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Boston Celtics vs Miami Heat Live Streaming NBA Online

2011-05-03T12:42:00.000-07:00

Boston Celtics vs Miami Heat Live Streaming NBA Online on 7:00 pm EDT Tue May 3, 2011

Boston Celtics won in six games—a decision that still stings James. Boston Celtics know an O’Neal comeback alone won’t be enough of a change if they plan on returning to Boston with a 1-1 split in Miami. oston coach Doc Rivers, who is not wavering from the stance he offered in the minutes following Game 1, when he said the Heat were more “chippy” than “physical.” Boston Celtics vs Miami Heat Live TV Stream. Boston Celtics had their chances to recover from what was once a 19-point hole in Game 1.

Miami Heat forward Udonis Haslem worked out again Monday, a day after he nearly made the active roster for the first time since rupturing a foot ligament on Nov. 20. Rivers said Monday’s practice might move Shaquille O’Neal closer to a return after missing nearly all of the last three months with leg problems. A decision on his Game 2 status likely won’t be finalized until Tuesday morning’s pregame shootaround. Boston Celtics vs Miami Heat Live Streaming FREE. Miami Heat don’t necessarily agree with that. Watch Today's NBA Live Game between Boston Celtics and Miami Heat Here FREE.

Memphis Grizzlies vs Oklahoma City Thunder Live Streaming NBA Online

2011-05-03T12:36:00.000-07:00

Memphis Grizzlies vs Oklahoma City Thunder Live Streaming NBA Online on 9:30 pm EDT Tue May 3, 2011

Memphis Grizzlies—who led the NBA in steals and turnovers forced—also scored 23 points off of 18 Oklahoma City turnovers and 22 second-chance points off of 17 offensive rebounds. Brooks said he was hesitant to double-team Randolph too much because he’s become a quality passer when the Grizzlies send players cutting to the basket. Memphis Grizzlies vs Oklahoma City Thunder Live TV Stream. Grizzlies, who led the NBA with 51.5 points per game in the paint, averaged a whopping 59 against Oklahoma City while winning the regular-season series 3-1.

Oklahoma City Thunder’s only win came when Memphis scored 60 points inside but went 10-for-38 outside the paint, including 1 for 15 on 3-pointers. Randolph has become one of the stars of the playoffs, a player with no history of postseason success during his 10-year career leading a franchise that had never won a playoff series until knocking off top-seeded San Antonio a few days ago. Memphis Grizzlies vs Oklahoma City Thunder Live Streaming FREE. Grizzlies got 52 points in the paint, more than any team but the Los Angeles Lakers have scored against Oklahoma City with Perkins in the lineup. Watch Today's NBA Live Game between Memphis Grizzlies and Oklahoma City Thunders Here FREE.

Orlando Magic vs Atlanta Hawks Live Streaming NBA Online

2011-04-28T11:18:00.000-07:00

Orlando Magic vs Atlanta Hawks Live Streaming NBA Online on 7:30 pm EDT Thu April 28, 2011

Atlanta Hawks ran off copies of a newspaper article written by an Orlando columnist, who called the Hawks “birdbrains” and guaranteed the Magic would rally to win the series after losing Game 1 at home and falling behind 3-1. One thing the Hawks don’t want to do is return to Orlando for a decisive game. The Hawks expect Van Gundy to keep calling the same style of offense that worked so well in Game 5, so they’ll have to work even harder to fight through screens and cut down on the open looks the Magic get from beyond the 3-point stripe. Orlando Magic vs Atlanta Hawks Schedule and Tickets. Each Atlanta player got a copy in his locker.

Atlanta Hawks shot just 36 percent in their worst performance of the series. Josh Smith was the only starter in double figures with 22 points. Atlanta Hawks won Game 1 in Orlando to steal home-court advantage, and protected that edge with two close wins at home. They had hoped to close out the series on the road, but the Magic were having none of that. Orlando Magic vs Atlanta Hawks Live Game Online.Running the Hawks ragged with one pick-and-roll after another, Orlando got strong games out of Jason Richardson and backup guard J.J. Redick.

Los Angeles Lakers vs New Orleans Hornets Live Streaming NBA Online

2011-04-28T11:16:00.000-07:00

Los Angeles Lakers vs New Orleans Hornets Live Streaming NBA Online on 8:00 pm EDT Thu April 28, 2011

Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson didn’t seem quite sure what to make of his team being portrayed as the one that hits hardest. Los Angeles Lakers restored their dominance inside, outrebounding the Hornets 42-25, which included a 15-3 advantage in offensive rebounds. That led to a whopping 22-2 advantage in second-chance points. Los Angeles also outscored the Hornets 42-30 in the paint. Los Angeles Lakers vs New Orleans Hornets Schedule and Tickets. Los Angeles needs only one more win to dispatch pesky New Orleans. If the Lakers own key statistical categories as thoroughly as they did in their 106-90 Game 5 triumph on Tuesday night, the series isn’t likely to make it back to the West Coast for Game 7.

New Orleans Hornets realized by the second quarter of Game 5 that they better not count on the injury slowing the Lakers’ superstar down. Although he played less than 29 minutes in Game 5, he was 8 of 13 shooting for 19 points and showed little lack of explosion on a pair of soaring one-handed jams. Los Angeles Lakers vs New Orleans Hornets Live Game Online. Hornets coach Monty Williams said Paul’s teammates could have helped him by showing more toughness on defense and fouling hard, the way Lakers star Kobe Bryant did when he thwarted a layup attempt by Emeka Okafor with a forearm across the Hornets center’s head. New Orleans Hornets never looked more outmatched in the series, but if that result shook their confidence, they’re not letting it show.

Dallas Mavericks vs Portland Trail Blazers Live Streaming NBA Online

2011-04-28T11:12:00.000-07:00

Dallas Mavericks vs Portland Trail Blazers Live Streaming NBA Online on 10:30 pm EDT Thu April 28, 2011

Dallas Mavericks has been eliminated in the first round in three of the past four seasons. Dallas Mavericks are hoping to overcome their recent history of wilting in the playoffs. Dallas Mavericks have seen the steady play of Dirk Nowitzki all series long, they’ve also managed to compliment him with a different player each game, ranging from Jason Kidd to Peja Stojakovic and Jason Terry, and finally Chandler, who had 14 points and 20 rebounds in Game 5. Dallas Mavericks vs Portland Trail Blazers Schedule and Tickets. Dallas Mavericks, the third seed, took control of the series with a 93-82 victory at American Airlines Center on Monday night in Game 5.

Portland Trail Blazers has won 12 of its last 13 at the Rose Garden. Overall against the Mavericks, the Blazers are 46-18 all-time in Portland, and 8-1 in playoff games. Portland Trail Blazers have won each time the Mavs have visited their building this season, twice in the regular season and twice so far in the playoffs. Dallas Mavericks vs Portland Trail Blazers Live Game Online. Portland Trail Blazers must improve in several areas—and quick. They’ve been unable to deal effectively with the Mavs’ pick-and-roll. They’ve sent Nowitzki to the free throw line too often. And, aside from Roy’s big breakout, they’ve seen too little noise from their own bench.

Atlanta Hawks vs Orlando Magic Live Streaming NBA Online

2011-04-26T12:41:00.000-07:00

Atlanta Hawks vs Orlando Magic Live Streaming NBA Online on 7:30 pm EDT Tue April 26, 2011

Atlanta Hawks also remains content to live with Howard’s big numbers and have defended the perimeter just well enough to throw Orlando off. It’s also had an unbelievable effort from reserve Jamal Crawford. Atlanta Hawks vs Orlando Magic Live. There were some trouble signs for Atlanta in Game 4, though. With his team-high 25-point effort in Game 4 Crawford became the first bench player to score 20 or more points in the first four games of a series since Kevin McHale did it for Boston in 1991.Pachulia’s return could be more vital, as he has done one of the most serviceable jobs off the bench banging around underneath with Howard.

Orlando Magic starter Jason Richardson and Hawks’ reserve Zaza Pachulia will both return to action after serving one-game suspensions for their altercation near the end of Game 3. Aside from letting the Magic back the game after building a 16-point lead, Atlanta also at times reverted back into the isolation-based offensive sets that have gotten it into trouble at times. They also did a poor job down the stretch of managing possessions. Atlanta Hawks vs Orlando Magic Live Webcast. Magic are averaging just 90.3 points and three of their go-to outside threats—Jameer Nelson, Hedo Turkoglu and Redick—are all shooting less than 35 percent from the field, none more than 23 percent from beyond the arc.

Indiana Pacers vs Chicago Bulls Live Streaming NBA Online

2011-04-26T12:32:00.000-07:00

Indiana Pacers vs Chicago Bulls Live Streaming NBA Online on 8:00 pm EDT Tue April 26, 2011

Indiana Pacers have frustrated Rose and the Bulls with traps, throwing the offense out of sync, and they’ve been fouling hard on shots down low. Rose sprained his ankle driving to the basket late in the first quarter of Game 4 on Saturday and wasn’t his usual dominant self as the Pacers beat Chicago 89-84 to avoid the sweep, finishing with 15 points and 10 assists. Indiana Pacers vs Chicago Bulls Live. That in part explains why Indiana has 67 turnovers into 89 points and why Chicago is shooting 39.8 percent, although Indiana isn’t much better at 41.3 percent.

Chicago Bulls have fared well when short-handed, winning despite losing Boozer and Joakim Noah for significant portions of the season because they have one of the deepest rosters, not to mention an MVP favorite at the point. Indiana Pacers vs Chicago Bulls Live Webcast. Chicago Bulls, meanwhile, are getting pushed in a big way after a posting a league-leading 62 wins and securing homecourt advantage throughout the playoffs. Chicago Bulls can breathe a little easier knowing that an MRI confirmed there was no major structural damage.

New Orleans Hornets vs Los Angeles Lakers Live Streaming NBA Online

2011-04-26T12:29:00.000-07:00

New Orleans Hornets vs Los Angeles Lakers Live Streaming NBA Online on 10:30 pm EDT Tue April 26, 2011

New Orleans Hornets have remained humble about their upstart run at the Lakers after stumbling into the playoffs and losing leading scorer David West to a season-ending injury. Yet two victories in four games have built a fire of confidence under New Orleans, which is drafting off the remarkable pace set by its star point guard. New Orleans Hornets vs Los Angeles Lakers Live. When the two-time champions face that pivotal first-round Game 5 against New Orleans on Tuesday night at Staples Center, they’ll have to draw from their expansive well of postseason experience just to keep moving forward on the brutal drive toward a threepeat.

Los Angeles Lakers are familiar with best-of-three finishes to their playoff series: Three of their four postseason series last year were tied after four games, as were two series during their initial title run in 2009. New Orleans Hornets vs Los Angeles Lakers Live Webcast. Los Angeles Lakers have been here before while playing 67 postseason games over the previous three years. But the dilemma posed by the Hornets is unique. Los Angeles Lakers still haven’t drained that well, but their task gets a bit tougher each time they have to go there to find the energy necessary to finish off contenders.

San Antonio Spurs vs Memphis Grizzlies Live Streaming NBA Online

2011-04-25T08:30:00.000-07:00

San Antonio Spurs vs Memphis Grizzlies Live Streaming NBA Online on 8:00 pm EDT Mon April 25, 2011

San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said six of nine Spurs are shooting under 40 percent. The Spurs have been outrebounding the Grizzlies, a stat Popovich thought would be a big key coming into this series. Spurs won’t make again is leaving Randolph open beyond the 3-point line. The power forward hit the clinching 3 with 41.9 seconds left when Duncan went toward the paint, thinking Randolph wouldn’t attempt such a shot at that point of the game. San Antonio Spurs vs Memphis Grizzlies Live. The NBA’s best 3-point shooting team during the regular season also needs to find its shooting stroke after going 2 of 15 Saturday night.

Memphis Grizzlies guard O.J. Mayo remembers when Memphis couldn’t protect such leads, and he said this proves they learned from those mistakes. Now they’re focused on getting four wins. Grizzlies also need to play four full quarters. They jumped up 52-42 at halftime only to watch the Spurs outscore them in each of the third and fourth quarters. The Spurs tied it twice, but couldn’t take the lead. San Antonio Spurs vs Memphis Grizzlies Live Webcast. Memphis coach Lionel Hollins said the Grizzlies have to keep defending the 3-point line, while watching for the Spurs attacking the basket. Grizzlies forward Shane Battier, brought back this season in a trade, is the only person to play in all of Memphis’ playoff games.

Portland Trail Blazers vs Dallas Mavericks Live Streaming NBA Online

2011-04-25T08:26:00.000-07:00

Portland Trail Blazers vs Dallas Mavericks Live Streaming NBA Online on 8:30 pm EDT Mon April 25, 2011

Portland Trail Blazers won the next three. Game 7 was in Dallas and the Mavs pulled it out. Portland hasn’t won a playoff series since; its drought actually stretches to 2000. Portland’s momentum includes a rejuvenated Brandon Roy. Portland Trail Blazers vs Dallas Mavericks Live. Roy left Dallas wondering about his career and his role on the Blazers. He hardly played in Game 2 and didn’t score. He was so low in the rotation that he said he was nearly in tears on the bench. He picked things up in Game 3, then was the star of Game 4, scoring 18 points in the series-shifting fourth quarter, including the winning basket in the final minute.

Dallas Mavericks jumped ahead 3-0, then the Blazers won the next three. Game 7 was in Dallas and the Mavs pulled it out. Portland hasn’t won a playoff series since; its drought actually stretches to 2000. Dallas Mavericks went to Portland with the chance to pull off a sweep, but returned home licking its wounds following one of the most humiliating losses of the NBA’s shot-clock era. Dallas’ sketchy playoff history includes a 2003 matchup against Portland that played out somewhat similarly to this series. Portland Trail Blazers vs Dallas Mavericks Live Webcast. Game 5 is in Dallas on Monday night. A return trip to Portland is already set for Game 6 on Thursday night.

Oklahoma City Thunder vs Denver Nuggets Live Streaming NBA Online

2011-04-25T08:23:00.000-07:00

Oklahoma City Thunder vs Denver Nuggets Live Streaming NBA Online on 10:30 pm EDT Mon April 25, 2011

Oklahoma City Thunder are trying to maintain a balance while trying to win their first series since moving to Oklahoma City from Seattle three years ago. Oklahoma City Thunder have beaten the Nuggets five times in the past 18 days. Three of those games have been close, including Games 1 and 3 of this series. Oklahoma City Thunder vs Denver Nuggets Live. They have the youngest roster in the league and only five Oklahoma City players have advanced past the first round—Kendrick Perkins, Nate Robinson, Nazr Mohammed, Nick Collison and Thabo Sefolosha.

Denver Nuggets is trying to do what no other NBA team has done—win a series after going down 3-0. Nuggets feel their little mistakes have made this series appear less competitive. The first step is getting back in the series, and Karl can draw on his experience when he coached the SuperSonics in the 1996 NBA finals. Denver Nuggets were 30 for 45 from the free throw line on Saturday and they’re shooting 68.7 percent from there in the series. Oklahoma City Thunder vs Denver Nuggets Live Webcast. Denver Nuggets 97-94 loss on Saturday night put the Nuggets a game from losing in the first round for the seventh time in eight years.

San Antonio Spurs vs Memphis Grizzlies Live Streaming NBA Online

2011-04-23T10:44:00.000-07:00

San Antonio Spurs vs Memphis Grizzlies Live Streaming NBA Online on 7:30 pm EDT Sat April 23, 2011

San Antonio Spurs has gone to the free throw line more than Memphis in each of the first two games with 79 fouls called on the Grizzlies compared to 53 for the Spurs. Parker said the Spurs are feeling confident. Ginobili’s return, plus how San Antonio smothered Memphis center Marc Gasol and power forward Zach Randolph in the paint with double-teams certainly helped. The Spurs practiced Friday in San Antonio before flying to Memphis. San Antonio Spurs vs Memphis Grizzlies Live. The series is tied with top-seeded San Antonio, and Allen says the plan is to make the Spurs work for everything they get in Game 3.

Memphis Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins isn’t about to bite on the idea that officials might be calling the playoffs differently than the regular season. He said it’s the same officials who may be emphasizing different things that might have been let go earlier. San Antonio Spurs vs Memphis Grizzlies Live Webcast. Grizzlies guard Mike Conley said he plans to work harder to keep Parker or Ginobili from drawing fouls against him while driving to the basket. Battier had another idea against a couple of gritty guards who don’t shy away from contact. Grizzlies are very comfortable at home, having won 30 games here this season.

Oklahoma City Thunder vs Denver Nuggets Live Streaming NBA Online

2011-04-23T09:51:00.000-07:00

Oklahoma City Thunder vs Denver Nuggets Live Streaming NBA Online on 10:00 pm EDT Sat April 23, 2011

Oklahoma City Thunders All-Star duo of Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant go off against the Nuggets defense. Afflalo had the Nuggets playing at a high level after the blockbuster deal that sent Chauncey Billups and Carmelo Anthony to the New York Knicks in February. He won’t dazzle on offense like Anthony or steal Billups’ title of Mr. Big Shot, but he is the glue that binds this team together. Oklahoma City Thunder vs Denver Nuggets Live. His bothersome hamstring cost him 13 games over the final month of the regular season, interrupting the team’s chemistry.

Denver Nuggets’ top defender and go-to scorer in crunch time, has no idea how many minutes he can handle or if the hamstring will even hold up. Pronouncing his left hamstring fit after practice Friday, the Denver guard will take the court for the first time in two weeks when Denver hosts the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday night in Game 3 of their first-round playoff series. Oklahoma City Thunder vs Denver Nuggets Live Webcast. Still, Afflalo’s presence might just provide the boost the team’s looking for with Denver down 2-0 in the best-of-7 series.

Boston Celtics vs New York Knicks Live Streaming NBA Online

2011-04-22T11:32:00.000-07:00

Boston Celtics vs New York Knicks Live Streaming NBA Online on 7:00 pm EDT Fri April 22, 2011

Boston Celtics’ execution has been equally as sharp, with decisive baskets by Allen and Garnett in the closing seconds of the first two games after the Knicks had outplayed the defending East champs for large parts of both. Paul Pierce knocked down the tiebreaking shot with 0.4 seconds left in the Celtics’ 118-116 victory back in December, two months after hitting a tiebreaking shot here in a preseason game with 8 seconds to go. Boston Celtics vs New York Knicks Live. Celtics bring a 2-0 lead into Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first-round series on Friday, with the Knicks knowing they were close to winning both games but also getting close to going home for the summer.

New York Knicks hosts Game 4 on Sunday, when it will either try to tie the series or save its season. The Knicks believe they will get at least one of them, sounding far more satisfied than Celtics coach Doc Rivers, who said his team needs to play better. Boston Celtics vs New York Knicks Live Webcast. New York Knicks sent much of their core to Denver in the February deal that brought Anthony and Billups from the Nuggets, believing together with Stoudemire that duo would make the Knicks a solid first-round threat.

Orlando Magic vs Atlanta Hawks Live Streaming NBA Online

2011-04-22T11:27:00.000-07:00

Orlando Magic vs Atlanta Hawks Live Streaming NBA Online on 8:00 pm EDT Fri April 22, 2011

Orlando Magic’s Ryan Anderson said it’s important to silence the Atlanta fans—or even turn them against the Hawks, the way the Magic did a year ago. winning 10 fewer games at Philips Arena than a year ago. And some of those performances were downright ugly. Orlando Magic vs Atlanta Hawks Live.A 41-point loss to New Orleans. A 34-point blowout by Philadelphia. A 33-point rout against Chicago. Two other defeats by at least 20 points.

Atlanta Hawks native expects to feel the brunt of the crowd’s wrath, even in his hometown, after averaging 39.5 points and 19 rebounds during the first two games of the series. Hawks are promoting a “Dwight-Out” for next two games—encouraging all fans to wear white in hopes of rattling Magic star Dwight Howard. Orlando Magic vs Atlanta Hawks Live Webcast. Hawks have never been one of the league’s better-drawing teams, and attendance dipped this year to an average of less than 16,000 per game. Even those numbers—which ranked 22nd in the NBA—were clearly padded.

Los Angeles Lakers vs New Orleans Hornets Live Streaming NBA Online

2011-04-22T11:21:00.000-07:00

Los Angeles Lakers vs New Orleans Hornets Live Streaming NBA Online on 9:30 pm EDT Fri April 22, 2011

Los Angeles Lakers survived Gasol’s 2 of 10 shooting on Wednesday in part because they simply have the depth one expects from a title contender. Andrew Bynum, Lamar Odom and Ron Artest picked up the slack on offense. Meanwhile, the whole team played better defense after Phil Jackson decided to have Bryant replace Derek Fisher as Paul’s primary defender. Los Angeles Lakers vs New Orleans Hornets Live. Williams remembers how the Lakers ripped the 2009-10 NBA title from Boston’s grasp after falling behind 3-2 in the finals—and overcame a double-digit deficit in the second half of Game 7 to do it.

New Orleans Hornets rookie coach Monty Williams wasn’t ready to congratulate his team on leaving Los Angeles with one win. Rather, he wondered whether he should be concerned that his team let an opportunity to take a 2-0 lead slip away. Los Angeles Lakers vs New Orleans Hornets Live Webcast. New Orleans Hornets remained competitive until the final minutes of Game 2 and lost by nine despite missing 12 free throws, turning the ball over 16 times and having starting center Emeka Okafor in early foul trouble.

Chicago Bulls vs Indiana Pacers Live Streaming NBA Online

2011-04-21T10:06:00.000-07:00

Chicago Bulls vs Indiana Pacers Live Streaming NBA Online on 7:00 pm EDT Thu April 21, 2011

Chicago Bulls just three hours away, the threat of a red-and-black takeover of Conseco Fieldhouse was a concern. Chicago Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said Rose will be ready for whatever the Pacers bring. Chicago Bulls vs Indiana Pacers Live. Pacers have primarily used Paul George to defend Rose, looking to bother him with the rookie’s length and athletic ability while using other players to help. Though Rose has put up big numbers, Vogel said the 6-foot-8 George has done a good job of making the 6-foot-3 Rose work.

Indiana Pacers were last in the league in attendance during the regular season while the Bulls were first. With Chicago just three hours away, the threat of a red-and-black takeover of Conseco Fieldhouse was a concern. Indiana Pacers focus on Rose has had a ripple effect. Chicago had a 49-34 advantage on the boards in Game 1 and a 57-33 edge in Game 2. Chicago Bulls vs Indiana Pacers Live Webcast. Indiana Pacers lost double-digit leads in both of the first two games. The Bulls know the games have been closer than expected, but the most important thing is that they can go up 3-0 with a win.

Miami Heat vs Philadelphia 76ers Live Streaming NBA Online

2011-04-21T10:03:00.000-07:00

Miami Heat vs Philadelphia 76ers Live Streaming NBA Online on 8:00 pm EDT Thu April 21, 2011

Miami Heat are likely among the few people not wearing a Philadelphia 76ers uniform who won’t concede that this 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference playoff series is Miami’s to lose. Miami Heat have said all the right things. The playoffs don’t start until a team wins on the road. The Philly fans are some of the toughest around. No game is harder to win than Game 3. Miami Heat vs Philadelphia 76ers Live. But unless they can find a way to shut down James, Wade, and Bosh at the same time, the odds of winning a game remain uphill.

Philadelphia 76ers did not boast of “you’ve got to believe” comebacks or sell a fanbase on “anything can happen.” They respect the Heat too much and know—as Collins said after Game 2—the Heat are the better team. Miami Heat vs Philadelphia 76ers Live Webcast. Philadelphia 76ers, though, have a roster full of really nice players. Most teams would love to have Lou Wiliams, Thaddeus Young and Andre Iguodala. They’re just not the type of franchise players a team can build a title contender around. 76ers won 26 home games this year—one less than their overall total from a year ago.

Dallas Mavericks vs Portland Trail Blazers Live Streaming NBA Online

2011-04-21T10:00:00.000-07:00

Dallas Mavericks vs Portland Trail Blazers Live Streaming NBA Online on 10:30 pm EDT Thu April 21, 2011

Dallas Mavericks is shooting 47 percent from 3-point range in the playoffs, as opposed to 36 percent in the regular season. Dallas Mavericks signed Stojakovic in January after he was waived by Toronto. He’d hardly played because of injuries. Obviously Portland will need to do a better job with perimeter defense in Game 3. Dallas Mavericks vs Portland Trail Blazers Live. Dallas is 2-1 overall when they’ve opened 2-0 in 15 previous best-of-7 series. The exception was the 2006 NBA Finals when the Miami Heat defeated the Mavericks in six games. The Heat were just the third team to claim a championship after trailing 0-2.

Portland Trail Blazers could do without the distraction as they prepare for Game 3. McMillan gave the team a break with a maintenance day on Wednesday. Portland Trail Blazers needs to get more production out of their reserves. In Game 2, the Mavs’ backups outscored Portland’s 39-11. Nicolas Batum had 10 of those points, Rudy Fernandez had 1, and Brandon Roy and Patty Mills both went scoreless. Dallas Mavericks vs Portland Trail Blazers Live Webcast. Trail Blazers have a 46-18 advantage at home in the regular season, and they’re 6-1 in playoff games.

Denver Nuggets vs Oklahoma City Thunder Live Streaming NBA Online

2011-04-20T10:46:00.000-07:00

Denver Nuggets vs Oklahoma City Thunder Live Streaming NBA Online on 8:00 pm EDT Wed April 20, 2011

Martin suggested several strategies Denver could use to slow Durant— including sending a double-team to make him pass and making him work harder on defense. He recalled that Durant used to need to cover Carmelo Anthony on defense when he played the Nuggets. Denver Nuggets vs Oklahoma City Thunder Live. He also was hesitant to go to a zone—an effective tool for a handful of Thunder opponents this season—when he hasn’t practiced it much with a roster that was overhauled when Anthony was traded in February.

Oklahoma City Thunder depended heavily on Durant and Westbrook in Game 1, with both scoring at least 30 points in the same game—something they did only five times in the regular season. Only one other player—Eric Maynor with 12—had more than five points in Game 1. Denver Nuggets vs Oklahoma City Thunder Live Webcast. Durant was able to handle a variety of defenders thrown at him by Denver on Sunday night, including the lanky Wilson Chandler and Danilo Gallinari, a beefier Kenyon Martin and even 6-foot-1 point guard Raymond Felton.

Memphis Grizzlies vs San Antonio Spurs Live Streaming NBA Online

2011-04-20T10:44:00.000-07:00

Memphis Grizzlies vs San Antonio Spurs Live Streaming NBA Online on 8:30 pm EDT Wed April 20, 2011

Memphis Grizzlies is in uncharted territory. The Grizzlies were swept from their only three other playoff series—the last one in 2006—and have gone from a team eager to snap a winless streak to one that could become only the fourth No. 8 seed in NBA history to survive the first round. Memphis Grizzlies vs San Antonio Spurs Live. Memphis Grizzlies aren’t taking any chances. Hollins said he’s presuming the Argentine will be in the lineup and give San Antonio its second-leading scorer back.

San Antonio Spurs are counting on their guards after the Grizzlies utterly dominated the frontcourt. Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol combined for nearly half of Memphis’ points in Game 1 and shot a combined 19 of 25 from the floor. Memphis Grizzlies vs San Antonio Spurs Live Webcast. San Antonio Spurs got the message and ousted the Mavericks in six games. Yet when these 61-win Spurs lost Game 1 on Sunday to Memphis—a No. 8 seed of playoff novices, from coach Lionel Hollins on down—Popovich never appeared flustered. Spurs were an underachieving, banged-up No. 7 seed who lost their playoff opener on the road by six to Dallas.

New Orleans Hornets vs Los Angeles Lakers Live Streaming NBA Online

2011-04-20T10:40:00.000-07:00

New Orleans Hornets vs Los Angeles Lakers Live Streaming NBA Online on 10:30 pm EDT Wed April 20, 2011

New Orleans Hornets coach Monty Williams appeared to work together well in Game 1, with Williams noting several instances in which Paul had already called out the play Williams was preparing to send in to his players. New Orleans Hornets vs Los Angeles Lakers Live. Paul is coming off lowest-scoring season of his career, with fans questioning his commitment to New Orleans after his infamous wedding toast to a future partnership with Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire in New York. Near the close of an impressive rookie coaching season, Williams is still learning the best ways to help Paul.

Los Angeles Lakers’ pick-and-roll defense has been excellent at times during the season, but coach Phil Jackson said Paul’s basketball sense makes the Hornets’ favorite play particularly tough to contain. No matter how the Lakers approach it, Paul can find a way to exploit it, either with a quick drive or a savvy pass. New Orleans Hornets vs Los Angeles Lakers Live Webcast. Lakers’ greatest physical asset is their size, and Paul’s poised speed negates much of that. Almost nobody in the NBA can keep up with Paul one-on-one, forcing the Lakers to commit more of their defensive resources to Paul.

Memphis Grizzlies vs San Antonio Spurs Live Streaming NBA Online

2011-04-17T06:30:00.000-07:00

Memphis Grizzlies vs San Antonio Spurs Live Streaming NBA Online on 1:00 pm EDT Sun April 17, 2011

Memphis Grizzlies rested Tony Allen and Zach Randolph in their last two games, in addition to Mike Conley in the finale, the Spurs saw Memphis as not exactly eager to improve its seeding and possibly face the Los Angeles Lakers or Dallas instead. Memphis Grizzlies vs San Antonio Spurs Live. Forward Shane Battier was on that 2004 Memphis team, before being traded to Houston and then back to the Grizzlies this season. Battier said Saturday he can’t figure out why some people think Memphis tanked its final two games in order to play the No. 1 seed.

San Antonio Spurs, of all teams, can relate to wanting to stay healthy. They lost All-Star Manu Ginobili to a sprained right elbow in their season finale Wednesday against Phoenix, a game that was largely meaningless beyond trying to stay above Chicago for the NBA’s best record. A night earlier, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich didn’t play his stars against the Lakers. Memphis Grizzlies vs San Antonio Spurs Live Webcast. San Antonio Spurs guard George Hill noticed, too. San Antonio Spurs saw Memphis as not exactly eager to improve its seeding and possibly face the Los Angeles Lakers or Dallas instead.

New Orleans Hornets vs Los Angeles Lakers Live Streaming NBA Online

2011-04-17T06:27:00.000-07:00

New Orleans Hornets vs Los Angeles Lakers Live Streaming NBA Online on 3:30 pm EDT Sun April 17, 2011

Even after the franchise that’s owned by the NBA lost West to a left knee injury last month, New Orleans Hornets still made the playoffs—only to run into the second-seeded Lakers, most experts’ picks to come out of the West for the fourth straight season. New Orleans Hornets vs Los Angeles Lakers Live.The seventh-seeded New Orleans Hornets realize this series appears to be a mismatch, yet they’ve thrived on exceeding expectations all season. The Lakers insist they aren’t taking New Orleans for granted, studying film of their four victories and vowing to minimize the effectiveness of star point guard Chris Paul and the Hornets’ younger legs.

Los Angeles Lakers have been to three straight NBA finals with largely the same core that will take the court Sunday, Hornets starters Okafor and Marco Belinelli and key reserve Jarrett Jack will all make their playoff debuts. New Orleans Hornets vs Los Angeles Lakers Live Webcast. The Los Angeles Lakers lately haven’t resembled the club that went 17-1 after the All-Star break. Luckily for Jackson, it’s finally time for the postseason—the one thing in the world that can probably sustain his decorated club’s attention.Los Angeles Lakers lost five straight before back-to-back wins last week, barely keeping the No. 2 seed ahead of Dallas.

New York Knicks vs Boston Celtics Live Streaming NBA Online

2011-04-17T06:24:00.000-07:00

New York Knicks vs Boston Celtics Live Streaming NBA Online on 7:00 pm EDT Sun April 17, 2011

New York Knicks finished with their first winning record in 10 seasons and reached the playoffs for just the second time in that span. Stoudemire was the first piece in the Knicks improvement when they signed him as a free agent in the offseason. He averaged 25.3 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.9 blocks in 78 games. New York Knicks vs Boston Celtics Live.Anthony averaged 26.3 points in his 27 games with New York, which lost its only matchup with the Celtics with him in the lineup, 96-86 after outplaying them for almost 45 minutes. Knicks gave up three of their top four scorers—Raymond Felton, Danilo Gallinari and Wilson Chandler.

Boston Celtics will be without center Shaquille O’Neal on Sunday and likely longer because of a right calf injury. He tried running before practice on Saturday but stopped when it became too painful. Boston Celtics won their 17th NBA championship in 2008 and lost the NBA finals last year in seven games to the Los Angeles Lakers. New York Knicks vs Boston Celtics Live Webcast. Boston Celtics were 41-15 at the time of the deal and 15-11 since then, finishing third in the East at 56-26. The Knicks were 28-26 before their trade and 14-14 after it, ending up at 42-40.