NBA

NBA: Mavericks in Must-Win Territory Against Heat

• Al Dannity

• Last Updated: October 4, 2017

A loss in Game 3 means the Mavericks are in desperation mode tonight against Miami. Al Dannity says defeat tonight would spell certain doom for Dallas in the NBA Finals. Not a good place It may be stating the obvious but blowing their first game at home was not what the Mavericks needed. Defeat to...

NBA

NBA: Dirk’s Big Finish Redfines Heat-Mavericks Series

• Al Dannity

• Last Updated: October 4, 2017

Dirk Nowitzki took over in the final few minutes of Thursday’s thrilling Game 2 to bring the Mavericks level with the Heat at 1-1 in the NBA Finals. Al Dannity says the big German’s performance has radically altered the direction of this series. This game was over Actually scratch that. This series was over. Dallas...

NBA

NBA: Miami Hold Slender Edge in Game 1 Against Dallas

• Al Dannity

• Last Updated: October 4, 2017

Al Dannity likes the Mavs to win the series but he doesn’t expect them to get off to a winning start in Miami tonight. The Heat hold a slight edge for the opening clash of the NBA Finals. A question of adapting Miami have the hot hand for Game 1 of the NBA Finals. Big...

NBA

NBA: Destiny Awaits for Mavericks Against Thunder

• Al Dannity

• Last Updated: October 4, 2017

The Dallas Mavericks enter Game 6 on the back of one of the greatest comebacks in playoff history. Dirk Nowitzki is ready to lead the Mavs back to the promised land of the NBA Finals but don’t count out the Thunder just yet. Man on a mission Dirk Nowitzki knows what it’s like to lose...

NBA

NBA: Dallas Can Take 2-0 Lead Against the Thunder

• Al Dannity

• Last Updated: October 4, 2017

A near perfect performance from Dirk Nowitzki coupled with an outstanding showing from the Mavs bench gave Dallas victory in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals on Tuesday. Tonight the Thunder must find a way for Russell Westbrook to make a difference if they are to avoid going 2-0 down in the series. Westbrook...

NBA

NBA: Depth Proves Decisive as Bulls Down Heat

• Al Dannity

• Last Updated: October 4, 2017

Miami stayed with Chicago for most of the first three quarters but the Bulls’ strength in numbers eventually proved a decisive factor. Al Dannity breaks down the big stories from Game 1 and analyzes what it means for the rest of the series. Taj Gibson busts a move Did anyone expect the story of Game...

NBA

NBA: LeBron Emerges From the Shadows for the Heat

• Al Dannity

• Last Updated: October 4, 2017

It’s been a long road but finally LeBron James has delivered the clutch performance he needed to give fans belief in Miami. King James stood tall when it counted, scoring the final 10 points as the Heat ended the Celtics’ season in Game 5. Winning is the best redemption It’s easy for fans and scribes...

NBA

NBA: Time for the Heat to Finish Off the Celtics

• Al Dannity

• Last Updated: October 4, 2017

Al Dannity says Boston’s day is done. Having won Game 4 in OT, the Miami Heat should finish the job at home tonight. Heroism only goes so far Rajon Rondo’s decision to re-insert himself into Game 3 has been, without question, the gutsiest act of the NBA Playoffs this year. It was up there with...

NBA

NBA: Big Road Games for Bulls and Lakers

• Al Dannity

• Last Updated: October 4, 2017

The LA Lakers are stuck in a 2-0 hole with a daunting road trip to Dallas tonight. The Chicago Bulls have continued to flounder in the post-season, entering their trip to Atlanta tied 1-1 with the Hawks. Al Dannity looks at what Chicago and Los Angeles need to do to get back on track. Stop...

NBA

NBA: Heat Can Exorcise Demons Against Celtics

• Al Dannity

• Last Updated: October 4, 2017

LeBron has never beaten Boston in a playoff series. Bosh doesn’t know what a deep post-season run feels like. D-Wade and the rest of the Heat are also hurting for payback after last season’s 4-1 loss to the Celtics. Whatever else you might say about Miami’s big three, don’t question their thirst for victory when...

NBA

NBA: CP3 Ready to Rock Against Lakers Yet Again

• Al Dannity

• Last Updated: October 4, 2017

Does Superman wear Chris Paul PJs? If so then Dwight Howard has some bizarre tastes. After turning in some pedestrian performances while rehabbing in the regular season, CP3 has entered beast mode in the playoffs and that’s bad news for the LA Lakers. Leaving a lasting impression This might be Chris Paul’s last ever season...

NBA

NBA: Two Big Days in Eastern Conference Action

• Al Dannity

• Last Updated: October 4, 2017

Three of the Eastern Conference’s four playoff series stand at 2-0 but Al Dannity says the next set of games could have implications deep into the post-season. Heat and Bulls can build momentum What if the process was real? That’s the question fans of the 15 teams not called the Miami Heat are asking themselves...

NBA

NBA: Rose Comes Up Big for the Bulls Again

• Al Dannity

• Last Updated: October 4, 2017

The Chicago Bulls hold a 2-0 lead in their series with the Indiana Pacers but both wins came in tougher than expected fashion. Derrick Rose, the NBA MVP-elect, once again came to the rescue for Chicago on Monday night. Growing up fast There has been no slow maturation process for Derrick Rose and it’s just...

NBA

NBA: West Looks More Upset Prone than East in Playoffs

• Al Dannity

• Last Updated: October 4, 2017

There is an imbalance in the force according to Al Dannity. With the NBA Playoffs getting under way on Saturday, Al says the Western Conference has far greater potential for upsets than the East in the first round. Big four should roll in the East There should be plenty of good Basketball in the first...

NBA

NBA: Bulls Charge into Playoffs as #1 Overall Seed

• Al Dannity

• Last Updated: October 4, 2017

Chicago capped of a tremendous final few months of the season to claim the best record in the NBA and home court throughout the playoffs. Al Dannity says this team is good enough to win it all despite inexperience in the post-season. Every Derrick Rose has its thorn And he’s sticking them into the hides...

NBA

NBA: Can the Lakers Steal the #1 Seed From San Antonio?

• Al Dannity

• Last Updated: October 4, 2017

The battle for the best record in the Western Conference and indeed the whole NBA has intensified in the closing weeks of the season. Al Dannity examines the case for a late surge by the Los Angeles Lakers. Big run-in Attention at this time of year is normally focussed on the fringes of the playoff...

NBA

NBA: Historic Night for Heat’s Big Three in Miami

• Al Dannity

• Last Updated: October 4, 2017

LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, and Chris Bosh all had at least 30 points and 10 rebounds each as the Miami Heat beat Houston 125-119 in Miami. A rare feat LeBron James had 33 points and 10 rebounds, Chris Bosh added 12 boards to his 31 point haul, while Dwayne Wade had 30 points and 11...

NBA

NBA: Spurs Must Show Strength Without Duncan in Portland

• Al Dannity

• Last Updated: October 4, 2017

The San Antonio Spurs have the best record in the NBA but Tim Duncan’s injury has cast doubt over their potential as title contenders. Al Dannity says tonight’s game against the Trail Blazers offers a chance for San Antonio’s other stars to shine. Dull but deadly The Trail Blazers are not the most entertaining team...

NBA

NBA: Overblown Melo-Drama in New York

• Al Dannity

• Last Updated: October 4, 2017

The Knicks are just 7-9 since the arrival of Carmelo Anthony but now is not the time to panic. Al Dannity says the move should pay off in the long run. Remember last year The pieces New York traded in order to bring Carmelo Anthony to New York weren’t highly valued commodities last summer. Mike...

NBA

What's the Matter with the Miami Heat?

• Frank Doyle

• Last Updated: March 18, 2011

Frank Doyle makes his picks from a full menu of NBA action tonight. One of the highest profile teams in the NBA takes on one of the lowest tonight when Miami travels to Atlanta to take on the Hawks. Veteran Mike Bibby’s return to the Hawks is the story of the game, but the real...