[jjgold]

I would say Denver has a shot but no way GS beats Dallas and if they do the coach has to get fired.

[Dark Horse]

Hard to say. Game 2 will tell us a lot about Avery Johnson. Denver is 50/50.

But wouldn't it be great if DAL and SA were eliminated in 1st round? The Suns would have a clear path to the NBA finals.

[gridironguy]

I would say Denver has a shot but no way GS beats Dallas and if they do the coach has to get fired.

No way does Cuban fire Avery if they lose. Will he be pissed off about losing to Don Nelson, his nemesis? Yes. But no way he fires a coach who took this team to the first finals in their franchise history, and then to the 3rd best regular season record of all-time.

Losing to Golden St in 2007 is not as bad as you think. Ignore their regular season record of 42-40. This is a great basketball team that is a tough out for anyone, not just Dallas. They were the hottest team in the NBA for the past 6 weeks before the playoffs began.

[sungus77]

if baron davis plays like he did in the second half, noone is beating GS. that being said, i dont think he is going to do that night in and night out. but dallas will have to work in this series. not a lock by any means.

[tevari]

spurs will be fine, mavs not so much

[Tchocky]

Both the Spurs & Mavs should be concerned but there is no reason to panic.

[Seattle Slew]

Both teams, especially SA, have been great road playoff teams. But the loss makes it more than likely both series go 6 or 7 games, which could hurt them in the next round.

[gridironguy]

Both the Spurs & Mavs should be concerned but there is no reason to panic.

Panic, no. Major sense of urgency, Yes.

Mavs are playing a team they haven't beaten all year (0-4 and 0-3 legitimately), so they had better wake up real fast or they'll be down 3 games to 1 going into game 5. Oakland has been a great home court advantage for the Warriors.

I believe the Spurs are through, either this round vs. Denver or the next against Phoenix. The two rings they got in 2003 and 2005 plus numerous playoff runs, has taken its toll on them. Duncan is aging right before our eyes. Camby and Nene looked 10 yrs younger the way they were jumping around.

The situation is more dire and urgent than most people might believe.

[tblues2005]

I believe that Denver has a real good shot anyways, but I believe that Dallas is okay, they will bounce back, they are an excellent road team.

[SBR_John]

Both got caught flat footed. Im looking for the Mavs in 5 & Spurs in 5 props. I think they are awake now.

[bigboydan]

I think the Mavs will rebound just fine. The one thing I do have to wonder is if the referees will take out there frustrations on Tim Duncan and the Spurs after that little incident last week with Joey Crawford being suspended.

[gridironguy]

Both got caught flat footed. Im looking for the Mavs in 5 & Spurs in 5 props. I think they are awake now.

John, be very careful with those bets. The chance that either the Spurs or the Mavs will win 4 straight games against their respective opponents is slim and none. Slim just left the building.

Denver and Golden St have tremendous home court advantages. Look at their home records. I do not see a way, not a single way, that they don't each win at least one game at home between games 3 and 4. That means that SA and Dallas cannot win in 5 games, it must be at least a 6 game series in each one.

[SBR_John]

Good break down gridiron.

I certainly need a long price but I do believe one of those two will sweep. They both missed buckets of layups and just showed up. Both are motivated to dispose of the 1st round.

[gridironguy]

Good break down gridiron.

I certainly need a long price but I do believe one of those two will sweep. They both missed buckets of layups and just showed up. Both are motivated to dispose of the 1st round.

I will be very surprised, perhaps shocked, if San Antone or Dallas win in 5 games. At this point, they need to be concerned because:

A) The Spurs have an aging Duncan and slow frontline vs. the quick Nuggets frontline. Denver is beating them to rebounds.

B) Golden St has owned the Mavs this season and owned them on their own floor last night.

Motivation only gets a team so far in the NBA because everyone at this point of the season is so darn good. What is compelling is not what San Antone and Dallas WANT to do, it is what they CAN do.

San Antone has aged beyond their years due to numerous playoff runs in recent years, and Dallas exerted so much energy winning 67 games this season, that they might not have enough left in the tank for the playoffs.

I've been watching the NBA playoffs very closely for 22 yrs. I'm not overreacting to a few losses -- this is a very urgent time for both San Antone and Dallas.

[jjgold]

Davis when healthy is one of the most effective players ever to play the game.

Dallas has choke written all over them as do most people from Texas.

[gridironguy]

Dallas has choke written all over them as do most people from Texas.

Except Vince Young :-)

That's why you said "most".

Nice.

[gridironguy]

Good break down gridiron.

I certainly need a long price but I do believe one of those two will sweep. They both missed buckets of layups and just showed up. Both are motivated to dispose of the 1st round.

I'm not trying to show you up, John. Just trying to save you some money on some lessons that I have learned the hard way.

I honestly believe that the Spurs are older-than-their-years because of the playoff runs in recent years, and that the Mavs exerted too much energy getting the 67 wins.

Detroit had the best record in the league last yr at 64-18 and they just ran outta gas. I'm afraid it might happen to the Mavs, esp against an opponent as formidable as this.

[SBR_John]

Grid you about got me convinced! But of course I'm still gonna play em . Maybe trim em though.

Where we differ is you are basing GS and Denvers performance against flat footed teams. GS and Denver bite'ola. I think they put the dogs in their place and Den and GS will just be glad to get the pain over with by the end. Plus, Dal and SA are tremendous road teams and will be favored in every game.

[BigBollocks]

I also think the Mavs win in 5.

The Spurs are a completely different story. If game one is any indication, they aren't going to get any help from the refs. I quit tracking with three minutes left in the game, but
at that point the Nuggets had 13 more free throw attempts----on the road in the playoffs no less (and if you saw the game the Spurs should have probably had more attempts overall, AND they were the home team). It may not be Crawford out there, but none of the other refs are going to do them any favors from here on out. Oh, and the Nuggets are clicking pretty well right now too, and might be the better team overall anyways at this point. I say Denver in six....

[Razz]

San Antonio has lost its last game of the series, in my opinion. Maaybe one more. Game 2 will be an annihilation.

[durito]

Denver and Golden St have tremendous home court advantages. Look at their home records.

Nuggets went 23-18 at home this season, which is the worst home record of the 16 playoff teams.

[onlooker]

Spurs will be alright with the Nuggets.

I think the Warriors will give the Mavericks more of a problem.

But they both pull it out, and move to the next round.

[gridironguy]

Nuggets went 23-18 at home this season, which is the worst home record of the 16 playoff teams.

I stand corrected. However, I would be curious to know 2 things:

1) What is the Nuggets record since acquiring Iverson?

2) What is the Nuggests HOME record since acquiring Iverson?

I believe you will see quite a spike in W-L percentage when AI has played in games for Denver. He missed some because of injuries, but he has made quite a difference on the team in terms of taking attention away from Carmelo and co. He opens up things on the floor just by being out there. Defenses must respect him

[jjgold]

Nuggets are playing great ball, I think they take this 4-2

Iverson, Camby and Anthony are the most effective treo in the NBA

[mesa777]

I think I am going to put a little $$$ on the GS series line since GS is going to give them a RUN for the money here... Also I will be playing GS +10 on the game on 4/25!!! TAKE THAT TO THE BANK!!!

[SBR_John]

1 down.

These are some "live dogs" I will admit that. But these two powers, Dal & SA, have not put it in overdrive yet. One or both will administer a deflating blow-out in gm 3 that could sap the "live", and leave the dog.

[jjgold]

if Denver can win game 3 then the spurs could press. i cannot see GS winning another game.

[durito]

I stand corrected. However, I would be curious to know 2 things:

1) What is the Nuggets record since acquiring Iverson?

2) What is the Nuggests HOME record since acquiring Iverson?

I believe you will see quite a spike in W-L percentage when AI has played in games for Denver. He missed some because of injuries, but he has made quite a difference on the team in terms of taking attention away from Carmelo and co. He opens up things on the floor just by being out there. Defenses must respect him

I'm going to give it more time before drawing conclusions, as I do think AI makes a difference for Denver (and they have shown signs recently as such) but from a statistical pt, the nuggets rated better this season without him (with andre miller in his place).

Denver was 14-9 (.608) before trading for AI.

They finished 45-37 (.548)

Their record after the trade: 31-28 (.525)

In games with AI, but w/out Carmelo they went: 6-8 (.428)

In games with AI hurt and Carmelo playing they went: 4-4 (.500)

In games with both carmelo/ai playing they went: 21-16 (.567)

[jjgold]

The last 15 games or so of the year Denver is much better and that is what counts.

[homedog]

Nobody ever seems to recognize Nene with Carmello and Iverson on the team. The guy is a monster. I am very impressed.

[durito]

Nobody ever seems to recognize Nene with Carmello and Iverson on the team. The guy is a monster. I am very impressed.

He has been phenomenal the last two months now that his knee is healing up.

[jjgold]

If Nene plays well I think Denver wins this thing.

[SBR_John]

Denver has had excellent spacing on defense. The Spurs like either uncontested 3's or points in the paint. But Denver is backing off covering the paint and baiting them with the 18 footers.

This is a good spot for Dal and SA. Both great road teams and warming up to the idea they have to play to get to the 2nd round. Most likely both will win tonight.

[The Prick]

Nobody ever seems to recognize Nene with Carmello and Iverson on the team. The guy is a monster. I am very impressed.

Camby is the guy, what'd grab like 62 boards Wed. night? I always thought he was light in the ass, but he brings his lunch pail. WTF makes Nene think he don't need a last name? Is he fackin' Cher? Spurs in 6.

[cwsulzba]

u suck