Pacers vs Heat: Five Keys for Indiana over Miami, How to watch Easter Conference Finals 2013?

A mismatch? All experts believe that Miami is the big favorite in winning the Eastern Conference Finals over the Indiana Pacers. On paper alone, the Heat have the advantage aside from the experience which is intangible.

With all the eyes pointing to the victory of the Heat, the word "upset" cannot be erased as the Pacers have the momentum to be great. In the Semifinal round, the Pacers trampled down the heavily favored New York Knicks in six games. Pacers showed force that can have its way against the NBA defending Champion Miami.

There's a slim chance of possibility for the Pacers to upset the Heat. Let's look at some of the factors for the Pacers to be in the NBA Finals.


1. Contain LeBron James - Easier said than done. No team can stop James but to contain him is another story. Not allowing James to maximize his potential will keep the Pacers within reach. This means that the defensive scheme must be to destruct James in everytime he shoots. A low percentage in the fieldgoal category will mean a success for Indiana's defense.

2. Eliminate the outside shooting of Miami - Never allow Ray Allen, Shane Battier, and even Mario Chalmers to have good looks outside the arc.

3. Control the boards - With James and the outside shooting awful, the rebounding department must be in the side of the Pacers.  An all out effort from David West and Roy Hibbert to fight for every miss shots against Chris Anderson, Chris Bosh and even James.

4. Fluid offense - the first three keys have to do with the defense. The next big thing for the Pacers to have a shot of dispatching the Heat is to have the offensive display that even the defense of the Heat cannot negate. What about an explosive series for Lance Stephenson and Roy Hibbert?


5. Stay within distance until the last two minutes - Allowing themselves to have an opportunity to steal games in the final two minutes of each game will be crucial. Sometimes the Heat couldn't deliver when the game is on the line. How about making each game decided in the final minutes?


Pacers vs Heat tv coverage in the Philippines is on ABS-CBN Network. In the United States, it will always be on TNT, ESPN and ABC.

Oklahoma City Thunder Early Exit in the Western Conference

Oklahoma City Thunder Early Exit in the Western Conference

What happened to the Oklahoma City Thunder? Just simple thoughts about the fall of the Thunder who were supposed to be back in the NBA Finals again. The fact that the Thunder grabbed the No 1 seed in the Western Conference means that they were ready to take another shot at the NBA title. However, there were few factors that contributed to their fall. Let's examine it.

1. Not signing James Harden - Early in the season, the Thunder's questionable move in not getting Harden probably had caused them something. Not evident in the regular season as the Thunder played well by winning 60 games. Though Kevin Martin took the shoes of Harden in the regular season, the playoff was not a perfect fit for the Thunder.

2. Russell Westbrook injury - This can be the biggest of all the reasons. The competitiveness of the Thunder was none existent when Westbrook was sidelined with injury that the defense of the opponents concentrated on Durant. Losing the No 2 option was hard to fill in for the Thunder.


3. Kevin Durant's clutchness - How about Kevin Durant's missing many shots in the fourth quarters of the last two games? What if he converted most of his shots? Durant has to learn to be clutch in the future for his team to win close games. It's a learning process. LeBron James took some time until last year to score under the pressure.

4. Much improved Grizzlies - Never discount Grizzlies in the picture of the fall of the Thunder. Memphis overpowered the LA Clippers in the first round and it was  not a fluke. Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph dominated the Thunder. In short other teams like the Grizzlies have caught on the Thunder.

Next year is another journey for the Oklahoma City Thunder. Probably additional players to spice up the roster?

Boston overwhelms Knicks in Game 5 to extend series

Kevin Garnett pulled off one of his big games as he had 16 points and 18 rebounds for the Boston Celtics to beat New York Knicks, 92-86, in the best-of-seven first round series in the Eastern Conference.


The series will be shifted back to Boston in Game 6 as the Celtics can tie it after losing the first three games. Garnett displayed power and aggression as he also added five assists to be the hinge of the team in extending the series. Garnett is not too old to dominate once again by controlling the boards first to portray an all-around performance.


Paul Pierce added 16 points while Brandon Bass had 17 points to compliment the dominance of Garnett. Jeff Green had 18 points also while Jason Terry scored 17 points coming off from the bench. A balance offensive attacks by the Celtics while the defense was too tough for Carmelo to score only 22 points.

Aside from Carmelo, Raymond Felton had 21 points and six assists while JR Smith had 14 points. Though Tyson Chandler grabbed 11 rebounds, his defense on Garnett was missing especially in the second half. Iman Shumpert added 12 points and six rebounds for the Knicks to keep the game close.

What a miss opportunity for the Knicks who were supposed to close out the series at home. They will have to suffer the turmoil of playing in Boston in Game 6.

The game was filled with defense and that the Celtics prevailed in that arena. Coach Doc Rivers made sure that Anthony would not get his 30's.

NBA Playoffs Schedule 2013: In case you are in the Philippines

Not that much excitement this time here in the Philippines as the NBA Playoffs Schedule is underway. The absence of Kobe Bryant will affect the interest of the NBA fans here. Filipinos have been inloved by the acrobatic moves of Bryant the same way they were enthralled by Michael Jordan in the 90's. Filipinos loved those two players and this is the NBA Playoffs without them. However, the nation will be routing for Miami Heat probably. Not because of LeBron James but our very own Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra. Of course the fascination of watching LeBron James always attracts millions. A replica of Bryant or Jordan? How about the flashy game of Kevin Durant? Will he fill the void that Bryant left? Because the popularity of Kobe Bryant in the Philippines, millions will still tune in their television to watch the Los Angeles Lakers. How will the Lakers subdue the power of the San Antonio Spurs? How will coach Mike D'Antoni uses his two big guys? The enthusiasm in this game is to high that it need not to be neglected at all. Everybody wants to see the aging Tim Duncan against Dwight Howard at his prime. How about the strategy of fouling Dwight Howard? Hack-a-Howard? In terms of being emotional, we love to see the Miami Heat winning back-to-back. We want Spoelstra to be mentioned as a Filipino of course. While the rest of the country are too much engrossed by the May 13 election, the sports lovers will tune in to the NBA Playoff Games. Watching NBA Playoffs Games in the Philippines is not complicated as watching boxing. Through cable and satellite providers, Filipinos can watch the NBA games. Check your provider if NBA channel is available. Also, ABS CBN will cover the NBA Playoffs, though some games might be televised in delayed basis. Some of the my friends are watching the NBA Playoffs live online stream. I don't have the idea how to do that but they told me it is possible. Moreover, today is Sunday and the NBA games will be live Monday. Here's the NBA Playoffs Schedule live Philippine time Atlanta Hawks vs Indiana Pacers at 1:00 AM Monday Los Angeles Lakers vs San Antonio Spurs, 3:30 AM Monday Milwaukee Bucks vs Miami Heat, 7:00 AM Monday Houston Rockets vs Oklahoma City Thunder, 9:30 AM Monday It is more likely that ABS-CBN will capture the Rockets vs Thunder live while the rest will be in a delayed telecast.

Miami vs Detroit, 25th streak?

The Heat of Miami continue to pursue the history, Detroit Pistons have performed such as they are prepared to finish the book on the 5th in a straight line losing game season. Approaching off an amazing comeback, the Heat seems for the 25th instantly win even as annoying to hand the visiting Pistons the 10th successive beat on the night of Friday. Detroit has permitted points 107.9 on the percent 51.2 shooting even losing the entire nine March matches by the average scope of just 17.6. Opposite the reign champions of NBA, and they are riding the 2nd longest winning line in the history of league, could offer the important test to observe in case the Pistons have sufficient pride to finish one more disappointing game season along with a few expectation for the potential. Pistons clearly face the tall order next to Heat, and they rapidly are not very far from attainment the record of NBA of 33 successive wins set by Los Angeles Lakers. Miami showed that on Wednesday by rally from the 3rd quarter shortfall by 27 point to triumph by 98 to 95 at the Cleveland. On the other hand, LeBron James gained 14 of his total 25 points in the 4th quarter and additional rebounds 12 along with assists 10, and Miami outgained the Cavaliers by 64 to 40 in the 2nd half to absolute the largest retort in NBA this game season. Heat rally from the total 17 down to triumph by 105 to 103 at the Boston on the Monday. Along with the major milestone of NBA in the prospect, the Heat cannot afford the disappointment even as among the stretch next to four nastiest teams of the Eastern Conference. Miami mislaid by 109 to 99 at the Detroit on the 28th Dec. along with Dwyane Wade helping a single suspension of the game, but triumph 110 to 88 at the home 25th Jan. Heat have normal 108.7 averaged points and percent of the shot 51.4 even as winning total 15 straight on the whole at home by the margin of average of approx 11.8.

Lakers Formula of Success: Kobe must share the ball

Lakers Formula of Success: Kobe must share the ball Not too late to find the right formula. The Los Angeles Lakers quest for the answer to be a winning team has arrived. Winning two games in a row against Utah Jazz and Oklahoma City Thunder was not luck at all but it's something that they found. What's the key of the Lakers two consecutive wins? Believe it or not, it's Kobe Bryant sharing the ball to his teammates. Bryant had 14 assists in each of his two games and that he was just short of a rebound for triple double. What transpired was that Kobe has created a way for his teammates to be happy that carried it into defense. Look, the Lakers have been playing a sloppy defense but when Bryant shares, the defense is inspired. Against the Oklahoma Thunder, Bryant had 21 points, 14 assists and nine rebounds while five of his teammates were in double figures in scoring. Steve Nash had 17 points to help the Lakers in overpowering the Thunder. Also adding up in the offense is Metta World Peace who enjoys getting the ball from Bryant outside the arc. What needs to be done for the Lakers to keep the momentum alive and to be back in the contention for the playoffs? Remember that the Lakers are just 19-25, way far from a playoff team. One of the obvious move of coach Mike D'Antoni is moving Pau Gasol out of the starter so that the Lakers have something to play for when a substitution is needed. In the previous games, Gasol has been effective so far. It's like Lamar Odom's role with Phil Jackson before. Though Gasol is not that amenable coming off the bench, he has to sacrifice for his team. The big problem for the Lakers right now is Dwight Howard's free throw shooting. Against Oklahoma, because of 2-for-10 in the line, Howard was benched in the crucial stage in the fourth quarter and he was not seen back. D'Antoni was worried that the opponent could exploit Howard's inability to make free throws. The Lakers will make the playoffs if Kobe has to look for the pass first. He has to be like Magic Johnson in this important stage of his career than being Michael Jordan.

Lakers Five Reasons of Not Getting into the playoffs

The most popular basketball franchise,  Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA with a winning tradition,  is in disarray as they suffered yet another defeat, in the hands of the Cleveland Cavaliers.  Lakers record is now at 9-13 passing a quarter of the season already.


1. Coaching change - What an unwise decision for Lakers management to fire a defensive coach Mike Brown and eventually land an offensive coach Mike D'Antoni. In basketball, defense is better than offense, which is proven in winning championships. The coaching change affected the Lakers mindset and that it is a bad choice.

2. Aging legs - Coach Mike D'Antoni installed a system that was so effective in 2005-2008 with the right players. Surely, the high octane offense of D'Antoni fits then the younger Steve Nash, Amare Stoudemire, Jason Richardson, and even Boris Diaw.  What about the Lakers roster? Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, Metta World Peace, and Pau Gasol? All these stars are out of their prime. How can you run a fast pace offense with old legs that can easily get tired.

3. The use of Kobe Bryant - He is the main man for the Lakers, taking too much shots. He is the to scorer in the NBA as of the moment. He scored 42 points last night against the Cavaliers but he is not making his team better. He took to much shots. The problem is that he can do whatever he wants even with so many missed shots and turnovers.

4. Dwight Howard freethrow shooting - How can he be a reliable scorer at the stretch when he couldn't make free throws? The opponents intentionally foul him when the game is on the line. Because of Howard's inability to make freethrows, Kobe is taking all into his hands.

5. Pau Gasol's role - the Spaniard is not a fit to the system of D'Antoni. His strength is not being maximized at all. He is supposed to be at the low post not taking long jump shots.

The Lakers will not get into the playoffs unless they get together as soon as possible.