NBA THURSDAY

Tonight's  NBA match-ups for the evening was a treat, as the MIAMI HEAT took on the NEW YORK KNICKS and the WASHINGTON WIZARDS took on the TORONTO RAPTORS. The first match-up were the MIAMI HEAT vs NEW YORK KNICKS. The Miami heat came into this game with a record of  40-14. The  New York Knicks came into this game with a record of 21-36. The heat came into this game playing with out there key center piece for the past week because of Lebron James broken nose that occurred against the Oklahoma city thunder last Thursday. The heat knew tonight with the MVP back in the lineup they had the edge tonight and wanted to prove it. The knicks came into this game with there personal team troubles but since January and the start of the new year, have tried to put everything aside for the betterment of the organization. First quarter, both teams would get out to a great start , but the heat would take the edge 28-22. Second quarter both teams would continue to go, head to head, but the knicks would take the advantage, out scoring the heat 28-27. By the end of the half the heat would be up by 5. Second half the heat would burst past the knicks, out scoring them 32-14 in the third quarter. Fourth quarter the heat would continue to dominate, out scoring the knicks 21-18. Leading scorers for the Miami heat were Lebron James 31 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 ast. , Dwayne Wade 23 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 ast. and Ray Allen with 11 points, 2 rebounds, and 3 ast. Leading scorers for the knicks were Carmelo Anthony with 29 points, 7 rebounds, 2 ast. and Tyson Chandler with 19 points and 16 rebounds. Despite Lebron James troubles over this past week and having to wear a mask, he still found a way to be productive by giving his team 31 points, to lead the heat to win it 108-82.

The second thriller of the evening were the WASHINGTON WIZARDS vs TORONTO RAPTORS. The  Washington Wizards, came into this game having a great season, being above 500 and being a playoff contending team in the EASTERN CONFERENCE. They would come into this game with a record of 29-28. The  Toronto Raptors came into this game also a great team in the Eastern Conference, as they would be sitting currently in the third place seed in the Eastern Conference. (if the playoffs were to begin prior to this game, they would be the third seed in the East) First quarter the raptors would get out to a early lead, out scoring the wizards by 6 points 27-21. Second quarter the wizards would answer back, out scoring the raptors by 9 in the second 36-27. The wizards would have the three point lead heading into the second half. Second half the wizards would continue to out score the raptors, in the third 26-24. Fourth quarter the raptors would make a come back, out scoring the wizards 28-23 in the fourth, leading the game into over time. In over time the wizards would take the edge out scoring the raptors 28-23 in the extended over time period. Leading scorers for the wizards were John Wall 31 points, 3 rebounds, and 9 ast. and Marcin Gortat 31 points, 12 rebounds, and 1 ast. Leading scorers for the raptors were DeMar DeRozan 34 points, 4 rebounds, and 6 ast. and Greivis Vasquez 26 points, 2 rebounds, and 8 ast. The wizards would go on to win it 134-129.

NCAA MENS/ WOMENS TOP 25

NCAA MENS Top 25 (February 26)       NCAA WOMENS Top 25 (February 26)

1. Florida                            25-2                  1. Connecticut         28-0                                                 
2. Wichita State                  29-0                   2. Notre Dame         27-0
3. Arizona                           25-2                   3. Louisville            27-2
4. Syracuse                          25-2                  4. South Carolina     25-2
5. Kansas                            21-6                   5. Stanford               26-2     
6. Duke                               22-6                   6. Baylor                  24-3
7. Louisville                       23-4                    7. Duke                    24-4
8. Villanova                        24-3                   8. Penn State            21-5
9. Creighton                        23-4                   9. Maryland             22-5
10. Saint Louis                   25-2                   10. Tennessee           22-5
11. Cincinnati                    24-4                    11. West Virginia     24-3
12. Virginia                       23-5                    12. Kentucky            20-7
13. San Diego State           23-3                    13. NC State             23-5
14. Wisconsin                   22-5                     14. North Carolina    21-7
15. Iowa State                   21-5                     15. Oklahoma State   21-5
16. Michigan                    19-7                      16. Nebraska             20-5
17. Kentucky                    21-6                      17. Texas A&M        21-7
18. Michigan State            22-6                     18. California            20-7
19. North Carolina           20-7                      19. Purdue                  20-7
20. Iowa                           19-7                      20. Arizona State        22-6
21. Memphis                   21-6                       21. Michigan State      18-8
22. Ohio State                 22-6                       22.Gonzaga                  24-4
23. SMU                         22-6                       23. Middle Tennessee   23-4
24. Texas                         20-7                      24. Rutgers                    20-6
25. New Mexico              21-5                      25. Iowa                        21-7

NBA RANKINGS (February 26th)

Western Conference (Playoff contenders)
1. Oklahoma City Thunder  43-14
2. San Antonio Spurs           40-16
3. Portland Trailblazers       39-18
4. Houston Rockets              39-18
5. Los Angeles Clippers      39-20
6.Golden State Warriors      35-22
7. Dallas Mavericks             35-22
8. Phoenix Suns                   33-23
9. Memphis Grizzlies          31-24 ?


Eastern Conference (Playoff Contenders)
1. Indiana Pacers                43-13
2. Miami Heat                    40-14
3. Toronto Raptors             32-25
4. Chicago Bulls                30-26
5. Washington Wizards     29-28
6. Charlotte Bobcats          27-30
7. Brooklyn Nets               26-28
8. Atlanta Hawks              26-30
9. Detriot Pistons              23-34 ?

NBA ALL STAR SATURDAY COMPETITION

 

On Saturday the NBA Eastern and Western Conference, members of various teams, took the stage to compete in events in the 63rd NBA Allstar weekend. Events on Saturday included 3 point shooting event, skill challenge and the slam dunk contest. This year had been a little different, then in the past as there would be a team competition for the slam dunk and skills challenge and it would be a individual competition for the three point shooting. This team format for the slam dunk and skills challenge brought for some interesting competition. The teams for the skills challenge were as follow: Michael Carter- Williams and Victor Oladipo , Trey Burke and Damian Lillard , Reggie Jackson and Goran Dragic, and DeMar DeRozan and Giannis Antetokounmpo. The competition would be very stiff but Trey Burke and Damian Lillard would come out with the win on top and the fastest over all time !

In the 3 point shooting end of things the field was very stiff as there were various all stars competing Saturday. Key all star player and shooters competing were Cleveland Cavaliers star point guard Kyrie Irving,  San Antonio Spurs star Mark Belinelli, Minnesota Timberwolves Kevin Love, and Washington Wizards Bradley Beal. The competition would be very stiff the first round but would soon be narrowed down to two competitors as Bradley Beal and Mark Belinelli would go head to head. The would both tie which would send the game into a tie breaker. In the end San Antonio Spurs star Mark Belinelli would walk away with the win and the new crown for the All star 3 point shooting champion.

The last event Saturday night was the dunking contest. The dunking contest was different from in the past, because it was the Eastern Conference vs. Western Conference which made for a interesting matchup. On the Eastern Conference team there was Indiana Pacers star, forward Paul George, Toronto Raptors Terrence Ross (2013 slam dunk champion), and Washington Wizards John Wall. The Western Conference team was comprised of Sacromento Kings star Ben McLemore, Golden State Warriors Harrison Barnes and Portland Trail Blazers Damian Lillard. The dunk off would be one to remember as Sacromento Kings star Ben McLemore would include his long time idol Shaq O'Neal in his dunk of being crowned as the king. It was a night to remember. The Eastern Conference would walk away with the over all win as they would win every dunk off. All individual battles were won by the Eastern Conference which gave them the win.

NBA ALLSTAR WEEKEND COUNTDOWN

As the count down to Friday begins and the NBA ALLSTAR weekend, we are reminded of all of the talent and star athletes in the NBA.  The NBA Allstar weekend will take place in New Orleans, Louisiana. The celebrity allstar game will be the first event to kick off the weekened and it will take place Friday night, the NBA skills and Slam Dunk contest will take place Saturday night and the much anticipated NBA Allstar game will take place sunday night. Throughout this season records have been broken including star athletes in this league including Oklahoma City player Kevin Durant who will be a allstar starter for the Western Conference sunday . He is the only consistent person in NBA history to put up 30-40 points on a consistent bases throughout this first part of the season. He is currently in the MVP category and is well worthy of the honor this season because of his play making and scoring ability for his size. He is 6'10 and he plays as if he is a guard. Currently for this season he is the NBA's leading scorer and has surely proven why he is worthy of a NBA Allstar. Another key big man to the Western Conference team for the Allstar game is Dwight Howard. Howard has had a outstanding year this season, as this year has been one of his best yet. On Tuesday Howard scored 34 points, to rally and help his team beat a very good Phoenix Suns team. Over the past few season Howard has struggled with his health and has had a major role in his ability and effectiveness to compete but has since then fixed his issues. He will play a major role in the Western Conference as he will be coming off the bench sunday to help the Western Conference team. Other notable athletes that are on the other team of the Allstar game, playing for the Eastern Conference is Lebron James. Lebron James has had a great season as well this year but hasn't been as consistent as opponents Kevin Durant and Dwight Howard. On Saturday, against the Utah Jazz, James was held to a season low of 13 points. James was 4 of 13 from the field and was out of rhythm. This weekend will be adventurous for players and coaches NBA fans as they can meet up with there favorite star athletes etc. (Updates over NBA ALLSTAR week and weekend will be shown all week long on blog)

NBA WEDNESDAY

Wednesday, the  much anticipated match-up between the MIAMI HEAT and the LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS took center stage. The Miami heat came into this game with a record of 34-13. The clippers came into this game 34-17. First quarter the heat would surge out to a 11 point lead out scoring the clippers in the first 36-24. Second quarter the clippers would battle back,out scoring the heat 31-24 to end the half. Second half the heat would gain back their lead, opening the third quarter with a 11-5 run, to out score the clippers 27-0 in the third. Fourth quarter the clippers would battle back, out scoring the heat 37-27. Leading scorers for the heat were Lebron James with 31 points, 8 rebounds, and 12 ast., Ray Allen with 15 points, and 2 ast. and Chris Bosh with 15 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 ast. Leading scorers for the clippers were Blake Griffin with 43 points, 15 rebounds, and 5 ast. and Jamal Crawford with 31 points, 3 rebounds, and 6 ast.

Leading headliner for the game was,Miami Heat guard Ray Allen's 3 point game off the bench. Allen hit 4/8 wednesday in the heats win against the clippers and also scored a astonishing 15 points off the bench. Allen extended a three point play wednesday after being fouled beyond the arc to add four points to the heats 99-87 win with 8:07 left in the ball game. James had a few comments to say after the game about the four point play "That's when the talent kicks in, The play was broken down a little bit, but D-Wade made a heck of a play by getting into the paint, and Ray just kept moving into his favorite spot-- one of those corners. D-Wade found him with a great pass, and Ray nailed it." Los Angeles Clippers coach Doc Rivers also had a few comments to make wednesday about his former player, Ray Allen's performance. "What impressed me the most when we were in Boston was his professionalism and his ability to make big shot. Ray could go 0-for-20 or 20-for-20 and the next day he's be the first guy in the gym shooting all of his shots from his exact sport at the exact speed. Ray lives that."  The heat would go on to take the win 116-112.

SUPERBOWL SUNDAY

Were you watching sunday as the SEATTLE SEAHAWKS took on the DENVER BRONCOS. This was the show down between the NFC and the AFC  Champions to determine the World Champion. The Seattle seahawks came into this game with a record of 13-3 and knew that this game would add to their resume if they could get the win. The seahawks were the over all number one seed in the NFC. The broncos came into this game 13-3 and at the top of the AFC, as they would take the number one seed as well and would win the AFC title, in the AFC championship game. Both teams sunday were equally qualified for the title.They were the over all one seed in both conference and they tied for the two best records in the league. This was meant for the BEST Super Bowl game YET! First quarter the seahawks would start off the game with a safety and would take full advantage of the denver center miss snapping the ball. Which ended in two points for the seahawks. The seahawks domination would continue throughout the first quarter as they would get two more scoring opportunities and would be up 8-0 by the end of the first quarter. Second quarter the seahawks would continue to dominate, as seahawks players Marshawn Lynch on offense and Malcolm Smith on defense would score touchdowns for the seahawks. Smith would score the touchdown on a 69 yard interception to put the seahawks by the end of the half up 22-0. Second half the seahawks would continue to dominate with Percy Harvin scoring a touchdown on a 29 yard return. Later, in the quarter the seahawks would score again as Russell Wilson would throw a 23 yard pass to Jermaine Kearse for the seahawks touchdown. The broncos answered back with a touchdown drive, Peyton Manning throwing a 14 yard  pass to Demaryius Thomas for the broncos touchdown. The broncos would go for two points and the conversion as Peyton Manning would thrown a back pass to broncos receiver Wes Welker for the extra two points. The seahawks would be leading 36-8 by the end of the third quarter. Fourth quarter , it would be all the seahawk, as Russell Wilson would throw a 10 yard pass to Doug Baldwin for the seahawks touchdown. After the game Richard Sherman spoke to reporters monday. "All we did was play situational football". After the game Sherman also had a few words to other broncos players and media " Our receivers were called pedestrian, and also called appetizers, I think if anybody took a bite out of them, they would be pretty full." The seahawks would go on to become the Super Bowl 48 World Champions sunday, as they would go on to win it 43-8.