The Late Shift Blog - Opening Night! Cavs Roll, Spurs Spank Warriors

The Late Shift Blog is daily recap of all things NBA

by Rodney Fisher

We are back!

The 2016-17 NBA Season opened just as the season ended...with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Tonight was the city of Cleveland's biggest sports night in history. The Cavs raise a championship banner while the Indians start the World Series a few blocks away.

LeBron James celebrates his third ring with a triple-double performance (19 points, 11 boards, 14 assists) as the Cavs rout the New York Knicks 117-88.

Kyrie Irving led all scorers with 29 points.

For the Knicks, the trio of Kristaps Porzingis, Carmelo Anthony, and Derrick Rose were the only players in double digits for points. Joakim Noah played 19 minutes with 0 points and 0 blocks. So much for the new and improved...

Nothing is for Certain

So, the Golden State Warriors open the season with a 29 point LOSS to the San Antonio Spurs. Kevin Durant and Steph Curry had 27 and 26, but my sleeper pick for MVP Kawhi Leonard had a career-high 35 points.

LaMarcus Aldridge 26 and 14. Jonathon Simmons came off the bench to hit 20, including not missing a shot the first three quarters. He also had a chase-down block on Curry in the third quarter.

There is no doubt the Warriors will be a great team, but having the best starting 4 in the game today does nothing to replace the rebounding and defense you lost with Andrew Bogut and Harrison Barnes. The seven new players in the Bay will need more time to get it together.

The young Spurs have established themselves as THE team to beat in the West...Early.

Portland beat the Utah 113-104.

The Late Shift Podcast is available fresh every Monday here on NTXGame.com

82 Points: Watch Kyrie Irving and Lebron James Make History

In Game 5 of the NBA Finals, Lebron James and Kyrie Irving make history by becoming the first duo to both score 40+ points in the same Finals game. They both went for 41 each to take the series back to Cleveland 3-2.

NBA Finals: Game 4 Adjustments

The Cleveland Cavaliers still have a hill to climb to even the series with the Golden State Warriors.

by Rodney Fisher

Golden State Warriors

Matching Intensity

The Warriors allowed the Cavaliers to feed off their home crowd in the first quarter of Game 3. It is not that they were caught off guard, they know to expect the Cavs to come out swinging in their first home game of the series, but they normally match the intensity with a deadly three-pointer or block at the rim. In Game 4, the Golden Boys need to bring their own fight early.

Lineup Change

This is simple...If Kevin Love starts, so does Andrew Bogut. If Coach Lue keeps Richard Jefferson in the the starting five, then you make the move to start last year's NBA Finals MVP Andre Iguodala.

Make Free Throws

We all know the Warriors need to shoot better, but 17-26 from the charity stripe needs to improve. Free throw shooting on the road is all about nerves. It is one of the best indicators to see the mindset of the road team in the playoffs. Klay Thompson was 1-3 from the free throw line. Draymond Green was 2-4.

Make the Cavs Run Half-court Sets

This has been cryptonite for the Cavs offense. When they have to run plays the settle for jumpshots, and in Game 3 they made them. That is risk you are willing to take with you have a more superior shooting team overall. The Cavs looked their best on the break in Game 3, but Lebron could not finish at the rim in with the half-court offense.

Cleveland Cavaliers

Don't Get Cute Lue

Coach does not need to make the rookie mistake of thinking that not having Kevin Love in the starting lineup is the right move. If Love is cleared to play, you have to let him start regardless of what fans, media, or Lebron has to say. If you lose Game 4 and don't start Love even though he is ready to play, the decision may cost you more than a trophy. Richard Jefferson is available to come in at anytime, he does not have to start.

Run, Run, Run

Play like your hair is on fire! Start Game 4 just like Game 3 without slowing down in the second quarter. Running will get the Cavs easy points in the paint or free throw attempts. The Cavs outscored the Warriors 15-8 on fast break points.

Lebron Needs 40

James does not need to let his foot off the gas now that Kyrie Irving, Tristan Thompson, and J.R. Smith have decided to show up to The Finals for only one game. He has way more at stake in this series than any other player on the team. He has to play like a man possessed. Yes Lebron, you have to channel the legends of the game like Jordan, Magic, Kobe, Shaq, Olajuwon, Jabar, and others to take over.

The Willie P Show Episode 3: Western Conference Finals

The Willie P Show Episode 3: Western Conference Finals

Video: David Lee Ring Ceremony and Comments

The Golden State Warriors present David Lee with his own 2015 NBA Championship ring during the pregame.

by Rodney Fisher

Warriors 47-1 On Fastbreak Points To Beat Mavs 128-120

Andrew Bogut and the Golden State Warriors improve to 65-7 beating the Dallas Mavericks with the

three-point shot and fastbreak points.

Mavs pulled close in the 4th quarter again, only to lose by 8 to the Warriors, 128-120.

by Rodney Fisher


On the night his former team gives him a championship ring, David Lee's 12pts, 9 boards, and 6 assists could not help get the win. Wesley Matthews led the Mavs with 26 points. JJ Barra added 21 points in the road loss.


Thompson and Curry combined for 73 points, including 14-28 from the three point line. Nine of the fourteen made three-pointers came from Klay Thompson on his route to his third 40 point game this season. The Warrriors now improve to 65-7 and only need to go 8-2 in their remaining games to surpass the record-setting Chicago Bulls 72-10 record.


The Mavericks decided to give their Dirk Nowitzki and Deron Williams the night off to prepare for a back-to-back road series that starts in Sacramento on Sunday. Without them, the Mavs slow defense was on full display.

Key Stat: The Warriors outscored the Mavs on fastbreak points 47-1.

Stephen Curry poured in 33 points on slow shooting night. Draymond Green logged his 29th double-double of the season with 19 points and 10 assists to go with seven boards.

With the stat line the Warriors had you would have thought the game would have been a blowout, but the old Mavs hung tough.

Warriors Head Coach Steve Kerr:

“It was one of the strangest games we’ve had this year when you look at the stats. We beat them 47-1 in fastbreak points and had seven turnovers. If you tell me that before the game, I tell you win by 30. That is one of the best coached teams in the league so even when they are down Dirk Nowitzki, Devin Harris and Deron Williams they generate really good offense. We say it all the time, they have NBA players. Our defense was horrific. Dallas exposed us, they ran great stuff, they made shots and they deserve all the credit in the world, but our defense was horrific. We lost focus time-after-time. It’s strange because usually when we lose focus we turn the ball over, but we only had seven turnovers, a season low. We did a good job offensively, but defensively we were kind of a mess.”

Most of the postgame conversation centered around a possible matchup of both teams in the first round of the playoffs. Say what you will, but the Mavs have played the Warriors tougher than most teams in their 2-1 season series. Both teams and coaches took the high road to say they are not worried about who the play in the playoffs just yet.

Can Any Teams in the Western Conference Beat the Spurs or Warriors

Are there any teams in the West that can challenge the Warriors or the Spurs. 

Can any teams in the Western Conference beat the Spurs or Warriors?

by Da`Vince “Dino” Wright

It`s Monday and I usually watch the WWE, but tonight is a special night for basketball fans all over the country. The Spurs are playing the Golden State Warriors in Oakland. The Warriors leads the NBA in points scored and the Spurs leads the NBA in defense. The young brash boy from the Bay Area was supposed to be tested by the NBA`s elder statesmen. The game wasn`t even close. The Warriors came out with so much energy that the Spurs couldn`t keep up. It was lopsided to say the least. Curry scored 37 points and saw limited playing time in the 4th. In a span of 8 days the Warriors beat the Cleveland Cavs and San Antonio Spurs by 30 points.

So, lets entertain the question at hand. Can any team in the West beat the Spurs or Warriors? The answer is Yes! You have Oklahoma City, Portland TrailBlazers, Houston Rockets and Utah Jazz.

The Spurs and Warriors are 1 and 2 in the West and the All-Star break hasn`t happened yet. You can be beat at anytime. The Warriors has dropped games to the Mavericks and a surprising Denver Nuggets team. The teams I listed above plays well in the playoffs. Who cares about the regular season. The key is to get to the Western Conference finals to see who will represent the the conference. My grandfather once shared an old saying with me, “Big horse runs fast, don`t run long!” Which means a team like San Antonio has the continuity to play well into the playoffs and eventually win it all. Let`s see who can beat these two teams and represent the West in the upcoming playoffs.

Podcast: The Late Shift All-NBA Weekly Podcast

The Late Shift: All-NBA Podcast

The Last Shift is the web's #1 late night sports show. On the All-NBA podcast, host Rodney Fisher reviews the past week of NBA action and previews the week to come.

On this episode, we talk about the opening of the 2015-16 NBA season. 

• Are the Warriors going to break the 72 win record?
• Biggest suprise so far?
• Early look at rookies.
• The wild, wild, Western Conference.

The Late Shift is brought to you by NTXGAME.com and credentialed by the NBA.

NBA Nitcap Blog: Durantula

Kevin Durant returns to the NBA. Photo credit: USA Today 

The 5 Big things you need to remember from last night's NBA action and why...

by +Rodney Fisher

NBA Nitecap Blog: 20 Racks

Carmelo Anthony surpasses 20,000 points. Photo credit: NY Post

Another night in the NBA brings another Nitecap Blog. Tonight we get a late Halloween visit from the Boogieman, the 20 racks, and a marathon.

by +Rodney Fisher

Kevin Love Trade: Win Now or Win Later

Trading Kevin Love is complicated for Flip Saunders. Photo Credit: NBA

After saying that Andrew Wiggins would be untouchable, reports have surfaced that the Cleveland Cavaliers would be willing to trade him for Kevin Love. The Minnesota Timberwolves also have strong interest from the Golden State Warriors. Minnesota has to now decide to win now or win later.

by +Rodney Fisher

Curry and Warriors Beat Dallas in OT 122-120; Interviews with Players and Coaches

Stephen Curry hits the game-winner in OT to beat the Dallas Mavericks. Photo credit NBA 

by Royce Fisher

Dallas-- The Golden State Warriors defeat the Dallas Mavericks 122-120 in overtime thanks to a game-winning shot by All-Star Steph Curry. 

Interviews below with Curry, Dirk Nowitzki, Klay Thompson, Vince Carter, and Mark Jackson...

(Video After Jump)

NBA: Warriors, Celtics and Heat make a deal

Jordan Crawford apart of three-team deal in the NBA. Photo credit NBA 

by J.T.

Another slick deal was made this time the Golden State Warriors were the ones being the slickster. They made a deal that strengthened their bench and may help them have a better chance at making a long run in the playoffs this year.

NBA: Curry Too Hot For Mavs, Warriors Win 95-93 At The Buzzer

Stephen Curry hits game winner to defeat Mavericks.

Stephen Curry hits game-winner over Dallas Mavericks. Photo credit NBA 

by +Rodney Fisher 

Everything seemed to be going well for the Dallas Mavericks. They had a 18-point lead on the road against one of the hottest shooting teams in the NBA in the Golden State Warriors. They held the Warriors to only 16 points in the first quarter and went into halftime up 55-44.

NBA: The Warriors Re-up with oft-injuried Bogut

Andrew Bogut will stay with the Golden State
Warriors. Photo credit NBA 

by J. T. of Front Office News

After they lost out on the Howard bidding war, this was a move that had to be made good or bad. Bogut when healthy is a legit contributor, its just a BIG when healthy.

The Golden State Warriors laced Andrew Bogut’s pockets with a 3 year 36 million dollar deal with the potential to reach over 42 million if healthy. Man it pays to be over 6’8”.

NBA: Chris Kaman and Randy Foye Find New Teams

Chris Kaman headed back to L.A.

by Rodney Fisher

As the NBA free agency period enters it's second week, teams begin the tedious process of filling out rosters with remaining talent.

Chris Kaman, former Dallas Mavericks experiement, agrees to a one year deal with the Los Angeles Lakers for the mid-level exception right under $3.2 million. Kaman is no stranger to LA after spending his first eight seasons in the league with the Los Angeles Clippers.

Andre Iguodala's move to the Golden State Warriors has been finalized with a sign-and-trade involving the Denver Nuggets and Utah Jazz along with the Warriors. The Nuggets get Randy Foye from the Jazz and the Warriors get to ship $24 million in salary (Richard Jefferson, Andris Bierdins, Brandon Rush, and future draft  picks) to the Jazz.

NBA Playoffs: Knicks vs Pacers, Spurs vs Warriors Highlights

The New York Knicks live to fight another day as they extend their series after winning at home over the Indiana Pacers.

The ageless San Antonio Spurs end their series with the Golden State Warriors and advance to the Western Conference Finals, where the Memphis Grizzlies are waiting.

NBA Playoffs: Spurs Dominate Warriors at Home, Series 3-2

After allowing the young Golden State Warriors outrun them in Oakland, the San Antonio Spurs bounce back with their most convincing win in the series 109-91. The Spurs now have a 3-2 series lead.

Spurs take 3-2 series lead over Warriors. Photo credit NBA

The key to the Spurs win: Energy and Effort

Tony Parker: "Our energy was good. We got the 50-50 ball [and] that was huge for us tonight. It was a tough turnaround for us in game 4. We missed an opportunity at the end and we realize that. Tonight we played for 48 minutes."

Video: Manu Ginobili Hits A Clutch 3-Pointer To Win In Double OT; Curry has 44 points

What a game one in this series...