Topic: 2019 NBA Pre-Season - page 286. (Read 921500 times)

I agree, and if I'm not mistaken, this is the first season that both are really healthy up to this time. And it reflects on their standing right now. Zion, Brandon and CJ are taking the lead. But s**t happens, there's no report yet of the MRI that they have taken. Hopefully as a basketball fans, it's not that serious and Ingram can get back in the playoffs to help the team.

And with this development, Zion will really need to step up his game, he will be the main offensive weapon, at least 30 points or more moving forward might help the team. And others as well will need to step up to cover what they are going to lose as far as points as Ingram is out.

They are putting up a good fight.
I though after losing Sengun they would give up on the season and try to tank a bit to maybe drop 1 more spot.
But they did the opposite, trying to fight for the play-in, that's nice.
Sure in their recent 7 game winning streak are 4 wins against garbage teams like the Blazers, Wizards 2x, Spurs but also nice wins against the Kings and the Cavs.
Let's see if this late push pays out. I don't see it happening because the Lakers and Warriors are still better, standing and playing wise.

And the Rockets win streak continues.....

Though I don't expect too much they'll even make it to the play-in but they are just doing what they need to do. Ever since Sengun got injured it seems like Green's performance has been so consistent too, and he is leading the win in most of this win streak I guess.

I don't know.. but I have a feeling that we can't touch this Rockets ( bet against) now that they are on a big run. Warriors should be worried with what is happening as slowly the Rockets are inching close to them, we don't want to see a championship team unable to make it even in the play-in tournament, that's a confidence killer for Curry and the crew.

This would ruin the chance of the Pelicans to be in the playoffs. We are witnessing the best Pelicans season so far as Zion was healthy and they are playing like a real playoff team. So let's hope that Ingram would be fine as they needs his mid range game that is very accurate. If he will be fine and would have to rest, then at least they still have a chance in the play-in in case their ranking will dop, and that would still make them not an easy team to beat.

Zion scored 20 in this game, now that Ingram will be out, hopefully he will increase his production and he will not also be injured.

Orlando Magic had been playing great in their recent games and I don't doubt that which is why I bet for them. I missed the game today but I definitely believe they can win that one.

Yeah, sad news for the Pelicans. They are on the 5th ranking and all they need is to keep winning a few more games and they will secure their spot for the playoffs. But, with this news of Brandon Ingram I and the Suns, Mavs, and Kings tailing them, they might lose their momentum and be dropped in the play-in tournament.
Here is what happened to Ingram.

https://x.com/BleacherReport/status/1770972857662652447?s=20
Left-knee hyperextension. This also happened to Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo before but his body is strong enough that it didn't take long before he came back. This will depend on the MRI and I am crossing my fingers that he is okay. I mean, New Orleans fans might be drooling to be in the playoffs again with a healthy Zion but this might affect the rankings.
13 games left, that's a lot if you ask me and their bench will need to step up their game if BI will take a good long rest.

Ever since Sengun got injured, they are on a 4-game winning streak, and they won 9 out of their last 10 games. All of the sudden, they are only 2.5 games behind the Warriors and if their win streak continues, they might even get the 9th spot. Of course, there will be some factors that might affect it, but if they will continue to play this way, they have a chance to get that play-in tournament. I looked at their remaining schedule, and I would say, it's a bit tough. 5 of the remaining 13 games are against teams that are already eliminated. The 8 games are against team that are also playing for the play-in spot like the Golden State, Miami, and Dallas while some are against top teams. Kind of hard, but not impossible to win.

As for their current roster, I don't think that they are still on a rebuilding process anymore. They already have the pieces, and what they need is development. Develop those players like what the OKC did to their roster. Young, but now at the top of the West already. The Rockets also have an amazing coach that would help them.

I can't find any report regarding the totality of the injury, but if this injury will let him miss the remainder of the season, it might affect their standings after the regular season. With that loss, they are only 1.5 games above the 7th seeded Suns, and not having your all-star player playing in your team would be huge. Of course, they still have players like Zion, CJ and other role players, but not having Ingram would still be huge. Speedy recovery for him, and I hope this injury that he got isn't that serious at all.

Orlando Magic snapped Zion ang the Pelicans winning streak as the Magic win by huge margin in their homecourt. And another bad news is that Brandon Ingram suffers a injury and two team mates have to carry him out. I think he was holding his knees grimacing in pain in the court. No update yet on his injuries as they will have to perform an MRI scan to see the extend of the injuries and hopefully it is not that bad as we could have thought as the Pels are in the good position to make the playoff and we have seen Zion Williamson healthy this season.

Even for non-Muslim though, I have practice IF (intermittent fasting) 16:8, meaning 16 hours of fasting and just 8 hours window on eating and I will attest that I'm more focused as I have a day job that time. So yeah it's really possible and it can help you zone in.

There is also another case, the great Hakeem Olojuwon. Heard stories of him playing in Ramadan and had great numbers and really discipline, and can take that hard banging during the 90's as games during that era is physical.

I read an analysis that Kyrie Irving significantly increased his stats during Ramadan, which is really interesting. I think he's more focused when he's fasting.
His buzzer beater the other night was incredible. Dallas has a strong chance to finish the regular season in the top 6. As long as Kyrie plays like this, Doncic's job becomes easier.
Kyrie says it's not hard to play basketball while fasting, it's not a miracle. Doncic praises him saying he couldn't do that.

Kyrie's stats before Ramadan:
25.2 PPG                   
5.0 RPG                     
4.9 APG                     
1.2 SPG                     
48.9% FG             
     
During Ramadan:
27.8 PPG
6.5 RPG
8.5 APG
2.0 SPG
53.8% FG

source, a facebook page

With just 11 games left, though they only have a very slim chances to make it to the play in but who knows. The GSW and the Lakers are seriously competing to maintain their spot for the play in, so that really makes a difficult task for Rockets to get into it.
I would be fine with the Rockets missing it this time since Sengun is out for the remainder of the season and if in case they really make it to the play-in or the play-offs, they are still gonna be lacking something for both offensive and defensive end on Sengun's absensce. Let's see how this will turn out for the Rockets next season. I think they have already found a solid foundation for their rebuilding process, they will just need to add some significant pieces that would perfectly compliments with Sengun and Jalen's. Nevertheless, this is a promising team if they will build their roster around Sengun and Jalen. I can see them making the playoffs or even the finals in the next 3-5 years.

Rockets entering the playoffs would be a great experience for them and can also be viewed as an achievement since they are labeled as a rebuilding team and are expected to miss the playoffs. So their participation in the play-in can already be considered a success. Txhey can use that eperience to boost their team in the next season. Who knows, we might see the jump that people are waiting for with the Rockets in the post-Harden era. With Alpren Sengun leading the team, Jalen Green's offense, and the veteran leadership of VanVleet and Brooks, I think they might be the next team you might watch next season.

Also, I really want Sengun to win Most Improved Player of the Year, but with his injury, the chances of him getting that award are now very slim. Maxey, who is an all-star this year is might be the one who wins it.

I loved how they played last night. Thompson to TJD, it's like the chemistry was there a long time ago. Then Wiggins on his old self, Draymond scoring when they needed him, and Steph doesn't even need to step back to the court in the fourth quarter. That means a lot and Steve Kerr loved it.
Jonathan Kuminga was also hot, he kept on attacking the paint like there's no one defending it. Got some heated moments between Draymond Green and Desmond Bane but it all worked out fine. Now, let's see if they can continue that win.

Houston Rockets on the other hand is on a 6th game winning streak even after losing Alperen Sengun. Later, they will have a game against the Chicago Bulls and the Rockets are still the favorites which is kind of surprising.
Jalen Green has been playing like a monster in his last 3 games and I think it ain't over yet.

I'd actually like to see a new team in the mix.  Not that I want to see the tail end of stephs career start falling but we need new blood in the players.  It gets static watching the same matchups with the same players.  Gimme a young team with some hunger in there.

Speaking of which knicks are 3-0 on thsi road trip and end it tonight in Denver.  Not expecting much and will be happy coming back from a west coast trip 3-1 but I'd like to see them compete.  Still have 3 starters out but if they can keep it close all game it would be encouraging.

Ya, the Warriors seem to have gotten over the road woes that plagued them a couple years ago with a horrible away record.  I actually think the Warriors are the most experienced team in the NBA right now, so it probably matters less to them than anyone else where they play.  They've seen it all in their run and while they might be at the end of their dynasty with heroes of the past coming off the bench now, they're still an extremely dangerous and experienced team that can beat anybody if they let their guard down.

It's not actually a problem since their stats says they are better on the road.

As you can see in here https://www.espn.ph/nba/standings.. Warriors currently have 36 wins, and these are the breakdown.

18-18 home record
18-14 road record, .. so what you have pointed as problems actually favors them.

Well then, the Warriors could really have some problems, as only one of their upcoming six games will be on their home court. By the way, it's worth noting that the opponents in these matches will not be easy. Likely, only the games vs. the Hornets and Spurs at the end of the match won't cause any difficulties for the Warriors.

I'm surprise with that 2 FT... but when I checked I was able to verified that it was really 2 FT only..This could be the lowest in the NBA, or did GSW made history on this?

Anyway what's important is that they win the game, and with that win they improved 36-32 still ranked at number 10, but they are sure gonna be in the play-in already as although houston rockets are already in 6 winning streak, I doubt they'll overtake the Warriors.

Yup, they need to continue winning if possible all the remaining games as we can see that Rockets is trying to catch up, and with also those young stars that starting to create their names in this league, it's very important to all the teams who wanted to continue to the next round to keep playing at their best to win their remaining games as it's getting closure to the playoffs,

we just witness the dominance of Warriors against Memphis though there's some commution during the game as Green messing up but he's known to that tactics, he's using it to boost himself and try to influence his team to keep playing harder, congrats to those who manage to take side for Warriors both ML and handicap.

2fts, wtf? I didn't even pay attention to this when I watched the highlights.
Was it because of the refs just not blowing the whistle or did this happen naturally, taking outside shots and/or the other team was just super careful.
I think I have never seen such a stat line, not in the NBA or any other basketball league worldwide.

Anyway, happy to see the Warriors make a push now, if they survive the play in ( in case they have to play it, you never know ), they will be a hard task for any number 1 or 2 spot.
I don't see the Thunder beating them in a 7 game series, they are just too young. Denver though is a different story of course.

Warriors already won tonight's game, and so they kept a good separation between them and the Rockets with 3 games ahead of them. The thing with the Warriors is that they are not a road team, haven't check their schedule but if they are going to travel it might be hard for them to win, just saying.

Tonight's game is in their homecourt, and so they win huge double digit margin. But then again they face a team without Ja Morant and Memphis has struggled. Next stop for them is against the Wolves away from home. So very hard for them to win as Wolves is one of the best team in the West.