In this weeks 13 Rules: Random NBA Thoughts Steve Purciello dives shares more random NBA thoughts. Controversy, Comebacks, and Rising Stars: NBA Playoffs Deliver Big Storylines and more. Make sure to listen and add the 13 Rules: NBA Random Thoughts podcast the Shot Clock Pod to your list!
NBA Playoffs Deliver: Cavs vs Pistons Game 5 Controversy
The end of the fourth quarter in Game 5 of the Cleveland Cavaliers–Detroit Pistons game was controversial, to say the least. I was quite surprised when the NBA released its Last Two Minute Report that absolved Cleveland of a foul on Ausar Thompson. With Detroit losing in overtime, putting them in a difficult situation, they have plenty to be upset about.
Keep in mind, if a foul was called, Thompson would have gone to the line shooting two shots. Thompson is a 54% free-throw shooter, so it wasn’t a foregone conclusion he would make them. The foul, if called, happened with 1.5 seconds left in the game, so Cleveland, with two timeouts, would have still had a shot at pulling the game out whether Thompson made or missed the shots.
Knicks Rest and Championship Outlook
The Knicks haven’t played in over a week. This is the perfect time for them to be off, with OG Anunoby healing from his hamstring injury. Anunoby was one of the Knicks’ best players in the first two rounds of the playoffs.
With him healthy, the Knicks’ biggest concern is being flat after their long rest. The Knicks should be big favorites in the Conference Finals, and if they continue to play at such a high level, they have a good shot at winning the championship.
Thunder vs Spurs Conference Finals Preview
The Oklahoma City Thunder have won eight straight games and are the favorites in their Conference Finals. They will have a more difficult challenge in this round than the New York Knicks.
The series against the San Antonio Spurs is something basketball fans have been anxiously anticipating. Remember, the Spurs beat OKC four out of five times in the regular season. Despite this, I still like OKC.
Spurs Young Core: Harper, Castle, and Wembanyama
How good are Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle? Remember, Castle is in his second year in the league and will only get better. He’s an outstanding defender who averaged 16.7 points and 7.4 assists per game this year. His one downfall is his three-point shooting; this year, he shot just 33% from beyond the arc.
Harper, a rookie, only played 23 minutes a game during the regular season, averaging 11.8 points and 3.9 assists. His quickness and ability to get to the basket are outstanding. Combine those two with Victor Wembanyama, and you realize it will only continue to get better yearly for the Spurs.
Pistons vs Cavaliers Game 7 Prediction
The Detroit Pistons beat the Cleveland Cavaliers on the Cavs’ home court last night. This evened the series at three, with Game 7 on Sunday in Detroit.
To make a prediction on the outcome would be foolish because this series has swung back and forth. However, I’ll be foolish and guess that Detroit will win. I think the game comes down to the Cavs’ scoring and Detroit’s ability to defend and take the Cavs out of their rhythm. When faced with that choice, I’ll take defense.
Knicks Await Opponent
The Knicks, as I said earlier, are still waiting and won’t open their series with the winner of the Detroit–Cleveland series until Tuesday. I think Detroit would be a tougher team for the Knicks, but I think the series will go, at most, six games, with the Knicks on top. If Cleveland beats Detroit, it will go five.
NBA Offseason Watch: LeBron and Giannis
Definitely the most interesting storyline of the offseason is seeing where LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo wind up. I think LeBron returns to the Lakers because he and his family seem rooted in LA. The question is how much he will be paid.
As for Giannis, that is just about impossible to predict. There have been rumors that he was heading to Boston, but I don’t see Boston giving up Jaylen Brown, although he has been speaking out about a number of things that probably aren’t making the Celtics’ brass happy.
