2012 NBA Playoffs

[Argosh]

It's that time of the year again, NBA regular season is over and playoff's start soon.
Also, previous threads of this type are here (2011, 2010, 2009) if anyone's interested.
Any thoughts on who's favorite for the title? Heat Lakers? Boston? Chicago? OKC? Mavs? San Antonio?

Pairings:


WESTERN CONFERENCE - FIRST ROUND

San Antonio vs. Utah
Game 1 - San Antonio Spurs vs Utah Jazz 106:91 (1:0)
Game 2 - San Antonio Spurs vs Utah Jazz 114:83 (2:0)
Game 3 - Utah Jazz vs San Antonio Spurs 90:102 (0:3)
Game 4 - Utah Jazz vs San Antonio Spurs 81:87 (0:4)

Oklahoma City vs. Dallas
Game 1 - Oklahoma City Thunder vs Dallas Mavericks 99:98 (1:0)
Game 2 - Oklahoma City Thunder vs Dallas Mavericks 102:99 (2:0)
Game 3 - Dallas Mavericks vs Oklahoma City Thunder 79:95 (0:3)
Game 4 - Dallas Mavericks vs Oklahoma City Thunder 97:103 (0:4)

L.A. Lakers vs. Denver
Game 1 - L.A. Lakers vs Denver Nuggets 103:88 (1:0)
Game 2 - L.A. Lakers vs Denver Nuggets 104:100 (2:0)
Game 3 - Denver Nuggets vs L.A. Lakers 99:84 (1:2)
Game 4 - Denver Nuggets vs L.A. Lakers 88:92 (1:3)
Game 5 - L.A. Lakers vs Denver Nuggets 99:102 (3:2)
Game 6 - Denver Nuggets vs L.A. Lakers 113:96 (3:3)
Game 7 - L.A. Lakers vs Denver Nuggets 96:87 (4:3)

Memphis vs. L.A. Clippers
Game 1 - Memphis Grizzlies vs L.A. Clippers 98:99 (0:1)
Game 2 - Memphis Grizzlies vs L.A. Clippers 105:98 (1:1)
Game 3 - L.A. Clippers vs Memphis Grizzlies 87:86 (2:1)
Game 4 - L.A. Clippers vs Memphis Grizzlies 101:97 OT (3:1)
Game 5 - Memphis Grizzlies vs L.A. Clippers 92:80 (2:3)
Game 6 - L.A. Clippers vs Memphis Grizzlies 88:90 (3:3)
Game 7 - Memphis Grizzlies vs L.A. Clippers 72:82 (3:4)

EASTERN CONFERENCE - FIRST ROUND

Chicago vs. Philadelphia
Game 1 - Chicago Bulls vs Philadelphia 76ers 103:91 (1:0)
Game 2 - Chicago Bulls vs Philadelphia 76ers 92:109 (1:1)
Game 3 - Philadelphia 76ers vs Chicago Bulls 79:74 (2:1)
Game 4 - Philadelphia 76ers vs Chicago Bulls 89:82 (3:1)
Game 5 - Chicago Bulls vs Philadelphia 76ers 77:69 (2:3)
Game 6 - Philadelphia 76ers vs Chicago Bulls 79:78 (4:2)

Miami vs. New York
Game 1 - Miami Heat vs New York Knicks 100:67 (1:0)
Game 2 - Miami Heat vs New York Knicks 104:94 (2:0)
Game 3 - New York Knicks vs Miami Heat 70:87 (0:3)
Game 4 - New York Knicks vs Miami Heat 89:87 (1:3)
Game 5 - Miami Heat vs New York Knicks 106:94 (4:1)

Indiana vs. Orlando
Game 1 - Indiana Pacers vs Orlando Magic 77:81 (0:1)
Game 2 - Indiana Pacers vs Orlando Magic 93:78 (1:1)
Game 3 - Orlando Magic vs Indiana Pacers 74:97 (1:2)
Game 4 - Orlando Magic vs Indiana Pacers 99:101 OT (1:3)
Game 5 - Indiana Pacers vs Orlando Magic 105:87 (4:1)

Boston vs. Atlanta
Game 1 - Atlanta Hawks vs Boston Celtics 83:74 (1:0)
Game 2 - Atlanta Hawks vs Boston Celtics 80:87 (1:1)
Game 3 - Boston Celtics vs Atlanta Hawks 90:84 OT (2:1)
Game 4 - Boston Celtics vs Atlanta Hawks 101:79 (3:1)
Game 5 - Atlanta Hawks vs Boston Celtics 87:86 (2:3)
Game 6 - Boston Celtics vs Atlanta Hawks 83:80 (4:2)

WESTERN CONFERENCE - SECOND ROUND

San Antonio Spurs vs. L.A. Clippers
Game 1 - San Antonio Spurs vs. L.A. Clippers 108:92 (1:0)
Game 2 - San Antonio Spurs vs. L.A. Clippers 105:88 (2:0)
Game 3 - L.A. Clippers vs San Antonio Spurs 86:96 (0:3)
Game 4 - L.A. Clippers vs San Antonio Spurs 99:102 (0:4)

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. L.A. Lakers
Game 1 - Oklahoma City Thunder vs L.A. Lakers 119:90 (1:0)
Game 2 - Oklahoma City Thunder vs L.A. Lakers 77:75 (2:0)
Game 3 - L.A. Lakers vs Oklahoma City Thunder 99:96 (1:2)
Game 4 - L.A. Lakers vs Oklahoma City Thunder 100:103 (1:3)
Game 5 - Oklahoma City Thunder vs L.A. Lakers 106:90 (4:1)

EASTERN CONFERENCE - SECOND ROUND

Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics
Game 1 - Boston Celtics vs Philadelphia 76ers 92:91 (1:0)
Game 2 - Boston Celtics vs Philadelphia 76ers 81:82 (1:1)
Game 3 - Philadelphia 76ers vs Boston Celtics 91:107 (1:2)
Game 4 - Philadelphia 76ers vs Boston Celtics 92:83 (2:2)
Game 5 - Boston Celtics vs Philadelphia 76ers 101:85 (3:2)
Game 6 - Philadelphia 76ers vs Boston Celtics 82:75 (3:3)
Game 7 - Boston Celtics vs Philadelphia 76ers 85:75 (4:3)

Miami Heat vs. Indiana Pacers
Game 1 - Miami Heat vs Indiana Pacers 95:86 (1:0)
Game 2 - Miami Heat vs Indiana Pacers 75:78 (1:1)
Game 3 - Indiana Pacers vs Miami Heat 94:75 (2:1)
Game 4 - Indiana Pacers vs Miami Heat 93:101 (2:2)
Game 5 - Miami Heat vs Indiana Pacers 115:83 (3:2)
Game 6 - Indiana Pacers vs Miami Heat 93:105 (2:4)

WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS

San Antonio Spurs vs Oklahoma City Thunder
Game 1 - San Antonio Spurs vs Oklahoma City Thunder 101:98 (1:0)
Game 2 - San Antonio Spurs vs Oklahoma City Thunder 120:111 (2:0)
Game 3 - Oklahoma City Thunder vs San Antonio Spurs 102:82 (1:2)
Game 4 - Oklahoma City Thunder vs San Antonio Spurs 109:103 (2:2)
Game 5 - San Antonio Spurs vs Oklahoma City Thunder 103:108 (2:3)
Game 6 - Oklahoma City Thunder vs San Antonio Spurs 107:99 (4:2)

EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS

Miami Heat vs Boston Celtics
Game 1 - Miami Heat vs Boston Celtics 93:79 (1:0)
Game 2 - Miami Heat vs Boston Celtics 115:111 OT (2:0)
Game 3 - Boston Celtics vs Miami Heat 101:91 (1:2)
Game 4 - Boston Celtics vs Miami Heat 93:91 OT (2:2)
Game 5 - Miami Heat vs Boston Celtics 90:94 (2:3)
Game 6 - Boston Celtics vs Miami Heat 79:98 (3:3)
Game 7 - Miami Heat vs Boston Celtics 101:88 (4:3)

NBA FINALS

Oklahoma City Thunder vs Miami Heat
Game 1 - Oklahoma City Thunder vs Miami Heat 105:94 (1:0)
Game 2 - Oklahoma City Thunder vs Miami Heat 96:100 (1:1)
Game 3 - Miami Heat vs Oklahoma City Thunder 91:85 (2:1)
Game 4 - Miami Heat vs Oklahoma City Thunder 104:98 (3:1)
Game 5 - Miami Heat vs Oklahoma City Thunder 121:106 (4:1)

[Steve]

Not been paying attention to the NBA for a couple years (and especially not now that Dad's gone) but... really? The Clippers are in the freaking playoffs?!

Wow. Maybe the Mayans were right?

[une]

My money is on Oklahoma City. I think the Spurs are paper tigers and I expect for them to have another collapse in the playoffs.

I expect the Heat to come out of the east. I know a lot of people think Chicago has a good chance of beating them, but I don't think they've change enough from last year.

[Argosh]

Yes, the Clippers. They traded some players and got Chris Paul. It was a close call but they almost won their division. Lakers (41-25) / Clippers (40-26). And due to their playing style, LA is called Lob City now.

[Argosh]

2012.04.28
Oklahoma City Thunder vs Dallas Mavericks 99:98 (1:0)
Chicago Bulls vs Philadelphia 76ers 103:91 (1:0)
Miami Heat vs New York Knicks 100:67 (1:0)
Indiana Pacers vs Orlando Magic 77:81 (0:1)

OKC/Mavs game was a close one, as was Pacers/Magic, unlike the Heat rout of Knicks. Bulls got their first win but Rose is out with a knee injury.

[Darth Fanboy]

Kiss it goodbye for the Bulls, torn ACLs are rarely good news.

Clippers were in the playoffs just 5 years ago but yeah Blake Griffin was the cursebreaker. He recovered from the broken kneecap to be the best draft pick that team ever had and the Clippers just completely overhauled the roster like they badly needed to do. On top of getting Chris Paul they added Caron Butler, Chauncey Billups (out for the year but a great pickup nonetheless), and Kenyon Martin along with getting Mo Williams last year who plays better when there are one or two legit all stars on a team (;-)). I don't think there was much doubt that the Clippers would make the playoffs this year, although they have had two just awful slumps that make me seriously doubt they can get past the Conference finals, let alone the second round (although they play OKC tough).

[Darth Fanboy]

And if my previous post didn't convey how different this franchise is then that 4th quarter comeback oughta do it.

[Argosh]

2012.04.29
San Antonio Spurs vs Utah Jazz 106:91 (1:0)
L.A. Lakers vs Denver Nuggets 103:88 (1:0)
Memphis Grizzlies vs L.A. Clippers 98:99 (0:1)
Atlanta Hawks vs Boston Celtics 83:74 (1:0)

Clippers had a huge 28:3 run when they were down 95-71 with 9:13 remaining. Wow.
Boston's Rondo had an "episode" and was ejected, Boston lost.

[Darth Fanboy]

Rondo didn't have an "episode", yeah he fucked up when he bumped into the referee but the call that prompted it was so horrible that if I were comissioner i'd consider pulling him off that playoff series. Technical fouls are handed out like candy these days.

I'm saying all that and I don't like the Celtics at all.

[Argosh]

2012.04.30
Oklahoma City Thunder vs Dallas Mavericks 102:99 (2:0)
Indiana Pacers vs Orlando Magic 93:78 (1:1)
Miami Heat vs New York Knicks 104:94 (2:0)

[Argosh]

2012.05.01
L.A. Lakers vs Denver Nuggets 104:100 (2:0)
Chicago Bulls vs Philadelphia 76ers 92:109 (1:1)
Atlanta Hawks vs Boston Celtics 80:87 (1:1)

[Argosh]

2012.05.02
San Antonio Spurs vs Utah Jazz 114:83 (2:0)
Memphis Grizzlies vs L.A. Clippers 105:98 (1:1)
Orlando Magic vs Indiana Pacers 74:97 (1:2)

[Argosh]

2012.05.03
Dallas Mavericks vs Oklahoma City Thunder 79:95 (0:3)
New York Knicks vs Miami Heat 70:87 (0:3)

Mavs and Knicks are close to being swept, I wonder will either of them get a win in their series

[Argosh]

2012.05.04
Denver Nuggets vs L.A. Lakers 99:84 (1:2)
Philadelphia 76ers vs Chicago Bulls 79:74 (2:1)
Boston Celtics vs Atlanta Hawks 90:84 (2:1)

[Phantasee]

Knicks will likely get swept. Miami will make it to the final, only to lose to the Clippers. LBJ will continue to cry like a bitch.

[une]

The Clippers? You think the Clippers will make it to the finals?

It's either San Antonio or the Thunder. Any other team is not getting out of the western conference.

Very ugly win by the Pacers today. I think they've pretty much won the series now.

[Argosh]

2012.05.05
Utah Jazz vs San Antonio Spurs 90:102 (0:3)
Dallas Mavericks vs Oklahoma City Thunder 97:103 (0:4)
L.A. Clippers vs Memphis Grizzlies 87:86 (2:1)
Orlando Magic vs Indiana Pacers 99:101 (1:3)

Oklahoma City Thunder advances to the next round.

[Darth Fanboy]

The Clippers? You think the Clippers will make it to the finals?

It's either San Antonio or the Thunder. Any other team is not getting out of the western conference.

Very ugly win by the Pacers today. I think they've pretty much won the series now.

There is no reason the Clippers or Lakers can't beat San Antonio or OKC in a 7 game series. The Clippers actually played very well against the Thunder this year and might be the best matchup to go against them as no other team in the West matches up as athletically and they both have a guy who can close out the 4th quarter better than almost everyone else.

[une]

The Clippers? You think the Clippers will make it to the finals?

It's either San Antonio or the Thunder. Any other team is not getting out of the western conference.

Very ugly win by the Pacers today. I think they've pretty much won the series now.

There is no reason the Clippers or Lakers can't beat San Antonio or OKC in a 7 game series. The Clippers actually played very well against the Thunder this year and might be the best matchup to go against them as no other team in the West matches up as athletically and they both have a guy who can close out the 4th quarter better than almost everyone else.

The Clippers or Lakers can win some games, but they can't beat OKC in a seven game series. OKC is too deep and has too many offensive weapons to lose.

[Phantasee]

The Clippers? You think the Clippers will make it to the finals?

It's either San Antonio or the Thunder. Any other team is not getting out of the western conference.

Very ugly win by the Pacers today. I think they've pretty much won the series now.

Not really, but I think the Clippers could beat the Heat in the Finals, hypothetically speaking. Probably going to be the SuperSonics.

Fuck the Spurs.

[Argosh]

2012.05.06
Denver Nuggets vs L.A. Lakers 88:92 (1:3)
Philadelphia 76ers vs Chicago Bulls 89:82 (3:1)
New York Knicks vs Miami Heat 89:87 (1:3)
Boston Celtics vs Atlanta Hawks 101:79 (3:1)

[Argosh]

2012.05.07
Utah Jazz vs San Antonio Spurs 81:87 (0:4)
L.A. Clippers vs Memphis Grizzlies 101:97 (3:1)

San Antonio Spurs advances to the next round.

[Argosh]

2012.05.08
L.A. Lakers vs Denver Nuggets 99:102 (3:2)
Chicago Bulls vs Philadelphia 76ers 77:69 (2:3)
Indiana Pacers vs Orlando Magic 105:87 (4:1)
Atlanta Hawks vs Boston Celtics 87:86 (2:3)

Indiana Pacers advances to the next round.

[Argosh]

2012.05.09
Memphis Grizzlies vs L.A. Clippers 92:80 (2:3)
Miami Heat vs New York Knicks 106:94 (4:1)

Miami Heat advances to the next round.

[Ziggy Stardust]

Is the lack of activity in this thread due to a general disinterest in the NBA on the forums? All the other sports threads seemed to have lots of back-and-forth about what's going on, while this has just been Argosh noting the results.

Of the people that are reading this, what teams are you rooting for? What teams do you really really want to lose? And why?

EDIT: Oops, silly me asking that question and not leading by example. I am a die-hard Boston sports fan, so I am rooting for my dear old Celtics to make one last deep play-off run. Hoping, at least, they can finish off the Hawks at home, cruise through either the 76ers or the beat up Bulls, and make a hell of a show in the ECF against the Heat. Hell, the Celtics could even beat the Heat, they haven't been playing great so far (they demolished the Knicks, but the Knicks were a terrible team in general ... the C's swept them in the playoffs last year, and that was arguably a stronger Knicks squad and a weaker C's squad due to each team's respective injury trends), and were great against them in the regular season.