Game 6 is in Miami, and I can't imagine how the Heat can NOT finish this series off. I implore the Heat to win Game 6, because I am already draining my picks now in both conferences.
After my LeBron pick who got me to 99 percentile, I thought that was it for me as I was ready to face falling off slowly as the Conference Finals push through. Luckily after him, four straight picks of about 21 PRA each had me floating around the 185 rank for the past 4 days, still at 99p.
The Heat should have finished in 5. And the Thunder should have lost in 5 without Ibaka. But I was a fool to think that to be easy. As I slowly pick off my best men in this round, the more I worry about the Finals. You guys are going to be happily skipping pass me during the Finals, because I am again going to pick a Heat in advance. I pick my last of the Big Three, Chris Bosh.
I thought of going fancy and pick Rashard Lewis instead, because of the minutes he is getting in this series lately. I thought he can never get heavy minutes versus the Spurs (nor the Thunder). So it is tempting to exploit that now. If any of you are feeling lucky, I recommend him. I just don't feel lucky enough yet for myself.
As for those contemplating picking LeBron, I would suggest against it. His low PRA was due to his fouls and not because he played poorly. In fact, he was still efficient when he was on the floor. So there's no bounceback factor I think. He plays better when they are in the brink of elimination than when they are up. They still lead 3-2. So, wait for Game 7, or the Finals.
May your picks propel you into new heights!
I take Chalmers for game 6 in order to have Lebron and Bosh to the Finals.
ReplyDeleteLast 2 games of Bosh were good and it's hard to predict if he'll have another so good game.
It's my first time of DTTF and now i understand how interesting this game is :) The Finals will be very interesting :)
That's right Karol, better to leave LeBron for later. Good luck with Chalmers!
DeleteWell, you've convinced me to change my mind for the first time this playoffs. Well done. Going with Mario Chalmers now. I'll save LeBron for when a championship is on the line. Like you said, he'll bring it more with his back against the wall. I also wonder if this will be a Heat blowout win. I'll save Bosh too. He's playing well, but Game 4 was him breaking out and Game 5 was because he had to (i.e. no LeBron, he and Wade were the offense). I see him coming back down a bit. I want to time him right at a later point.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with Chalmers.
DeleteFor LBJ, getting anything over what he got in the last game would be a bounce back.... Coming home to the crowd and feeling the 'heat' to closes this out makes it more desirable to pick him... Talk about him and the Heat wanting to make a statement on finishing this, yeah.... he will be on fire... :)
ReplyDeleteLBJ's back is against the wall now to close this series out now. And coming off his worse game EVER.... He is bound to make a statement
DeleteResist the temptation :) Coach Vogel saw how attacking LeBron into fouls benefits them. He talked about it pre-Game5.
DeleteI"m not taking him.. just debating :P
DeleteThe Indiana Pacers managed to stave off elimination in Game #5, but they had a lot of help. The Pacers wanted to fold like a tent, especially with that miserable second quarter, but LeBron James would not let them. Plagued by foul trouble throughout this game, LeBron James easily played one of his worst games of his entire career. With Miami's best player by far on the bench for much of the game, and not much of a factor even when he was in there, and the Pacers having home court with everything to play for, Indiana still barely held on for a win by only 3 points to force a Game #6.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately for Indiana in Game #6, they will be annihilated by the Heat, but at least they showed up in Game #5 (with a lot of help), and did not get beat on their home court. So they showed heart in that regard.
As far as DTTF is concerned, this worked out great for me. I actually got a decent effort out of Roy Hibbert (25 PRA) @home, and will be able to use my last remaining Pacer, Lance Stephenson (22 PRA) in an elimination game in Miami, in a final performance for Stephenson before he hits free agency (as Taong has pointed out). After initially really messing up the Pacers roster by using too many players too soon when I should have been picking from lesser teams (Atlanta + Washington), but Indiana was such an enigma all season. I finished up strong, using what I had left the best I could. Of course It would have been really great still having Paul George available for an elimination game effort (45 PRA), which was one of his top games of the playoffs. But I am happy with how everything turned out in this series, after making mistakes in earlier rounds involving the Indiana squad.
Hopefully Lance Stephenson has a great game in Miami when I pick him, and the Pacers are finally eliminated, and we can close this series out and head to the Finals, with 1 great, and 2 decent Heat players remaining.
I was ecstatic getting Roy Hibbert to actually show up and post 25 PRA, although Paul George (45 PRA) was easily the best pick of the night from the soon to be eliminated Pacers, and David West (30 PRA was also decent. All of the Heat players stepped up with LeBron being camped on the bench doing nothing. Players like Wade (33 PRA, Chris Bosh (32 PRA, second great game in a row for him), Rashard Lewis (22 PRA), Mario Chalmers (21 PRA), and even Ray Allen (18 PRA), stepped up to keep Miami in this, even though they should have gotten destroyed without their best player for much of this game.
As for tonight in the Spurs vs. OKC series, this Game #5 is pivotal to determine who will win this series and move on. If the Spurs playing @home once again destroy OKC like in Games #1 and #2, even with Ibaka now playing, they will most likely go to the finals with a win in Game #5 and #7. If OKC manages to win tonight, OKC will emerge to the nest round, as San Antonio is absolutely dreadful playing @OKC. If the Spurs manage to win @home, but it is very close, then anything could still happen, with a Game #7 extremely possible. The only thing I reasonably know for sure about this series is San Antonio will not win a road game @ OKC.
ReplyDeleteSo for tonight, I am definitely playing a Spur with the game being played @San Antonio, and it is probably advisable to play one of their players that is decent enough at home, but is dreadful playing @OKC. Unfortunately that is pretty much the entire Spurs squad, but Danny Green, Tiago Splitter, and possibly even Manu Ginobili are far better at home than on the road. It's not even close, so I will definitely be picking from those three, not knowing at this point who will eventually emerge from these two teams to the next round.
I am picking Danny Green of the Spurs tonight. Green has posted 21 PRA and 25 PRA efforts in the first two games vs. OKC played in San Antonio. On the road @OKC, he put up 10 PRA and 5 PRA. So here is obviously a player who plays much better in front of the home crowd, and should be picked at home. Danny Green is my pick for tonight, hoping for another 20+ effort from him.
Plus Manu got foot problems still. If Thunder wins G5, everybody will be scrambling for Spurs picks.
DeleteThe last 2 games have been terrible for me in different ways, G4 of Spurs/Thunder was terrible for not only the blowout (at one point the Thunder were up by as much as 27) but that the Spurs gave up with almost a QUARTER AND a HALF to go. I got 16 out of Leonard, who would have had around 25 (based on his PRA/minute pace) if he had gotten his average amount of playing time. As a result, not only did I get 16 from at pick that would be in the low 20s at worst but that 41% beat me in that game. Now in order to feel victorious, I will need Ibaka to get over 20 PRA when I pick him so that the average differential from Leonard, the pick I made when Ibaka had 41% and when I pick Ibaka will be over 0. Since Leonard was -2 to Ibaka in G4, I need 20 from Ibaka whenever I pick him just to get a +2 over the 41% to get the average differential to 0.
ReplyDeleteAs for last night, I said I'd take a 20 from Hibbert and I got 25 which is 5 PRA better so it sounds like there is no issue with that game... my issue wasn't the PRA but who won. Not only did the Pacers get the "recorded" win but it very well may have been a completely a fixed game to get an extra game for more revenue. If it was then the NBA is a corrupt organization. I hope that isn't the case though, but I did not like what I saw. With a G6 that I'd rather not have I now have to take another non starter to save the remaining 2 Big 3 members. LeBron James may very well go off but he's the one I've used. I can not afford to use another especially if the Thunder advance, but even if the Spurs do is Danny Green, Manu Ginobili or Tiago Splitter even nearly as reliable as Dwyane Wade or Chris Bosh (now that Bosh has resurfaced)? That is most likely a No on all 3 players. As for subs, the Pacers starters are usually in for upper 30s and generally 40+ minutes for most, meaning the subs are hardly on the court and even those who get 10+ minutes are inconsistent at best. Luis Scola and C.J. Watson, the Pacers 2 best subs have averaged 9 and 6.4 PRA respectively. So all that is left is to look at the Heat subs, pray for a blowout (from the disappointment of even having to play this game in the first place) and hope that the sub I pick is one of the five who's on the court in potential garbage time.
How about Wade? I think he'll be the one more desperate to end this series the earliest. He knows his aching body parts need all the rest they can get before the Finals.
DeleteLBJ will most likely go off (at least when the game is close) so the rest of the Heat (even Wade and Bosh) will probably have average games. Plus if Wade wants more rest, then a rested Wade will be a better pick in the Finals. I'm most likely going with Mario Chalmers since Chris Anderson will probably still be out.
DeleteThunder UP !!!
ReplyDelete..... I'm taking @timslamduncan for tonight's game :)
..... I say Thunder, you say UP
...
...................THUNDER
UP!
Delete:)
DeleteWell, Lance Stephenson was not as good as I hoped for, but at least he got through the game intact. Could have been more than 12-5-5, but, well...
ReplyDeleteTonight I still go with the french guy, tomorrow it will be LBJ ( he said to confuse the others and jinx LeBron ). Either he or some guy who hit lots of big shots in the past.
I worry a lot about the Spurs right now. They can´t lose 4 in a row against the Thunder again, just like in 2012, can they? I hope not. Whoever wins tonight wins the series. Especially if the Thunder win tonight.
Truly a swing game. DTTF-wise, I hope Spurs win tonight. IRL, both teams still have unfinished business against the Heat.
DeleteStephenson was ok I guess I did want more from him unfortunately the game was quite similar I think to game 3 where they spread the pra out apart from PG who most had used already. Officials won Pacers that game and the NBA need to stop fixing games they'll lose alot of fans because of it. I want fair games and real contests.
ReplyDeleteAnyway Spurs must win today and if they don't they're as good as done.
I still think they'll get through but you never know, so that leads me to my pick. I don't want to use Parker or Duncan yet, neither do I want to use KL yet. So I've gone with Manu. Why? well he does have that foot injury but he also only played 10 mins last game so he got a nice rest but my main reason in picking him now is he does better against OKC then Miami and it also gives me the options of getting to pick Parker/Duncan just in case they lose today.
Spurs don't fail us...
Tonight is THE true test for me to stick to my guns....
ReplyDelete...
I did my taking Tim Duncan....
....Thunder UP :)
Thunder hustling waaaaaaaaaay to good, they are IN this game...
ReplyDelete....Spurs don't stand a chance...
No need to reply here :P
DeleteUghhhhhhhhhhhhh !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteDuncan is having a really good game
DeleteYeah, but the blowout curse has him out of the game for the 4th qrt..... !!!!
DeleteI had the highest PRA of the night and it SUCKS...
ReplyDelete...He would have had over 50 had it not been a blowout !!!
..
Thunder UP !!!
Or it wouldn't be a blownout if he hadn't had 36 PRA after 3.
DeleteI'm happy for your top PRA tonight.
Well I took Duncan tonight and he's the green (leading PRA) pick of the day but another F-in blowout (sorry but I had to say that) has gotten him removed with over a quarter remaining. He'll end with 36 but he was a sure 40+ (if I thought Tony Parker who got 29 would certainly get 40+ in G2 if he played his average minutes just imagine Tim Duncan tonight), probably 45+ and maybe even 50+. 3 times I've taken a Spur, 3 Blowouts (2 winning, 1 losing): No matter which side of the blowout, they've been removed for good during the 3rd quarter. Parker with 2:00 to go (14:00 in the game), Leonard 4:40 (16:40) and now Duncan 1:15 (13:15). The Thunder don't remove their players till the 4th quarter and in G4 it was like the game was close till the last minute with Durant and Westbrook (and probably Ibaka) in till just over a minute left in the game! I need to maximize PRA and these super early removals are killing my DTTFs game!
ReplyDeleteNba.com/spurs/live
ReplyDeletePostgame. Try to look at coaches and players' micro expressions.
I was pretty happy with Duncan's 36. I agree that it sucks that garbage time started early again, but it hurt everybody pretty equally (Leonard and Ginobili were also having nice games). Not sure if Tim Duncan will have that kind of game again, so a 36 is quite the victory (only 1 less than his playoff high). Let's face it - Duncan was removed with a score around 90-70. That's basically a full game of production.
ReplyDeleteJust my luck.. last week, picked all scrubs
ReplyDeleteSpilter - 14
chalmers - 10
jackson - 15
birdman - 12
butler - 9
Total: 60
This week, went with my for sure things
stephenson - 18
ibaka - 18
hill - 17
parker - 20
Total: 73
More than last week, but COME ON!!!!
2 weeks of not hitting the 20 pt mark...
DeleteYou just picked fillers now than later. I'm sure you got stars remaining. Should be a better week onwards for you.
DeleteOnly Parker and Stephenson are duds, and even Parker's best was 29 this round.
DeleteSplitter - Solid. Better than a 14.
Chalmers - he's done that most games
Jackson - his average this round
Birdman - A 12 from Birdman is good. Better than a 4.
Butler - 9 is good. Better than a 0.
Ibaka - 18 is quite solid.
Hill - 17 is very solid, his average.
So in summary, I don't feel your complaining, other than you haven't been able to get that huge performance from anybody. Sounds like you've got the Heat big 3, Duncan, Leonard, Ginobili and perhaps a Durant/Westbrook left for some all out huge games. Keep fighting, your actually doing pretty OK.
Ouch.... !!!!!!!!!!!
DeleteWas ranked 69 without today's duncan pick, hopefully get onto the leaderboards tomorrow
ReplyDeleteAwesome !!!
Delete....What is your handle on the game?
Smetrokiva
DeleteGoodness gracious Smetrokiva! You're 25th!
Delete25 smetrokiva's Entry T. Duncan (36) 1,157
btw, Duncan was my 3rd daily leader.....
ReplyDelete...........
Woohooooooooo (for what good it is) :/
I see you Taong in the Blue Devils league :)
ReplyDelete...
... My friend True_X1 is in there @ 3rd place lol....
....
I play Fantasy Football with him every year :)
Leak to him I only have duds for the Finals. He can still catch me.
DeleteHe already knows lol
DeleteShould I go with Allen or Chalmers tonight? Leaning towards Allen.
ReplyDeleteJo, for consistency sake, stay with Allen. Charmers' PRA fluctuates.
DeleteActually Chalmers hasn't fluctuated very much. He's been very consistent......... ly bad. I'm picking Chalmers and just hoping he catches fire. Anything over 10 is a win. Allen also fluctuates so roll the dice on whoever and hope you get lucky.
DeleteI'm going with Hibbert(I'm sure he wont blow in anyone's ear)
ReplyDelete....
Yes I can say that I had Stephenson on the day he blew in LBJ's ear!
Going with the Big Guns for the next two days with LeBron and KD. I really hope I can crack the top 2500. Thanks to my series of awesome picks, I have slid down to rank 5k. This is easily my worst year but hey, we still have the Finals right?
ReplyDeleteHow about KD then LBJ?
DeleteI don't have LBJ anymore, but I'd save him for the Finals if I did. Even if he goes off, the Heat may blow out the Pacers and he may sit the entire 4th quarter in that case (just like all my Spurs picks have so far). In the Finals there SHOULD be no blowouts, so if you pick him on his best day of the Finals he will most likely be in for most or all of the 4th quarter.
ReplyDelete