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NBA Playoff Notes: Defense and Adjustments

by: Big Al McMordie

  For the record, 75% of NBA teams in a 1-1 series that win Game 3 go on to win that series. That will give a little comfort to the Celtics after their surprisingly easy win in Game 3. It is already shaping up as an odd series. After home teams dominated the last round, the Celtics and Pistons then saw the road team win two of the first three games.

  Detroit stole the all-important home court edge with an impressive Game 2 win in Boston. That looked huge as the Celtics had been 0-6 SU/ATS in the postseason on the road. Yet, the Pistons turned right back around and gave the Green their first playoff road win in Game 3, 94-80. They let a great opportunity slip away, as Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen were in early foul trouble.

   The Pistons also could be faced with the prospect of Chauncey Billups (hamstring) in a diminished role. Billups took another step back over the weekend. After a strong Game 2, he labored mightily, scoring six points (1-for-6) in Game 3 with concern over his strained right hamstring.

  "I am tired of talking about it," Billups said. "There's nothing I can do (about the injury). It's not like I have a lot of time. I just have to try and do what I can do and just try to get through it. It's just so disappointing to let one like this go. We had this series where we wanted it, but this [game] is over now. We have to refocus."

   The Pistons shot poorly (38.4 percent), including 1-for-13 on 3-pointers. They were outrebounded by 16. They gave up 16 second-chance points.  Of concern is that while both of these teams were terrific defensively during the regular season (Nos. 1 and 2 in the league), Boston’s defense has been far more consistent. In the first three games, the Celtics shot 52%, 48.6% and 46.4%. Even losing Game 2 they shot over 48%. The Pistons have shot 38% and 42% in their two losses, scoring 79 and 80 points.

  At least this veteran team is confident:  "We played awful," said Rasheed Wallace. "But I don't see it as that big a thing. It's whoever gets to four wins first." "Game 4 is a crucial game for us," Pistons coach Flip Saunders said. "No ifs ands or buts -- that's our biggest game of the year."

  Out West it’s been a different story, with the Lakers putting a whuppin’ on the defending champion Spurs. San Antonio blew a 20-point third quarter lead in Game 1 as the Lakers outscored them 44-20 in a sensational comeback. Kobe Bryant was 10-for-18 shooting in the second half. Then the Lakers shot 55% in winning Game 2, 101-71.

   While the Spurs are known for great defense, the Lakers held San Antonio to 40% shooting in the first two games. Which means the under started 4-1 in the Conference Finals, which is no surprise as defensive intensity rises as the Finals approach.  A huge key is that Kobe Bryant is not doing all the shooting. The Lakers have done an excellent job of sharing the ball in establishing a balanced attack against the Spurs' slow-reacting defenders, led by Bryant's 24.5 points per game average on 55.3% shooting.

   Their best play starts with Lamar Odom passing the ball into the right post to Pau Gasol, who is defended by Tim Duncan. From the top of the key, Vlad Radmanovic runs to the free-throw line and sets a screen for Bryant, who runs from the left side of the key toward Gasol. With the Spurs keeping an eye on Bryant, Odom slides into the key to set a back screen on Radmanovic's defender. Then Gasol, an excellent passer, completes the play with a simple toss to Radmanovic, who is usually open after making a cut to the basket around Odom's screen. San Antonio Coach Gregg Popovich has to try to figure out a way to defend the Lakers’ triangle attack. It’s not easy, with so many Laker offensive weapons and a great coach who knows how to make adjustments.  Good luck, as always, Al McMordie.

Big Al McMordie Past Articles

Let The Games Begin!
Football is king and August kicks off the 2008 football season. Yes, exhibition football is largely meaningless for the players and coaches, with starters ... read more

NFL Season Wins Forecast
With the NFL season just around the corner, this is a good time to look at what might happen this fall on the gridiron. Future numbers are out for each ... read more

2008 MLB Season, A Mid-Year Review
It’s almost as if last year’s bizarre football season has carried over into baseball. 2007 was an incredible season of shockers in football. ... read more

Handicapping Baseball Defense
It's important for a team to have strong defense at key positions such as outfield, shortstop and catcher. Defense at centerfield, shortstop and catcher ... read more

Rise and Fall of AL Totals
Successful handicappers need to keep track daily of changes in baseball of things that may influence the side and total of a game. The Red Sox, for instance, ... read more

All Big Al McMordie Past Articles

Big Al McMordie Recent Past Picks

MLB Baseball

New York Mets @ Pittsburgh Pirates Monday August 18, 2008 12:35 pm
At 12:35pm our selection is on the New York Mets and Pittsburgh Pirates 'under' the total.  If Pedro Martinez is going to start pitching like the Pedro of old (as he did on Friday night here at PNC Park) then the rest of the NL East may be in quite a bit of trouble.  A ... read more

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MLB Baseball

Colorado Rockies @ Washington Nationals Sunday August 17, 2008 1:35 pm
At 1:35pm our selection is on the Colorado Rockies and Washington Nationals 'under' the total.   Although they have a very short history (if you don't include their years as the Montreal Expos), this is probably the lowest point for the Nationals.  After Saturday's ... read more

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MLB Baseball

Toronto Blue Jays @ Boston Red Sox Sunday August 17, 2008 1:35 pm
At 1:35pm our complimentary selection is on the Toronto Blue Jays and Boston Red Sox 'over' the total.  Not having made a move to acquire a top-flight starting pitcher at the trade deadline at the end of July, the Red Sox just picked up veteran starter Paul Byrd from the Cleveland ... read more

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NFL Football

San Diego Chargers @ St. Louis Rams Saturday August 16, 2008 8:00 pm
At 8 pm, on Saturday, our selection is on the St. Louis Rams over San Diego.  In Week 1, the Rams fell 34-13 to the Tennessee Titans, while San Diego dispatched of Dallas 31-17.  Now, off that home win, Norv Turner's men must take to the road to battle the Rams, who look ... read more

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NFL Football

Arizona Cardinals @ Kansas City Chiefs Saturday August 16, 2008 8:00 pm
At 8 pm, on Saturday, our selection is on the Arizona Cardinals + the points over Kansas City.  Last week, KC went into Chicago and upset the Bears 24-20 as a 3.5-point underdog, while Arizona was upset by New Orleans 24-10 as a 2.5-point favorite.  But...[systems and analysis ... read more

Big Al McMordie Bio and Picks | Articles By Big Al McMordie

NFL Football

Miami Dolphins @ Jacksonville Jaguars Saturday August 16, 2008 7:30 pm
At 7:30 pm, our selection is on the Miami Dolphins over their cross-state rival, the Jacksonville Jaguars.  Last year, the Dolphins won just one regular-season football game, so their management was replaced by Bill Parcells as GM and Tony Sparano as head coach.  This new ... read more

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MLB Baseball

Arizona D-Backs @ Houston Astros Saturday August 16, 2008 7:05 pm
At 7:05pm our complimentary selection is on the Houston Astros over the Arizona Diamondbacks. The D-Backs have made what they hope is a significant move to light a fire under their sagging offense by trading with the Cincinnati Reds for slugging outfielder Adam Dunn. Dunn may be ... read more

Big Al McMordie Bio and Picks | Articles By Big Al McMordie

MLB Baseball

Chicago White Sox @ Oakland Athletics Saturday August 16, 2008 3:55 pm
At 3:55pm our selection is on the Chicago White Sox over the Oakland Athletics.  If the White Sox are going to win their division and make a run in the postseason, they're going to have to win games like the one they blew on Friday against this hapless Oakland squad.  Coming ... read more

Big Al McMordie Bio and Picks | Articles By Big Al McMordie

MLB Baseball

San Francisco Giants @ Houston Astros Thursday August 14, 2008 2:05 pm
At 2:05pm our selection is on the San Francisco Giants and Houston Astros 'under' the total.  36-year-old righthander Brian Moehler doesn't seem to mind that his team is out of contention with a sub-.500 record, and over 10 games back in its division.  At 8-4 with a 3.83 ... read more

Big Al McMordie Bio and Picks | Articles By Big Al McMordie

MLB Baseball

Toronto Blue Jays @ Detroit Tigers Thursday August 14, 2008 1:05 pm
At 1:05pm our complimentary selection is on the Toronto Blue Jays over the Detroit Tigers.  The 2008 version of the Toronto Blue Jays could feature one of the weakest hitting lineups of this franchise in recent memory, but should get a boost from the return of outfielder Vernon ... read more

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