In his post game interview Tuesday evening, Monta Ellis was not shy in proclaiming the Warriors still in contention for the #8 Playoff Seed. If that is to remain a possibility, the Warriors need to win. At this stage of the season, Golden State cannot afford to lose against an opponent with a record like New Jersey's. For the Warriors to make the playoffs, they will have to at least be able to pull their record on the winning side. GS currently is seeded twelve in playoff contention, seven games under .500 at 28-35. With 19 games remaining, the Warriors need to win 13 of those games for a 41-41 record. Assuming that result won't clinch a playoff berth, the Warriors need to do some serious work to make the playoffs.
While a postseason seems unlikely, wins are still desired. After losing to the 76ers in overtime, then beating Cleavland by 10 just last night, the Warriors aim to finish the 7 game road trip with a pair of victories before taking on the tough task of the Orlando Magic in Oakland on Friday. The Nets were riding a 6 game losing streak before defeating the Toronto Raptors twice overseas in London. Though the Nets are at home, they too have been on the road extensively.
The Warriors beat the Nets 109-100 at home earlier this season. Tonight they look to move closer to .500. Tip-off is at 4:00.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Sharks Falter in Third to Lose to Stars, 3-2
For the first two periods of last night's match, the Sharks played with the intensity fans have become accustomed to seeing over the last few weeks. Sadly, it takes three periods of solid performance to win a hockey match, which the Sharks simply lacked. The third period was dominated by Dallas, who came back from a 2-1 deficit to notch two goals in the final period to steal a win in San Jose. Loul Eriksson scored for Dallas 7:37 into the third period, and Jason Williams gave Dallas the lead with 7:12 remaining in the contest.
A late power play gave the Sharks a final chance, but like the rest of the night, the Sharks could not deliver when holding the man advantage. The Sharks went 0-3 on the power play against Dallas, who held the 26th-best power play kill entering the night. Furthermore, the Sharks allowed a short handed goal less than two minutes into the contest, demonstrating their inability to capitalize when holding the advantage.
Tensions escalated with under a minute to go, when a late scramble in front of the Dallas net resulted in what appeared to be a Sharks goal. However, the referee had called the play dead monents before the puck was slapped into the back of the net. Instead of tying up the game, the Sharks were forced to replicate their efforts, which simply did not happen. Though the play was called dead since the ref could not locate the puck, the play did seem very much alive with the puck moving unsecured in the goal crease. While the referee was following protocol (call play dead if the location of the puck is lost), it does sting extra hard considering the context of the game.
Despite outshooting the Stars 31-28, winning the faceoff battle, and committing less penalties, tonight belonged to Dallas.
A late power play gave the Sharks a final chance, but like the rest of the night, the Sharks could not deliver when holding the man advantage. The Sharks went 0-3 on the power play against Dallas, who held the 26th-best power play kill entering the night. Furthermore, the Sharks allowed a short handed goal less than two minutes into the contest, demonstrating their inability to capitalize when holding the advantage.
Tensions escalated with under a minute to go, when a late scramble in front of the Dallas net resulted in what appeared to be a Sharks goal. However, the referee had called the play dead monents before the puck was slapped into the back of the net. Instead of tying up the game, the Sharks were forced to replicate their efforts, which simply did not happen. Though the play was called dead since the ref could not locate the puck, the play did seem very much alive with the puck moving unsecured in the goal crease. While the referee was following protocol (call play dead if the location of the puck is lost), it does sting extra hard considering the context of the game.
Despite outshooting the Stars 31-28, winning the faceoff battle, and committing less penalties, tonight belonged to Dallas.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Dallas (34-23-7, 75 pts) @ San Jose (38-21-6, 82 points)
There are 17 games left in the NHL season for the San Jose Sharks. They currently hold the third place slot in a chaotic and clogged Western Conference, where 4th and 11th place are separated by four points. What this implies is that with the end of the season enclosing, the Sharks cannot afford to slip at the wrong time. However, winning 17 of their last 20 has given the team refreshed confidence, and some breathing space in the Western Conference. The last two seasons have shown that while holding the top seed in the playoffs is coveted, it does not guarantee greatness. Simply put, the Sharks simply need to continue delivering every night to secure their playoff spot. Once the playoffs start, it is a whole new world.
Tonight is a chance for the Sharks to gain distance on their Western conference foe, the Dallas Stars. Dallas is currently tied with Anaheim and Nashville for the last spot in the 2011 Playoffs. A Sharks victory would not only give them 3 key points, but it will play spoiler for a team struggling to remain in contention.
Home field should play into the Sharks favor. Their last two losses came on the road to New Jersey and Florida, which occurred almost two weeks ago. Their last loss at home occurred January 13 against Edmonton. Dallas's power play inefficiencies should aid the Sharks, who hold the third highest power play success rate a 24% (Dallas ranks 26th in the NHL on the power play kill).
Gametime is 7:30pm.
Tonight is a chance for the Sharks to gain distance on their Western conference foe, the Dallas Stars. Dallas is currently tied with Anaheim and Nashville for the last spot in the 2011 Playoffs. A Sharks victory would not only give them 3 key points, but it will play spoiler for a team struggling to remain in contention.
Home field should play into the Sharks favor. Their last two losses came on the road to New Jersey and Florida, which occurred almost two weeks ago. Their last loss at home occurred January 13 against Edmonton. Dallas's power play inefficiencies should aid the Sharks, who hold the third highest power play success rate a 24% (Dallas ranks 26th in the NHL on the power play kill).
Gametime is 7:30pm.
Golden State Warriors: A Brief Recall
Bay Area basketball fans still bathe in the glory that was the 2007 NBA Playoffs. Taking town the top-ranked Mavericks in six games electrified the fan base, who had not tasted playoff glory since 1994. Winning the first round series was akin to a Championship for the underdog Warriors. Hopes were set to the maximum for the future; the organization had experienced success and naturally craved more.
The following season started poorly, with the trade of star shooting guard Jason Richardson to the Bobcats. However, the Warriors recovered from a slow start to put themselves in playoff contention. Sadly, a 48-34 record was not sufficient enough to secure a place in the 2008 Playoffs. Still, the fan base was energized, nearly selling out every game that season.
That offseason, local hero Baron Davis opted out of his contract and signed a five year contract with the Los Angeles Clippers. Not only did this sting for Warrior supporters because of their affection for Davis, but it meant another lost member of the 2007 Playoff run, which now seemed only a distant memory.
The 2008 and 2009 season were serious rebuilding efforts. The Warriors managed a 29-53 record in 2008, and a 26-56 record in 2009. While fans might remember this time with disgust, the Warriors were able to put together some high-energy, high-offense games. However, the line-up lacked serious depth, with the Warriors struggling to fill line-ups in some games. With rumors circulating of the divide between Ellis and Curry, speculation was high that Ellis would leave.
Instead, the organization decided to run with an Ellis/Curry back court. Under new ownership, David Lee was brought to the Warriors in exchange for Turiaf, Randolph and Azubuike. This season has been much more successful than the last two, with the Warriors guaranteed to amass more wins easily (currently 27-34). They are very dominant at home, and have taken down teams such as the Bulls, OKC, Utah and New Orleans, showing their ability to hang with the big boys.
Throughout the miscues and blemishes since the 2006-07 season, the fans have remained passionate. Currently, the Warriors are 12th in the Western Conference, six games out of the playoffs. To make the playoffs, the Warriors will have to pull a .500 record, and then some. Sadly, playoffs seem unattainable at this part of the season, considering the current #8 seed (Memphis) has a 34-29 record. Achieving a .500 record should be the main goal of the season. It would demonstrate not only the ability of the Warriors to rebound from two poor seasons to find success, but also it would hush any talk that a Ellis/Curry back court cannot produce results. With 21 games to go, this implies that Golden State needs to win 14 of these games. Even if the Warriors do this, the playoffs are too far off.
The following season started poorly, with the trade of star shooting guard Jason Richardson to the Bobcats. However, the Warriors recovered from a slow start to put themselves in playoff contention. Sadly, a 48-34 record was not sufficient enough to secure a place in the 2008 Playoffs. Still, the fan base was energized, nearly selling out every game that season.
That offseason, local hero Baron Davis opted out of his contract and signed a five year contract with the Los Angeles Clippers. Not only did this sting for Warrior supporters because of their affection for Davis, but it meant another lost member of the 2007 Playoff run, which now seemed only a distant memory.
The 2008 and 2009 season were serious rebuilding efforts. The Warriors managed a 29-53 record in 2008, and a 26-56 record in 2009. While fans might remember this time with disgust, the Warriors were able to put together some high-energy, high-offense games. However, the line-up lacked serious depth, with the Warriors struggling to fill line-ups in some games. With rumors circulating of the divide between Ellis and Curry, speculation was high that Ellis would leave.
Instead, the organization decided to run with an Ellis/Curry back court. Under new ownership, David Lee was brought to the Warriors in exchange for Turiaf, Randolph and Azubuike. This season has been much more successful than the last two, with the Warriors guaranteed to amass more wins easily (currently 27-34). They are very dominant at home, and have taken down teams such as the Bulls, OKC, Utah and New Orleans, showing their ability to hang with the big boys.
Throughout the miscues and blemishes since the 2006-07 season, the fans have remained passionate. Currently, the Warriors are 12th in the Western Conference, six games out of the playoffs. To make the playoffs, the Warriors will have to pull a .500 record, and then some. Sadly, playoffs seem unattainable at this part of the season, considering the current #8 seed (Memphis) has a 34-29 record. Achieving a .500 record should be the main goal of the season. It would demonstrate not only the ability of the Warriors to rebound from two poor seasons to find success, but also it would hush any talk that a Ellis/Curry back court cannot produce results. With 21 games to go, this implies that Golden State needs to win 14 of these games. Even if the Warriors do this, the playoffs are too far off.
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