NBA PLAYOFFS: EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS
LeBron James makes it to his 8th straight NBA FINALS! He was sensational last night once again with 35 points in 48 minutes.
WHAT HAPPENED besides LeBron?
The Celtics missed too many shots in the last 4 minutes of the game. They lost their lead of the game in the 3rd and still trailed in the 4th after a good start in the 4th to tie the game. Kudos to rookie, Jayson Tatum who played extremely well. He scored the 2nd most points by a rookie in NBA Post Season history and was just 2 points away from the record. There was no Scary Terry though. He was 0 for 10 from the 3-point line! Celtics missed that firepower and their inexperience overall showed. LeBron and the Cavs capitalised on that to quickly jump to a 10-point lead.
CAVS won Game 7, 87-79.
Now that LeBron James has carried the Cavs to dominate a weak Eastern Conference, who will they meet in the West? As James peaks toward the end of his career, this NBA Finals will be his true test.
Rockets versus Warriors tonight in Houston for Game 7 at 8pm!
Photo: Sportsbook Review
CP3 for the Rockets with a hamstring injury, Looney (toe) and Iguodala (knee) are still questionable for playing in tonight’s game.
Who will win?
Suga thinks it is a toss-up. Whoever wants it most will win, but Houston being at home with ringless leaders have the edge to win.
Stay tuned!
By: Gabrielle Burgess
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The Eastern and Western Conference Finals have been set and the battle to reach the NBA Finals starts this Sunday!
Here’s your Schedule!
How was the road to the Eastern and Western Conference Finals for the Cavs, Celtics, Rockets and Warriors?
Cavs
It was an easy road for the Cavs. Too easy. They swept the Raptors, who are the #1 seed in the East. It’s obvious the Cavs are a different team from the season though.
Celtics
The Celtics have renewed their rivalry with the 76ers. Such vintage basketball! The end result, 4-1 of the series doesn’t do the 76ers justice though, because there were some close games. Suga has to give kudos to the rookies who have really made the Playoffs exciting again. With some more growth, the future of basketball is in good hands.
Star of game 5? Young, Jayson Tatum. He scored 25 points last Wednesday night to help the Celtics reach the finals with a marginal 114-112 win.
Photo: www.nba.com
Speaking of rookies, take a look at these Playoff stats!
Suga’s Eastern Conference Finals Prediction:
Cavs in 5! …maybe 6
Without Gordon Hayward and Kyrie Irving, the Celtics have really surprised everyone with how far they have reached and how well they have played.
However, Suga thinks that their fairy tale will come to an end versus LeBron and the Cavs. They look stronger compared to last year, but they cannot stop LeBron James. LeBron is a freight train right now and playing the best basketball of his career, finally getting those game winners and more. He has also managed to elevate his team.
Rockets
The Jazz hardly had a chance versus the Rockets, much less without Ricky Rubio who was out with a hamstring injury. Rookie, Donovan Mitchell with comparable stats to Allen Iverson and MJ for his 1st Playoff season, led the team to put up a good fight. Just when they were showing signs of prolonging the series, Mitchell had a collision with Harden hurting his knee and had to sit out the rest of the game. It all went downhill for them after that. Harden was a bit under the weather, but CP3 was on fire and led the Rockets to seal the deal in Game 5.
Warriors
The Pelicans were no challenge for the Warriors. With the return of Curry from a knee injury and with the team starting to look like the Warriors again, they shut down Anthony Davis and the Pelicans easily to reach the Western Conference Finals.
Suga’s Western Conference Finals Prediction:
Warriors in 6!
Photo: www.nba.com
The Rockets are the #1 seed in the West, have gained CP3 and claim they have a team built to beat the Warriors. However, I just don’t think they will make the cut. The Warriors usually rise to the occasion versus each opponent and I think that with a healthy Stephen Curry, they are mentally and physically prepared to not only beat the Rockets, but win another Championship.
Stay tuned! Don’t you just love this game?!
By: Gabrielle Burgess
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Last night was a blowout! Oladipo and the Pacers pushed a Game 7 with LeBron and the Cavs.
This is the first time LeBron James has faced elimination in the first round of the NBA Playoffs. Will he join Westbrook?
Raptors vs Wizards
Kyle Lowry and the Raptors took care of business last night, routing the Wizards and sending them home. They play the winner of the Cavs-Pacers series next.
OKC vs Jazz
Rookie, Donovan Mitchell destroyed OKC! Westbrook put up 46 points but they were null and void without any help from Paul George, Carmelo Anthony or anyone else.
Mitchell was also without the help of Rubio, who had to leave the game with a nagging hamstring injury.
Spectular show put on by Mitchell. He gets Rookie of the Year over Ben Simmons for Suga.
Rubio may be out for 2 or more weeks, which is bad if they have to play the #1 seed in the West, the Rockets.
Stay tuned! Don’t you just love this game?!
By: Gabrielle Burgess
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LeBron James finally got that game-winning clutch shot when it counted versus the Pacers Wednesday night, carrying the Cavs to a 3-2 lead.
Block or Goaltending? (Photo: USA Today)
Missed Lebron’s Game-Winning shot?!
Watch “Full sequence: LeBron James blocks Victor Oladipo, hits game-winning 3 in Game 5 vs. Pacers | ESPN” on YouTube here:
Suga predicts the Pacers will be eliminated in Round 1 and the Cavs will meet the Raptors next if they don’t choke versus the Wizards.
OKC vs Jazz
Wild Wild Westbrook showed up and saved OKC from elimination by rookie team, Utah Jazz with mad moves. Series is now 2-3.
Rockets vs Timberwolves
The Rockets destroyed the Timberwolves and sent them packing. They play the winner of the OKC-Jazz round next!
Warriors vs Spurs
The Warriors sent the depleted Spurs team home. They went home with a fight though. No surprise there. Warriors play the New Orleans Pelicans with Rajon Rondo and Anthony Davis tomorrow night at 9:30pm!
76ers vs Heat
The 76ers sent Dwyane Wade and the Heat packing in fine style. They await the winner of the Celtics-Bucks series.
Celtics vs. Bucks
The Celtics and the Bucks are all tied up! Watch their Game 7 tomorrow at 7pm. Suga picks the Celtics to move on.
Games tonight!
Source: ESPN Scorecenter
By: Gabrielle Burgess
If you liked this Sports Update, follow Suga Lifestyle or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
LeBron James has managed to bring back the Cavs versus the Pacers. He had two big games scoring 46 and 32 points. The series is now drawn 2-2. He surely can lead the Cavs to beat the Pacers, but if the Pacers stay focused and make shots when it counts and they really want to beat the Cavs, they can. LeBron has sent home the Pacers for the past few years, can the tables turn on him this time? Either way, Suga doesn’t see LeBron James in the NBA Finals this year.
Raptors vs. WizardsÂ
The Wizards came back versus the Raptors in a heated game last night to tie the series at 2-2.
Celtics vs. Bucks
Giannis and the Bucks have been on a roll versus the Celtics coming from 2 down to tying the series 2-2 yesterday.
76ers vs Heat
Embiid and the 76ers lead the Heat 3-1.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Trail Blazers vs. Pelicans
Anthony Davis and veteran, Rajon Rondo beat the NBA odds, leading the New Orleans Pelicans to sweep the 3rd seed in the West, the Portland Trail Blazers! They are likely to meet the Warriors next for a much harder series.
OKC vs. Jazz
Ricky Rubio of the Jazz scored the 1st triple double for Utah in the Playoffs since John Stockton! Rubio’s impressive performance helped the Jazz take game 3 and go up on OKC 2-1 in the series. Westbrook of OKC said in a post-game interview that he is going to shut him down!
Rockets vs Timberwolves
After a few close games, the Timberwolves finally got a win versus the Rockets. The Rockets are still up 2-1 in the series.
Warriors vs. Spurs
The highlight yesterday was the San Antonio Spurs playing with pure heart without their beloved Coach Popovich, whose wife died. The Spurs avoided the sweep by the Warriors and routed them 103-90. Aldridge and Rudy Gay played well for the Spurs, but the man responsible was none other than 40-year old Manu Ginobili with 16 points! Manu is now 3rd in all-time Play off 3-pointers made with 321, just passing Reggie Miller. Ray Allen still leads with 385, followed by LeBron James with 337.
With last night’s 132nd win, Manu with teammate, Tony Parker are the winningest duo in NBA Playoff history, taking over from his past teammate, Tim Duncan who was also paired as a duo with Tony Parker.
They head back to Golden State for Game 5, where it is likely that the Warriors will wrap things up. But it was a good win for the Spurs!
Don’t you just love this game?! Stay tuned!
By: Gabrielle Burgess
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It’s official! The Houston Rockets have clinched the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference of the NBA. This ends the Golden State Warriors’ 3-year reign.
Suga thinks that the Warriors’ Dynasty will come to an end. Their players are plagued with injuries this year and things just aren’t going their way. The natural thirst to win the title after winning three, is likely to be less than others such as the Rockets and OKC.
Current Standings for the NBA’S Western Conference
I think there will be a new NBA Champion this year and I still don’t think it will be the Rockets.
Stay tuned! Don’t you just love this game?!
By: Gabrielle Burgess
If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
The Weekend kicked off with Team World beating Team USA 155-124.
Skills Challenge
Philadelphia 76ers’ Joel Embiid was accused of cheating in Round 2 when he missed throwing the ball into the net and moved on to the next challenge in the round. But he lost to Lauri Markkanen who moved on to the final round anyway.
Congrats to Spencer Dinwiddie of the Brooklyn Nets for dominating Lauri Markkanen of the Chicago Bulls in the final round.
Photo: usatoday.com
3-Point Contest
The 3-Point Contest was embarrassing for most. Especially for OKC’s Paul George who managed to just score 9. Rookie for Phoenix Suns, Devin Booker won the contest with 28 points. Previous winner and Splash brother from Golden State Warriors, Klay Thompson was the runner-up with 25 points.
The Slam Dunk Competition
The Slam Dunk Competition was not that exciting for me this year. Less gimmicks and lack of creativity. The most exciting moments were Pacers’ Victor Oladipo attempting to dunk in a Black Panther mask that he was probably blinded by and Larry Nance Jr of the LA Lakers pulling off the dunk his father did in the old 1984 Phoenix Suns jersey. His father, Larry Nance was present, also assisting him in the final dunks of the competition. Larry Nance was the inaugural winner of the Dunking competition in 1984.
Larry Nance (L); Larry Nance Jr (R). Like Father Like Son
It was rookie, Donovan Mitchell of the Utah Jazz who pulled off Vince Carter’s 360-jam dunk to win the competition. He wasn’t even supposed to be in the competition. He replaced injured Aaron Gordon of the Orlando Magic.
Kudos to Mitchell for showing some well needed showmanship. He jumped over Kevin Hart in the earlier round, which is not much of a task, but provided some comedy for the crowd. Kevin Hart wasn’t ready.
The Winning Slam Dunk
Watch “Donovan Mitchell With Vince Carter Dunk – Slam Dunk Contest | 2018 NBA All-Star Saturday Night” on YouTube here:
NBA All-Star Game
Team LeBron versus Team Stephen
Photo: www.nba.comPhoto: www.nba.com
Both Teams took the much-anticipated All-Star Game pretty seriously this year. Both teams played for Charity. Team LeBron’s chosen Organization was the After-School All-Stars, while Team Stephen’s chosen Organization was the Brotherhood Crusade. The winning team’s LA Community based Organization was to receive $350,000USD. The losing team’s Organization was to receive $150,000USD. The players also funded a pool of money, adding thousands more to the winner and the loser’s Organizations.
The referees took the game seriously as well this year. A lot of fouls were called and defense was increased majorly on both sides. It was a close game throughout, but Team Stephen led for the majority of the game. They were tied at 144 each with a minute and a half remaining and right up to 40.2s remaining. DeMar DeRozan of Team Stephen hit a free throw, then LeBron scored a lay up assisted by Kyrie Irving making it 146-145. But it was Russell Westbrook’s two-point shot assisted by Team Captain, LeBron James that sealed the deal with 10.7s remaining in the game. It was left up to Team Captain Stephen Curry to make the final 3-point shot to force overtime but he just couldn’t find any space to shoot and was forced to pass the ball to DeMar DeRozan who let off the shot but missed. It was probably after the buzzer anyway. Team LeBron wins! They won 148-145.
LeBron James won his 3rd MVP All-Star title with 29 points. Starter, DeRozan led with 21 points from Team Stephen. Damian Lillard had an impressive performance from Team Stephen’s bench, also scoring 21.
Biggest Loser of the Weekend
The biggest loser of the weekend for Suga though? Fergi! What was she thinking?! She sang the National Anthem like she was singing Santa Baby. It was awkward for everybody. Shame on you Fergi. Twitter ripped her apart.
Great All-Star Weekend though! See you next year!
By: Gabrielle Burgess
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