Maybe the media stopped caring about winning, but at least the National Basketball Association has to acknowledge it as Houston gets Games 1 and 2 on its home court. I think the Rockets are the best team without their star, therefore making him less "valuable" in the confusing rhetoric of the award that, throughout all sports, should be called "Most Outstanding Player" because value is such a subjective term. They are predicted to avenge last year's defeat to win the series 4-1 and regain the title. This'll be his second go-round in the playoffs and if he coaches anything like the first, the Thunder will have a great shot at beating the Rockets. The Cavs were a.500 team over their last 46 games, so the Celtics have the top seed, against a Bulls team that got better after they lost Dwyane Wade, amid rumors of serious antipathy and trade rumors around star guard Jimmy Butler.
Congratulations to the victor of this series and the 2017 MVP award, whether they get the trophy in June or not.
Darren had his three factors that will decide the series, and I have three of my own (with some overlap).
"I definitely like a challenge, and I like to go against the best", he said.
SportsDay Mavericks reporter Eddie Sefko makes his picks for who moves from the first round of the National Basketball Association playoffs. Steven Adams, Enes Kanter, and Taj Gibson can all turn the game just on their offensive rebounding ability.
Harden has totaled 21 triple-doubles this season.
Thunder: Roberson added 18 points with seven rebounds.
In the last 12 months Westbrook, Adams, and Oladipo have all committed their futures to the franchise and Sam Presti has done some impressive work to be able to bring in a lot of fresh, young faces. The up-and-down style the team plays is conducive to high-scoring affairs but the development of Harden into an all-around player instead of just a volume scorer has been key to the Rockets' resurgence.
Microsoft boosts openness of Azure cloud by acquiring container platform Deis
Gabe Monroy, Chief Technology officer of Deis also expressed delight about the company's new business direction and partnership with Microsoft.
Tim Frazier, whose name likely will stump folks years from now when the trivia question is asked of who had the Pelicans' lone triple-double this season, can appreciate Westbrook's feats.
The Rockets will be content to let Russ get his, but OKC can not really afford to let Harden slice them up.
As good as LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard have been, as strong as their respective cases are for that first spot on a ballot might be, Westbrook and Harden have been on a different level this season. As exhibited throughout the season, it's tough to bet against Westbrook in these high-intensity moments, but the series will still swing on the help he receives and Roberson's cagey defense on Harden. Before I proceed, (I'm just trying to delay the inevitable here) I will state that there are four primary candidates for the award, and you could make a convincing argument for all four candidates when doing an MVP prediction. Here's a look at what the starting lineups will likely look like for both teams. "It's nice to play well and get the win because you have to, but this is just one little step.in the big scheme of things". Likewise, I expect the refs to at least try to put their whistles away. There's a 100% chance the refs won't call it.
Oklahoma City implodes whenever Westbrook isn't on the floor, and Houston has one of the league's best benches - with two Sixth Man of the Year candidates!
Toyota Center fans: M-V-P! And the Rockets will try to make sure the wall around the paint makes sure Westbrook's halfcourt attempts come from a bit farther out.
It's going to happen so many times.
"You've got to rebound", D'Antoni said simply. But not that bad since nothing is that bad.
You have got to have the hustle to rebound and the sort of playmaking for the assists.
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