NBA Playoffs – Hoops Habit https://hoopshabit.com NBA News, Rumors, Analysis, Opinion and Stats Thu, 25 Aug 2022 02:43:57 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.20 Boston Celtics weather Golden State Warriors storm, take 2-1 Finals lead https://hoopshabit.com/2022/06/09/boston-celtics-golden-state-warriors/ https://hoopshabit.com/2022/06/09/boston-celtics-golden-state-warriors/#respond Thu, 09 Jun 2022 19:00:49 +0000 http://hoopshabit.com/?p=445764 Clearly, the Boston Celtics are allergic to coming out of halftime, yet they buckled down with one quarter left in the game and got the last laugh. After weathering another third-quarter barrage by the Golden State Warriors, the Men in Green held the visitors to 11 points in the final 12 minutes to secure a […]

Boston Celtics weather Golden State Warriors storm, take 2-1 Finals lead - Hoops Habit - Hoops Habit - NBA News, Rumors, Analysis, Opinion and Stats

]]> https://hoopshabit.com/2022/06/09/boston-celtics-golden-state-warriors/feed/ 0 The Golden State Warriors dominated, but the Boston Celtics are still alive https://hoopshabit.com/2022/06/08/golden-state-warriors-boston-celtics/ https://hoopshabit.com/2022/06/08/golden-state-warriors-boston-celtics/#respond Wed, 08 Jun 2022 16:00:07 +0000 http://hoopshabit.com/?p=445741 Steve Kerr and the Golden State Warriors rallied behind an amazing effort from Stephen Curry in Game 2. Did the Warriors efforts make fans forget about the Boston Celtics, Game 1 performance? Home court advantage gave the Warriors an edge in their Game 2 matchup against the Boston Celtics Sunday night. Eighteen thousand fans filled […]

The Golden State Warriors dominated, but the Boston Celtics are still alive - Hoops Habit - Hoops Habit - NBA News, Rumors, Analysis, Opinion and Stats

]]> https://hoopshabit.com/2022/06/08/golden-state-warriors-boston-celtics/feed/ 0 Jayson Tatum’s playmaking remains crucially inconsistent for the Celtics https://hoopshabit.com/2022/06/07/jayson-tatum-playmaking-celtics/ https://hoopshabit.com/2022/06/07/jayson-tatum-playmaking-celtics/#respond Tue, 07 Jun 2022 12:00:04 +0000 http://hoopshabit.com/?p=445699 When the Boston Celtics made decisive moves prior to the NBA trade deadline, they tried to focus on two key aspects of their team identity – an obvious prioritization of the defensive end of the floor, and greater trust in Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Marcus Smart as lead ball-handlers. That first aspect, the defense, […]

Jayson Tatum’s playmaking remains crucially inconsistent for the Celtics - Hoops Habit - Hoops Habit - NBA News, Rumors, Analysis, Opinion and Stats

]]> https://hoopshabit.com/2022/06/07/jayson-tatum-playmaking-celtics/feed/ 0 Celtics star Jayson Tatum’s dominance led to Larry Bird ECF MVP https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/31/celtics-jayson-tatum-larry-bird-ecf-mvp/ https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/31/celtics-jayson-tatum-larry-bird-ecf-mvp/#respond Tue, 31 May 2022 21:00:06 +0000 http://hoopshabit.com/?p=445474 Who else, right? Jayson Tatum put the Boston Celtics on his back and led them to a win over a tough and gritty Miami Heat team in seven games during the Eastern Conference Finals. Following the win, the emotions set in almost immediately for Tatum, as he embraced his teammates, coaches, and other Celtics personnel […]

Celtics star Jayson Tatum’s dominance led to Larry Bird ECF MVP - Hoops Habit - Hoops Habit - NBA News, Rumors, Analysis, Opinion and Stats

]]> https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/31/celtics-jayson-tatum-larry-bird-ecf-mvp/feed/ 0 NBA Finals: Golden State Warriors favored, Boston Celtics challenging https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/31/nba-finals-golden-state-warriors-boston-celtics/ https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/31/nba-finals-golden-state-warriors-boston-celtics/#respond Tue, 31 May 2022 16:00:18 +0000 http://hoopshabit.com/?p=445491 Call off the 2022 NBA Finals; the Golden State Warriors are favored over the Boston Celtics. There’s no need to debate who will be the last one standing. Not so fast; favorites do not matter. That’s why they play the game. Consider the spread for a second. -140 odds for Golden State and +160 for […]

NBA Finals: Golden State Warriors favored, Boston Celtics challenging - Hoops Habit - Hoops Habit - NBA News, Rumors, Analysis, Opinion and Stats

]]> https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/31/nba-finals-golden-state-warriors-boston-celtics/feed/ 0 Dallas Mavericks’ Game 4 only delayed the inevitable https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/26/dallas-mavericks-win-inevitable/ https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/26/dallas-mavericks-win-inevitable/#respond Thu, 26 May 2022 12:00:17 +0000 http://hoopshabit.com/?p=445332 The Dallas Mavericks have their backs against the wall in the Western Conference Finals. Did the team’s victory in Game 4 help their chance of winning the series? Adversity can bring out the best in individuals who are built to answer its call. Tuesday’s elimination game forced Jason Kidd’s squad to leave it all on […]

Dallas Mavericks’ Game 4 only delayed the inevitable - Hoops Habit - Hoops Habit - NBA News, Rumors, Analysis, Opinion and Stats

]]> https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/26/dallas-mavericks-win-inevitable/feed/ 0 Defense helped Boston Celtics take control of Eastern Conference Finals https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/24/defense-boston-celtics-control/ https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/24/defense-boston-celtics-control/#respond Tue, 24 May 2022 19:00:06 +0000 http://hoopshabit.com/?p=445299 The outcome of Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals left the basketball world in shock. Should we chalk up the Boston Celtics’ win to good defense or lack of Miami Heat star power? Coach Ime Udoka and his team enjoyed well-deserved sleep Monday night. After coming up short in Game 3 of the Conference […]

Defense helped Boston Celtics take control of Eastern Conference Finals - Hoops Habit - Hoops Habit - NBA News, Rumors, Analysis, Opinion and Stats

]]> https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/24/defense-boston-celtics-control/feed/ 0 3 most impactful players in the NBA Conference Finals https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/24/impactful-players-nba-conference-finals/ https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/24/impactful-players-nba-conference-finals/#respond Tue, 24 May 2022 10:00:02 +0000 http://hoopshabit.com/?p=445275 The Conference Finals are the last stop before the NBA Finals. Which players have made the biggest impact for their teams this series? Advancing to the Finals has consumed the minds remaining in the playoff picture. The Golden State Warriors, Dallas Mavericks, Boston Celtics, and Miami Heat are the last four teams competing for the […]

3 most impactful players in the NBA Conference Finals - Hoops Habit - Hoops Habit - NBA News, Rumors, Analysis, Opinion and Stats

]]> https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/24/impactful-players-nba-conference-finals/feed/ 0 Official selections for the 2022 All-NBA Playoff teams https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/19/all-nba-playoff-teams/ https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/19/all-nba-playoff-teams/#respond Thu, 19 May 2022 10:00:47 +0000 http://hoopshabit.com/?p=445169 We are in the middle of a thrilling 2022 NBA playoff run. We’ve had major upsets (bye, Chris Paul!), surprise breakouts (see you again soon, Brandon Ingram!), and the ascendance of dominant superstars (hey there, Luka!). With only four teams left, I wanted to look back at the action so far and reward those players […]

Official selections for the 2022 All-NBA Playoff teams - Hoops Habit - Hoops Habit - NBA News, Rumors, Analysis, Opinion and Stats

]]> https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/19/all-nba-playoff-teams/feed/ 0 3 ways Luka Doncic humiliated the Phoenix Suns in Game 7 https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/18/luka-doncic-humiliated-phoenix-suns/ https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/18/luka-doncic-humiliated-phoenix-suns/#respond Wed, 18 May 2022 10:00:41 +0000 http://hoopshabit.com/?p=445074 The performance Luka Doncic put together in an elimination game against the defending Western Conference Champions on Sunday night goes well beyond the numbers. In the wake of the Dallas Mavericks’ 33-point drubbing of the Phoenix Suns, ESPN’s Zach Lowe provided the perfect description of events during his opening monologue in the latest episode of […]

3 ways Luka Doncic humiliated the Phoenix Suns in Game 7 - Hoops Habit - Hoops Habit - NBA News, Rumors, Analysis, Opinion and Stats

]]> https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/18/luka-doncic-humiliated-phoenix-suns/feed/ 0 Al Horford’s two-way brilliance in the 2022 NBA Playoffs https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/15/al-horford-brilliance-playoffs/ https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/15/al-horford-brilliance-playoffs/#respond Sun, 15 May 2022 10:00:10 +0000 http://hoopshabit.com/?p=444997 While there’s no concrete data to quantify it, after 74 years of prior history, NBA folklore states that the playoffs are where the true skills of a player are tested. The postseason arena magnifies every play call, every shot, and every mistake, providing a landscape that only the best can thrive in. Fifteen seasons into […]

Al Horford’s two-way brilliance in the 2022 NBA Playoffs - Hoops Habit - Hoops Habit - NBA News, Rumors, Analysis, Opinion and Stats

]]> https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/15/al-horford-brilliance-playoffs/feed/ 0 The Milwaukee Bucks are feeling Khris Middleton’s absence https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/11/milwaukee-bucks-khris-middleton-3/ https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/11/milwaukee-bucks-khris-middleton-3/#respond Wed, 11 May 2022 19:00:47 +0000 http://hoopshabit.com/?p=444923 The Milwaukee Bucks and the Boston Celtics are in the middle of a close series, and against the league’s best defensive team, the Bucks are feeling the absence of their second star, Khris Middleton. Middleton suffered from a left MCL sprain in Game 2 against the Chicago Bulls and is expected to miss the remainder […]

The Milwaukee Bucks are feeling Khris Middleton’s absence - Hoops Habit - Hoops Habit - NBA News, Rumors, Analysis, Opinion and Stats

]]> https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/11/milwaukee-bucks-khris-middleton-3/feed/ 0 When did physicality become a detriment to the NBA Playoffs? https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/10/physicality-detriment-nba-playoffs/ https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/10/physicality-detriment-nba-playoffs/#respond Tue, 10 May 2022 16:00:43 +0000 http://hoopshabit.com/?p=444897 Phrases like dirty play and player code are usually not NBA Playoff norms. Yet, they have been prominent during every Memphis Grizzlies vs. Golden State Warriors game. In the course of all of the injuries and bloody faces, little of the narrative has actually been based on the quality basketball being played. This is disturbing, considering the […]

When did physicality become a detriment to the NBA Playoffs? - Hoops Habit - Hoops Habit - NBA News, Rumors, Analysis, Opinion and Stats

]]> https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/10/physicality-detriment-nba-playoffs/feed/ 0 3 unique ways Brandon Clarke is uplifting the Memphis Grizzlies https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/07/brandon-clarke-memphis-grizzlies/ https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/07/brandon-clarke-memphis-grizzlies/#respond Sat, 07 May 2022 12:00:45 +0000 http://hoopshabit.com/?p=444671 Since relocating to Memphis in 2001, the Memphis Grizzlies franchise is most well-known for its ‘Grit and Grind’ era in the 2010s. The no-nonsense group, led by the hard-nosed duo of Tony Allen and Zach Randolph, welcomed opponents to ‘The Grindhouse,’ imposing their will with the NBA’s version of a ground and pound style of game. […]

3 unique ways Brandon Clarke is uplifting the Memphis Grizzlies - Hoops Habit - Hoops Habit - NBA News, Rumors, Analysis, Opinion and Stats

]]> https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/07/brandon-clarke-memphis-grizzlies/feed/ 0 James Harden, DeAndre Jordan, and the floundering Philadelphia 76ers https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/04/philadelphia-76ers-james-harden-deandre-jordan/ https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/04/philadelphia-76ers-james-harden-deandre-jordan/#respond Wed, 04 May 2022 16:00:37 +0000 http://hoopshabit.com/?p=444680 Considered by many to be title contenders after trading for James Harden midway through the season, the Philadelphia 76ers looked like everything but that on Monday night against the Miami Heat. While the Sixers showed some fight in the first half, they were outcoached and outplayed for much of the game. Down by as many […]

James Harden, DeAndre Jordan, and the floundering Philadelphia 76ers - Hoops Habit - Hoops Habit - NBA News, Rumors, Analysis, Opinion and Stats

]]> https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/04/philadelphia-76ers-james-harden-deandre-jordan/feed/ 0 3 takeaways from Game 1 of Milwaukee Bucks vs. Boston Celtics https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/02/milwaukee-bucks-boston-celtics-game-1/ https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/02/milwaukee-bucks-boston-celtics-game-1/#respond Mon, 02 May 2022 16:00:16 +0000 http://hoopshabit.com/?p=444610 On Sunday afternoon, the Milwaukee Bucks reminded the world why they’re the defending NBA Champions. They triumphantly knocked down the Boston Celtics, 101-89, at TD Garden to take a 1-0 series lead in this highly anticipated second-round matchup. With the Celtics coming into the series as favorites following an impressive first-round sweep of the Brooklyn […]

3 takeaways from Game 1 of Milwaukee Bucks vs. Boston Celtics - Hoops Habit - Hoops Habit - NBA News, Rumors, Analysis, Opinion and Stats

]]> https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/02/milwaukee-bucks-boston-celtics-game-1/feed/ 0 NBA Playoffs First Round Awards: MVP, MIP, Sixth Man and more https://hoopshabit.com/2022/04/30/nba-playoffs-first-round-awards/ https://hoopshabit.com/2022/04/30/nba-playoffs-first-round-awards/#respond Sat, 30 Apr 2022 19:00:32 +0000 http://hoopshabit.com/?p=444583 The first round of the NBA playoffs has officially come to a close. Despite no upsets and no Game 7’s, this year’s opening round provided plenty of excitement for NBA fans. First-round performances can get lost in time – history usually only remembers the teams and stars who make deep playoff runs. However, I think […]

NBA Playoffs First Round Awards: MVP, MIP, Sixth Man and more - Hoops Habit - Hoops Habit - NBA News, Rumors, Analysis, Opinion and Stats

]]> https://hoopshabit.com/2022/04/30/nba-playoffs-first-round-awards/feed/ 0 NBA Playoffs must-follow storylines: Boston Celtics vs. Milwaukee Bucks https://hoopshabit.com/2022/04/29/boston-celtics-milwaukee-bucks/ https://hoopshabit.com/2022/04/29/boston-celtics-milwaukee-bucks/#respond Fri, 29 Apr 2022 16:00:59 +0000 http://hoopshabit.com/?p=444509 In what’s expected to be an ultra-competitive series, the Milwaukee Bucks will meet the Boston Celtics in the second round of the 2022 NBA Playoffs, with Game 1 beginning Sunday, 1:00 PM EST at TD Garden. Both Eastern Conference contenders are playing excellent basketball at the moment. The second-seeded Celtics just swept the Brooklyn Nets […]

NBA Playoffs must-follow storylines: Boston Celtics vs. Milwaukee Bucks - Hoops Habit - Hoops Habit - NBA News, Rumors, Analysis, Opinion and Stats

]]> https://hoopshabit.com/2022/04/29/boston-celtics-milwaukee-bucks/feed/ 0 3 reasons why Boston Celtics will take down Brooklyn Nets in first round https://hoopshabit.com/2022/04/18/boston-celtics-brooklyn-nets/ https://hoopshabit.com/2022/04/18/boston-celtics-brooklyn-nets/#respond Mon, 18 Apr 2022 10:00:27 +0000 http://hoopshabit.com/?p=444244 With the Boston Celtics going head-to-head against the Brooklyn Nets in the first round of the NBA Playoffs for the second consecutive year, the outcome of this postseason series could turn out to be much different than the last one. In an eventful Game 1 on Sunday afternoon, the Celtics rallied to a mesmerizing 115-114 […]

3 reasons why Boston Celtics will take down Brooklyn Nets in first round - Hoops Habit - Hoops Habit - NBA News, Rumors, Analysis, Opinion and Stats

]]> https://hoopshabit.com/2022/04/18/boston-celtics-brooklyn-nets/feed/ 0 Brooklyn Nets should keep Ben Simmons out for NBA Playoffs https://hoopshabit.com/2022/04/15/brooklyn-nets-ben-simmons-nba-playoffs/ https://hoopshabit.com/2022/04/15/brooklyn-nets-ben-simmons-nba-playoffs/#respond Fri, 15 Apr 2022 16:17:01 +0000 http://hoopshabit.com/?p=444126 Recent reports have emerged that Ben Simmons may be targeting a return during the Brooklyn Nets’ first-round series against the Boston Celtics. https://twitter.com/LegionHoops/status/1514640622073761793?s=20&t=w-YcB_JeG3AXE_ocSeFBRA That would be a mistake. The Nets should consider shutting Simmons down for the remainder of the season, as his return could throw a team that’s seen plenty of roster changes this […]

Brooklyn Nets should keep Ben Simmons out for NBA Playoffs - Hoops Habit - Hoops Habit - NBA News, Rumors, Analysis, Opinion and Stats

]]> https://hoopshabit.com/2022/04/15/brooklyn-nets-ben-simmons-nba-playoffs/feed/ 0 4 pivotal individual matchups of the NBA Play-in Tournament https://hoopshabit.com/2022/04/12/matchups-nba-play-in-tournament/ https://hoopshabit.com/2022/04/12/matchups-nba-play-in-tournament/#respond Tue, 12 Apr 2022 19:00:43 +0000 http://hoopshabit.com/?p=444007 The NBA playoffs are at our doorstep, but before that, the seventh and eighth seeds still need to be decided in each conference. The NBA Play-In Tournament threw up some surprising results last season. After finishing as the eighth seed in the regular season, the Golden State Warriors nearly took down the Los Angeles Lakers […]

4 pivotal individual matchups of the NBA Play-in Tournament - Hoops Habit - Hoops Habit - NBA News, Rumors, Analysis, Opinion and Stats

]]> https://hoopshabit.com/2022/04/12/matchups-nba-play-in-tournament/feed/ 0 3 young players to watch during the 2022 NBA Playoffs https://hoopshabit.com/2022/04/12/young-players-nba-playoffs/ https://hoopshabit.com/2022/04/12/young-players-nba-playoffs/#respond Tue, 12 Apr 2022 12:00:57 +0000 http://hoopshabit.com/?p=443977 When the thought of ornery players comes to mind, very few could reach the cold-heartedness of Michael Jordan or Kobe Bryant. They were the gold standard for turning the chips on their shoulders into playoff torture for others. It showed in every inch of their demeanors. This is an attitude you will see from certain […]

3 young players to watch during the 2022 NBA Playoffs - Hoops Habit - Hoops Habit - NBA News, Rumors, Analysis, Opinion and Stats

]]> https://hoopshabit.com/2022/04/12/young-players-nba-playoffs/feed/ 0 Can the Toronto Raptors make any noise in the playoffs? https://hoopshabit.com/2022/04/07/toronto-raptors-noise-playoffs/ https://hoopshabit.com/2022/04/07/toronto-raptors-noise-playoffs/#respond Thu, 07 Apr 2022 16:00:57 +0000 http://hoopshabit.com/?p=443799 After a 118-108 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on April 5, the Toronto Raptors have clinched a playoff spot. Led by head coach Nick Nurse, the Raptors would be the fifth seed if the season ended right now, but with how close the East is, anything can happen. But as the five seed, is it […]

Can the Toronto Raptors make any noise in the playoffs? - Hoops Habit - Hoops Habit - NBA News, Rumors, Analysis, Opinion and Stats

]]> https://hoopshabit.com/2022/04/07/toronto-raptors-noise-playoffs/feed/ 0 The pros and cons of the NBA Play-In Tournament https://hoopshabit.com/2022/03/31/nba-play-in-tournament/ https://hoopshabit.com/2022/03/31/nba-play-in-tournament/#respond Thu, 31 Mar 2022 19:00:38 +0000 http://hoopshabit.com/?p=443616 When the NBA shut down due to COVID, there was a lot of speculation regarding what the NBA was going to do with the playoffs. In the end, they decided to add the first version of the Play-In Tournament, which was only with the eight and nine seeds. Also, the nine seed had to be […]

The pros and cons of the NBA Play-In Tournament - Hoops Habit - Hoops Habit - NBA News, Rumors, Analysis, Opinion and Stats

]]> https://hoopshabit.com/2022/03/31/nba-play-in-tournament/feed/ 0 Top 5 series we could see in the 2022 NBA Playoffs https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/18/series-2022-nba-playoffs/ https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/18/series-2022-nba-playoffs/#respond Fri, 18 Feb 2022 11:00:46 +0000 http://hoopshabit.com/?p=442097 The NBA playoffs are right around the corner and the standings are just starting to take shape. That being said, there’s still room for a ton of movement. While the Western Conference seems to be shaping up, the Eastern Conference, ironically enough, is like the Wild, Wild, West – anything could happen. With how much […]

Top 5 series we could see in the 2022 NBA Playoffs - Hoops Habit - Hoops Habit - NBA News, Rumors, Analysis, Opinion and Stats

]]> https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/18/series-2022-nba-playoffs/feed/ 0