Poll: Miami vs. Boston
When the Celtics emerged from their hard fought seven game series against the Sixers, they looked more relieved than jubilant. This was a series they were supposed to win, and waiting on the other side of the tracks was a Heat team that knocked them out in five games last season.
The upcoming Eastern Conference Finals will be a battle of will between two organizations loaded with veteran players who're more than familiar with the task at hand. How do you think it plays out?
Miami vs. Boston
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Boston in 6 26% (169)
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Miami in 6 23% (146)
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Boston in 7 22% (144)
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Miami in 5 17% (113)
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Miami in 4 6% (37)
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Miami in 7 6% (37)
Total votes: 646
Polls: Who Wins Game 7?
On Saturday, the Sixers will travel up to Boston to face the Celtics in the unlikely seventh game of their Eastern Conferencen Semifinals series. It's uncharted waters for the Sixers, while the Celtics have been in this exact situation several times over the past five years. Who do you think will win, and in what fashion will they get it done?
Who Wins Game 7?
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Boston Celtics in a tight one 42% (268)
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Philadelphia 76ers in a tight one 30% (190)
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Boston Celtics in a blowout 24% (153)
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Philadelphia 76ers in a blowout 4% (23)
Total votes: 634
Poll: Spurs Vs. Thunder
The Spurs have yet to lose a game in the 2012 postseason, dispatching the Jazz and Clippers with ease, averaging a margin of victory of an incredible 13.8 points. San Antonio has won every game they've played for the last six weeks, and will have home court advantage in the Western Conference Finals.
The Thunder, meanwhile, have dominated their first two opponents nearly as thoroughly as the Spurs have, winning eight of nine games against the Mavericks and Lakers. Oklahoma City's big two of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook have averaged over 50 points per game between them, while the Thunder's front-line of Serge Ibaka and Kendrick Perkins could cause problems for the Spurs.
The Western Conference Finals get underway on Sunday night, and could end up being the best series we see this spring. So today's poll question is simple: Which team will win, and how many games will it take?
Who Will Win the Western Finals?
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Spurs in six 31% (225)
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Thunder in six 24% (173)
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Thunder in seven 16% (120)
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Spurs in seven 15% (106)
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Spurs in five 9% (65)
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Spurs in four 3% (21)
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Thunder in five 2% (14)
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Thunder in four 1% (6)
Total votes: 730
Poll: Will The Heat Beat The Pacers Without Bosh?
The Heat fell to the Pacers at home Tuesday evening by the score of 78-75 with Chris Bosh sidelined due to an abdominal muscle strain. The series, now even at one game a piece, heads to Indianapolis where the Pacers went 23-10 during the regular season and are currently 2-1 during the playoffs. Bosh, 28, had been especially strong for the Heat during the first round of the playoffs where he averaged 14.7 PPG and 6.8 RPG in just over 30 minutes per contest.
Game 2 of the series between the Heat and the Pacers saw Miami's two superstars live up to their billing with a combined 52 points and 15 rebounds in the losing effort. The Heat bench failed to shoulder any of the load as five players, including Mike Miller and Shane Battier, gave the team a total of 15 points. Ronny Turiaf, inserted into the starting lineup in the wake of Bosh's injury, struggled to provide quality minutes during his brief time on the court in which he committed more fouls (four) than points scored (three).
What do you think? Can LeBron James and Dwyane Wade elevate their level of play and get increased production from the bench to overcome the absence of Bosh to beat the Pacers?
Will The Heat Beat The Pacers Without Bosh?
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No, Pacers In 6 Games 35% (195)
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Yes, Heat In 6 Games 25% (141)
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No, Pacers In 7 Games 20% (110)
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Yes, Heat In 7 Games 11% (63)
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Yes, Heat In 5 Games 6% (31)
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No, Pacers In 5 Games 3% (14)
Total votes: 554
Poll: Where Will Steve Nash End Up?
One of the most high-profile players to hit free agency this summer will be Phoenix Suns point guard Steve Nash. The 38-year-old continues to express interest in returning to the Suns, although there is heavy speculation that he will instead sign with a contender such as the Heat. He’s also been linked to the Blazers, Knicks, and Raptors in various scenarios. Where do you think Nash will play in 2012/13?
Where Will Steve Nash Play In 2012/13?
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Miami 25% (304)
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New York 23% (276)
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Toronto 18% (219)
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Phoenix 16% (188)
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Other 14% (167)
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Portland 4% (53)
Total votes: 1,207
Poll: Will The Lakers Beat The Thunder?
Fresh off their victory over the Nuggets on Saturday evening, the Lakers will head to Oklahoma City on Monday for Game 1 of the second round of the playoffs to take on the Thunder. A re-energized Pau Gasol has the Lakers looking dangerous even against a heavily-favored Thunder squad.
The return of Metta World Peace in the final game of the series proved to be critical to the Lakers' success against the Nuggets and could potentially be a difference maker against the Thunder. The Lakers will also need improved play from Ramon Sessions or he could continue to lose minutes to Steve Blake, who put together an outstanding performance Saturday night at the Staples Center. Andrew Bynum showed flashes of brilliance at times against Denver but still needs to prove that he can play at a high level for an entire series, not just a few games.
What do you think? Will Kobe's supporting cast be able to come through against the likes of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden as they did against the Nuggets in Game 7?
Will The Lakers Beat The Thunder?
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No 65% (465)
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Yes 35% (250)
Total votes: 715
Poll: Which Team Is Playing The Best Basketball?
Yesterday we asked which player was having the most impressive first round, and most of you believe it’s Celtics forward Paul Pierce. Tonight we’re wondering which team is playing better team basketball? Who looks to be on the right track towards winning the championship?
Which Team Is Playing The Best Basketball?
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San Antonio Spurs 42% (268)
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Oklahoma City Thunder 27% (176)
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Boston Celtics 15% (98)
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Los Angeles Lakers 10% (65)
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Miami Heat 6% (37)
Total votes: 644
Who’s Had The Most Impressive Postseason?
Now that we’re eight days into the 2012 NBA playoffs, and each team has played at least three games, we ask which player has been the most impressive? There are several big names who’ve stepped up, and some others who’ve struggled. Who’s been the best?
Who's Had The Most Impressive Postseason So Far?
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Paul Pierce 25% (94)
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LeBron James 19% (74)
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Tony Parker 17% (65)
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Kevin Durant 17% (65)
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Chris Paul 14% (55)
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Ty Lawson 7% (27)
Total votes: 380
Poll: Will The Heat Sweep The Knicks?
After a dominant performance in Game One, the Heat took a 2-0 lead over the Knicks on Monday, prompting an outburst of frustration that will sideline Amare Stoudemire for Game Three. Stoudemire spoke to reporters about his injured hand today, saying there's a "great chance" he'll be back on Sunday, though reports earlier today suggested Amare could miss the entire series.
Of course, whether or not Stoudemire plays again this season may depend on how long the series lasts. With the Knicks in disarray, Chris Perkins of Sheridan Hoops writes that winning the series in even five games would be a disappointment for Miami. The other three series in the East are all tied at a game apiece, so the Heat could benefit from the extra rest if they can finish the Knicks off quickly.
What do you think? Will Carmelo Anthony and the Knicks bounce back from the fire-extinguisher incident to make a series of it? Or will the Heat finish off New York in four?
Will the Heat sweep the Knicks?
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Yes 62% (271)
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No, but they'll win the series 30% (129)
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No, and the Knicks will win the series 8% (35)
Total votes: 435
Poll: Will The Spurs Get Upset Again?
Last night, in what basically amounted to a play-in game for the Western Conference's eighth seed, Utah took advantage of their deep front court and home crowd to defeat Phoenix. The Jazz are now scheduled to face off against the number one seeded Spurs. With last year's tough first round loss to Memphis fresh in everybody's mind, this sets up a very interesting first round series. Utah's great strength is their very skilled front court, headed by Al Jefferson, Paul Millsap, Derrick Favors, and Enes Kanter. Last year the Spurs struggled against the Grizzlies dynamic duo of Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph. Will history repeat itself?
Will San Antonio Get Upset?
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No, their front court is improved 64% (260)
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Yes, they can't handle Utah's size 36% (147)
Total votes: 407