Alright everybody, I’m out of here. If you dare, you can follow all of us on Twitter: @Ian_Dougherty, @NickDorrepaal, @jakin1013, and last but not least @Mark_Travis. Have a great night, and thanks for chatting!

Quick tangent on the last play though. Gay shot that just a couple feet to the left of where Durant hit his game winner last night. As you can tell, Gay missed because of great D by K-Mart. Durant got the roll, but even he said that he should have missed, that the shot wasn’t taken well. I think this all goes back to everyone trying to play hero ball. I personally don’t like it. When you have one guy at the top with no one else there, all the defenders know what is coming. They’ve studied tape, they know what the ball handler likes to do, so they know how to defend it and that leads to a bad shot. Heck, the Clippers tried hero ball with Chris Paul on the possession before, and Tony Allen would have stopped it if it weren’t for a ticky-tack call (in my opinion). I wish the coaches would do something else like send a player off of some pin down screen actions, run some pick and roll, or even call a set play. Also, I don’t like that Gay didn’t go for something quick. Would have liked to see him go quicker so that the D couldn’t get set, and also provide his terrific rebounders (Gasol, Randolph) with an opportunity to rebound and clean up. But, all in all, great defense by Martin, and an incredible run by the Clippers. Kudos to them.

Agree with Paul in that interview. Wasn’t one person. Reggie Evans, Nick Young, Paul, everyone was instrumental in that comeback. Whether it was Evans down low during the run, Blake hitting his free throws like they needed him to, or K-Mart making two key stops in the last minute.

CP3 in a great mood undoubtedly. Gets in a nice little jab on Sager’s suit.

Oh my goodness. Great D on that one. 4th quarter rally like none other. 28-3 run. Terrific play down the stretch.

That was amazing. Still think the Grizzlies will win the series, but that was dominant by the Clips.

Ohhh man. I don’t really agree with that call, thought that was great D by Tony Allen there. But, nonetheless, CP3 takes the lead. 24 seconds left. Clips have a foul in their back pocket. Lots of options for the Grizz here though

Well then. How about a 26-3 run? Evans has been doing work, and Chris Paul has been orchestrating the offense beautifully. You have to go CP3 here in the clutch, when he’s been ridiculous in that time period this year. I want to see what VDN drew up.

Reggie Evans, you are my hero.

This comeback was unthinkable just a little bit before.

And now Blake goes to the line. YGTMYFT, Blake. Time to step it up.

Fans have a collective “Holy (expletive) what the heck just happened?” face.

OK, who messed with the game sliders you guys? Come on, step up and admit it.

Nick Young is fire!

9 point game WUT??? OHMYGOD NICK YOUNG HAS CAUGHT FIRE

Also, even though the Grizzlies are tremendous on D, I don’t think they’ll force as many turnovers.

OK, that was a nice up-and-under move from Blake there. Way to show some variety. Needs to do that more often.

IT’S ONLY A 13 POINT GAME!!! /The Clippers still have no chance.

Check this link out, scroll down to the “Devil legend” section.

…I’m not awesome.

Should specify. The Clippers have shot 10-15 from three. That is ridiculously good, especially more so because they ranked 25th in the league in 3PT FG% through the year. Maybe they sold their soul to the devil at the crossroads. And if you get that reference, then you are awesome.

Conley and Mayo went OFF from the 3-point line.

Grizzlies are shooting 66.6% from 3, and the Clippers are 2-13. No way that keeps up for the rest of the series.

Hey, Gilbert Arenas. What’s up? How are ya?

The way Boston played heading into the Playoffs gave them hope. Originally that list would have included Chicago, and while they’re still pretty good without Rose, I don’t think they make the Finals. Possibly the ECF though.

“Beat LA” chants directed at the Clippers are really weird.

I would be very surprised if MIA didn’t win the East.

Same here. The 4 teams that wouldn’t surprise me winning the West are SA, OKC, LAL, and MEM. In the East, now it’s only MIA and BOS, even though the Celtica re going to have to figh through some adversity.

@Ian I thought they had an outside shot at the beginning of the playoffs, and they’re reinforcing that now.

And Nick Young, he is the KING of garbage time.

It seems like we’re destined for “Garbage Time”, starring Quincy Pondexter and Eric Bledsoe.

@Nick: Gotta keep in mind it’s only one game, but holy crap yeah, they look really good so far.

Gee, I wonder what a pie chart of Griffin’s post moves looks like. It probably is something like “Spin move: 99.9%, Faceup and dribble: .1%”, also, Mike Conley is extremely splashy tonight. Geting that shooter’s roll. He’s not going to cool down I don’t think.

I honestly think the Grizz have a shot at the Finals. Not a big one, but a chance.

And by “Grizzlies shooting the lights out” I mean Mike Conley specifically.

Chris Paul trying to go into “There’s 5 minutes left and the game ans it’s time to go to work now” mode…but the Grizzlies are kinda just shooting the lights out.

Wow, Blake and Z-Bo only have 4 points apiece.

I think the only hope for the Clippers is that one of their little combo guards catches fire from behind the arc, because as everyone knows, the 3 is the great equalizer in basketball. Gonna have to set something up for Mo Williams or (Yeesh) Randy Foye to get the ball. Good luck with that. Or, CP3 and Griffin could decide to show up too, whatever works.

Oh, ok. Pau at least is better tan LMA. And I’m not feeling like looking it up for Timmy or Marc.

I meant all around, I was just thinking of how good of passers the Gasols are. Should’ve narrowed it down to that.

What series’s did you have? And also remember that it’s only one game. Coaches make adjustments and things change. Although I wouldn’t expect much out of VDN

Just a quick point on the big man debate, Aldridge had more points, and a better FG% on slightly more attempts than Pau. Also he had a higher PER than Gasol by about 2 points. But whatever.

The two series’s I thought were going to be close have been blowouts.

But that’s enough of that. Just a thought.

No, I have Marc, Pau, and Duncan at the top of my list.

I think we’re forgetting about Kevin Love and LaMarcus Aldridge.

Just a random thought: The Gasols are probably the 2 most skilled big men in the league. Oh, and Duncan, and maybe Dirk.

And then they get a buzzer-beating dunk off a beautiful dish by Mike Conley, the unsung hero. How about that for a momentum swing? Grizzlies up 58-39 at the half. This does not look good for LA.

DANTE CUNNINGHAM MOTHER OF GOD! Then Rudy Gay with a timely 3. And then CP3 picks up his third foul. Ladies and gentlemen, this is how you close out a half.

Well, that worked well.

*doesn’t know what Voltron is*

In other basketball news, KG called Rondo “The head that forms Voltron.” That has to be the most unexpected nerdy reference of the year. Right?

I have to applaud the Clippers for having some “sticktoitiveness”, and valiantly trying to come back.

Series note: The Clippers will fail to box the Grizzlies out, unless DeAndre Jordan is on the floor that is.

Kenyon Martin just murdered everyone. Wow. Then OJ knocks in a 3.

Kenyon Martin just murdered everybody. Wow. Then OJ knocks in a 3.

And just like everyone predicted, Nick Young is off to an efficient start, and helping the Clippers come back along with Eric Bledsoe. /No one predicted that. I’m in shock.Lead is at 13 now.

The Grizzlies are really taking it to the Clippers tonight. We may be in for a long night folks.

This is getting ugly.

Things getting really chippy quickly between Speights and Jordan. This physicality is going to be fun to watch.

The Grizzlies are D’ing up hard, as evidenced by the 16 points scored for the Clippers, and by CP3′s offensive foul that last time up. Memphis is shooting at a clip of 60+% which they probably won’t maintain, but it is certainly an encouraging sign for them.

“Oh yay, it’s Mo Williams and Nick Young time!”– No one ever.

Oh, I worry about both. Defense more so, because Blake will at least get something in transition because he runs the floor well.

No, don’t worry about Blake on offense. Defense is a different story.

Shoot, didn’t know that last one posted.

The Clips are a very flawed team, that’s for sure.

Nick, I still don’t trust Griffin offensively. His post moves are lacking severely, he can’t get a jumper, and Randolph is going to body him hard. It’s going to be tough for him to get going. And Jordan is good on rebounding, and his defense is fairly decent.

This might be over already…

I wouldn’t call Blake great offensively. His post moves are severely lacking and still can’t hit a jumper. He gets a lot of stuff done on hustle and in transition. And while that’s not bad, it’s going to be tough for him to get going offensively, especially with him and Randolph being so physical. And Jordan is good for rebounding and a bit of defense. Offense, not so much.

Yeah, the Grizzlies are ridiculous on defense. The Clippers are going to have to be very opportunistic to get what they can.

@Ian Blake’s still great offensively. And DeAndre Jordan is a nice center. But Chris Paul is the only reason I could see them winning this.

But, man, do I like the Grizzlies’ defense. Out of their starters, the highest opponent PER is Mike Conley’s 16.0. And he’s still a pretty good defender.

@Nick, but the rest of the Clippers are severely overrated.

Aaaaand Z-Bo just punked Blake Griffin. Best believe this Clipper team is going to be hardened one way or another against this gritty, blue collar Grizzlies team.

Your prediction isn’t nutty. Chris Paul is just that good.

OK, no way my nutty prediction is going to come true if the Clipper’s post defense is reminiscent of a saloon door.

Zach Randolph knows when the Playoffs begin.

Yay, we get Chris Webber for a hopefully entertaining matchup.

Grizzlies-Clippers

This is another close series. I like the Grizzlies in this one because of their defensive advantages over the Clippers. But you never know if Chris Paul can propel his team into victory.

My pick: Grizzlies in 7

OK, last prediction for the first round! Let’s get to it. I’m going to warn you, you may not like me much after this.

(4) Memphis Grizzlies vs. (5) Los Angeles Clippers.

Prediction: Clippers in 7.

I know, I know. This is crazy. No one expects the Clippers to make any sort of run, everyone thinks the Grizzlies will move on fairly easily to the second round. And that’s great. Think what you want, I’m just giving my thoughts here. The Grizzlies are going to hammer the boards, and rule down low, and do all sorts of other cool stuff. This pick isn’t based on stats, it’s just a hunch. And that hunch has to do with my belief in Chris Paul. He is a top 5 player in the game today, and might be the most obsessed with winning other than Kobe Bryant. I see him doing CP3 things, being Point God, and moving out of the first round almost on his own. I believe in him that much.

Ray better be available tomorrow, Bradley’s going to have to play point.

Welp, Atlanta closed that one out. But Rondo will be the bigger story. Probably not there for game two. What happens if ATL takes a two game lead?

That can’t happen if you’re Rondo. Been playing so well. Can’t lose composure like that. Might even be suspended for next game. This is going to hurt a lot.

Wow, Rondo.

I don’t understand why the Hawks are running isos. Run some screens for Teague or Johnson, or PnR with Smith. Get that ball moving and good things will come.

Teague with a great tear drop there. Celtics run good PnR with Pierce and Garnett. Get the lay-in.

Hilarity ensues.

And Nick gets his wish.

Jason Collins is shooting the best percentage for any Hawks player. Feed it to Collins!

Of course, as soon as I say that, Smith hits a jumper and Teague nails a 3.

The Celtics have been very opportunistic in this comeback, but ATL have just kind of sucked.

KG has had a much better second half.

So much madness is happening. And, I’d also like to take a second to pause and give credit to Rajon Rondo for keeping Boston in this for most of the game.

TRACY MCGRADY THROWBACK PARTY.

Maybe the Hawks and Celtics are a part of a body-switch movie or something.

Jason Collins is scoring. That is all.

Celtics starting out strong. Cut the lead to 10, but then Hinrich hit a Miracl3.

At the half, Atlanta leads 49-35. Boston has been shooting 37%, they should pick that up a bit in the seond half, that doesn’t worry me. What does though, is their absolute refusal to play defense. I fully expect Doc to light a fire in them. Atlanta has been playing great, my only real disappointment is the forever terrible shot selection of Josh Smith.

Avery Bradley with a pretty backdoor cut. Rondo rewards him with a gorgeous pass. Then Joe Johnson counters with an iso jumper that falls. Such is life.

Oh, Jason Collins just kind of tossed Bradley to the floor like a rag doll. Took him for a ride.

The Hawks are just taking it to the Celtics right now. Dribble penetration is coming at ease and Atlanta is taking advantage of it.

Pietrus with a ginormous block.

Jannero Pargo is a little Energizer Bunny off the bench. I remember him back in 2008 with the New Orleans Hornets. He agitated teams like none other. Then he hits a big 3 in transition here. Good for him.

Willie Green is kinda bad at basketball. Badly missed shot, then a charge on a drive, then some matador defense to wrap it all in a big gift bag full of not good.

If Allen misses the series, then the Celtics basically have a non-shooting backcourt.

Tracy McGrady in a Hawks jersey just makes me sad.

Can’t trust them to continue that though.

Wow. What a quarter for the Hawks.

Coulda sworn that was Ivan…Man…I got excited and everything. Ivan Johnson with the mid-range Splash.

Nah, that was Marvin Williams, not Ivan.

Joe Johnson to Ivan the Terrible. That was fun.

Josh Smith takes the 4th most 16-23 foot shots in the NBA. This fact should not be true.

That last post was supposed to be my prediction. Basically I said the Celtics will win in 6, but don’t underestimate Joe Johnson on the offensive end because of his contract.

Hawks-Celtics

This will be a close series. I think the biggest reason I favor the Celtics is that the Hawks have no effective center. It very well might depend on the enigmatic Rajon Rondo to come through for the Celtics.

My pick: Celtics in 7

It was just a question.

How is that relevant in this discussion?

Question: Do you think K0be deserved the 1st team all-NBA defense honor he got last year?

Are Russell Westbrook and Rajon Rondo much faster than him? Sure. But he shut them both down in the post-season before. Their speed is only an issue if their defender is pressing against them. Kobe understands the spacing of a defense far better than anyone else in the league and he plays off all guards with shaky jumpers to prevent their drives. It seems you don’t have a very good understanding of how a defense works. Just because someone is fast doesn’t mean they are going to blow by their man everytime. Dallas won the title last year with no team speed. Not to mention the Lakers have someone that just blocked 10 shots at center to protect the rim.

And I’m sure you’d consider Iman Shumpert a lockdown defender. Kobe posted the same numbers as he did when guarding isolations this year.

He’s not a shutdown defender, and Parker is so much faster than him.

Ginobili and Parker are only on the floor together for about 13 minutes per game and Ginobili is not the kind of player that dominates smaller guards. Even then, Lakers can go with Bryant on Parker, MWP/Barnes on Ginobili, leaving Sessions on a spot-up shooter like Green or Jackson. No mismatch, there. Interesting that you say Kobe is a bad defender. Held his man to 34% shooting in isolation situations this year. Same percentage for the ball-handler in the pick and roll.

/SHOTS FIRED

And if you still think Kobe is a good defender, you’re deluding yourself.

Then wouldn’t Sessions have to guard Manu? Either way, he causes a huge mismatch.

If the Spurs and Lakers meet up Kobe will guard Parker, not Sessions. Could see some MWP or Barnes, too.

Oh I thought he meant they told him that when he was at 9. That would have been hilarious.

Don’t worry. If the Spurs play them, Tony Parker will score 34439293893482983 points on Sessions.

The record for blocks in a playoff game was 10 and they told him he needed two when he was at eight. No trickery.

The Lakers big men scare the crap out of me. Both Gasol and Bynum played outstanding.

HAHAHAHA. They tricked him into trying harder for the triple double by telling him he needed 2 more blocks instead of 1. Classic.

Yeah, I remember. Didn’t know he got with the Lakers though.

Former Cavs great.

Oh, it’s Christian Eyenga.

Skyenga.

Who in the name of Shammgod is number 88 on the Lakers?

I kinda want Bynum to get another block just so e can break out an old fashioned “finger wave” Dikembe Mutombo style.

Andrew Bynum with a 10 block triple-double. Kobe with 31 on 24 shots. Gasol with 13 points, eight rebounds and eight assists. Jordan Hill with 10 boards. Nuggets shoot 35%. What a performance from the Lakers. To this point, Los Angeles and Miami seem like the clear cut favorites.

Bynum just got that triple double with blocks by emphatically swatting away Mosgov’s attempt. Congrats to him for dominating the start to this series.

Bynum has 9 blocks. ‘Nuff sid.

Andre Miller is the only thing working for Denver right now. The Lakers are absolutely dominating. Gasol has been terrific. Kobe with an exclamation point.

Totally thought Brewer jammed that home. Got all excited and everything.

Lakers dominating this game on both ends of the floor right now and all of their starters not named Ebanks are playing poorly relative to their normal production on offense. Bynum has been a monster in the middle. 10 boards and six blocks for him right now.

Goaltend for the Nuggets…but not by JaVale. That might be a first.

Kobe talking about controlling the tempo. That was my key matchup for this series.

That last pass by Gasol makes me wonder how he’d by utilized by Rick Adelman. coach is terrific at using high post players t heir best. I’d really like to know how that would work.

I don’t really agree with those kinds of techs. Didn’t really see anything worthy of a tech until after it was called. And then a wonderful pass from Pau to Bynum.

Bynum has kind of been playing out of his mind today.

Kobe’s shot isn’t really falling so far, but he’s not shooting so much that it’s affecting the rest of the team. He’s very under control today.

Steve Blake is having a far bigger impact than anyone (including Steve Blake) expected him to have.

Corey Brewer making a Larry Johnson impersonation.

1st quarter recap: Steve Blake stole the Nuggets ability to score, as he went supernova.

ALL STEVE BLAKE EVERYTHING PEOPLE!!!

Lakers have been playing well. But the Nuggets have been downright terrible on offense so far. Only 14 points and the 1st quarter is almost done. Yeesh.

Gallo, whoa

maybe 6. One a game.

I think you’re low-balling, Nick.

I also predict JaVale will have at least 5 uniquely JaVale moments in the series.

Prediction time again!

(3) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (6) Denver Nuggets

Prediction: Lakers in 6.

This matchup really intrigues me. I like the theory of this Nuggets squad a lot. You know, play as a whole team, have two solid defenders/rebounders inside, and not being great at anything, but being good at everything., blah blah blah. But, I think the Lakers are just generally better. Kobe, despite a somewhat down year shooting, is still Kobe, and will still get his. Bynum, over the course of the season, has blossomed into a monster, and I expect him to play greatly. The Sessions addition has also proved to work out, giving the Lakers a point man who is more compitent than those before him (Fisher, Blake). And Gasol will most likely be his usual, steady self. This is the time of the year when you need your best players to step up, and I’m having a tough time deciphring who the best Nuggets are. Their whole team is so close together talent wise, that you din’t know who to give the ball to in crunch time. I assume that this might play a role in these playoffs. Also, I don’t trust them on D down low. Faried is fairly solid, and JaVale McGee is good when his head is in it. But, that is the problem, you never know where he’s at, or what he’ll do. So, to put things shortly, I just kno what to expect from the Lakers, and that’s why I trust them to win this series.

And the Spurs get the victory. Jazz showed enough fight to make me think they keep it close at home and make all the five game predictions true.

As far as the Lakers go, I think they wrap it up in six games.

Been fun guys. Remember, every time Pop get a tech, a referee is found dead in his room the following morning. That is all.

I can’t see how the Nuggets stop Pau and Bynum in this series, but I think it’ll be closer than expected.

My pick: Lakers in 7.

Duncan blowing kisses to his family. Bless his heart.

Lakers start off the game with an off ball cut for Ebanks and he draws a foul. He’s starting for MWP.

It’s like a unicorn. Except less mystical.

James Anderson sighting!

And we have reached the point of the evening that the commentators start talking about other games. Derrick Rose is passionate and humble. I’ll bet you guys didn’t know that.

Hearing the Snoop & Dre music in the background a the AT&T Center surprises me, but I like it.

Al Jefferson looking like he can’t wait to club a saber-toothed tiger over the head and drag it back to his cave.

“Give me a whistle, these guys are clowns.”–The lovely Doris Burke

Timmy, that was a decent look, but for goodness sake, take the runner

These Spurs just have too many things they can do well.

Al Jefferson with the pump fake. Take a shot.

Well Utah. You can guard the paint or the three point line. But not both. San Antonio is basically asking whether you’d like to be shot or stabbed.

Aaaaaand we’re done. Thanks for playing. Bonner just ended it.

Peyton Manning would have been impressed by that pass from Ginobili.

OH WOW. GREAT PASS AND CIRCUS SHOT.

For some reason, I though Bonner was going to lob that to Capt. Jack, hilarity would have ensued.

Ask Steve Nash if getting chippy with San Antonio is a good idea.

This game could be getting a little chippy late. Although, if I were Utah, I’d stay away from that. The Spurs have one ofthe most “gutter” NBA player ever on their squad, not to mention a former spy as a coach.

What’s funny is the Spurs are in the process of getting this sewn up, and Pop is still that upset.

“You called a T on ME? Do you know who I am?” – Gregg Popovich

Pop is going to kill the refs.

If they let Tony Parker blaze to the rim like that, it won’t matter.

Utah is getting into transition well. Wonder if they’ll try to do that more.

What an astoundingly awkward shot from Kanter.

Where’s the interview? Did Pop deny them? He had to, right? HAHAHAHAHAHA POP DOES IT AGAIN!

Bucher apparently decided he is not paid well enough to deal with Pop.

I want a show where Gregg Popovich tells war stories to a group of horrified children.

The suspense is killing me.

YAY ITS TIME FOR POP TO ANNIHILATE BUCHER!!!

And now its time for “Gregg Popovich thinks you’re an idiot.”

Matt Bonner cracks me up every time. “Unorthodox” is his middle name.

The San Antonio Spurs think its 2003 again.

Stephen Jackson thinks it’s 2003 again.

“Gordon Hayward fouled on transition lay-up” has been one of the Jazz’s more successful plays.

“I feel like, the world mine.”–San Antonio Spurs.

Amazing pass by Manu.

I feel like a Paul Millsap jump-pass is not a high percentage play.

“Manu Ginobili is still Manu Ginobili.” ANALYSIS!

+1, Jordan. Timmy is bringing tears of joy to my eyes.

Splitter is out for the game with a sprained wrist.

Aren’t we all, Nick? The world is watching.

I’m bracing myself for JaVale: Playoff Edition.

Tim Duncan tires of your Jazz. He’s more of a blues guy.

Not sure how often I hear NBA players described as “stoic.”

DUNCAN TIME MACHINE SMASH!!!

Ohhh…I’m not sure how much of a foul that was…

This feels like a blowout. I think the scoreboard is lying to me.

I’m loving the mental picture of Diaw pouting because he wasn’t good enough to get pastries.

Nah, we give it to him for “playing well”, not scoring. I’m sure he’s smart enough to know the difference. Just a little incentive for him to revert back to his Phoenix Suns form. Then we give him the pastries after the season if he completes the objective.

Nice work by Kawhi and Green there on D. Although Hayward got back and I think he might have blocked the shot, only it happened to fall. Kudos to him for keeping on working.

Bad idea Ian. That’s way too dangerous a precedent to set. Can you imagine the ball hogging if Diaw thought pastries were at stake?

The National TV Big Board! Because why would we let the game dominate all the screen real estate?

Boris Diaw has been amazing today. Someone get him some French pastries or something, as a thank you gift.

True, and that is a part of why expectations are so unrealistic.

Jefferson’s eyes scare me. He could totally have my wallet if we met in a dark alley.

Harris also has the misfortune of often replacing PGs that are extremely good.

Tony Parker is not concerned about your ideas of gravity.

Remember, being a former all star doesn’t automatically deem you a good player. As was Devin Harris, Christian Laettner was also a one time all star. Not saying Harris is bad, just saying people have unrealistic expectations for him.

If Utah could capitalize on the offensive rebounds, this game looks a lot different.

Devin Harris realizing that it’s probably a bad sign he was benched for Tinsley in the first.

Oh my, Boris Diaw. The renaissance is on, folks.

And we are back underway.

Hello, all. I am here to talk the 2nd half of Jazz-Spurs.

My prediction-Spurs in 5

Agent Double-Oh Bryant on his way inside.

Spurs closed that half out well. Felt the Jazz were playing well, then turned it up a notch. Spurs up 7 at the half.

The NBA: Where Ceelo Green Happens.

Tony Parker has a tattoo on his right hand? Didn’t know that. Oh, the joys of close-ups on tv.

Oh, look, another exciting Tony Parker fastbreak score. (yawn)

And that is why you don’t fall asleep while guarding Tim Duncan.

A part of me is thinking that my power rankings may be cursed. Seems whenever I put a team number one, they start playing badly or something terrible happens.

Ginobili’s presence is completely neutralizing Gordon. In other news, grass is green and the sky is blue.

Manu…

Oh my God. Diaw just got burned like some rolls he left in the oven.

Corbin has gone with Tinlsey over Harris for a long time today. Interesting.

Derrick Favors is not merely content to be here.

Favors, who was compared to Duncan coming out of college, channels 2000 Duncan with that block of 2012 Duncan.

The 20th best center in the league?

Effective starter. He’s got a nice game, but he’s a little awkward and could stand to get some more control. I think he’ll develop into a more reliable option, but he won’t get a whole lot better. Gotta remember, he’s already like 25 or 26.

Tony Parker filling the circus shot void left by Rose’s injury. So easy to forget how amazing he can be.

What would you guys say the ceiling is for Splitter?

Nice execution on the break by the Jazz there. People tend to forget that Tinsley was a really good point guard back in the day.

If you allow San Antonio to move the ball like that, your offseason will begin quickly, Utah.

Manu Ginobili with a nice up fake, but there has got to be more discipline in the Jazz defense. Have to close out under more control, and there has got to be a rotation to defend the drive.

I wonder if Pop is aware of the cult following he has on the internet. AND MANU. Who obviously ate his Wheaties before the game.

I personally can’t wait for the start of the fourth quarter, where Coach Pop will proceed to completely roast Ric Bucher. I’m already giddy thinking about it.

You cannot let that man get beyond the arc. He will kill you. The problem is that the Spurs have to many shooters, so eventually, you’ll leave one open.  And Splitter with a nice hustle play to get a bucket. I love how hard that man works.

Wow. Tiago Splitter everyone.

And I don’t know about you Mark, but Gordon definitely wins the battle for my heart.

Gary Neal is better than everyone. Even the Pope and David Hasselhoff.

We have three number battles going on right now. Stephen Jackson vs DeMarre Carroll for #3, Ginobili vs Hayward for #20 and Bonner vs Favors for #15.

That was an amazingly awkward play on Favors’ name there.

BREAKING: Gary Neal is better than you.

What a peppy rebound there.

*Takes a bow.*

The KD game winner was a gift from the basketball gods. Don’t know why they love OKC and not Chicago this year.

STOP SHOWING CLIPS OF ROSE AND SHUMP SHUMP IT’S SO DEPRESSING!

Ian Dougherty with the “their” triple. That’s why the pay him the big bucks ladies and gentlemen.

Yeah….the Spurs are reverting back to their usual Playoff form. You can see that their energy is up, they’re focused, and that there is going to be bloodshed. Also, notice how I just used all three forms of “there” consecutively. I deserve a cookie.

Second chance opportunities are sure a lot nicer when you can score the ball, huh Utah? Though I am loving me some Hayward. Seems to be big for the Jazz so OH MY GOD GINOBILI JUST MADE MY HEART STOP.

I feel like Parker and Harris are both going to get at each other all series long. But, that works better for the Spurs, because guards like to get out and run. The Jazz need to feed the ball down low so they can be methodical and control the pace.

I like Mark Jones but don’t like that he didn’t do his research before this game. To say that Parker has improved his mid-range jumpshot is a completely false statement.

As far as my predictions go……I’ll say Spurs in five. This team doesn’t quite have the defense or the abilities inside that Memphis had last year, and I think the Spurs fear for what Pop will do to them if they lost in the first round AGAIN.

As far as me versus Liveblog, I’m sure Liveblog will sweep me.

That Ginobili shot seemed to go in even though it shouldn’t have. I’m also starting to think it would be fun to take a shot every time you hear “Parker with the floater.” If you wanted to die that is.

Jordan Akin: Alright, now that I have divined the mysteries of the liveblog, I’m here to commentate on Jazz-Spurs. And by commentate, I mean rant and rave and crack bad jokes. If you’ve read my articles you’ll understand.

This is looking to be a Point Guard battle early. If you remember, Parker and Harris went at each other hard in the 2006 Playoffs. If this continues, it’ll lead to a faster paced game, which will be in favor of San Antonio. It’ll be interesting to see if Utah tries to slow it down.

Welcome back everyone! Hopefully we have a healthy day in the NBA. Here is my preview for the upcoming Jazz-Spurs series for the Corpus Christi Caller-Times. Tip off is about 20 minutes away.

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