NBA 2022-23

[InThe313]

Go make history for yourselves!  Nikola Jokić and the Nuggets are going for a sweep of LeBron James and the Lakers in Game 4.  Updates to come.

UPDATE:  This is the opposite of how I wanted things to go.  James had 31 at the half after playing nearly the entire first half of a must-win Game 4 as the Lakers lead the Nuggets, 73-58.

UPDATE 2:  What a remarkable comeback!  Jokić’s NBA-record eighth triple-double this postseason sent the Nuggets to their first NBA Finals with a 113-111 win in Game 4 in Los Angeles to sweep James and the Lakers.

UPDATE 3:  This is a new wrinkle I was not anticipating.  James is considering retirement, telling ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, “I got to think about it,” when asked if he would walk away from the NBA next season.

[Cadeauxxx]

He could retire and leave behind a huge legacy, though I don't think he will. He has to be able to see how close this team is to being a title contender.

I'm very proud of this Lakers team. To start 2-10 and be a circus show with Russ and Pat Bev, then turn it around at the trade deadline and make a deep playoff run. They knocked off the #2 seed, and the defending champs. All with an old LeBron playing through injury.

They went out fighting unlike the Celtics who just gave up the other day.

I hope the Heat win it all. Happy for Jokic, but I haven't seen a team talk so much crap like Denver after every game. Even their coach shoots his mouth off like a player. It would be funny if Miami took them out in 5.

[InThe313]

Looks like this great rivalry will have one more day.  Jayson Tatum tallied 34 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists as the Celtics forced Game 5 on Thursday in Boston with a 116-99 win over the Heat.

[InThe313]

This poor guy's mental health isn'r right at all.  According to TMZ, the Shelby County Sheriff's Office said Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant "is fine" after a welfare check following cryptic social media posts.

[InThe313]

I do not think there is a need to panic yet.  The Celtics forced Game 6 on Saturday in Miami by dominating the Heat, 110-97, at home to inch closer to becoming the first team in NBA history to overcome a 3-0 deficit.

[InThe313]

What a thriller tonight in Miami!  Derrick White got the winning putback as time expired to give the Celtics 104-103 win over the Heat and save their season by forcing Game 7 on Monday in Boston.

[Cadeauxxx]

Unbelievable series comeback by the Celtics. We all thought they were done after game 3. Can't wait for game 7.

[InThe313]

I am sure this is one of the last things the league wished it was dealing with right now.  According to Marc Stein, the NBA is investigating referee Eric Lewis over an alleged Twitter account that replied to posts on league officiating.

[InThe313]

Crisis averted!  The Heat booked their seventh NBA Finals trip since 2006 with a 103-84 Game 7 win as the Celtics’ bid to rally from a 3-0 deficit fell short.  The Heat will play the Nuggets beginning on Thursday in Denver.

[Cadeauxxx]

It is such a grind to come back from a 0-3 deficit and force a game 7. That record has never been broken cause it seems to be impossible to go through the trials, all while keeping that underdog mentality for 4 consecutive games.

Congrats to the Heat, hope they win it all!

[InThe313]

This is freaking awesome!  According to Adrian Wojnarowski, Monty Williams and the Pistons agreed to a six-year, $78.5 million contract for Williams to become the Pistons’ head coach.

[InThe313]

Finally, it is showtime!  Game 1 of the NBA Finals is on now.  The Heat are trying for their fourth title.  The Nuggets are seeking their first.  Updates to come.

UPDATE:  This is getting away early.  Jamal Murray has 18 points and Nikola Jokić has 10 assists as the Nuggets lead the Heat by 17, 59-42, entering the third quarter.

UPDATE 2:  Is there anything this guy cannot do?  Jokić became the second player in NBA history with a triple-double in a Finals debut as the Nuggets took Game 1 and defeated the Heat, 104-93.

[Cadeauxxx]

Miami shot only 2 free throws in game 1. An all time low for the NBA Finals. Will be curious to see if the Heat can win one of the next two, if not they might be in the same trouble the Lakers were.

[Cadeauxxx]

This is freaking awesome!  According to Adrian Wojnarowski, Monty Williams and the Pistons agreed to a six-year, $78.5 million contract for Williams to become the Pistons’ head coach.

A great hire! Could not believe the Suns let him go.

[Cadeauxxx]

The Suns are finalizing a 5 year deal with Frank Vogel.