2021 NBA Playoffs Gamethread

the moops

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76ers put Simmons on Trae to start second half on Sunday and Ben picked up two quick fouls 30 feet from the basket. Doc is lobbying officials in the paper to “let the players play.” But fouls will be a factor in how long Ben can cover Trae.
This is rich considering PHI shot 14 more FT's than ATL
 

terrynever

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This is rich considering PHI shot 14 more FT's than ATL
Atlanta shot 18 more 3s than Philly. Hawks will gladly embrace their superiority at shooting 3s against a team that tries to pound the ball inside. Philly will always get more free throws because it plays with a traditional big center.

Working the officials during a playoff series is not exactly a new concept. Both coaches will do it.
 

Cellar-Door

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Game 3 refs for ATL/PHI
Foster/Brothers/Mauer..... truly the 92 dream team of terrible refs that the majority of the NBA fanbase thinks are bent.
 

Jimbodandy

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76ers put Simmons on Trae to start second half on Sunday and Ben picked up two quick fouls 30 feet from the basket. Doc is lobbying officials in the paper to “let the players play.” But fouls will be a factor in how long Ben can cover Trae.
I can't imagine that Ben can stay in front of him at 30ft without help. With the right high help, it might take the ball out of Young's hands though.
 

HomeRunBaker

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Game 3 refs for ATL/PHI
Foster/Brothers/Mauer..... truly the 92 dream team of terrible refs that the majority of the NBA fanbase thinks are bent.
I have no idea how the refs are graded at the NBA level but so often people have opinions. Who would you consider the best 3 and if they are better why aren’t they graded as better?
 

terrynever

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I can't imagine that Ben can stay in front of him at 30ft without help. With the right high help, it might take the ball out of Young's hands though.
The defensive strategy tonight will be fun to watch. it’s the playoffs. You gotta play D.
 

DeJesus Built My Hotrod

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Are those for Game 2 (tonight) or Game 3?
Tonight.

Its funny. The poll of players from five years ago cites Foster as the worst ref by a wide margin yet here he is and if you listen to the national broadcasts, they couldn't be more complimentary.

Check out Foster's B-Ref page. Over the course of his career, he has averaged almost one full foul call per game more than the league average.
 
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Cellar-Door

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Are those for Game 2 (tonight) or Game 3?

[EDIT: found it myself elsewhere - those are tonight's refs in Philly.]
Yeah typo on that.

I have no idea how the refs are graded at the NBA level but so often people have opinions. Who would you consider the best 3 and if they are better why aren’t they graded as better?
Nobody knows how they're graded (I will say the league says Foster is a top ref, the players and coaches despise him, and he's got the baggage of having been accused by Donaghy).

In terms of rep though, those 3 have the worst rep among players, coaches and commentators. (also 2 of the 3 have a rep for getting assigned to games when the league wants to change the flow of a series, may not be true, but that's the running joke that Foster is the guy they call to make things happen).

I think Zarba is pretty good, Capers, Kirkland, Mott are decent too.
 

Jimbodandy

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Yeah typo on that.


Nobody knows how they're graded (I will say the league says Foster is a top ref, the players and coaches despise him, and he's got the baggage of having been accused by Donaghy).

In terms of rep though, those 3 have the worst rep among players, coaches and commentators. (also 2 of the 3 have a rep for getting assigned to games when the league wants to change the flow of a series, may not be true, but that's the running joke that Foster is the guy they call to make things happen).

I think Zarba is pretty good, Capers, Kirkland, Mott are decent too.
Yeah it doesn't even matter of Foster isn't bad. If enough players think that he fucks the outcome (particularly that he evens a series), it's fucking stupid to give him this game. Brothers definitely fucks outcomes.

Fwiw, I don't think that Foster is actually bad, but he gets too many of these games. Brothers is bad. Mauer I actually think is good, although he's guaranteed for a real doozy every game, like a WTF moment.
 

Kliq

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Yeah it doesn't even matter of Foster isn't bad. If enough players think that he fucks the outcome (particularly that he evens a series), it's fucking stupid to give him this game. Brothers definitely fucks outcomes.

Fwiw, I don't think that Foster is actually bad, but he gets too many of these games. Brothers is bad. Mauer I actually think is good, although he's guaranteed for a real doozy every game, like a WTF moment.
Players are literally the worst evaluators of referees, I wouldn't put too much stock in what they say.
 

Light-Tower-Power

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Who doesn’t miss Bennett Salvatore and Dick Bavetta, if a key 00s Lakers playoff game was scheduled you can be sure they’d find their way to it.
How about Joey Crawford, the biggest look at me! official possibly ever. The list of referees that elicit an instant groan when you find out they’re officiating your favorite team’s game over the last 20 years is long.
 

HomeRunBaker

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Players are literally the worst evaluators of referees, I wouldn't put too much stock in what they say.
Yeah I was going to respond similar. We see how players incorrectly respond even to plays they are involved in. I mean let’s go 5-on-5 call your own if the players opinion matters. Fwiw, Perk has called Foster one of the best ever.
 

HowBoutDemSox

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Is there a good website where I can find up-to-the-minute gametime injury news? (Trying to find out if Hunter is playing tonight - I see that Embiid is playing.)
He's out per the team's Twitter:

View: https://twitter.com/ATLHawks/status/1402400505473777664


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An @emoryhealthcare injury update for tonight's game at Philadelphia:
D. Hunter (right knee soreness): Out
K. Dunn (non-covid illness): Out
B. Goodwin (minor respiratory condition): Out
C. Reddish (right Achilles soreness): Out

7:01 PM · Jun 8, 2021
 

PedroKsBambino

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Joel Embiid is not a thoughtful player on the court. Which is ironic in that when I've heard him speak he's a funny and highly articulate guy...but on the court he is ruled by emotion.
 

TripleOT

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Impressive comeback by the Hawks. 32-0 Hawks bench advantage. with those 32 points on only 17 shots. Gallo and Huerter 6-9 from three. ATL starters 0-8 from three.
 

PedroKsBambino

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That's just like the Celtics bench!

Atlanta with a nice-do of the rebuild, drafting quality supporting pieces and being willing to spend money for quality vets.
 

TripleOT

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That's just like the Celtics bench!

Atlanta with a nice-do of the rebuild, drafting quality supporting pieces and being willing to spend money for quality vets.
Bringing in Bogie and Gallo for under $20 mil each bolstered their wing corp big time. Two big sharpshooters, plus Huerter, Hunter, Reddish, Snell, and veteran Solomon Hill is a deep, versatile group.
 

HowBoutDemSox

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Ratings are up compared to the last two years through the first round:
View: https://twitter.com/ByTimReynolds/status/1402293529532043270


Tim Reynolds
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Ratings news:

Round 1 of the NBA playoffs was the most-viewed since 2018 - up 46% over last year's August start.

NBA games have won key ratings demos every night of the playoffs so far.

Global viewership on League Pass through Round 1 is up 21% over last year, 36% over 2019.
 

chilidawg

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Ratings are up compared to the last two years through the first round:
View: https://twitter.com/ByTimReynolds/status/1402293529532043270


Tim Reynolds
@ByTimReynolds

Ratings news:

Round 1 of the NBA playoffs was the most-viewed since 2018 - up 46% over last year's August start.

NBA games have won key ratings demos every night of the playoffs so far.

Global viewership on League Pass through Round 1 is up 21% over last year, 36% over 2019.
A lot more fun watching the games with a full house.