Chasing Down The Latest NBA News
Hit the jump for the live blog…
You wrote it absolutely right it looks like, Mark. Heat fall in OKC 94-105. Interesting to see how they rebound. The game wasn’t Lebron’s fault, but Westbrook may have turned Wade into Old Wade. If Wade fails to guard Westbrook effectively, hard to see this going six like I thought.
But its been fun guys! Goodnight and remember to follow Mark @Mark_Travis and myself @jakin1013 on Twitter, and visit TheChaseDownBlock.com for more coverage of these Finals!
Is this the series D-Wade gets too old? Keep hearing about injuries lingering with him. We know he’s had season enders before. Westbrook is the most athletic guard in the league now, if Rose loses even a smidge of what he has. Wade may not be able to hang. Might need to book a flight to Germany.
The D-Wade/Westbrook matchup is where this is decided I think. Lebron and KD will by and large cancel each other out. If Wade gets trashed by Westbrook, its going to get ugly.
That’s exactly what I wrote in my preview. Wade-Westbrook will likely decide the series. Right now Westbrook is looking a LOT better than Wade.
This D-Wade/Westbrook matchup is looking to be much more important that KD and Lebron. Though KD’s length should have told Lebron to stop shooting jumpers a long time ago. If Miami thinks they will win this series trying to outshoot OKC, then numerous people in the organization have been secretly lobotomized.
That was a sick shot from Lebron.
Hi D-Wade. Good to see you could join us.
And that rebounding battle I was talking about? Thunder now leading it 42-35. Just as big for them as KD’s sub-zero capillaries.
Lebron needs to quit trying to close and just jump towards the rim with reckless abandon.
Durant’s veins are liquid hydrogen.
Haha! It is just six, though. Perhaps this is the game it all turns for James.
Minor? I’ll be at Spoelstra’s house with a drum of water ready to get hammered.
Oklahoma City just took a six point lead in the fourth quarter of an NBA Finals game against the Miami Heat with their third and fourth best players on the bench. Five minutes left, it will be a minor miracle if Miami comes back and wins this given their history in such situations.
Shane Battier missed a three. I don’t believe in omens, but… that’s a lie. I totally believe in omens.
If you say you can show me a man that could defend that last KD Drive, I’ll give you a dollar.
Lebron missed free throw in the fourth? Check.
That was excellent Pick and Roll defense on Lebron, but they let Chalmers go. Which was likely a decision more than an accident.
Also, minutes without a meaningful Lebron play, and then he throws a pass Bosh isn’t ready for. I’m not impressed at all.
So does Dwayne Wade hire a guy to jump into to practice that shot? What do you think his pay is?
That was an amazing one handed shot that was pretty much devoid of any contest. I am both thrilled and appalled.
Some people have nightmares about falling, I have nightmares about that Russell Westbrook montage.
Also, I hate to ruin the suspense, but I am Uncle Drew. That’s the reason I’ve been slacking on articles Mark. Forgive me?
Also, Derek Fisher jump passes make we want to die inside.
Miami if you think the answer is jumpers, tweet me. I have computer games I could be playing.
ESPN3 just showed a freaking Water Polo Commercial. So cross that off your bucket list, water polo enthusiasts.
Thunder roared back to take the lead in the third. Will LeBron alter his legacy with his fourth quarter performance here or will Durant beat him in crunch time?
And we come to the end of the third quarter OKC is up by one. Miami’s response to this heading into the fourth is likely a microcosm for the series as a whole.
I said in my Finals preview column that it seems like yesterday when Wade was the best hyperathletic two guard in the world. Westbrook is inching very close to stealing that title as Wade fades a bit.
Thank God my mind didn’t have to reconcile the horrible reality of a successful Fisher drive. Granted, the Westbrook and one is worth more points, but at least it makes sense.
I really want a long aside about Jeff Van Gundy’s cat. Can that please happen?
I guess I called it wrong. We may be looking at a Westbrook take over. Which is basically beautiful and terrifying, like a hurricane, or watching someone give birth.
That continuation call seem a little dicey to anyone else? He didn’t exactly seem to be in the act at the free throw line when the whistle went off.
Shane Battier is unconscious.
Wade’s defense on Westbrook there was great. That could be big. Also, Bosh learning not to trip over point guards.
Westbrook with seven assists already? If he has the playmaker gear, and uses it, this could end badly for Miami.
Are we entering the phase where Lebron James comes for OKC’s soul? He should barrel to the rim until someone proves they can stop him.
That was as pretty a dime as one is likely to see this side of Chris Paul. Well done KD.
Which is the cue for Wade to drop a one handed banker. I guess I should shut up.
Do you buy that Wade may be injured? I don’t. Seems like injured would mean the whole game, and Wade has looksed great in halves. That being said, I feel like Yi Jianlian’s chair could outplay Wade right now.
Thabo Sefolosha is doing everything for the Thunder right now. Defending on the ball incredibly well, blowing up pick-and-rolls and killing passing lanes. What a performance from him so far. He needs as much time as possible on the floor in this series. He’s outplaying Wade right now.
Thabo is going to make me throw things. I can take it from the rest of the team, but please don’t lose to Thabo Sefolosha.
The Oklahoma City Thunder have all your hustle. So many loose balls. And Westbrook is finding all of them. Still very pleased with how he’s doing these playoffs.
Um…Lebron? You can’t drive by Kendrick Perkins? Really? I feel trolled.
Leaving Durant with miles between him and any defender is a very risky strategy, Miami. I admire your confidence.
Another thing to remember is Miami is currently winning the rebounding battle. You can cede some rebounds or some turnovers, but you better not do both if you want to beat this team.
Turnovers not always a product of nerves, but Oklahoma City wasn’t as settled as they were again San Antonio. If they calm down it will go a long way in helping them get back in the game.
My Girlfriend just tweeted about being a basketball widow. I keep telling her that she needs be aggressive and get to the line, and shoot better in the clutch. I’ll probably be single soon.
I agree. The Thunder probably said something like “Make Mario Chalmers or Shane Battier beat us!” Just so happens that they are at this point. But the Thunder have to stay the course, as history indicates Miami’s role players will be disappearing any moment now.
Durant was the only Thunder player that looked comfortable throughout the first half but his aggressiveness was tempered by his avoidance of a second foul. He should be more aggressive in the second half. Thunder cut it to seven despite a lights out half from Miami’s role players. If the Thunder can go on a run in the second half, the pressure of a close NBA Finals game on Miami’s role players may force LeBron and Wade to over exert themselves.
If Serge Ibaka gets to walk through the lane like that, its going to be a long night for Miami. Also, Battier just got a tech? According to plan, like I said.
Wow. That Durant jam was Thunderous. Thank you. I’ll be here all night.
I’m fairly concerned that this three point barrage Bosh has been on is unsustainable….which is likely because its vompletely unsustainable.
Wow… Scott Brooks’s Mom… proving zombies exist.
I see we have Battier and Chalmers both in double figures…so all is going according to plan for Miami.
What’s up guys? I’m here to try very hard to remain impartial to this game, and likely failing miserably.
A pair of nice rebounds from … Derek Fisher allow the Thunder to get out on the break. Fisher hits a couple of shots in a row and the lead is back to nine for Miami. Thunder have had some wide open three-point looks from the wing for Westbrook and Harden. They just aren’t falling right now.
Miami came out on fire from deep but the Thunder kept it within seven thanks to Harden’s buzzer beater. OKC is so hard to put away on it’s home floor. Just ask San Antonio.
Miami’s role players completely comfortable on this environment. Chalmers has been here before and Battier is a veteran not phased by the moment. Thunder players, outside of KD, still look like they are adjusting. Perkins needs to go.
Hello all! It appears as if Oklahoma City’s crowd is a bit nervous. Kind of like a rookie trying to figure out how to conserve his energy to succeed in a longer game. Different stage for everyone involved on the Thunder side. Result is an early lead for Miami.
Comments: