NBA Thread

[glory]

Down 2-1 is not the end of the world. Those motherf***ers better show up in game 4 though.

 

What adjustment can they make, though? The bench is unplayable and only two players on the starting 5 can consistently create offense. Lowry is what he is now; a washed up version of what was already a playoff choker. Without a 3rd option or a capable bench player, I can't think of one damn thing the Raptors could do to turn things around, aside from Kawhi and Siakam playing like MJ and Scottie for 3 of the next 4 games like they did in game 1.

 

I knew after game 1 of the Cavs series last year that a sweep was coming. You just have those feelings after a demoralizing loss. Felt the same thing after game 2 of this series. I think this is over in 6 with the Sixers winning, but I hope I'm wrong.

[Spanky99]

What adjustment can they make, though? The bench is unplayable and only two players on the starting 5 can consistently create offense. Lowry is what he is now; a washed up version of what was already a playoff choker. Without a 3rd option or a capable bench player, I can't think of one damn thing the Raptors could do to turn things around, aside from Kawhi and Siakam playing like MJ and Scottie for 3 of the next 4 games like they did in game 1.

 

I knew after game 1 of the Cavs series last year that a sweep was coming. You just have those feelings after a demoralizing loss. Felt the same thing after game 2 of this series. I think this is over in 6 with the Sixers winning, but I hope I'm wrong.

 

Dis guy iz pist... ^^^^^^

[glory]

Dis guy iz pist... ^^^^^^

 

Pissed yes, but realistic. The Magic winning game 1 was a fluke. I can accept that and knew the ship would be righted. But I see no optimism here. It's a really bad matchup for the Raptors.

[dineke]

I mean if they hit a couple more uncontested jumpers in game 2 they would be up 2-1 right now so it's not like the sixers are dominating the raptors so far. I'll save my panic for after game 4 if they lose.

[Spanky99]

Pissed yes, but realistic. The Magic winning game 1 was a fluke. I can accept that and knew the ship would be righted. But I see no optimism here. It's a really bad matchup for the Raptors.

 

Hmmm...

[Bobthe4th]

Have to give credit to the 76ers for how they’ve come back from game 1. Embiid was immense in game 3.

[jaysblue]

Lowry's been good in the playoffs the last 3 years.

 

And this...

[jaysblue]

Gasol really needs to take that wide open 3.

 

He had some open looks that he passed up on which I was really disappointed. He was passing the ball way too much when he had open looks. Gotta take those shots.

[jaysblue]

It's not the refs fault. Other than Kawhi and Siakam, no one else on the team can create for themselves now that Kyle is a combination of past his prime and "Playoff Lowry".

 

I think if the Raptors win game 4 then they'll win the series, but it's not looking good right now.

 

I really wish Masai could have traded Lowry either after he traded DeMar or at the trade deadline. If they lose this series and Kawhi leaves, he'll have wasted the team's best shot at making the finals by riding with Lowry too long. If Siakam didn't develop this year the Raptors would have been swept in this series. They lucked out.

 

Like I said, Lowry is being traded this offseason regardless what happens. Masai wants to move past the days of DeMar, JV and the older Raptors teams which struggled in the playoffs.

 

Problem is, if the Raps don't make it past the second round, KLaw likely doesn't resign here. So that would really hurt.

 

They must win Game 4 and f***ing play their hearts out and come back to Toronto 2-2 or else this series is over.

[jaysblue]

Raps shouldn't be playing Fred and Lowry at the same time due to size. Even at the beginning of the 4th quarter when the Raps were down by 7, putting in Fred and Ibaka to rest Gasol and KLaw, the Raps couldn't even keep it close. I'd give Lin a chance next game over Fred after last nights performance.

 

Nurse needs to try McCaw more in this series given his length.

 

Unfortunately, with the bench s***ing the bed, the Raps will have to play guys like KLaw and Siakam most of the game. I'm talking about 40 mins. No more load management.

[jaysblue]

The three things I'm seeing (aside from simply not making shots):

 

1) Guys are taking off to fast break rather than blocking out, and with a team that has the length of Philly you can't do that.

2) Too many passes. We're passing up open shots, and they're playing hard and getting hands in the passing lanes. It's not creating open shots for us, just buying turnover opportunities.

3) Too many drives in the paint. Nothing in there is being called, and they have more height than we do. We HAVE to make outside shots in this series or we're going home.

 

100% agree with No. 2 especially. Too many turnovers from passing the ball too much. They need to take those open shots and hope that they go in.

 

Refs are making calls in favour of Philly, and that's the reality. NBA would rather have Philly vs. Boston or Milwaukee in the East Finals. Raptors can't drive in the paint that often as they have.

 

They need to start making their shots, especially 3 pointers. Danny Green, Marc Gasol and Kyle Lowry especially.

 

They have to ride KLaw hard. 40+ minutes for the rest of this series especially with the 2 days off. Just keep giving him the ball.

[Krylian]

Like I said, Lowry is being traded this offseason regardless what happens. Masai wants to move past the days of DeMar, JV and the older Raptors teams which struggled in the playoffs.

 

Problem is, if the Raps don't make it past the second round, KLaw likely doesn't resign here. So that would really hurt.

 

They must win Game 4 and f***ing play their hearts out and come back to Toronto 2-2 or else this series is over.

 

That's assuming Masai is still here. The Wizards vacancy is apparently intriguing to him.

[glory]

Raps shouldn't be playing Fred and Lowry at the same time due to size. Even at the beginning of the 4th quarter when the Raps were down by 7, putting in Fred and Ibaka to rest Gasol and KLaw, the Raps couldn't even keep it close. I'd give Lin a chance next game over Fred after last nights performance.

 

Nurse needs to try McCaw more in this series given his length.

 

Unfortunately, with the bench s***ing the bed, the Raps will have to play guys like KLaw and Siakam most of the game. I'm talking about 40 mins. No more load management.

 

Nurse has been a big problem with rotations. Last night he played Lowry/FVV/Norm together in two critical spots and the Sixers killed that lineup. He pretty much cannot have more than 2 bench players in the lineup at one time, so he has to stagger the minutes/rest a lot better.

[43211234]

FVV is just too small to see the floor in this series.

[Abomination]

If Jokic wasn't in shape before, he will be when the playoffs are over. He's logging heavy minutes.

[Abomination]

This basketball game is nuts, triple overtime now.

 

Jokic is gonna end up with at least 60 minutes played.

[Abomination]

4th overtime!

 

DFS note: Reserves are going to get some serious minutes in game 4 lol.

[Abomination]

So Jokic just played the 3rd most minutes in NBA history, and most ever in a playoff game.

[Carlos Danger]

Siakam is doubtful for game 4.. We are f***ed! Good bye to Raptors playoffs.

[jaysblue]

Siakam is doubtful for game 4.. We are f***ed! Good bye to Raptors playoffs.

 

And it's the same right calf that he used to trip Embiid.

 

I would be shocked if he doesn't give it a go tomorrow with so much on the line in G4. The Raps had two days off as well.

[Abomination]

Lol, Curry just blew an uncontested breakaway layup at a critical point, and not his first of the game. That finger must really be bothering him.

 

Then the Warriors let the clock run out in a five point game with like 15 or 20 seconds left.

 

[Orgfiller]

Lol, Curry just blew an uncontested breakaway layup at a critical point, and not his first of the game. That finger must really be bothering him.

 

Then the Warriors let the clock run out in a five point game with like 15 or 20 seconds left.

 

 

He missed a wide open layup and then a dunk right after, it was incredible.

[jaysblue]

Warriors look like they could be beatable in a 7 game series.

 

This is the Raptors best chance in the history of the franchise probably to ever win an NBA Championship. If they don't get by the 76ers, what a wasted opportunity.

[connorp]

Warriors look like they could be beatable in a 7 game series.

 

This is the Raptors best chance in the history of the franchise probably to ever win an NBA Championship. If they don't get by the 76ers, what a wasted opportunity.

 

They just barely squeaked by Hou last year and may not have if Paul didn’t get hurt for Game 7. They definitely aren’t any kind of lock but they’ll prob advance all the way

[Horses Fart]

By da flyin f*** Spicy P better go today and the Raps better do their thing today!

[jaysblue]

By da flyin f*** Spicy P better go today and the Raps better do their thing today!

 

This is the most important game of the season for the Raptors. He better go today, even if he isn't 100%.

[Horses Fart]

Pascal is a go. Thank god.

[Horses Fart]

Some of the Raps shots are not even close.

[43211234]

Just bricking every jumpshot

[Horses Fart]

Air ball Ibaka. WTF