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Today's Game
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New Comments
· by JamFan in Who will be with the ... on Mar 14, 2010 - 11:46 PM
· by MrMojo112 in Who will be with the ... on Mar 14, 2010 - 05:16 PM
· by ReliveThe3PEAT in Who will be with the ... on Mar 11, 2010 - 11:16 PM
· by simplydatruth in Whats wrong with the ... on Mar 06, 2010 - 04:20 AM



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    VujacicSloveniaOffline
    Post subject:   PostPosted: Apr 12, 2009 - 04:05 PM PST
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    31-9 to finish the first quarter....damn. No KG, but still.

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    HarryOffline
    Post subject:   PostPosted: Apr 12, 2009 - 04:08 PM PST
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    Celtics suck badly...Cavs are just playing how they always play, Celtics just plain suck.

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    HarryOffline
    Post subject:   PostPosted: Apr 12, 2009 - 04:08 PM PST
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    VujacicSlovenia wrote:
    29-9 Cavs, but here comes Starbury, so all is not lost.


    LOL here comes Starbury...
     
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    noam57Offline
    Post subject:   PostPosted: Apr 12, 2009 - 04:17 PM PST
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    lol!!!!!! the Cavs KILLING THEM ^^^

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    ReliveThe3PEATOffline
    Post subject:   PostPosted: Apr 12, 2009 - 05:15 PM PST
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    46-69...wow

    The Cavs are a WAY different team when they are at home.

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    Nay511Offline
    21 Post subject:   PostPosted: Apr 12, 2009 - 05:24 PM PST
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    Just got back from eating dinner with my fam. Had 3 mojitos and a long island. Got back at home to turn on the TV to see the Celtics getting blown out by the Cavs. What a high blower!!!! I dread saying this, but Im rooting for the Celtics today!!! Yellow_Flash_Colorz_PDT_45

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    LosAngelesLakersOffline
    Post subject:   PostPosted: Apr 12, 2009 - 05:41 PM PST
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    the Cavs have just been making shot after shot... i cant even remember them missing..

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    noam57Offline
    Post subject:   PostPosted: Apr 12, 2009 - 09:40 PM PST
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    the Cavs Cruise the Celtics! the Sixers lost to the Raptors and now they tie up with the Bulls in the Sixth spot

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    VujacicSloveniaOffline
    Post subject:   PostPosted: Apr 13, 2009 - 09:08 PM PST
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    The Cavs-Pacers game is somewhat close....

    99-94 Cavs, 7 minutes left....

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    VujacicSloveniaOffline
    Post subject:   PostPosted: Apr 13, 2009 - 09:34 PM PST
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    It's official: The Cleveland Cavaliers have won home court advantage throughout the 2009 Playoffs.

    If somebody wants to win an NBA Title, they'll have to find a way to win in the Q.

    Only one team has proven that they can do that.

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    VujacicSloveniaOffline
    Post subject:   PostPosted: Apr 13, 2009 - 11:32 PM PST
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    Wow! JR Smith came one three pointer short of tying Donyell Marshall's NBA record for three pointers in a game! 11 of 18....

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    ReliveThe3PEATOffline
    Post subject:   PostPosted: Apr 13, 2009 - 11:34 PM PST
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    VujacicSlovenia wrote:
    Wow! JR Smith came one three pointer short of tying Donyell Marshall's NBA record for three pointers in a game! 11 of 18....


    Dont Kobe and Donyell share the record? Wow... thats mighty impressive by Smith!
     
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    VujacicSloveniaOffline
    Post subject:   PostPosted: Apr 13, 2009 - 11:40 PM PST
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    ^ Yeah, they do...I just wanted to see if anyone would bring it up...lol.

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    bigpapi24Offline
    Post subject:   PostPosted: Apr 14, 2009 - 12:42 AM PST
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    WAIT DIDNT KOBE HAVE 13 IN ONE GAME BEFORE
     
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    Lakers4KobeOffline
    Post subject:   PostPosted: Apr 14, 2009 - 01:09 AM PST
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    VujacicSlovenia wrote:
    ^ Yeah, they do...I just wanted to see if anyone would bring it up...lol.


    Haha good one VS.

    If I remember correctly Kobe was something like 12-18 from 3 in that game. He was crazy in that game. He also made like 9 or 10 straight 3s as well, even more impressive!

    Congrats to JR Smith though. That's a lot of 3s in one game!

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    cuckoorollerOffline
    Post subject:   PostPosted: Apr 16, 2009 - 04:46 AM PST
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    Yeah, Kobe hit 12, not 13.

    As for last night, damn the Whore Nuts! They really blew it out their butts on a pretty much won game in San Antonio! I was rooting for three teams last night. Dallas to beat Houston; New Orleans to beat San Antonio; and Portland to beat Denver. Can anybody guess why? Got two of them, but New Orleans choked as usual and mucked everything up.

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    MrMojo112Offline
    Post subject:   PostPosted: Oct 27, 2009 - 07:25 PM PST
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    Bump.

    Really excited to see the Celtics/ Cavs game tonight to kick off the 2009-10 season!

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    VujacicSloveniaOffline
    Post subject:   PostPosted: Oct 27, 2009 - 07:26 PM PST
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    2009-2010 Season

    Figured this thread needed a bump...

    Anyway, there are actually three non-Laker games tonight.

    Boston @ Cleveland
    Washington @ Dallas
    Houston @ Portland

    Looks like a pretty good lineup. Boston-Cleveland should be especially good, both elite teams with something to prove. In a way, I'm more interested in that game than the Laker game. How well will Shaq fit in? Is KG still KG? Can't get complete answers from one game, but it's a start.

    Washington-Dallas is interesting too. Two teams that'll look a lot different than what they did last season...possible sleepers.

    Houston-Portland is mildly interesting. If only to see how Oden and Ariza perform. Maybe Andre Miller too. Other than that, nothing really special.

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    kb24_4lifeOffline
    Post subject:   PostPosted: Oct 27, 2009 - 07:52 PM PST
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    Cleveland up early on Boston 28-17.

    LeBron also looks really good out there by the way. Same with Shaq...........

    Actually, the whole team looks really good for the Cavs.

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    VujacicSloveniaOffline
    Post subject:   PostPosted: Oct 27, 2009 - 08:15 PM PST
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    Things you gotta love about opening night: Ray Allen is currently shooting his free throws at 50% this season....lol

    Anyway, LeBron went out, and Boston really started to catch up. Shaq hasn't looked half bad either. Rasheed is dropping threes too.

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    mambamonk87Offline
    Post subject:   PostPosted: Oct 27, 2009 - 08:24 PM PST
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    Knew Boston would catch up. Their bench (and Ray Allen) just kept chipping away at the lead. They stayed calm and played within their system; that kind of veteran savvy can't be taught.

    I'm torn. I don't know who I want to win this game. I know I want to see the Celtics in the Finals so that we can beat them, but I still hate them enough to enjoy watching them lose. However, I don't want to hear all these Shaq/LeBron love stories on ESPN.

    First game of the season and I'm already rambling on like an idiot. Gotta love the NBA!

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    lakerblokeOffline
    Post subject:   PostPosted: Oct 27, 2009 - 08:25 PM PST
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    What is up with Sheed's hair-do??

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    VujacicSloveniaOffline
    Post subject:   PostPosted: Oct 27, 2009 - 08:47 PM PST
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    I'm a little sad that NBATV replaced Gary Payton with Kevin McHale. I'm sure McHale will be a more insightful and knowledgable commentator, but Payton & C-Webb were comedic gold.

    Anyway, this is a really good game. High quality of play from both sides.

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    ReliveThe3PEATOffline
    Post subject:   PostPosted: Oct 27, 2009 - 09:33 PM PST
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    Good work Mojo, VS. I was just about to bump this thread.

    Anyway, Cleveland looked impressive early on, but now, Boston is looking great.
    That LBJ block on Rondo was sick and I was LMAO. How does Rondo dare go up that softly when you know James is right behind you?

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    KBLakers24Offline
    Post subject:   PostPosted: Oct 27, 2009 - 09:35 PM PST
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    cavs ended on a 18-10 run and they're trailing by seven heading into the fourth.
     
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    noam57Offline
    Post subject:   PostPosted: Oct 27, 2009 - 09:37 PM PST
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    the C's will win the game...

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    ReliveThe3PEATOffline
    Post subject:   PostPosted: Oct 27, 2009 - 09:37 PM PST
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    BTW, Parker looks impressive in his first game as a Cav.

    I remember early on, way before the Cavs signed him, I wanted the Lakers to sign this guy and give him Sasha's minutes. Lets hope Sasha makes me look like a fool... Lol

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    Post subject:   PostPosted: Oct 27, 2009 - 10:22 PM PST
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    Boston wins 95-89. Impressive victory for them. KG looks a little hesitant, but overall, better than I expected.

    LeBron's jumper looks better, but the offense for their team looks like it might stuggle at the end of games.

    In other news...Trevor Ariza made his first shot attempt as a Rocket...a three, actually.

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    Post subject:   PostPosted: Oct 27, 2009 - 11:19 PM PST
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    damn a 3, still remember when he hits those clutch shots, still miss him man.

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    Post subject:   PostPosted: Oct 27, 2009 - 11:42 PM PST
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    the Wizards beat the Mavericks in Dallas without Jamison

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    Post subject: Paul Pierce powers Celtics past Cavs in season opener  PostPosted: Oct 28, 2009 - 01:41 AM PST
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    Cleveland -- Shaquille O'Neal has learned the ropes in his 17 NBA seasons. There's one lesson that has endured since he was a raw rookie.

    "You can't win a championship in the first game," he said.

    Boston's Big Three -- plus Rasheed -- spoiled Cleveland's overhyped season opener on Tuesday night with a 95-89 win over the new-look Cavaliers, who may have LeBron James and Shaq but appear to be a long way from true title contenders.

    Paul Pierce scored 23 points, Ray Allen 16 and Kevin Garnett 13 in his first regular-season game since last March as the Celtics, overlooked by some this preseason, ended an 11-game losing streak in Cleveland and snapped a 16-game skid by visiting teams in games between the Eastern powers who figure to meet again sometime in May or June.

    "It was a good Day One," Pierce said. "Psychologically, you want to go into a team's building and win, especially in a place where we haven't won in a few years. It's great to come here and get a win. We know when we come here next time that we can do it again."

    Pierce made two crucial jumpers and two free throws in the final 1:03 to pace the Celtics, whose drive to a second straight title was derailed when Garnett injured his knee late last season. Rasheed Wallace, added as a free agent during the offseason, had 12 points.

    James scored 38 and O'Neal added 10 points -- just two after halftime -- and 10 rebounds for the Cavaliers, who won their first 23 home games last season but are already 0-1 on their floor.

    Cleveland's offense never found a rhythm as the Cavs tried to figure out how to best use the 7-foot-1, 325-pound O'Neal.

    "We'd like to start off 1-0, but there are 100 games left," said O'Neal, who was just 1 of 5 from the floor in the second half and missed his only two free throws. "We'll be fine. I've been on teams that started 0-1, 0-5, 5-0, 10-0. Nothing matters unless you win the whole thing."

    Because of the 14-time All-Star O'Neal's addition, the Cavaliers have gotten the bulk of the preseason attention and are a trendy pick to win their first NBA title.

    The Celtics may have other plans.

    "We just carry on, handle our business and understand we have one goal in mind," Pierce said. "We really don't care what people say about us. We know what our goal is."

    Garnett looked fully recovered from surgery to repair his right knee. Allen stroked a couple 3s, and Pierce was his cold-blooded best down the stretch. After James missed a 3-pointer that would have brought Cleveland within one, Pierce stuck a 15-footer to make it 89-83.

    Cleveland turned it over when newly acquired Anthony Parker couldn't handle a pass from James, and Pierce made the Cavs pay again with a second dagger from the outside.

    Pierce had 11 rebounds, Garnett 10 and Rajon Rondo added 10 assists for Boston, whose reserves outscored Cleveland's 26-10.

    "I liked what happened tonight because everyone contributed," Celtics coach Doc Rivers said. "It was as much of a team win as you can get."

    James was in MVP form, but this wasn't the debut the Cavs envisioned. Their offense sputtered as coach Mike Brown feared, and their defense didn't do a good job on the perimeter and was missing one of its key components, guard Delonte West, who was inactive for the game and whose future seems uncertain in Cleveland.

    The Cavaliers began their quest for a title without the troubled but valuable West, who has had a turbulent offseason dealing with medical and personal issues. General manager Danny Ferry and a support team helping the guard decided West was not ready to play.

    West has bipolar disorder and blamed an arrest last month on weapons charges near his home in Maryland on not staying with his medications. As the Cavs were introduced before the game, West leaned against a wall in the tunnel leading to Cleveland's locker room.

    James finished with eight assists, made four 3-poiners and delivered two spectacular chase-down blocks.

    Wearing a pair of headphones with blue Yankees pinstripes and NY logo, James, who can become a free agent after the season, stretched out before the game in the locker room listening to Young Jeezy's "24, 23," a song that includes lyrics about Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant and James.

    "I used to play Kobe, but now I play LeBron," James rapped loudly while eyeing a flat-screen TV.

    He wasn't singing afterward.

    "Boston is a great team," James said. "I think we can all say that we probably will see each other in the postseason. We will be around."

    The circus-like atmosphere outside the arena was more befitting an NBA finals game in June than an October opener. Cleveland fans have been waiting months for this night, the tip-off to a season already unlike any in the franchise's 40-year history.

    On the other side of Ontario Street, a billboard said, "It Begins." What matters to the Cavs, though, is how it ends.

    "They're going to be great," Rivers said of the Cavs. "Shaq's a great player and LeBron, if he's not the best, he's 1A. I've heard a lot of talk about Shaq clogging up stuff, but you can't leave Shaq so it's going to actually open it up more for LeBron. They're going to be a tough basketball team."

    James had a basket taken away when the officials reviewed a layup in the final minute. It was the first use of the NBA's expanded instant-replay system, which allows officials to check to see if a shot has gotten off before the 24-second shot clock expires.

    The Celtics were without Glen "Big Baby" Davis, who is out indefinitely after breaking his thumb in a fight with a friend. O'Neal joked that he would miss injured Boston forward Glen Davis. "They call him Big Baby for a reason," cracked the Big Diesel. "Because he's my son."

    Link: http://www.detnews.com/article/20091028 ... 1127/rss13

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    Post subject: Celtics Prevail in First Test of Revamped Eastern Powers  PostPosted: Oct 28, 2009 - 01:43 AM PST
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    CLEVELAND — When LeBron James did not cover Kevin Garnett, he was eye to eye with Ray Allen. If not Allen, it was Paul Pierce. When Allen rested, Marquis Daniels entered the fray.

    The Cleveland Cavaliers spent the off-season tinkering with a roster that would make a majority of the N.B.A. envious. They landed Shaquille O’Neal and surrounded James with capable wing players in Anthony Parker and Jamario Moon.

    If Tuesday’s season opener — a 95-89 loss to the Boston Celtics — was any indicator, the status quo remained. The ball resides in James’s hands. It is with him that the franchise thrives and dives. In the first game of a rivalry that could recycle itself deep in the Eastern Conference’s playoffs, the Celtics nullified James’s 38 points with a revolving door of players, some old and some new.

    Pierce, who has often rattled the Cavaliers, wove through the lane and hit a jumper from the free-throw line that clinched the victory, providing the Celtics a 6-point lead with a little more than one minute remaining.

    In the process, Boston put to rest past haunts. Cleveland has worn its home-court advantage like a security blanket, winning 39 of 41 games last season. Even the Celtics’ championship team of two seasons ago could not disrupt Cleveland’s home momentum.

    Pierce ended with 23 points and Allen provided 16 points. Garnett totaled 13 points and 10 rebounds in his first game after missing the final nine regular-season games and the playoffs last season with a knee injury.

    James took 22 shots and made 12. He kept the Cavaliers in striking distance down the stretch and eclipsed Kobe Bryant as the youngest player to reach 13,000 points by nearly two years. James also recorded four blocks, two coming after trailing the play and erasing attempted layups from Allen and Rajon Rondo in a crowd-pleasing fashion.

    The game offered a first glance at Cleveland’s revamped lineup. There is still work to be done. Cavaliers Coach Mike Brown, who said he was still testing O’Neal’s limits (10 points, 10 rebounds), extended him into the fourth quarter for the first time.

    James said: “It could take a few weeks. Not saying that we lose ballgames in that span, because we are going to try and win ballgames, of course. But as far as us meshing and having that rotation down and us having the same momentum going to every game that we had last year, it might take a little while.”

    The Celtics led by as many as 15 points in the second half. James’s 3-pointer narrowed the edge to 83-79 with 4 minutes 52 seconds remaining. Pierce responded with a basket, and Garnett connected on a turnaround jump shot.

    O’Neal’s acquisition carries risk and reward. With him, the Cavaliers possess a box-to-box scoring threat for the first time in the James era.

    That showed early when O’Neal made his first three shots. He scored only 2 points in the second half, when the Cavaliers never led.

    “I’ve been around 17 years, so win the first game, lose the first game, you’ve just got to get better,” O’Neal said.

    “It’s still fairly a new team — we’re still learning each other.”

    The Cavaliers seared a reputation with an exhausting defense last season. O’Neal can still be a lurking force and a human detour when opponents drive the lane. But he has lost a step or two. In the second quarter, Allen circled inside the lane, back out, then in again before cruising in for an easy layup with O’Neal nowhere to be found. It was part of a swing that helped Boston erase a 14-point deficit and enter halftime with a 51-45 lead.

    The Celtics’ marquee acquisition, Rasheed Wallace, made two 3-pointers during the run and had 12 points in 24 minutes.

    Celtics Coach Doc Rivers used Wallace more than planned because forward Glen Davis is expected to be sidelined six to eight weeks with a broken right thumb. He sustained the injury after an altercation with a former high school teammate.

    “When we got the results back, we were hoping it would teach a bad lesson, but not one that was going to hurt our team as well,” Rivers said. “It turned out to be both.”

    Boston also has to attend to the unsettledness of Rondo’s contract negotiations. Meanwhile, Cleveland’s Delonte West has legal concerns as he battles depression and was inactive.

    Rivers said before the start that the game would have more meaning than most others in the regular season.

    “Before the game, it means more,” Rivers said. “After the game, it’s one of 82.”

    In that case, it is 1 down and 81 to go for the Celtics.

    GRIFFIN MAY MISS SIX WEEKS Blake Griffin, this year’s No. 1 overall draft pick, will be out up to six weeks with a stress fracture in his left kneecap, probably delaying his debut with the Los Angeles Clippers until mid-December.

    Griffin was hurt during a preseason game last Friday, wincing in pain as he came down from a dunk late in the third quarter. He insisted as recently as Monday afternoon that he would play through the discomfort, but a magnetic resonance imaging test Monday revealed the stress fracture.

    “It’s disappointing, especially when it happened, but I’m not going to feel sorry for myself,” Griffin said. (AP)

    Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/28/sport ... 8cavs.html
     
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    Post subject: RE: Celtics Prevail in First Test of Revamped Eastern Powers  PostPosted: Oct 28, 2009 - 01:50 AM PST
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    The Celtics looked good tonight; real good. Although it's really, really early, I'm thoroughly convinced it'll be a Lakers v. Celtics Finals rematch. I know we haven't seen the Magic play yet, but I don't think they've got as much depth as this Celtics squad. Daniels and Sheed were great pickups for the green b*stards, and I can't wait for our first season matchup with them.

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    Post subject: Outlaw sparks Blazers over Rockets 96-87  PostPosted: Oct 28, 2009 - 01:53 AM PST
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    PORTLAND, Ore. (AP)—Reserve Travis Outlaw(notes) scored 23 points and the Portland Trail Blazers beat the Houston Rockets 96-87 in the season opener Tuesday night.

    Brandon Roy(notes) added 20 points and five assists for the Blazers. Portland hit 20 of 22 free throws and outrebounded Houston 51-33.

    Aaron Brooks(notes) had 19 points for the Rockets, who defeated Portland in six games this past spring in the first round of the playoffs.

    That was a much different Houston team, though. Rockets center Yao Ming(notes) is out for the season after offseason foot surgery, and Ron Artest(notes)—who pestered the Blazers—left for the Lakers as a free agent.
    Portland Trail Blazers guard Brandon Roy(notes), right, drives to the hoop as teammate Travis Outlaw(notes), left, sets a screen on Houston Rockets guard Trevor Ariza(notes) during the first quarter of their NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2009.

    Houston also remains without former All-Star Tracy McGrady(notes), who had microfracture surgery on his left knee and isn’t expected to return until midseason.

    The absence of Yao brought matchup problems for the Rockets in trying to defend Portland’s 7-foot center Greg Oden(notes). Houston started 6-foot-6 Chuck Hayes(notes) at center.

    Oden, who was the No. 1 draft pick in 2007 but missed his rookie season because of microfracture surgery on his knee, played off the bench for most of last season but wrested the starting job away from Joel Przybilla(notes) this fall.

    The emphasis for Oden against the Rockets was defense: He had five blocks to go with two points and 12 rebounds. He took just three shots, and didn’t make one until a tip with 58 seconds left.

    The Blazers were without Nicolas Batum(notes), who was set to be a starting forward until Monday, when it was announced that he would need shoulder surgery and would miss at least three months.

    In his place the Blazers started Martell Webster(notes), who missed all but a few minutes of last season because of a foot injury. Webster finished with 14 points.

    The Blazers pulled ahead in the first quarter until Trevor Ariza’s(notes) 3-pointer tied it at 20 for Houston. Ariza signed with the Rockets as a free agent in the offseason after spending last season in Los Angeles.

    But Outlaw hit on a dunk, a 3-pointer and another dunk to put Portland ahead 30-23 and kick off a 23-7 run that made it 46-30. The Blazers went on to lead 54-41 at the break. Outlaw had 14 points in the first half.

    Blazers swingman Rudy Fernandez(notes), who missed much of the preseason because of back spasms, hit a 3-pointer to make it 67-48.

    The Rockets narrowed it to 89-83 late in the game after Chase Budinger’s(notes) dunk and a pair of free throws from fellow rookie David Anderson, but couldn’t pull any closer.

    The Rockets defeated the Blazers 4-2 in the playoffs, claiming their first postseason series since 1997. Houston lost in the conference semifinals to the eventual NBA champion Lakers.

    Portland had not been to the playoffs since 2003.

    ^Notes: Przybilla fouled out with 7:03 left. … Houston’s Brooks played at the University of Oregon. … The Rockets have a rough start to the season. They play the second of a back-to-back at Golden State on Wednesday, then face the Blazers again for their home opener on Halloween before visiting Utah and finally hosting the defending champion Lakers on Nov. 4. “After five games we’re going to figure out who we are,” coach Rick Adelman said.

    Link: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/recap?gid=2 ... mp;prov=ap

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    Post subject: Arenas carries Wizards past Mavericks in opener  PostPosted: Oct 28, 2009 - 01:54 AM PST
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    DALLAS (AP)—Gilbert Arenas(notes) is a man of few words these days. He’s good for a bunch of points and assists, though, and the Washington Wizards will gladly take that.

    Finally healthy after two seasons virtually lost to knee injuries, Arenas had 29 points and nine assists as the Wizards took an early lead over the revamped Dallas Mavericks and never let go on their way to a 102-91 victory Tuesday night.

    “I felt fine,” said Arenas, who was practically forced to speak after he and the team were fined $25,000 each for his silence during the preseason. “I did fine.”

    Fine?
    Dallas Mavericks forward Shawn Marion(notes), right, is wrapped up as he drives to the basket by Washington Wizards guard DeShawn Stevenson(notes), left, in the second half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2009, in Dallas. Marion had 16 points in the 102-91 loss to the Wizards.

    Arenas shot 10 of 21 and made 8-of-9 free throws for more points than he had all of last season. Then again, he played only two games last season. He played just 13 the year before, and this was his most points since Nov. 14, 2007. Thanks to his leadership, the Wizards dug out of an early hole and never trailed over the last three quarters, making a winner out of Flip Saunders in his debut as Washington’s coach.

    “He did his talking on the floor,” Saunders said. “Gil showed glimpses of why he’s got that unbelievable burst of speed and his ability to weave through people and score at the rim. I thought he ran our offense great as far as getting the ball to people. He had 29 points and nine assists so I think that anyone that had questions about where he’s at … He’s just going to continue to get better and better.”

    Feeling so good he doesn’t even wear a brace, Arenas was as effective hitting long jumpers over tall defenders as he was driving the lane. His vintage baskets included scooting around a guard, switching hands and scooping in a layup between two big guys, and another where he sped past three players and swirled the ball around to clear room for another layup.

    The assists included several nifty passes that set up Brendan Haywood(notes) for dunks. He also helped set up reserves Andray Blatche(notes) for 20 points and Randy Foye(notes) for 19 in his first game with the Wizards. Caron Butler(notes) added 16 points, with injured forward Antawn Jamison(notes) watching from the bench. He’s likely to miss the first eight to 13 games because of a shoulder injury.

    “It’s a win,” Arenas said. “If we want to be good, we’ve got to win on the road. It feels great, but it’s just one.”

    The Mavs sure hope this is only one aberration, not a repeat of their 2-7 start that including losing their first four home games last season.

    With the arrival of Shawn Marion(notes) and several others, Dallas is supposed to be deeper and more versatile, even while Josh Howard(notes) and Tim Thomas(notes) are getting over injuries.

    But the Mavericks fell into the old habit of trying to ride a big night by Dirk Nowitzki(notes). He scored 34 points, but was only 10 of 25. He was 12 of 13 from the foul line—all in the first half.

    “He would be dead by Christmas if we’re going to let him be the offense,” said Jason Kidd(notes), who had four points, six rebounds and six assists. “Our team defense stunk. We didn’t rebound the ball well. Everything we’re supposed to do well was a no-show tonight.”

    Marion made his first three shots, all in the first quarter, then didn’t score again until the opening basket of the fourth quarter. That got Dallas within a point, but Arenas and the Wizards pulled away.

    “It seemed like one moment we had something going, the next moment we couldn’t get over the hump,” said Marion, who had 16 points, seven rebounds and three blocks. “It’s just a learning curve.”

    J.J. Barea scored 13 points and Jason Terry(notes) was 4 of 15 for 12 points. Newcomer Drew Gooden(notes) made only 1 of 6 shots for two points.

    Before tipoff of the 30th season in Dallas history, Marion told the crowd: “We’re going to take you on a long journey. Enjoy the ride.”

    Notes: This was the 318th straight sellout, the longest in the NBA. … Mavs owner Mark Cuban said Howard (ankle, wrist surgery) should return within two weeks. … Washington’s DeShawn Stevenson(notes) missed a pair of free throws in the final minute of the first half, but picked up a loose ball and nailed a 30-footer at the buzzer. It was called good, but erased after a replay. … The season began with a jazzy national anthem, courtesy of pianist Bruce Hornsby and a drummer. Hornsby is buddies with Mavs coach Rick Carlisle, who turned 50 Tuesday. Hornsby didn’t sing “Happy Birthday,” at least not from the piano at midcourt.

    Link: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/recap?gid=2 ... mp;prov=ap

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    Post subject: RE: Arenas carries Wizards past Mavericks in opener  PostPosted: Oct 28, 2009 - 02:22 AM PST
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    LeBron looked great as usual, but the Cavs other players just don't measure up to the C's. LeBron's 3 pointer was fresh as usual...i just wanna see him shoot those Kobe-mid rangers more often and see if he can hit those regularly like his 3.

    GILBERT IS BACK!!! looks like the Wizards are as well...i think they will be a top 5 team in the East this year. they definitely can, they have the pieces.

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    Post subject: RE: Arenas carries Wizards past Mavericks in opener  PostPosted: Oct 28, 2009 - 02:27 AM PST
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    yess patient zero just became back to agent zeroo yeahhh Very HappyD
     
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    Post subject: RE: Arenas carries Wizards past Mavericks in opener  PostPosted: Oct 28, 2009 - 02:29 AM PST
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    Yeah... LeBron's jumper looks better, but its no secret that LeBron's never been a good 3-ball hitter. It seems like everytime he makes em, its only off a screen or when he's wide open. But tonight there wasn't really much of that. He shot the ball with confidence and finished with 38.

    ...and yes, I was very happy for GBert. I really do wish him the best. I hate it when a special player get ruined by injuries.

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    Post subject: Re: RE: Arenas carries Wizards past Mavericks in opener  PostPosted: Oct 28, 2009 - 02:49 AM PST
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    ReliveThe3PEAT wrote:
    Yeah... LeBron's jumper looks better, but its no secret that LeBron's never been a good 3-ball hitter. It seems like everytime he makes em, its only off a screen or when he's wide open. But tonight there wasn't really much of that. He shot the ball with confidence and finished with 38.

    ...and yes, I was very happy for GBert. I really do wish him the best. I hate it when a special player get ruined by injuries.


    But I wouldn't say that LeBron's a horrible 3 point shooter. He's shooting at like a career 33%, which is respectable.

    However, anyone else notice how Shaq clogged up the paint for LeBron? Seemed to me like LeBron was forced into a lot of shots that he normally doesn't take.

    I think the Cavs have gotten worse with this Shaq experiment. I just don't see much of an upside.

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    Post subject: RE: Re: RE: Arenas carries Wizards past Mavericks in opener  PostPosted: Oct 28, 2009 - 03:02 AM PST
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    One thing that caught my eye was Lebron's reaction after the game. He seemed too at ease for losing at home. Either he quickly learned how to walk out as a respectable loser or he is definitely out of Cleveland. But maybe, just maybe, Lebron and the Cavs may be taking it a bit easier this season and push harder at the end. Whatever it is, "Ring For The King" started on the wrong note.

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    Post subject: Re: RE: Arenas carries Wizards past Mavericks in opener  PostPosted: Oct 28, 2009 - 03:03 AM PST
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    mambamonk87 wrote:
    But I wouldn't say that LeBron's a horrible 3 point shooter. He's shooting at like a career 33%, which is respectable.

    However, anyone else notice how Shaq clogged up the paint for LeBron? Seemed to me like LeBron was forced into a lot of shots that he normally doesn't take.

    I think the Cavs have gotten worse with this Shaq experiment. I just don't see much of an upside.


    Well he isnt a horrible 3 point shooter. Just that his 3 is limited like I mentioned and takes way too many of em when its clearly not his game. He does make em when he needs to though.

    I noticed it too, Shaq is gonna make LeBron a better player in the long run.

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    Post subject: RE: Re: RE: Arenas carries Wizards past Mavericks in opener  PostPosted: Oct 28, 2009 - 03:04 AM PST
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    Cleveland (0-1) at Toronto (0-0)


    With Chris Bosh’s(notes) future in Toronto uncertain, Raptors general manager Bryan Colangelo spent the offseason making moves to convince his power forward to stay and prove to him that the team is moving towards a championship.

    The Cleveland Cavaliers are facing a similar situation with LeBron James(notes), and hope the offseason addition of Shaquille O’Neal(notes) can help the reigning league MVP win a title. However, the new tandem of James and O’Neal hardly made the team look like a title contender in its opener.

    Prized offseason acquisition Hedo Turkoglu(notes) joins Bosh for the Raptors when they open their season in Wednesday night against a Cavaliers team still seeking its first victory.

    After winning the Atlantic Division in 2006-07, and making a return trip to the playoffs the following year, Toronto had high hopes for last season but never got in sync and finished 33-49.

    An 8-9 start led to the firing of coach Sam Mitchell. He was replaced by Jay Triano, but the club didn’t find its footing until late in the season.

    The Raptors won nine of their final 13 games to head into the summer on a high note, and prospects got significantly brighter with the offseason acquisition of Turkoglu, who - after re-signing with Orlando - was traded to Toronto as part of an eight-player, four-team deal.

    The Raptors also added guard Jarrett Jack(notes) and power forward Reggie Evans(notes), and selected Southern California swingman DeMar DeRozan(notes) with the ninth pick of the draft, but Turkoglu appears the most significant addition of them all.

    The 6-foot-10 forward with a great shooting touch averaged 16.8 points and 5.3 rebounds last season to help the Magic reach the NBA finals. He shot 35.6 percent from 3-point range and created difficult matchups for defenses focused on trying to shut down Dwight Howard(notes).

    Now, the Raptors hope Turkoglu can provide a similar dynamic alongside Bosh.

    Bosh led Toronto in scoring (22.7) and rebounding (10.0) and was named to his fourth straight All-Star game in 2008-09. He was drafted fourth overall by the Raptors in 2003, but could leave the team next summer when he becomes a free agent.

    “Hopefully we all have a great year and then (Bosh) makes his decision to stay here with a great group of guys,” Turkoglu said.

    Keeping Bosh is the No. 1 priority for Colangelo.

    “Now we set our sights on making sure that Chris Bosh remains a part of that core as we move forward,” Colangelo said. “And I can tell you with certainty that the moves that have been made, have been met with appreciation and excitement on Chris’ part thus far.”

    Similarly for the Cavaliers, James can become a free agent next summer, so there is considerable pressure in Cleveland to win now.

    Cleveland acquired O’Neal from Phoenix in June, and the addition of the 14-time All-Star has made the club an early favorite for the NBA title. However, the 7-foot-1, 325-pound center and the new-look offense never found their rhythm in Tuesday’s season-opening 95-89 home loss to Boston.

    O’Neal had 10 points - just two after halftime - and 10 rebounds for the Cavs, who have now lost three consecutive season openers.

    “We’d like to start off 1-0, but there are 100 games left,” said O’Neal, who was 1 of 5 from the floor in the second half and missed his only two free throws. “We’ll be fine. I’ve been on teams that started 0-1, 0-5, 5-0, 10-0. Nothing matters unless you win the whole thing.”

    While O’Neal had an unimpressive debut, James already appears to be in mid-season form.

    He finished with 38 points, eight rebounds, four blocks and made four 3-pointers, but no other player on the team scored more than 12.

    Cleveland, which hasn’t opened a season with back-to-back losses since starting 0-3 in 2004-05, hopes to get back on track against a Toronto team it usually dominates.

    The Cavs have won nine of their last 10 meetings with the Raptors. The only time they lost in that span - a 91-82 defeat Nov. 30, 2007, in Toronto - James sat out with a sprained left index finger.

    The five-time All-Star is averaging 31.1 points on 52.5 percent shooting in his last nine games against the Raptors.

    O’Neal’s highest-scoring game since 2002-03 came at Toronto’s expense. He had 45 points while shooting 20 of 25 from the floor in a 133-113 home win for the Suns on Feb. 27 last season.

    Link: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/preview?gid ... mp;prov=ap

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    Post subject:   PostPosted: Oct 28, 2009 - 03:06 AM PST
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    Houston (0-1) at Golden State (0-0)


    Stephen Jackson(notes) has openly talked about his desire to be traded to a contending team, but a day before the Golden State Warriors opened their 2009-10 season, the outspoken swingman was saying all the right things.

    Jackson and the Warriors look to bounce back from a disappointing 2008-09 campaign and a summer of discontent when they host the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night.

    “This is the first camp in the last four years that I didn’t miss a practice,” Jackson said Tuesday. “My body feels great, I’m stronger than ever.

    “I’m excited … I know I don’t have to make every play down court. I have Monta (Ellis) and (Stephen) Curry down there to do most of the ball handling, so all I have to do is score and play defense. And I would rather have that than making plays, scoring and having to defend. It’s more energy for me.”

    Jackson, however, wasn’t this energetic about the upcoming season—or even staying with the team—during the summer. In a magazine article published in August, Jackson voiced his frustrations with the organization that signed him to a three-year, $28 million extension in November.

    “It’s just things are in the air right now,” said Jackson, who averaged 20.7 points, 5.1 rebounds and 6.5 assists last season. “I really can’t get too much into it right now, but I’m just looking to go somewhere where I can go and win a championship.”

    Jackson was fined $25,000 by the NBA for those remarks and suspended for two exhibition games for “conduct detrimental to the team” after leaving the bench and not returning during a 110-91 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Oct. 9.

    “In my 30-some-odd years in coaching, I never suspended a player before,” said the Warriors’ Don Nelson, who two weeks ago accepted Jackson’s offer to surrender his role as team captain. “Maybe I should have a couple of times, but I never have. I try to stay away from doing anything costing players a lot of money.”

    Ellis lost approximately $3 million last season after team president Robert Rowell suspended him 30 games for violating his contract. Ellis signed a six-year, $66 million deal in July 2008, but after severely spraining his ankle in a moped accident in August, he initially lied to the team by explaining the injury was suffered in a pickup game.

    Ellis, who missed 57 games last season, voiced his concern during media day about the Warriors selecting Curry seventh overall in this summer’s draft.

    “I can’t envision that,” Ellis said of playing in an undersized backcourt with Curry, who is also 6-foot-3. “Us together, no. I can’t. I just can’t. I just can’t. They say we can, but we can’t. I just want to win, and we’re not going to win that way.”

    Nelson, though, has squashed any speculation that Curry, who led the nation with 28.6 points per game last season while with Davidson, will be traded.

    Prior to the draft, the Warriors parted ways with Jamal Crawford(notes), who was dealt to Atlanta for Speedy Claxton(notes) and Acie Law(notes). Golden State also re-signed C.J. Watson(notes) and acquired veteran Devean George(notes) during the offseason to bolster the backcourt.

    Corey Maggette(notes) is back from offseason wrist surgery, but the Warriors will be without third-year forward Brandan Wright(notes) for several weeks after he underwent surgery earlier this month to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder.

    Despite playing with a sore back during the preseason, second-year forward Anthony Randolph(notes) looks to stay in the lineup after averaging 10.6 points and 8.5 rebounds in 22 starts last season.

    Second-year swingman Anthony Morrow(notes) also makes a push for more playing time after averaging 17.5 points on 50.4 percent shooting in the Warriors’ final 11 games last season.

    Andris Biedrins(notes), who averaged 11.9 points and 11.2 rebounds in 62 games last season, could be joined by Ronny Turiaf(notes) in the starting frontcourt if Nelson goes with a bigger lineup.

    Golden State, which has lost six straight to Houston, faces an undersized Rockets team that was forced to start 6-foot-6 Chuck Hayes(notes) at center in Tuesday’s season-opening 96-87 loss at Portland.

    With Yao Ming(notes) sidelined until next season following foot surgery and Ron Artest(notes) signing with the Los Angeles Lakers in the offseason, Houston was outrebounded 51-33 and had 12 shots blocked.

    The Rockets benefited from 26 Portland turnovers, but they shot 37.0 percent from the field.

    “We had a pretty good combination out there (during a 21-9 fourth-quarter run) that attacked them a little bit,” coach Rick Adelman said. “But they really helped us by turning it over like they did.”

    Aaron Brooks(notes) had 19 points to lead Houston, but he missed all six 3-point attempts. In Houston’s last visit to Oracle Arena, Brooks hit three 3s and scored 20 points in a 113-109 victory on April 10.

    Trevor Ariza(notes) hit two 3-pointers and scored 12 points in his Rockets debut Tuesday. Playing for the Lakers, Ariza averaged 14.5 points and 5.8 boards against Golden State last season.

    Link: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/preview?gid ... mp;prov=ap

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    Post subject:   PostPosted: Oct 28, 2009 - 03:18 AM PST
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    Oden blocks five shots in Blazers win vs. Rockets

    PORTLAND, Ore.(AP) Greg Oden followed his orders, putting defense and rebounding first.

    Oden scored just two points, a tip with 58 seconds left, but had 12 rebounds and five blocked shots for the Portland Trail Blazers in a 96-87 season-opening victory over the Houston Rockets on Tuesday night.

    ''You definitely want a lot more points,'' Oden said. ''But I think I did a lot of good things that don't show up on the scoreboard or in the stats.''

    Reserve Travis Outlaw scored 23 points and Brandon Roy added 20 points and five assists for the Blazers. Portland hit 20 of 22 free throws and outrebounded Houston 51-33.

    Aaron Brooks had 19 points for the Rockets, who defeated Portland in six games this past spring in the first round of the playoffs.

    That was a much different Houston team, though. Rockets center Yao Ming is out for the season after offseason foot surgery, and Ron Artest - who pestered the Blazers - left for the Lakers as a free agent.

    Houston also remains without former All-Star Tracy McGrady , who had microfracture surgery on his left knee and isn't expected to return until midseason.

    The absence of Yao presented matchup problems for the Rockets in trying to defend the 7-foot Oden. Houston started 6-foot-6 Chuck Hayes at center.

    Oden, who was the No. 1 draft pick in 2007 but missed his rookie season because of microfracture surgery on his knee, played off the bench for most of last season but wrested the starting job away from Joel Przybilla this fall.

    The emphasis for Oden - and the rest of the Blazers - was defense, according to the directive from coach Nate McMillan. Even though Oden had five fouls late in the game, he kept reaching for blocks.

    ''That's the commitment, getting involved in the game on the defensive end of the floor, not the offensive end of the floor. Offensive players want to see that ball go in the basket before they get into the game,'' McMillan said. ''We want to change that thought process this year and get into the game on the defensive end of the floor. I thought our guys did that.''

    But there were problems. The Blazers had 26 turnovers and they let the Rockets pull within six points at the end.

    ''We had a pretty good combination out there that attacked them a little bit,'' Houston coach Rick Adelman said. ''But they really helped us by turning it over like they did.''

    The Blazers were without Nicolas Batum , who was set to be a starting forward until Monday, when it was announced that he would need shoulder surgery and would miss at least three months.

    In his place the Blazers started Martell Webster , who missed all but a few minutes of last season because of a foot injury. Webster finished with 14 points.

    The Blazers pulled ahead in the first quarter until Trevor Ariza 's 3-pointer tied it at 20 for Houston. Ariza signed with the Rockets as a free agent in the offseason after spending last season in Los Angeles.

    But Outlaw hit on a dunk, a 3-pointer and another dunk to put Portland ahead 30-23 and kick off a 23-7 run that made it 46-30. The Blazers went on to lead 54-41 at the break. Outlaw had 14 points in the first half.

    Blazers swingman Rudy Fernandez , who missed much of the preseason because of back spasms, hit a 3-pointer to make it 67-48.

    The Rockets narrowed it to 89-83 late in the game after Chase Budinger 's dunk and a pair of free throws from fellow rookie David Anderson, but couldn't pull any closer.

    ''We built the lead, but the biggest thing is we didn't put them away when we had a chance to,'' Roy said. ''Then again, it's the first game and we're just happy to have this win even though it was sloppy. It's one under our belts.''

    The Rockets defeated the Blazers 4-2 in the playoffs, claiming their first postseason series victory since 1997. Houston lost in the conference semifinals to the eventual NBA champion Lakers.

    Portland had not been to the playoffs since 2003.

    Notes: Portland's 26 turnovers were more than they had in any game last season. ''This will probably be the last game we win with 26 turnovers,'' McMillan said. ... Przybilla fouled out with 7:03 left. ... Houston's Brooks played at the University of Oregon. ... The Rockets have a rough start to the season. They play the second of a back-to-back at Golden State on Wednesday, then face the Blazers again for their home opener on Halloween before visiting Utah and finally hosting the defending champion Lakers on Nov. 4. ''After five games we're going to figure out who we are,'' Adelman said.

    Link: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basket ... xid=si_nba

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    Post subject:   PostPosted: Oct 28, 2009 - 04:09 AM PST
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    Big deal! Three miserable points against the 6' 6" starting Center for the midget Rockets. Seven turnovers. Anybody with more than half a foot height advantage should block shots and grab rebounds against a short team. Five fouls in little more than 20 minutes. I am not impressed. Looks like people in Portland are peeing all over their shoes trying to find a silver lining in this not very impressive debut by the Geriatric Sasquatch. You still can't make a purse out of a sow's ear.

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    We need a bigger sample to see if Lebron's jumper has really improved.

    Often times last season he went through streaks where it seemed he "finally had it", then he would hit a cold streak and fall back to Earth. Lebron is a master of first impressions.

    Most of his jumpers went CLANK, and once again pounding the rim inside proved to be his butter.
     
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    ^ But like Relive said, LeBron's gonna have a full season of practicing his mid/long-range jumpers now that Shaq's clogging up the paint. I think it's going to be a good season of improvement for LeBron; having to change up his game and add new weapons will benefit him in the long run.

    Cleveland looks to be the 5th best team in the league now that LeBron's slightly out of his element; Lakers, Celtics, Spurs, Magic all seem to be better equipped for title runs this year.

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    Post subject:   PostPosted: Oct 28, 2009 - 09:05 PM PST
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    67-57 Raptors up midway through the 3rd quarter.

    Bargnani had 21 points in the first half

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    cleveland lost to the raptors LMFAO! 101 to 91. . . and boston beat the bobcats 92-59. . .wow thats impressive only 59 pts wow!!!
     
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    Raptors won. 101-91, Man those raptors took advantage of Shaq's inability to guard the pick and roll. and i said this last year, if Cavs dont make any adjustments to there offense and let Lebron play 1 on 5 it will be the same result for them again a early exit in the playoffs. I watched the raptors game since there my 2nd favourite, Shaq looks so slow and he packs the lane there is no space for Lebron to drive it, there offense is so stagnent. "win a ring for the king" - Shaq , What a joke, they aint winning nothing. Man cant wait till christmas Cavs are gonna get f**ked up by the Lakers.

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