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CSS General Chat => Sports Talk => Topic started by: InThe313 on December 11, 2020, 01:51:11 AM

Title: NBA 2020-21
Post by: InThe313 on December 11, 2020, 01:51:11 AM
It feels like just yesterday the thread was closed on the NBA.  Well, the Association is back after just 71 days off as the preseason begins with the first tip-offs taking place in Atlanta and Detroit.  So, if you have news or an observation you'd like to post, this is your place.  Remember, be respectful.
Title: Re: NBA 2020-21
Post by: InThe313 on December 15, 2020, 02:34:58 PM
It's all about the cash.  According to Adrian Wojnarowski, power forward Giannis Antetokounmpo is going to sign a five-year, $228 million supermax extension with the Bucks.
Title: Re: NBA 2020-21
Post by: InThe313 on December 22, 2020, 03:18:01 AM
Well, that rest didn't last long, did it?  Welcome back to the regular season.  It's going to be interesting to see how this season progresses out of a bubble, but let's hope it works.  In the meantime, we've got two exciting games for the start of the season as Kevin Durant returns after a year off to face his former team and one of the NBA's best rivalries is reignited as the defending champs raise their newest banner.  Your Opening Night schedule:

Golden State Warriors at Brooklyn Nets tonight at 7 p.m.
Los Angeles Clippers at Los Angeles Lakers tonight at 10 p.m.
Title: Re: NBA 2020-21
Post by: Cadeauxxx on December 22, 2020, 10:42:57 AM
Cannot wait to see what the Lakers ring looks like and drop a banner right in the Clippers' faces.
Title: Re: NBA 2020-21
Post by: InThe313 on December 23, 2020, 06:16:25 PM
Well, that was quick.  Today's Thunder vs. Rockets game was postponed.
Title: Re: NBA 2020-21
Post by: Cadeauxxx on December 23, 2020, 08:39:37 PM
Love, love, love the Lakers new ring. The Kobe tribute was so cool with how the ring opens up and had the retired numbers in there.

Can't even be upset about the Clippers being opening night champs again. That's probably the coolest looking Lakers championship ring ever.
Title: Re: NBA 2020-21
Post by: InThe313 on December 25, 2020, 01:31:49 PM
It's the most wonderful day of the year!  The Pelicans are playing the Heat.  The Pelicans' Zion Williamson had a double-double in the season opener.  This is the first f five games today.  Updates to come.

The Heat beat the Pelicans, 111-98.
The Bucks beat the Warriors, 138-99.
The Nets beat the Celtics, 123-95.

UPDATE:  How is this for a big game?  Luka Dončić and the Mavericks are playing LeBron James and the Lakers.  James has 24 PPG on Christmas.  Dončić is playing in his first Christmas game.

The Lakers beat the Mavericks, 138-115.
The Clippers beat the Nuggets, 121-108.
Title: Re: NBA 2020-21
Post by: InThe313 on December 27, 2020, 04:44:57 PM
How is this humanly possible?  The Clippers are down 50 at halftime, trailing the Mavericks, 77-27, in their first game without Kawhi Leonard.  This is the largest halftime deficit in the shot-clock era.  Updates to come.

The Mavericks beat the Clippers, 124-73.
Title: Re: NBA 2020-21
Post by: InThe313 on January 03, 2021, 11:23:22 PM
Let Chef Curry cook!  Stephen Curry put the Warriors on his back with 62 points, burying eight threes and scoring the most points by a Warrior since 1974 in a 137-122 win over the Trail Blazers.
Title: Re: NBA 2020-21
Post by: InThe313 on January 13, 2021, 04:20:08 PM
It's finally happening.  According to Adrian Wojnarowski and Ramona Shelburne, the Nets will acquire the Rockets' James Harden in a blockbuster deal.  Updates to come.

The Nets beat the Knicks, 116-109.
Title: Re: NBA 2020-21
Post by: InThe313 on January 30, 2021, 08:55:33 PM
I can't stand either team, but this will be great basketball.  "NBA Saturday Primetime" is back as the 14-6 Lakers are playing the 10-7 Celtics.  The Lakers' LeBron James and Anthony Davis have a combined 47.4 points per game.  The Celtics' Jaylen Brown has 27.1 points per game, which is eighth in the NBA.  Updates to come.

The Lakers beat the Celtics, 96-95.
Title: Re: NBA 2020-21
Post by: InThe313 on January 31, 2021, 09:50:36 PM
That finish was bonkers!  After the Wizards' Bradley Beal hit a three, the Wizards stole the inbounds pass and Russell Westbrook drilled the go-ahead three with 4.3 seconds left to stun the Nets, 149-146.
Title: Re: NBA 2020-21
Post by: InThe313 on February 05, 2021, 10:45:09 PM
Here we go again.  According to Malika Andrews, the Nets’ Kevin Durant missed the start of tonight’s 123-116 loss to the Raptors, was made available and then ruled unable to play at the direction of the NBA.
Title: Re: NBA 2020-21
Post by: InThe313 on February 10, 2021, 08:59:38 PM
This may feel out of place here, but what the heck?  Quarterback Tom Brady, tight end Rob Gronkowski and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers threw an epic boat parade today that involved Brady casually throwing the Vince Lombardi Trophy across the water to Gronkowski and “just a little avocado tequila”.  The reason I posted that here is that you need to go through social media and see how seriously jealous the Lakers’ LeBron James was.  Updates to come.

The Lakers beat the Thunder, 114-113, in overtime.
Title: Re: NBA 2020-21
Post by: InThe313 on February 21, 2021, 11:15:03 PM
We have our first coaching causality of the season.  According to Adrian Wojnarowski, the Timberwolves fired head coach Ryan Saunders after tonight's 103-99 loss to the Knicks.
Title: Re: NBA 2020-21
Post by: InThe313 on March 15, 2021, 08:26:55 PM
This is going to be a good night in the NBA.  The Knicks are playing the Nets tonight.  Do you know when the last time these two teams met when they were both above .500 was?  You have to go back to 2013.  Later, the Lakers will play the Warriors.  Updates to come.

The Nets beat the Knicks, 117-112.
The Lakers beat the Warriors, 128-97.
Title: Re: NBA 2020-21
Post by: InThe313 on March 22, 2021, 03:38:00 PM
I hate having to report these stories.  Elgin Baylor, the Hall of Fame Minneapolis Lakers/Los Angeles Lakers legend and former Clippers vice president of basketball operations, died at 86.  Updates to come.

The Clippers beat the Hawks, 119-110.
Title: Re: NBA 2020-21
Post by: InThe313 on April 10, 2021, 07:13:49 PM
I can imagine there a lot of fans of both baseball and basketball that will feel sick over this.  According to Adrian Wojnarowski, Alex Rodriguez and billionaire Marc Lore are finalizing a deal to purchase the Timberwolves and will take full control in 2023.
Title: Re: NBA 2020-21
Post by: InThe313 on April 15, 2021, 12:07:55 AM
What a thriller tonight in Memphis!  Luka Dončić’s off-balance, last-second heave went in as time expired to give the Mavericks a 114-113 win over the Grizzlies.
Title: Re: NBA 2020-21
Post by: InThe313 on April 17, 2021, 10:31:13 PM
Get to a TV if you can!  The Warriors' Stephen Curry has 38 points and is locked in a dual with the Celtics' Jayson Tatum, who has 32, as their teams are tied at 89 at the start of the fourth quarter.  Updates to come.

The Celtics beat the Warriors, 119-114.
Title: Re: NBA 2020-21
Post by: InThe313 on May 04, 2021, 03:54:04 AM
When the big game of the night is the first meeting between Stephen Curry and Zion Williamson, you expect a good game.  We didn't quite get that tonight.  The Warriors beat the Pelicans, 123-108.
Title: Re: NBA 2020-21
Post by: InThe313 on May 16, 2021, 04:17:11 PM
Congratulations to a very deserving class.  Chris Bosh, Paul Pierce and Chris Webber will highlight the Basketball Hall of Fame class of 2021.
Title: Re: NBA 2020-21
Post by: InThe313 on May 19, 2021, 10:18:21 PM
Here's a dream match-up.  The Warriors are playing the Lakers in the NBA Play-In Tournament.  The winner will play the Suns beginning on Sunday in Phoenix.  The loser will face Grizzlies, who beat the Spurs, 100-96, for the West's No. 8 seed.  Updates to come.

UPDATE:  This is getting good.  The Warriors and Lakers are putting on a show as the Lakers lead, 83-79, with 10:23 left in the fourth quarter and with a berth in the playoffs on the line.

UPDATE 2:  Oh, come on!  The Lakers' LeBron James drilled the go-ahead three from the Staples Center logo as the shot clock expired in the final minute to down the Warriors, 103-100.  The Lakers will play the Pacific rival Suns.  The Warriors will play the Grizzlies on Friday in San Francisco.
Title: Re: NBA 2020-21
Post by: InThe313 on May 21, 2021, 09:20:58 PM
This is do or die.  The Grizzlies are playing the Warriors in an NBA Play-In win-or-go-home game.  The winner will play the Jazz in the first round beginning on Sunday in Salt Lake City.  The loser will be eliminated from the postseason.  Updates to come.

UPDATE:  This game is getting really exciting.  The Warriors forced overtime and are tied with Grizzlies at 99 with a berth in the playoffs at stake.

The Grizzlies beat the Warriors, 117-112, in overtime.
Title: Re: NBA 2020-21
Post by: InThe313 on May 22, 2021, 06:53:13 PM
This is going to be a fun day of basketball.  The Heat will start things off with the Bucks in Game 1 of the NBA Playoffs.  Later, the Mavericks will play the Clippers, the Celtics will play the Nets and the Trail Blazers will play the Northwest rival Nuggets.  Updates to come.

UPDATE:  This was such a dramatic way to open the postseason.  Khris Middleton beat the buzzer in overtime to give the Bucks a thrilling 109-107 win over the Heat in Game 1.

The Mavericks beat the Clippers, 113-103.
The Nets beat the Celtics, 104-93.
The Trail Blazers beat the Nuggets, 123-109.
Title: Re: NBA 2020-21
Post by: InThe313 on May 23, 2021, 09:47:40 PM
This has been an exciting start to the postseason.  Trae Young beat the buzzer as he hit a difficult floater to give the Hawks a dramatic 107-105 win over the Knicks in Game 1.
Title: Re: NBA 2020-21
Post by: InThe313 on June 02, 2021, 03:47:32 PM
Well, I didn't see this coming.  According to Adrian Wojnarowski, Celtics president of basketball operations and executive director of basketball operations Danny Ainge is going to step down.  Head coach Brad Stevens is moving into a full-time front office role as president of basketball operations.
Title: Re: NBA 2020-21
Post by: InThe313 on June 04, 2021, 01:24:29 AM
Good-bye and good riddance!  The Suns eliminated the Lakers to knock the defending champs out of the playoffs after a 113-100 Game 6 loss.  The Lakers' LeBron James lost first-round series for the first time in his career.  The Suns will play the Nuggets beginning on Monday in Phoenix.
Title: Re: NBA 2020-21
Post by: InThe313 on June 06, 2021, 03:56:26 PM
It's the most dire game of any postseason.  The Mavericks are playing the Clippers in a win or go-home Game 7.  The Mavericks' Luka Dončić has 34 points and 9.7 assists per game this series.  The Clippers' Kawhi Leonard has 33 points per game and shooting 61 percent on field goals in the series.  Updates to come.

The Clippers beat the Mavericks, 126-111, to advance to play the Jazz beginning on Tuesday in Salt Lake City.
Title: Re: NBA 2020-21
Post by: InThe313 on June 08, 2021, 06:22:13 PM
The NBA is being taken over by the Euros.  According to The Athletic, Nuggets center Nikola Jokić won his first NBA MVP award.  He had a career best 26.4 points and 8.3 assists per game.
Title: Re: NBA 2020-21
Post by: InThe313 on June 16, 2021, 03:57:10 PM
This could change the face of the series and maybe the entire playoffs.  According to Ramona Shelburne and Brian Windhorst, the Clippers' Kawhi Leonard is expected to miss Game 5 against the Jazz due to a right knee injury and could be out for the rest of the series.  Updates to come.

The Clippers beat the Jazz, 119-111.
Title: Re: NBA 2020-21
Post by: InThe313 on June 16, 2021, 04:01:17 PM
I just feel like he never really got a chance.  According to Adrian Wojnarowski and Andrew Lopez, Stan Van Gundy is out as the Pelicans' head coach after one season.
Title: Re: NBA 2020-21
Post by: InThe313 on June 18, 2021, 05:22:50 AM
It's the end of an era in Dallas.  According to Adrian Wojnarowski, Rick Carlisle told Mavericks owner Mark Cuban that Carlisle will not return next season as head coach.
Title: Re: NBA 2020-21
Post by: InThe313 on June 18, 2021, 04:50:01 PM
I hate that Boston got the better end of this deal by bringing one of the better players from the past.  According to Adrian Wojnarowski, the Celtics are trading point guard Kemba Walker, the No. 16 pick in the 2021 draft and a future pick to the Thunder for center Al Horford, center Moses Brown and a pick.
Title: Re: NBA 2020-21
Post by: InThe313 on June 20, 2021, 03:38:55 PM
This has the makings of a classic series.  The Clippers are playing the Pacific rival Suns in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals.  The Suns’ Devin Booker has 27.9 points per game this offseason.  The Clippers’ Paul George has 32.5 points per game in the last two games.  Updates to come.

The Suns beat the Clippers, 120-114.
Title: Re: NBA 2020-21
Post by: InThe313 on June 22, 2021, 08:39:10 PM
As stupid as I know tanking is, I feel like a Top 3 pick, let alone No. 1, would have made this season worth it for the Pistons.  The NBA Draft Lottery is on now.  The Rockets, Pistons and Magic have the best odds.  There are historically strong Top 5 prospects.  Updates to come.

UPDATE:  Praised be the ping-pong balls!  The Pistons won the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft Lottery.  The Rockets, Cavaliers and Raptors round out the Top 4.
Title: Re: NBA 2020-21
Post by: InThe313 on June 23, 2021, 12:15:28 AM
Did that game take your breath away?  The Suns won Game 2 on an alley-oop as Deandre Ayton flushed the winning dunk off an inbounds pass with less than a second left in a 104-103 win against the Clippers.
Title: Re: NBA 2020-21
Post by: InThe313 on June 28, 2021, 12:50:18 AM
Mr. Big Shot has a new title.  According to Adrian Wojnarowski, Clippers assistant coach Chauncey Billups reached an agreement on a five-year deal to become the new head coach of the Trail Blazers.
Title: Re: NBA 2020-21
Post by: InThe313 on June 28, 2021, 09:28:20 PM
For one the most respected stars in the game, this his best chance at playing for a title.  The Clippers are playing the Suns in Game 5.  The Suns lead the West finals, 3-1, and Chris Paul is seeking his first NBA Finals appearance.  The Clippers are 14-12 without Kawhi Leonard this year.  Updates to come.

The Clippers beat the Suns, 116-102, to force Game 6 on Wednesday in Los Angeles.
Title: Re: NBA 2020-21
Post by: InThe313 on June 29, 2021, 07:47:43 PM
This does not bode well for Atlanta.  According to Malika Andrews and Adrian Wojnarowski, the Hawks’ Trae Young was ruled out for Game 4 tonight against the Bucks due to a deep bone bruise in his left foot.  Updates to come.

The Hawks beat the Bucks, 110-88.
Title: Re: NBA 2020-21
Post by: InThe313 on June 30, 2021, 09:22:55 PM
Will this series continue or will it come to an end?  The Clippers are playing the Suns in Game 6.  The Suns lead the West finals, 3-2, and can make their first Finals appearance since 1993.  Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue is 10-2 in elimination games.  Updates to come.

UPDATE:  I am sure that somewhere, Cade is happy that this series is over.  The Suns defeated the Clippers, 130-103, in Game 6 behind 41 points from Chris Paul to advance to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1993.
Title: Re: NBA 2020-21
Post by: InThe313 on July 01, 2021, 06:18:22 PM
Can we please have a healthy superstar in this series?  The Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo is out for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals due to a hyperextended left knee.  Updates to come.

The Bucks beat the Hawks, 123-112.
Title: Re: NBA 2020-21
Post by: Cadeauxxx on July 02, 2021, 07:50:56 PM
Will this series continue or will it come to an end.  The Clippers are playing the Suns in Game 6.  The Suns lead the West finals, 3-2, and can make their first Finals appearance since 1993.  Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue is 10-2 in elimination games.  Updates to come.

UPDATE:  I am sure that somewhere, Cade is happy that this series is over.  The Suns defeated the Clippers, 130-103, in Game 6 behind 41 points from Chris Paul to advance to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1993.

Playoff Pee did his thing, and the Clippers did their thing too and clipped!
Title: Re: NBA 2020-21
Post by: Cadeauxxx on July 02, 2021, 07:52:30 PM
I don't know about you, but I'm rooting for Chris Paul to get a ring. He's already a first ballot Hall of Famer, but having a ring will put him in the pantheon of all time greats. I think he's paid his dues after so many championship runs fell short due to bad luck injuries.
Title: Re: NBA 2020-21
Post by: InThe313 on July 03, 2021, 03:11:22 PM
Is there anybody left standing to play the Suns?  The Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo was ruled out of Game 6 against the Hawks as the Bucks look to clinch a berth in the NBA Finals.  Updates to come.

UPDATE:  I'm predicting we get Game 7.  According to Adrian Wojnarowski and Malika Andrews, the Hawks' Trae Young, who has a bone bruise in his right foot, will play against the Bucks in Game 6.

UPDATE 2:  I was wrong and the stage is set.  The Bucks defeated the Hawks, 118-107, in Game 6 to advance to their first NBA Finals since 1974.  Game 1 against the Suns is on Tuesday in Phoenix.
Title: Re: NBA 2020-21
Post by: InThe313 on July 06, 2021, 09:04:47 PM
There will be full rosters on both sides.  According to Adrian Wojnarowski, the Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo will play in Game 1 of the NBA Finals tonight against the Suns.  Updates to come.

UPDATE:  Here we go!  The Bucks are playing the Suns in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.  Antetokounmpo is starting despite a left knee injury.  The Suns won both regular-season meetings.

UPDATE 2:  Suddenly, we have a game again.  The Bucks are trailing the Suns, 101-92, after being down 20 with 7:46 left in the fourth quarter of Game 1.

UPDATE 3:  The hope for a rally was dashed.  The Suns fended off the Bucks in Game 1, 118-105.  The Suns’ Chris Paul had 32 points and nine assists.  Antetokounmpo had 20 points and 17 rebounds.
Title: Re: NBA 2020-21
Post by: InThe313 on July 08, 2021, 09:17:30 PM
It is time to tip it up again.  The Bucks are playing the Suns in the NBA Finals.  The Suns lead, 1-0, and Chris Paul and Devin Booker had 59 points in Game 1.  The Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo had 20 points and 17 rebounds in Fame 1.  Updates to come.

UPDATE:  Will we see a late rally this time?  Antetokounmpo has 34 points as the Bucks trail the Suns, 98-88, with 7:41 left in the fourth quarter.

UPDATE 2:  No, we will not.  The Suns grabbed a 2-0 series lead with a 118-108 win over the Bucks.  Antetokounmpo had 42 points and 12 rebounds.  Booker had 31 points and six assists.
Title: Re: NBA 2020-21
Post by: InThe313 on July 11, 2021, 08:25:40 PM
Let's see if changing courts will flip momentum.  The Suns are playing the Bucks in the NBA Finals.  The Suns lead the series, 2-0, and Chris Paul and Devin Booker had 113 points in Games 1-2.  The Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo is averaging 31 points and 15 rebounds per game in the Finals.  Updates to come.

UPDATE:  This series just got more interesting.  The Bucks routed the Suns, 120-100, and the Suns lead the series, 2-1.  Antetokounmpo had 41 points and 13 rebounds and the Bucks went on a 16-0 run to end the third quarter.
Title: Re: NBA 2020-21
Post by: InThe313 on July 12, 2021, 10:48:56 PM
This might not be a good Olympics.  The United States lost to Australia, 91-83, marking the first time men’s basketball team has lost back-to-back exhibition games since professionals started playing in 1992.
Title: Re: NBA 2020-21
Post by: InThe313 on July 13, 2021, 08:59:59 PM
I hate this story.  Clippers small forward Kawhi Leonard underwent surgery to repair a partially torn right ACL.  There is no timetable for his return.
Title: Re: NBA 2020-21
Post by: InThe313 on July 15, 2021, 01:55:00 AM
Okay, so I had trouble posting on my phone earlier, so let's recap the game.  The Suns played the Bucks in the NBA Finals with the Suns ahead, 2-1.  The Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo posted back-to-back 40-10 games.  The Suns' Devin Booker scored a playoff-low 10 points in Game 3.

By the end of the third quarter, the two teams were locked in a close one as the Suns led the Bucks, 82-76, behind Booker's game-high 38 points.

In the end, the Bucks rallied to even the Finals, 2-2, by beating the Suns, 109-103.  The Bucks' Khris Middle finished with 40 points, including 14 in the fourth quarter.  Booker had 42 points, but only four in the fourth quarter.
Title: Re: NBA 2020-21
Post by: InThe313 on July 17, 2021, 09:17:29 PM
The importance of this game cannot be stressed enough.  The Bucks are playing the Suns in the NBA Finals with the series tied, 2-2.  The home team won the first four games.  The Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo has 32 points and 14 rebounds per game in the Finals.  Updates to come.

UPDATE:  We could see a road team steal a game.  The Bucks lead the Suns, 100-90, despite the Suns' Devin Booker's 29 points.

UP{DATE 2:  You can add this to the highlight reel.  The Bucks' Jrue Holiday stripped Booker late and lobbed it up to Antetokounmpo for an unreal dunk to seal a 123-119 win and a 3-2 Finals lead.
Title: Re: NBA 2020-21
Post by: InThe313 on July 21, 2021, 02:07:06 AM
Since I again had wifi issues over mobile, here's what I would've been saying in real time.  The Suns were playing the Bucks in the NBA Finals with the Bucks leading, 3-2.  The Bucks came in seeking their first title since 1971 and Giannis Antetokounmpo came in with three straight 25-5-5 games.

At the start of the fourth quarter, we didn't know if we would be getting new champs or Game 7 as the Bucks and Suns were tied at 77 with the Bucks one win away from an NBA title.

With 3:08 left to play, the suns still had a chance to rally and spoil the party as the Bucks led, 98-2, in Game 6.

Finally, the Bucks defeated the Suns, 105-98, to win their first NBA title since 1971.  Antetokounmpo's 50 points tied for the most in a title clincher.

To solidify his Hall of Fame résumé, Antetokounmo was named Finals MVP, joining Hornets owner Michael Jordan and Hakeem Olajuwon as the only players to win MVP, Defensive Player of the Year and NBA Finals MVP.