04-06-2016, 03:07 PM
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#1
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Moderator
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: 41.21.1
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GDT: Mavs vs Rockets 04/06/16 - 8:30pm CT
Maybe the most pivotal game down the stretch for the Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks is a rematch of their first-round playoff series last season.
It could decide which one sneaks into the postseason and which is left out this time around.
With just a handful of games left and an ever-important tiebreaker on the line, the Rockets visit Dallas on Wednesday night seeking their 11th win in the last 14 games of this in-state rivalry.
The two teams join Utah in a tight three-team race for the Western Conference's final two postseason spots while Memphis and Portland sit not too far ahead in the Nos. 5-6 seeds.
Houston (38-39) can simplify its path into the playoffs with a third straight win in this four-game season series, pulling even with and earning the tiebreaker over the Mavericks (39-38). The Rockets have won three of the last four games in Dallas, including one victory in the first-round series which Houston won in five games on the way to the West finals.
If the Mavericks win, they would have a two-game edge on the Rockets with four games left. Plus, the season series would be split and the tiebreaker would remain up in the air based on Southwest Division and conference records.
While Dallas has challenging games left against the Grizzlies, Los Angeles Clippers, Jazz and San Antonio, Houston closes with four of the bottom five teams in the West -- Phoenix, the Los Angeles Lakers, Minnesota and Sacramento.
"It's a minute-to-minute, hour-to-hour thing," Dallas coach Rick Carlisle said. "You're in the fight and every possession going whistle to whistle could be the one that turns it one way or another."
The Mavericks dropped 10 of 12 from March 3-27 but have rebounded with four straight wins behind stifling defensive pressure. They've held opponents to 86 points per game on 42.1 percent shooting while forcing 17.5 turnovers per game during the win streak.
Dallas held the Timberwolves to 40.8 percent shooting and 4 of 21 on 3-pointers while forcing 18 turnovers in Sunday's 88-78 road win.
However, the Mavs have averaged only 93.5 points on 41.6 percent shooting during their streak without the injured Chandler Parsons (knee surgery) and Deron Williams (sports hernia). Dirk Nowitzki made only 4 of 18 shots for 13 points in Minnesota, but J.J. Barea continued to be a spark plug with 21 points and six assists.
The point guard, key to Dallas' 2011 championship run, has averaged 21.5 points and six assists in the last six games to help fill the void left by Williams, who is not close to returning.
The Mavericks will draw one of the toughest containment tests in the NBA against Houston's James Harden.
Harden, second in the league behind Stephen Curry with 28.7 points per game, went off for 15 of his 41 points in the fourth quarter of Sunday's 118-110 win over his former team, Oklahoma City. He added nine assists during his 11th 40-point game.
"We were just all in attack mode, making play after play, putting pressure on every single player," Harden said. "It was very important for us."
Harden hasn't shot well against Dallas this season, averaging 24.3 points while shooting 35.5 percent and 22.7 on 3s, but he's added 10 rebounds and 9.7 assists per game. The four-time All-Star logged one of his three triple-doubles of the season with 23 points, 15 boards and 10 assists in a 115-104 win Jan. 24 in the teams' last meeting.
The Rockets have alternated wins and losses in their last six games and haven't posted back-to-back victories in nearly a month.
http://espn.go.com/nba/preview?gameId=400829057
__________________
These days being a fan is a competition to see who can be the most upset when
your team loses. That proves you love winning more. That's how it works.
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04-06-2016, 03:27 PM
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#2
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Golden Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: A Tiny Island Appropriate For Tiny J.J.B.
Posts: 1,082
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The Game of The Week... although my kid, JJB, is due for a bad game tonight, Simba the Contortionist will take care of James "Crybaby" Harden, Mejri The Mejriant will take care of defense, Dirk will take care of the offense, and Wes will take care of the three-point game... Important win position-wise, and even more important win for enjoying sweet revenge against the easy-to-hate, The Rock-it....
Mavs - 108
The Rock-it - 102
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Last edited by CGM; 04-06-2016 at 03:28 PM.
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04-06-2016, 03:41 PM
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#3
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Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Dunkanville
Posts: 76
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Noo, I was supposed to be the starter for this GDT!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Underdog
"It's a minute-to-minute, hour-to-hour thing," Dallas coach Rick Carlisle said. "You're in the fight and every possession going whistle to whistle could be the one that turns it one way or another."
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A lot of Coach-speak. Allow me to demonstrate instead:
Reb +1
Ast +1
Pts +2
+/- +10000
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04-06-2016, 03:58 PM
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#4
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Moderator
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: 41.21.1
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Javale McGeeber
Noo, I was supposed to be the starter for this GDT!
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I waited until 3:00pm -- anything past noon is pushing it.
But at least we know who to blame if we lose tonight...
__________________
These days being a fan is a competition to see who can be the most upset when
your team loses. That proves you love winning more. That's how it works.
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04-06-2016, 04:20 PM
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#5
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Golden Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: A Tiny Island Appropriate For Tiny J.J.B.
Posts: 1,082
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Underdog
I waited until 3:00pm -- anything past noon is pushing it.
But at least we know who to blame if we lose tonight...
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...yeah! ...him!!!!
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04-06-2016, 06:01 PM
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#6
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Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Dunkanville
Posts: 76
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CGM
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I have never wanted to volleyball-smack a beard so hard before now... Coach, put me in!
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04-06-2016, 04:29 PM
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#7
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Banned
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,379
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Should we call this a playoff play in game? I think so.
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04-06-2016, 06:52 PM
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#8
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Banned
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,379
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Anderson should start SF. Then see how it plays out.
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04-06-2016, 07:28 PM
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#9
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Inactive.
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Posts: 42,473
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Win or go home 4 games early.
We really have to punish Harden. Make Felton score 30 on him by driving every time. Matthews isn't going to challenge Harden's failure defense
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04-06-2016, 07:32 PM
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#10
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Moderator
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: 41.21.1
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EricaLubarsky
Win or go home 4 games early.
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Your math is all wrong -- we'd still have to lose 4 games after we sweep whichever team we draw in the first round.
But I do agree that we have to win today... Gotta make those Houston trolls cry!
__________________
These days being a fan is a competition to see who can be the most upset when
your team loses. That proves you love winning more. That's how it works.
Last edited by Underdog; 04-06-2016 at 07:34 PM.
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04-06-2016, 07:38 PM
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#11
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Banned
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,379
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Underdog
Your math is all wrong -- we'd still have to lose 4 games after we sweep whichever team we draw in the first round.
But I do agree that we have to win today... Gotta make those Houston trolls cry!
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Not to mention how dwight's been while playing in houston. And of course Dallas in the past..messed up.
Last edited by yahyes; 04-06-2016 at 07:39 PM.
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04-06-2016, 07:45 PM
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#12
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Moderator
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: 41.21.1
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@espn_macmahon: Dirk Nowitzki's longtime mentor and shot doctor Holger Geschwindner has arrived in Dallas for the stretch run.
__________________
These days being a fan is a competition to see who can be the most upset when
your team loses. That proves you love winning more. That's how it works.
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04-06-2016, 07:50 PM
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#13
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Inactive.
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Posts: 42,473
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Underdog
@espn_macmahon: Dirk Nowitzki's longtime mentor and shot doctor Holger Geschwindner has arrived in Dallas for the stretch run.
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Ok, now we sweep the remaining schedule and the Warriors as revenge for 2007
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04-06-2016, 07:53 PM
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#14
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Moderator
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: 41.21.1
Posts: 36,143
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EricaLubarsky
Ok, now we sweep the remaining schedule and the Warriors as revenge for 2007
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That's a bingo!
__________________
These days being a fan is a competition to see who can be the most upset when
your team loses. That proves you love winning more. That's how it works.
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04-06-2016, 08:10 PM
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#15
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Diamond Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: BRAZIL
Posts: 3,760
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EricaLubarsky
Ok, now we sweep the remaining schedule and the Warriors as revenge for 2007
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I can get on board with that
ps.: fuck the rockets
__________________
Quote:
Dirk Nowitzki is a monster of epic and unattainable proportion. Seriously, he must be stopped.
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04-06-2016, 08:00 PM
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#16
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Banned
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,379
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Underdog
@espn_macmahon: Dirk Nowitzki's longtime mentor and shot doctor Holger Geschwindner has arrived in Dallas for the stretch run.
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After being able to drop 40 against portland couple weeks ago. Dirk could use Holger for some tips right now.
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04-06-2016, 08:14 PM
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#17
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Banned
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,379
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Skin is matching with the bow tie tonight. Because he's "skin".
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04-06-2016, 08:17 PM
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#18
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Moderator
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: 41.21.1
Posts: 36,143
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Quote:
Originally Posted by yahyes
Skin is matching with the bow tie tonight. Because he's "skin".
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Kinda makes me want to stab my eyes out...
__________________
These days being a fan is a competition to see who can be the most upset when
your team loses. That proves you love winning more. That's how it works.
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04-06-2016, 08:28 PM
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#19
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Banned
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,379
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Underdog
Kinda makes me want to stab my eyes out...
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Playing into his gimmick I guess. Though the goofy bow tie suits "skin".
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04-06-2016, 08:25 PM
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#20
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Golden Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: A Tiny Island Appropriate For Tiny J.J.B.
Posts: 1,082
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__________________
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04-06-2016, 08:26 PM
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#21
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Moderator
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: 41.21.1
Posts: 36,143
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I literally LOL'd.
__________________
These days being a fan is a competition to see who can be the most upset when
your team loses. That proves you love winning more. That's how it works.
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04-06-2016, 08:32 PM
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#22
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Diamond Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: BRAZIL
Posts: 3,760
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Must be some sort of tribute to Craig Sager tbh
__________________
Quote:
Dirk Nowitzki is a monster of epic and unattainable proportion. Seriously, he must be stopped.
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04-06-2016, 08:41 PM
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#23
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Banned
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,379
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Skywalker
Must be some sort of tribute to Craig Sager tbh
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Oh that's it
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04-06-2016, 08:34 PM
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#24
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Diamond Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: BRAZIL
Posts: 3,760
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Durant and Westbrook resting tonight apparently...fuckin thunder
__________________
Quote:
Dirk Nowitzki is a monster of epic and unattainable proportion. Seriously, he must be stopped.
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04-06-2016, 08:42 PM
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#25
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Diamond Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Texas
Posts: 7,537
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Nice foul, Beverly.
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04-06-2016, 08:43 PM
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#26
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Diamond Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Texas
Posts: 7,537
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Gotta get back on D
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04-06-2016, 08:45 PM
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#27
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Banned
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,379
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Watch the flop harden!
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04-06-2016, 08:47 PM
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#28
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Diamond Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 5,694
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Harden with his go to move. The free throw.
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04-06-2016, 08:50 PM
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#29
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Banned
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,379
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I'm ready to see Deron play
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04-06-2016, 08:50 PM
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#30
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Diamond Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Texas
Posts: 7,537
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Dirk got hacked. No call!
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04-06-2016, 08:52 PM
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#31
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Banned
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 900
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Zaza watches Beverly go by him.
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04-06-2016, 08:56 PM
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#32
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Diamond Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Texas
Posts: 7,537
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Harden with his patented bull rush the lane and hope to draw a foul.
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04-06-2016, 08:58 PM
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#33
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: ARGENTINA
Posts: 516
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c'mon zaza, jesus
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04-06-2016, 08:59 PM
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#34
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Diamond Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Texas
Posts: 7,537
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Boy, refs are missing some pretty blatant fouls early. Zaza got hacked on that break away.
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04-06-2016, 09:03 PM
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#35
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Banned
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,379
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Dirk is too quiet
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04-06-2016, 09:04 PM
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#36
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Diamond Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Texas
Posts: 7,537
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WTF was that Felton?
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04-06-2016, 09:06 PM
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#37
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Banned
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 900
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Lee playing great. Felton stinking it up.
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04-06-2016, 09:07 PM
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#38
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Banned
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,379
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Oh houston is scratching lee huh
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04-06-2016, 09:10 PM
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#39
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Banned
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 900
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Charlie V sighting. Say it ain't so.
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04-06-2016, 09:10 PM
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#40
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Banned
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,379
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Maybe the free throws in the 1st quarter can get Dirk loosened up
Last edited by yahyes; 04-06-2016 at 09:10 PM.
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