The Basketball Junkie

Eastern Conference Finals Prediction: Heat vs. Pacers (Trifone)

2013-05-19T07:23:00.000-04:00

The Miami Heat are playing as well as anybody right now, and were able to close out the Bulls in four consecutive games, after Chicago's Game 1 upset. Dwyane Wade has been awful for the most part, although he came on and had a few key plays in the close-out game of the Semi-Final round. Chris Bosh has picked up the slack , and Norris Cole, among others, has also been a big contributor.

The Pacers fell off everyone's radar, closing the regular season in very mediocre fashion. They came to play in the playoffs, though, and were clearly the better team against the Knicks. Paul George and Roy Hibbert have been key factors in Indiana's success, but I think David West may be the toughest matchup in the upcoming series against Miami.

Indiana can, and likely will, win the rebounding matchup, but I don't think they're going to have enough to win the series.

LeBron James had a tough series against Chicago, a team that usually gives him some trouble. Still, he managed to put up solid numbers, and put his team in a position to win each game. I expect LeBron to be great in the Conference Finals, and Miami to advance to the NBA Finals in a series that is not as interesting as the Spurs/Grizzlies (see my prediction for that series here). The Pacers are a tough team, but they're not on the same level as the Heat. I like Miami in five.

Series Prediction: Heat in 5 Games

[Note: This post is from John Trifone. See his other basketball posts here and/or follow him on Twitter @JohnnyT0122.]

Western Conference Finals Prediction: Spurs vs. Grizzlies (Trifone)

2013-05-19T07:10:00.000-04:00

I have absolutely no idea who is going to come out of the West. I typically have a pretty strong opinion on who I feel is going to come out of a given matchup, but these two teams are as evenly matched as they come. Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph have been dominant in the playoffs, exposing a flawed Oklahoma City Thunder team. Clearly, Russell Westbrook has meant more to that team than people may have thought, because when asked to carry the load on his own, Kevin Durant fell short of where we had become accustomed to seeing him succeed.

As for the Spurs, they are a tough team to predict. Last year, they were playing close to perfect basketball, and rolling through the playoffs, only to go cold and lose four straight games to OKC. This year, they steam-rolled the Lakers in four, and then looked like the inferior team in their first two games at home against the Warriors. Personally, I thought that they weren't going to get past that series after Golden State left San Antonio with a 1-1 series tie, thoroughly outplaying them in each of the first two games. The Spurs bounced back, though, and were the better team the rest of the way.

Now, the Spurs face another younger team, but one with a drastically different style than they played in last year's Conference Finals, or this year's Semi-Final matchup. Memphis has a strong inside game and plays very tough defense. It promises to be a much lower-scoring series with less transition offense and more fundamental basketball.

Since I have to make a pick, I'm going to take San Antonio. Both teams have been very impressive, but the Spurs may have just a slight edge. They have more experience, they have guys who have already won multiple championships, and they have home court advantage. It's a series that is likely to go seven games, and I'd be surprised if we see any real blowouts. I'll take Tony Parker and the Big Fundamental to help lead the Spurs to the NBA Finals.

Series Prediction: Spurs in 7 Games

[Note: This post is from John Trifone. See his other basketball posts here and/or follow him on Twitter @JohnnyT0122.]

Video: SNL parody of OTL - Sheila Kelly worse than Mike Rice

2013-04-07T09:22:00.003-04:00

If you missed it, Saturday Night Live took a situation that is disturbing and not funny (Mike Rice's treatment of his players) and turned it into a skit that is funny.

Here is SNL's parody of Outside the Lines on "Sheila Kelly," coach of Middle Delaware State:

John Wall scores season-high 29 points

2013-03-15T22:57:00.002-04:00

After posting back-to-back games with 20-plus points and double-digit assists, Wizards point guard John Wall missed repeating that feat by just one assist.

In tonight's win over the Hornets, Wall finished with a season-high 29 points and nine assists.

Over his past three games, Wall is averaging 26.3 points, 11.0 assists, 5.7 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game. In addition, it's only the third time in his career that he has scored 20-plus points in three consecutive games.

Without Wall for the first 33 games of the season, the Wizards were 5-28 during that stretch. Since Wall has returned, the Wizards are three games above .500 (17-14).

Enes Kanter has career-high 23 points, 22 rebounds

2013-03-02T00:02:00.002-05:00

Before tonight, Utah's Enes Kanter had only one double-double in his brief two-year NBA career. And it happened last season.

Not only did Kanter score a career-high 23 points in the 30-point win over the Bobcats, who managed only 68 points, Kanter added a career-high 22 rebounds tonight.

Kanter, the third-overall pick in 2011, played 44 minutes in the blowout. Other than tonight, however, he has played 20-plus minutes in only five other games this season.

From a fantasy perspective, Kanter is a much better option in dynasty leagues than re-draft formats, but he is currently owned in only four percent of Yahoo! leagues.

Tobias Harris scores a career-high 27 points

2013-03-01T23:33:00.001-05:00

Orlando Magic forward Tobias Harris scored a career-high 27 points and had a double-double off the bench in tonight's loss to the Rockets. Harris had 10 rebounds as well.

It was his fourth game with the Magic and he now has scored in double-digits in all four of those games and is averaging 20 points per contest.

With the Bucks, Harris was averaging only 4.7 points, 2.0 rebounds and 0.5 assists per game.

In addition to averaging 20 points per game with the Magic so far, Harris is also averaging 7.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.0 steal and 1.0 block per game. Even more amazing, Harris is shooting nearly 70 percent from the field (32-of-46).

If Harris is available in your league (and he's only owned in 24 percent of Yahoo! leagues), he's worth adding in all league formats now.

Steph Curry scores career-high 54 points

2013-02-28T06:48:00.000-05:00

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry scored a career-high 54 points in a loss to the New York Knicks last night.

Not only did he make 18 of his 28 shots, but Curry knocked down 11 of his 13 three-point attempts. In addition, Curry added six rebounds, seven assists and three steals to his stellar shooting.

In his past two games, Curry has shot 32-of-48 from the field and has made 18-of-23 three's to score a total of 92 points.

Curry is one of only two players to score 50-plus points in a game this season. The only other player to reach the mark this year is Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant, who had a triple-double last night.

Kevin Durant records third triple-double of year

2013-02-28T06:46:00.001-05:00

Oklahoma City forward Kevin Durant recorded another triple-double, his third of the season.

Durant scored 18 points to go along with 11 rebounds and 10 assists in last night's win over the Hornets.

He now has two triple-doubles in his past four games and three double-doubles during that span.

On the season, Durant is averaging 28.6 points, 7.7 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.2 steals per game. In addition, he is shooting 51.3 percent from the field, 42.6 percent from three-point range and 91.0 percent from the line.

Dirk Nowitzki has season-high 20 rebounds in loss

2013-02-27T06:24:00.003-05:00

For the first time this season and only the seventh time in his career, Dallas Mavericks power forward Dirk Nowitzki had 20 rebounds in a game.

In last night's loss to the Bucks, Nowitzki scored 21 points and grabbed exactly 20 rebounds.

Nowitzki now has double-digit rebounds in back-to-back games, which are also his first two games with double-digit rebounds this season.

The last time Nowitzki grabbed 20-plus rebounds was in December 2007 and that was the only other time he has had as many rebounds since the 2002-03 season.

In the past six games, he has also become a good source of steals for fantasy owners. During that span, Nowitzki has a steal in every game and a total of 12.

On the year, Nowitzki is averaging 16.2 points and 6.7 rebounds per game.

Marcus Thornton scores season-high 36 off bench

2013-02-27T06:05:00.004-05:00

Sacramento Kings reserve shooting guard Marcus Thornton scored a season-high 36 points off the bench in a double-overtime loss to the Heat last night.

Not only did he make 11 of his 18 shots, but eight of those made field goals were three-pointers.

Both LeBron James (40) and Dwyane Wade (39) scored more than Thornton, but he led the Kings in scoring.

Two seasons ago, Thornton averaged 21.3 points per game. Last year, he averaged 18.7 points per game. It was only the seventh time this season that Thornton scored at least 20 points in a game.

On the year, he is averaging 12.4 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game.

Kyrie Irving (knee) won't play vs. Bulls on Tuesday

2013-02-26T15:27:00.003-05:00

When the Cavaliers face the Bulls tonight in Chicago, they will be without point guard Kyrie Irving, who is dealing with a hyper-extended right knee.

Not only will he miss tonight's game, he is listed as questionable for tomorrow night's game as well, per Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon Journal.

"It's one of those things that needs rest," coach Byron Scott said. "The last couple of games, I think it's built up. He hasn't been able to have any rest on it, so when you have a knee that's as sore as his is, you need rest and he needs treatment."

Irving initially sustained the injury prior to the team's three-game road trip and Irving has scored less than 20 points in the first two of those games on 10-of-25 shooting. The second-year guard currently leads the team in scoring (23.3 per game), assists (5.6) and steals (1.64).

With Irving out, Shawn Livingston will get the start.

James Harden scores career-high 46 vs. Thunder

2013-02-20T22:51:00.002-05:00

With the NBA trade deadline fast approaching, the Rockets acquired rookie power forward Thomas Robinson, the fifth overall pick in last year's draft, from the Kings earlier tonight (per Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports).

Meanwhile, James Harden, Robinson's new teammate, had a career night against the team that traded him to Houston before the season began.

Despite trailing by 14 points around midway through the fourth quarter, the Rockets mounted a comeback and beat the Thunder by three, 122-119.

In the process, Harden scored a career-high 46 points. He set his previous career high against the Hawks in his second game as a Rocket.

Not only was he 14 of 19 from the field, Harden made seven of eight three-pointers and 11 of 12 free throws. On top of his great shooting night, Harden added eight rebounds, six assists, a steal and a blocked shot.

Nerlens Noel out for year with torn ACL

2013-02-13T18:10:00.000-05:00

When Kentucky freshman Nerlens Noel left last night's game with a knee injury, it did not look good.

And it wasn't.

The results of Noel's MRI shows that he has a torn ACL and he will miss the remainder of the college season. He will have surgery in the next two to three weeks and the rehab will take at least six to eight months.

While it's certainly unfortunate that he has suffered the injury, he appears to have the right attitude.

Noel tweeted earlier today,"Minor setback for a MAJOR comeback! I love you all and can't thank y'all enough for the prayers."

Projected as the top pick in my NBA mock draft before the injury, it's less clear if he will enter June's NBA draft. If he does, however, he won't be able to participate in any of the pre-draft workouts and it's highly unlikely that he would be ready for the start of the 2013 NBA season.

Before last night's game, Noel had three consecutive double-doubles and he finishes the season averaging 10.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and 4.4 blocks per game.

James Harden (ankle) to miss Clippers game?

2013-02-13T06:36:00.003-05:00

After stepping on Golden State's David Lee's foot last night, Houston Rockets shooting guard James Harden (ankle) left the game but later returned.

Harden finished the game with 27 points, seven rebounds, five assists and three steals. In six games this month, one of which includes a triple-double, Harden is averaging 27.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, 7.5 assists and 2.0 steals per game.

Per Marc Spears of Yahoo! Sports, "Harden will miss Wednesday's game at Clippers with ankle injury but will be ready for Sunday's All-Star Game."

That said, Harden has not yet ruled himself out for Wednesday night's matchup against the Clippers, according to Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle.

“I’m tough enough,” Harden said. “My main focus is on tomorrow, getting the right treatment, icing as much as possible, try to get my ankle ready and my knee ready. My whole body hurts.”

Houston is hosting this weekend's All-Star game and activities. After tonight's game against the Clippers, the Rockets won't play a regular-season game again until February 20th when they host Harden's former team, the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Nerlens Noel left tonight's game with a knee injury

2013-02-12T21:17:00.000-05:00

Kentucky freshman power forward Nerlens Noel left tonight's loss to the Florida Gators with a potentially serious knee injury.

Noel landed awkwardly after a blocked shot attempt, screamed in pain and had to be carried off the court by teammates.

Coming into tonight's game, Noel was nearly averaging a double-double (10.6 points and 9.6 rebounds per game) in addition to 4.5 blocks per game, which leads the country.

Before tonight's loss, the Wildcats had won five consecutive games and made their way back into the AP Top 25 for the first time since November 26th.

In my latest NBA mock draft, Noel is the top overall pick going to the Bobcats. While he is not the consensus top choice, he will certainly be a top-five pick depending on the status of his knee injury.

James Harden gets first triple-double of career

2013-02-03T00:58:00.000-05:00

Since James Harden was drafted third overall in the 2009 NBA Draft, 51 players have recorded a triple-double.

Make that 52.

For the first time in his career, Harden finished with a triple-double as the Rockets beat the Bobcats, 109-95. Harden had 21 points, a career-high 11 rebounds and 11 assists.

It was the third time this season that Harden had double-digit assists and the third time he has had double-digit rebounds.

On the season, Harden is averaging 25.8 points, 5.5 assists and 4.5 rebounds per game, all of which are career highs.

Dirk Nowitzki doubtful for Friday's game vs. Suns

2013-02-01T06:59:00.000-05:00

Mavericks power forward Dirk Nowitzki unexpectedly missed last night's game against the Warriors and it's doubtful that he plays tonight against the Suns.

"It's possible but doubtful," coach Rick Carlisle said, per ESPN Dallas. "We don't want to risk anything right now."

"I don't know. I need that good deer antler spray," Nowitzki jokingly added. "I don't know if 24 hours will change it much. Obviously we've got a tough back to back. I'm on the anti-inflammatories and we'll see if they kick in more until tomorrow, but I doubt it. We'll see what happens tomorrow night. We'll see if I even try to go. But hopefully Monday -- we'll see how it responds this weekend."

Nowitzki suffered the injury (right adductor strain) in Tuesday's loss to the Blazers.

In that loss, Nowitzki scored a season-high 26 points and it was his first game with 20-plus since January 7th. In fact, he has only three games with 20 points or more and is averaging only 14.8 points per game (almost eight points below his career average).

Dwight Howard aggravates shoulder injury

2013-01-31T06:27:00.001-05:00

In last night's loss to the Suns, Lakers center Dwight Howard left the game in the fourth quarter after aggravating his torn labrum in his right shoulder.

“I'll try [to withstand] as much as I can, but I don't want to cause more damage to my shoulder,” said Howard, per Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times.

Whether or not he will need to rest it for a week or two, Howard said "we'll see."

Howard led the Lakers in scoring last night with 24 points and added four rebounds, five steals and four blocked shots.

Last night's game was the first of a seven-game road trip for the Lakers and they face the Timberwolves next on Friday night and then the Pistons on Sunday.

Nerlens Noel blocks school-record 11 shots

2013-01-29T23:30:00.000-05:00

Coming into tonight's matchup against Ole Miss, Kentucky freshman Nerlens Noel was ranked second in the country in blocked shots with 4.32 per game. Plus, he was averaging nearly a double-double: 10.6 points and 9.4 rebounds per game.

In tonight's game, Noel took only one shot, and missed it, in addition to converting on only two-of-eight free throws, but he blocked a school-record 11 shots.

As a team, Kentucky had a total of 12 blocked shots.

The previous school record was nine set by both Sam Bowie and Andre Riddick.

Noel should be a top-five pick (at least) and has a shot at being the No. 1 overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft. Aside from Noel, freshmen Archie Goodwin, Alex Poythress and Willie Cauley-Stein all have a chance to be lottery picks if they declare.

Rajon Rondo out for season with torn ACL

2013-01-27T16:30:00.001-05:00

The Boston Celtics won a thriller in double overtime over the Miami Heat as Paul Pierce finished the game with a triple-double: 17 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists.

Despite winning the game, it was more bad news than good news for the Celtics.

After hyperextending his right knee in last night's loss to the Hawks, Rondo was a late scratch and will miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL.

Not only will Rondo miss the remainder of this season, but there is a good chance that he won't be ready for the start of the 2013-14 season in nine months.

Before the injury, Rondo was leading the NBA in assists (11.1 per game) and averaging 13.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.9 steals per game.

After today's win, the Celtics are 21-23 and currently eighth in the Eastern Conference.

Kevin Durant scores career-high 52 in OT win over Mavs

2013-01-19T01:03:00.000-05:00

Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant scored a career-high 52 points to lead the Thunder to an overtime win over the Dallas Mavericks.

Durant shot only 13-of-31 from the field, but he was five-of-nine from behind the arc and 21-of-21 at the line.

It was Durant's fifth game with at least 40 points this season and three of those games with 40-plus have come in his past five games.

No player has more 40-point games than Durant this season. Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant is second with four.

The Thunder have won six consecutive games and have a league-best 32-8 record.

Nikola Pekovic leaves game early with left hip strain

2013-01-06T01:52:00.000-05:00

Timberwolves center Nikola Pekovic played less than 22 minutes as he left tonight's early due to a left hip strain.

That said, he still finished with 21 points and 15 rebounds, both of which were team highs in the loss to the Blazers.

It was only Pek's second double-double in the past five games.

Tristan Thompson has another double-double

2013-01-06T01:31:00.002-05:00

Cavaliers power forward Tristan Thompson had another double-double tonight.

Thompson, the fourth overall pick in 2011, finished with 14 points and a season-high 16 rebounds in tonight's loss to the Rockets.

It was Thompson's second consecutive double-double and he has seven of them in his past nine games.

During that nine-game span, Thompson is averaging 13.22 points and 12.89 rebounds per game.

Rajon Rondo has a triple-double vs. Hawks

2013-01-06T01:22:00.000-05:00

The only player to have multiple triple-doubles last year was Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo (six).

This year, the only player to have multiple triple-doubles was Toronto's Jose Calderon (two). Until tonight, that is.

Rondo had his second triple-double of the season and finished with 14 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists against the Hawks tonight.

It was Rondo's 15th career triple-double.

Carmelo Anthony scores 40 points vs. Magic

2013-01-06T01:10:00.001-05:00

For the second time in three games, Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony has scored at least 40 points.

Against the Magic tonight, Melo converted on 14-of-29 shots from the field including four three-pointers and made eight-of-nine free throws to finish with 40 points. He added six rebounds and a season-high six assists.

It was his third game of the season with 40-plus points.

Anthony is averaging 29.3 points, 6.26 rebounds and 2.27 assists per game this season.