playoff

But with all that said, Adelman would like to see McGrady get into a good groove before the playoffs begin next weekend.

And with that, the Lakers responded from several poor seasons, and is now ready to advance into the further stages of the playoffs.

I do not know in the playoffs a team go very far in training camp at the beginning of what is.

Lakers center Andrew Bynum has not been cleared for full practices or to play and is doubtful for the start of the playoffs.

When SA has failed in the playoffs, it is because his teammates have not been able to help when he was more or less equalized.

Finally, the Lakers played with an urgency that showed they are finally ready to treat these playoffs with the respect they deserve.

He defeated his longtime nemesis, the team that embarrassed him in the 2010 playoffs and ultimately chased him out of Cleveland.

Although just one game, Saturday's contest led to quite a bit of conjecture about what the playoffs might bring.

The only reason they didn't win multiple World Series was that the playoffs in MLB are so much of a toss up in comparison to football.

The 2008 playoffs are going to be an all-out war for 10 weeks; I'm not sure I'd want to be in a foxhole with him or Diaw.

The Heat sleepwalk through some games, look like world-beaters in others and seem to be biding their time until the playoffs.

Now imagine working that HARD year in and year out, only to be rewarded with an inept supporting cast and an early exit out of the playoffs.

This team has got to go into the playoffs on fire, their biggest issue is their lack of confidence when tested.

"I know we are a young team, I know we have one of the lowest payrolls , but I need to be in the playoffs, " Brand says.

But you had the best record ever in the history of the NBA playoffs, yu should be proud of that.

Remember against the Mavs in the playoffs where Yao was trying to guard Stackhouse or Howard?

"The benefit about the playoffs is you have at least one day of fin between games and give yourself a chance to recover, " he said.

Yue: A few times during the season, a lot more during the playoffs. They're definitely a good team with a lot of good players.

At the season's outset, I pegged the Kings as a team unlikely to make the playoffs, but at least on the right track towards improvement.

This team is really special. If everyone is healthy during the playoffs, we really could win it all this year.

If a player is suspended during the Playoffs, such a suspension will be served commencing with the next scheduled game.

I would not be shock if at least two homecourt teams lost in the first round of the playoffs.

He's sort of stepped into an I'm here if you need me role, and in the playoffs. . . we're going to need him.

Yes, they keep shooting 3-points, they have tons of FTs, but Rockets should deal with this situation. Because playoffs can be like this.

It's good to see Yao getting some calls. I thought the refs were supposed to allow more physicality in the playoffs?

Yet Jackson has been able to mold the shifting array of personnel into teams that never had a losing record and never missed the playoffs.

Despite Kobe Bryant, the Lakers missed the playoffs in 2005 and were eliminated in the first round the next two years.

We just have to enter the playoffs with some sort of momentum.

I think JVG gave them just a little rest, to prepare for the playoffs and to "get fresh" .

McGrady and Yao are the LEAST of your worries, especially Mac, he's proven in the playoffs.

The Nuggets also hope to have defensive stalwart Kenyon Martin back in mid-April in time for the playoffs.

and with yao coming fresh and healthy for the playoffs, the western conference is in trouble. . .

Yeah I think this question is kinda moot anyway because there's no way Houston is going to be fully healthy in the playoffs.

Bynum had hoped to return to action during the playoffs, but setbacks caused him to eventually undergo surgery instead.

The Lakers, who captured the Pacific Division crown during the regular season, had no problem winning the opening round of the playoffs.

If the Trail Blazers finally reached the playoffs, then people would not be shocked by it?

Game, Orlando, just 88 win in the playoffs the last eight games, Orlando has never had such a low score.

Three pins were inserted a year ago, but the foot cracked in the playoffs and isn't healing.

Originally the game took place in early to mid-January following a 14-game regular season and playoffs.

Now the nuggets have made the playoffs the last 2 years but been bounced out of the first round for both seasons.

The looming NBA playoffs were on his mind. So were the joyful shouts emanating through his window.

This is the team that's supposed to get out of the first round of the most brutal Western playoffs ever?

"We feel like he's a strong piece to get us deeper and farther in the playoffs, " Rockets general manager Daryl Morey said.

A player must have been purchased before the start of your final regular-season game in order to be eligible for the playoffs .

They are without Tony and Manu, You've gotta be kidding, it was an ugly game and so far this team doesn't even deserve playoffs.

division champions do not necessarily have home-court advantage in the playoffs.

They may meet yet again in the playoffs, be it first or second round, depending on how things shake out over the next 36 games.

Let history: what the hell, I say that now the Sun team, never with the Spurs in the playoffs in!

I can completely understand AK being frustrated about being turned into a 26 minute per game scrub- in the playoffs.

After all, McGrady is what the NBA calls a star, even though he never has been as far into the playoffs as Ben Gordon.

Not only that, but KG won Defensive Player of the Year, and was unbelievable to watch during the playoffs.

Bench = to be the alternate He was benched during the basketball playoffs.

We've secured a spot in the playoffs, we're gonna shake it up a little.

After the playoffs, it'll be up to the players and owners to solve that problem.

The Hawks, devastated by the Magic in a second-round sweep in the 2010 Playoffs, changed very little about their roster this offseason.

The Woodburn High School boys soccer team has reached the state soccer championship playoffs for twenty-five straight seasons.

As the NFL playoffs head into the divisional round this weekend, this bizarre breed is particularly intriguing.

The last two games proves the Rockets' bench is not strong enough and Snyde is too young for the coming playoffs.

Just imagine if this was Rudy. He hasnt done squat in two years in the playoffs.

I mean its been 3games in the playoffs let them get into a nice comfort zone and everything else will fall in place.

Those teams that failed to qualify for the playoffs the previous season are eligible for the lottery.

Even if Mcgrady can come back, I hope they'll limit his minutes. He's too important to risk injuring. The Rockets need him for the playoffs.

In the playoffs, the Cavaliers first round opponent was the Washington Wizards.

Winning the playoffs was no pushover.

The NBA Closer is written by Matt McHale, who's starting to get a very bad feeling about these playoffs.

We're in the playoffs, we're in as the fifth seed regardless. . . just relax and let the season wind down.

If Billups can not be back in the playoffs, their first showdown with the Celtics may be his last fight on behalf of the Knicks game.

He competed pretty hard on defense throughout the playoffs, but not tonight. He was a dog on offense. He was a dog on defense.

Stifling half-court defense is the name of the game in the playoffs.

"I'm very confident in the makeup of our team now to do damage in the playoffs, not just get there, " Martin said.

Hornets coach Byron Scott is determined to reduce Paul's workload, hoping to keep his All-Star point guard fresher for the playoffs.

There is no specific date set for the center's return. It appears unlikely he'll be available before the start of the playoffs.

One of the lessons to learn: these games are prep for the playoffs, but they aren't life and death like the playoffs are.

Should Bynum remain healthy through the coming year and playoffs, Lakers fans will probably be celebrating a three-peat in June.

After the swap, Sacramento's fortunes changed almost immediately, and they would make the Playoffs in each of the next eight seasons.

So, even if KG could dominate both sides of the ball in every game of the 2012 playoffs (he can't), the C's could fall in the early rounds.

Bryant and his teammates have used that humiliation to motivate them all season and throughout these playoffs.

In the playoffs, the Cavaliers locked horns in an epic battle with Gilbert Arenas and the Washington Wizards.

The Wizards may have missed the playoffs had Jamison not led that team during the periods Butler and Arenas were out.

For that homecourt advantage and plus I got both of them on my fantasy basketball team and it's the playoffs.

we're one of the slowest teams in the NBA and should be lose to them in the playoffs, I wouldn't feel ashamed.

Bryant would once again lead his team to the playoffs, but would be bounced in 5 games to an improved Suns team.

The playoffs got off to an odd start when the league experimented with a round-robin format in the first round.

Morrison, the eccentric scorer from Gonzaga, has been left off the Lakers' active roster most of playoffs.

The Rockets' offense will be a season-long project, ideally growing all the way into the playoffs.

Jackson may have been putting out faulty information, because center now is expected back before the playoffs.

You seem very calm all the time. Do you think that helps you in the playoffs to not get nervous or not as excited ?

Correspondent: What has changed between the regular season and now the playoffs.

In 1999, in Houston to lead the team in the playoffs go all the way, has defeated the Heat, Hawks and Pacers .

In a single half, the Detroit Pistons taught LeBron James everything he needs to know about defense in the playoffs.

Their young players got a taste of how hard teams play, and how physically the Jazz play, in the playoffs.

The Lakers have one main goal from now until mid-April: Secure home-court advantage throughout the playoffs .

It sounds like 1990, but it was a first-round series in the 1974 playoffs that started it all.

The Lakers finished 42-40 last season and lost to Phoenix in the first round of the playoffs for a second consecutive season.

The Houston Rockets are in uncharted territory, having finally escaped the first round of the NBA playoffs.

Leave him out for these playoffs, so he won't have to play with fear or extra pressure.

The NBA Playoffs always begin in late April, with eight teams in each conference qualifying for the playoffs.

I'm going to try to join the team for as many games as possible in the playoffs.

They ran the table the rest of the regular season, then stormed through the state playoffs for their second straight title.

Only one other time has his team played beyond the opening round of the playoffs.

U. S. PGA playoffs, the race for the FedEx Cup decided, as the world's elite contest a BMW and tour of championships.

Well the Jazz are the new guys to the playoffs. I guess they need to earn some respect. Well, on to SLC.

The game is played annually on a Sunday as the final game of the NFL Playoffs.

Anytime someone talks trash to him these days, he tells them to enjoy watching the Rockets in the playoffs while they sit at home.

Minneapolis survived the first round of the playoffs but fell to the Pistons in four games in the division finals.

We weren't supposed to have a winning season, but we do. We weren't supposed to advance through the playoffs, but we did.

Just wanted to point this out because, I'm sick of the WE HAVE NO CHANCE IN HELL OF MAKING THE PLAYOFFS threads.

It also gave Garnett, 31, a better chance at a title after Minnesota missed the last three playoffs in the tough Western Conference.

Warriors might not even make it into the playoffs, but the Mavericks will be there, thanks mostly to Germany's No. 41.

I know I'll be back and have my shot to advance in the playoffs, and for now I'm enjoying the ride watching my teammates.

The Lakers are relying on Andrew Bynum to anchor their defense in the stretch run and through the playoffs.

Give the rest of these guys poor talent and they'll push the team to the playoffs.

Yao is under contract, and if Yao is healthy, the Rockets believe they'll be capable of going deep into the playoffs in 2010-2011.

And Kobe's broken finger looms as an imposing obstacle once the playoffs begin.

So, the question is, why all the fuss about home-court advantage in the playoffs ?

However, in the playoffs, their winning percentage has fallen precipitously .

The team manager fell in for the major share of the blame when his team lost the playoffs.

He led the franchise to the playoffs for the third time in four years, but hasn't been able to guide the Rockets beyond the first round.

Yet both are on the back-ends of their career and their teams play them only 30 minutes a game to keep them fresh for the playoffs.

A Montana high school basketball conference scraps its annual tournament in favor of playoffs.

Are the Lakers really worried? They will just flip a switch for the playoffs and everything will be fine.

Getting close to the playoffs, TMac is getting scared that he will screw up again. We all know he will.

This team is capable of making a deep run in the playoffs.

The Mavericks must make every attempt to get to the playoffs.

The Rockets will enter this season without an All-Star on the floor, and simply making the playoffs is their new goal.

Leave the guy alone until the playoffs, we need him healthy to have a shot in hell of advancing past the first round.

It will be nice to get some bigs back. Rather have them back in the playoffs, so we'll get through it.

They finished 45-37 last season and were knocked out in the first round of the playoffs.

The struggle and adversity they faced in the first few rounds of the playoffs brought them together.

Battier will have to play for us to win that game, but if he snot feeling well, he shouldnt cuz the playoffs are more important.

If you watched his performance in these playoffs you saw his abilities to take over late in games and as a leader.

Rick Carlisle hardly seemed to make a single mistake in the playoffs.

Now, in these playoffs, the Lakers have become brutal, efficient, and cold-blooded killers.

That was the last game before the playoffs.

And nobody expected us to be in the playoffs. Nobody (except for AK and BK).

And when the playoffs begin next April , today's game will best be remembered as great entertainment, not "proof. "

tmac and his cousin are both overpaid overhyped jokes. great reg season players but chokers in the playoffs.

Juwan is going to steal your dignity by playing well in the playoffs.

Big games, such as the playoffs, are shown on big screens in hotels and a giant one near Taipei's City Hall.

If Yao finishes strong (or even just solid) going into the playoffs. . . there is no damn reason why he shouldnt be the 1st team center.

In some circles, he's even considered a "loser" for never having reached beyond the first round of the NBA Playoffs.

IF we go deep in the playoffs, it would be a dream season.

The Hawks have made the playoffs the past four seasons, including three straight second-round appearances.

He puts it all out there on defense during the playoffs.

Would it be a shock for the Blazers to qualify for the playoffs?

welcome , ladies and gentlemen , to the first round of the clf playoffs.

If you lose once at home in the playoffs, forget the playoffs and just watch the days go by.

In addition, he displayed a new mental toughness by playing through some painful injuries during the playoffs.

He led the Rockets to the playoffs four times, though the team advanced past the first round only once.

So many restaurants over the years, and after Saturday there are only four more road games and whatever in the playoffs.

Due to toe injury, Boozer playoffs this year's performance has been very unstable.

And I have a good chance of practicing right before the playoffs with my team, get a bunch of hard practices in.

He was benched during the basketball playoffs.

The Kings are not going to the playoffs, but the Lakers know they will be formidable tonight at Arco Arena.

I always tell people if Yao was in the playoffs and Rafer (Alston) was healthy they win in the first round.

Fickle support for Steinbrenner's Evil Empire during playoffs.

But I still can not see any hope for the forthcoming playoffs as long as the bench keep playing in yesterday's level.

If the Rockets aren't victim to one of the worst officiated games ever (04-05 playoffs game 5), then they beat the Mavbricks.

We just need to get really hot down the stretch and hit the playoffs on fire! ! ! !

And Vince Carter choked in the playoffs, as usual, this time with the Magic.

Complete with highlights from the regular season, playoffs and the NBA finals.

The Lakers have five regular-season games left before playoffs begin.

And, being that we have to play the Western conference in the playoffs, it does not bode well for our chances.

In their 40th year in L. A. the team was the top seed in the playoffs for the first time in nine years.

Despite his struggles in the past, Tracy is optimistic and excited about getting another shot in the playoffs.

If James was fresh, young and brimming with "street cred, " it didn't match Bryant's exploits in the playoffs and his 81-point game.

Second, simply getting to the playoffs will not do.

Tomorrow we're going into the playoffs with Greenfield.

I still think the Lakers are going to win but the Suns play very well at home and it's tough to beat teams at home during the playoffs.

For 2 years in a row, he entered the playoffs with home court advantage all the way.

In the playoffs you need unsung heroes in every game, tonight was Chuck's night.

Thus, all but one team in each conference are eliminated from the playoffs.

The celtics cosmetic tidy, 47 wins with the league's best all 28 negative automatics record into the playoffs and to kill into the finals.

I'm more worried about if Rafer gets hurt or something in playoffs, what will JVG do?

Can a frightfully young, completely reconstructed roster win 41 games (the number it took to make the playoffs last season)?

NBA superstar Lebron played in these shoes in last years playoffs.

I still remember when Howard cheap shorted Yao in the 2005 playoffs, and how Sura retaliated by tackling him.

If Yao and Tmac shoot this well in the playoffs I have no problem facing Dallas.

When Yao first was injured, the national media in the United States said that we had little chance to even make the playoffs.

A win in Utah will give us great momentum going into the playoffs.

It does not win you anything in the playoffs .

Now the Western Conference is stronger and people again think we'll have to play over our heads just to get to the playoffs again.

Los Angeles have now won their last five games and may be on the way to this year's playoffs.

There're only 3 games left in regular season play. The New York Yankees are running out of time to make the playoffs.

He is known for his play during the playoffs.

That and their jobs, many of which will change radically in the off-season if there is no trip to the playoffs.

I love the way Coach is using everyone on the team. That'll really help as we approach the playoffs.

again because of wide right, they may miss the playoffs for a ninth straight year.

That school's athletes placed after ours in the playoffs.

We are also paired up with the Lakers, who I'd like to take in the playoffs.

Finally, when Magic retired from the Lakers, the team went from 58 to 43 wins and losing in the first round of the playoffs.

I think we may have peaked a little too soon and we didn't come into the playoffs hitting on all cylinders.

Why they'll make the playoffs: The Bucks were battered by injuries this season.

We're in the home stretch and headed for the playoffs.

Team officials think they have enough talent to make the playoffs and end a six-year drought.

These may not have helped his team in the playoffs: Dallas trails San Antonio, three games to two.

How Far Will the Oklahoma City Thunder Go in the Playoffs?

Only in Los Angeles can a team win seven fewer games, fail to make the playoffs and fans want to sit closer.

SVSM, meanwhile, experienced a tremendous turnaround, going 7-3 and qualifying for the state playoffs.

If the Galaxy can avoid a slow start and find a way to hold things together over the summer, they very well could return to the playoffs.

most likely is fake, specially when he hasnt had 50 pts in 2 full nba seasons, including playoffs.

The Spurs likely won't be asked to play on consecutive nights in the playoffs, but they didn't find that news heartening or even relevant.

Do you guys who think this team is better without yao seriously think a team with no post presence can do any real damage in the playoffs?

Yes, the San Antonio Spurs are in trouble and, for perhaps for the first time in the 2008 playoffs, they know it.

They weren't winning any road games in the playoffs.

They fluffed their chance to participate in the playoffs by losing their last three games.

I think the Trailblazers will come down to earth and miss the playoffs but you can't rule them out yet because of their recent play.

Dallas' 44-23 record isn't even good enough for home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

I need a big game. I'm out of the playoffs.

Last but not least. . . experience in the playoffs .

Walton played only 45 games last season, including playoffs, because of recurring back issues and might miss next season, Kupchak said.

Snyder AND Bonzi will be valuable in the playoffs.

but please wake up early in playoffs! !

The second change that we have made is that as requested by many users, we are imposing a transfer deadline shortly before the playoffs .

Horry has been in the playoffs in every one of his NBA seasons.

But the Cavaliers are still not joined this season in the playoffs, the results are 42 wins 40 losses.

If he can help the Rockets make the playoffs next season it will help his chances during next years free agency.

If they can just stay healthy, Houston will have a great shot to finally get Yao and McGrady well past the first round of the playoffs.

I'm fine with them resting and we will show up for the playoffs.

We have one week until playoffs.

When Oscar retired from the Bucks in 1974, the team went from 59 wins (Finals appearance) to 38 wins and missing the playoffs.

The Lakers are now 9-0 at home in the playoffs and haven't trailed in a series.

This will give my heros, SEALS, time to take care of this dirt scum bag so that they can get back in time to watch the playoffs today.

The celtics to 39 wins 30 negative end season, broke into the playoffs.

If they have home-court advantage and are healthy entering the 2011 Playoffs, I don't see them losing a series.

Did you hear, the football team won't make the playoffs this year. Oh well, that's too bad.

I also think we can be a threat to win in the playoffs.

As for next season, my goals are to make the playoffs and make a good run deep into the post season.

club lost in the 2nd round of the playoffs.

I hope everyone is excited about the playoffs, we will do our best regardless of where we end up.

Didn't take a sip of alcohol from that time all the way through the playoffs.

They have only a 0. 5 point scoring margin in the playoffs, and they already have five postseason losses.

both t mac and yao look like total scrub, this is just the second game of PLAYOFFS remember?

Ginobili scored 26 points against New Orleans in Game 7, and is averaging 20. 0 points in the playoffs.

The Cavaliers also the first time since 1998, joined this playoffs.

They still need many other teams to get worse in order to sniff playoffs.

Is there any chance you can't turn it around and make a push for the playoffs?

Doctors repaired both injuries then, but Orton rushed back after surgery in order to play in the Oklahoma state playoffs.

Trust me, the Knicks are going to be a tough in the playoffs because they have a lot of firepower on that team.

He is the second Johnny McCarthy and Magic Johnson, the third player made the playoffs in the first triple-double.

The Lakers lost the second round of the playoffs for the second, my heart is empty, can not tell what is a painful feeling.

We now have 3 games to win one and advance to the second round of the playoffs (for the first time in my career).

Will someone refresh my memory please? i believe Wang was a reliever last year in the playoffs right?

How many players will join the playoffs when the ladder season ends?

Now the hell situation ain't funny. We can't be sure about playoffs.

Bryant, who was shooting 90 percent from the line in the playoffs entering Tuesday's Game 3, made just 5 of 10.

When do the playoffs start?

We gotta finish strong, so we can get right for the playoffs.

I think Portland will make the playoffs . Don't forget anyone can get hurt in the NBA.

The franchise that made the playoffs 16 times in 17 seasons from 1990-2006 has missed each of the past three.