to make this season the greatest in the history of the franchise, even if it means that winning basketball isn’t going to be as flashy as we’ve gotten used to seeing from them on certain nights.
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Boston Celtics – Kevin Garnett & Paul Pierce Earn Late Rest
Resting Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett before the NBA playoffs begin seems to be a must for Doc Rivers, and by finally clinching the 7th spot in the Eastern conference, he ensured he can give them minimal time on the court for the final two games of the season, while hoping it doesn’t throw them too much out of rhythm.
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Los Angeles Lakers – Getting Help From the NBA to Make the Playoffs
If it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it probably is a duck. The Los Angeles Lakers have been getting a lot of help from officials, or at least is seems that way, to make up for lost ground in the NBA playoff race, currently leaving the Utah Jazz behind for the 8th and final ticket. If the first conspiracy theory wasn’t enough, the proof, numbers and videos from wins keep on coming.