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Showing posts with label Series. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Series. Show all posts
Monday, November 11, 2013
Monday, November 4, 2013
Heat Beat Bulls 88-65 In Game 4: LeBron Scores 27 As Miami Takes 3-1 Series Lead (VIDEO)
Chicago Bulls point guard Marquis Teague (25) watches Miami Heat small forward LeBron James (6) celebrate during the second half in Game 4 of the NBA Eastern Conference playoffs at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, Monday May 13, 2013. (Nuccio DiNuzzo/Chicago Tribune/MCT via Getty Images) CHICAGO -- LeBron James scored 27 points and the Miami Heat nearly matched a franchise record for points allowed in a playoff game, pounding the listless and short-handed Chicago Bulls 88-65 on Monday night to take a 3-1 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
The 65 points allowed were only two more than the all-time postseason low for a Miami opponent, and it was easily the worst offensive performance by a Chicago team.
Never before had the Bulls scored fewer than 69 in a playoff game nor 10 or less in a quarter during the postseason, but both those marks fell on a night when they were dominated on both ends of the floor.
Miami led by 11 at the half and put this one away in the third quarter, outscoring Chicago 17-9 in the period.
Now the Heat will try to wrap up the series at home on Wednesday night, taking what they hope will be the next step toward a second straight championship.
It's hard to believe the Bulls won the series opener the way the past three games have gone.
Miami pounded Chicago in Game 2, coming away with its most lopsided playoff victory while handing the Bulls their worst ever postseason loss, and the Heat continued to roll from there.
James had his usual complete game with eight assists and seven rebounds Monday.
Chris Bosh finished with 14 points after scoring 20 and grabbing 19 rebounds in Game 3, and the Heat won again despite another quiet night from Dwyane Wade, who finished with six points. Norris Cole also struggled with seven points after back-to-back 18-point performances, but the Heat had more than enough in this one.
They shot about 49 percent while the Bulls set a franchise playoff low at 25.7 percent. They were particularly bad from the outside, going 2 for 17 from 3-point range.
The Bulls again were missing ailing Luol Deng and injured Kirk Hinrich (calf), and a team that kept finding ways to win despite being short-handed all season simply appeared to run out of steam.
Carlos Boozer had 14 points and 12 rebounds for his fifth double-double in the postseason but was just 3 of 14 from the field. Jimmy Butler scored 12 and Joakim Noah grabbed nine rebounds, but it was a miserable night for Chicago – particularly Nate Robinson, who missed all 12 shots and did not score.
James scored 15 points and Bosh added 12 in the first half to help the Heat take a 44-33 lead at the break, but that doesn't even come close to telling the complete story.
Consider this.
Miami shot just under 53 percent, with the Bulls at about 27 percent. Chicago was also 1 of 11 on 3-pointers, and the only conversion from long range came from Richard Hamilton.
Remember him?
After playing a grand total of 10 minutes over two playoff appearances, coach Tom Thibodeau turned to him early in the second quarter with Miami threatening to put the game away.
The veteran guard entered to loud cheers with the Bulls trailing 30-17 after back-to-back 3-pointers by Shane Battier and Ray Allen, and the crowd was roaring after Hamilton nailed a wide open 3 from up top and Taj Gibson converted a three-point play.
That made it a seven-point game, but the Bulls couldn't sustain any momentum. The Heat suffocated them on both ends, squeezing a little harder every time Chicago made a push.
There was no energy from the Bulls, none of the resourcefulness that carried them to 45 wins during the regular season and to the second round in the playoffs.
They were trailing 44-31 with about 40 seconds left after James made a neat spin move on the break and got fouled by Nate Robinson for a three-point play.
Notes: The Heat and Bulls were well represented on the NBA's all-defensive first team, with James and Noah being selected. ... Thibodeau had nothing to say about the $35,000 fine from the league for comments he made about the officiating in Game 3. Asked if he was surprised by the amount, he said, "I've got no comment on that. We're just getting ready for Game 4." ... Deng was listed as active after initially being ruled out for Chicago. Hinrich and Rose were inactive.
Also on HuffPost:Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Canadiens Top Senators 3-1 In Game 2; Series Tied (VIDEO)
Brendan Gallagher of the Montreal Canadiens celebrates his second period goal with Brandon Prust against the Ottawa Senators in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2013 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell Centre on May 3, 2013 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Francois Laplante/Freestyle Photo/Getty Images) MONTREAL -- After watching Lars Eller taken off the ice on a stretcher the previous night, the Montreal Canadiens, especially goaltender Carey Price, found some extra motivation against the Ottawa Senators.
Price came through with a 29-save performance as the Canadiens pulled out a hard-hitting but mostly clean 3-1 victory Friday night. The win left their best-of-seven series tied at 1-1 heading into Game 3 on Sunday in Ottawa.
"It's the playoffs. You can't dwell on the last game," said Price, who took heat for two goals between his pads in a 4-2 loss to Ottawa in the series opener. "You've got to get refocused and get ready for the next one."
Fourth-liner Ryan White, rookie Brendan Gallagher and veteran Michael Ryder scored in the middle period and the Canadiens held on. The somewhat flat Senators were let down by a power play that went 0 for 4.
"We saw our teammate, our friend, get hurt," said Gallagher. "You have to understand how emotional that is for us."
Milan Michalek scored for Ottawa.
Missing not only Eller but captain Brian Gionta and big winger Max Pacioretty, both of whom emerged from Game 1 with upper-body injuries, the Canadiens stuck to basics. They outshot Ottawa 34-30 and outhit the Senators 37-26.
There was anticipation of rough play after Eric Gryba's hit that left Eller bleeding profusely on the ice and saw him spend a night in hospital with a concussion. Gryba was suspended for two games by the NHL on Friday.
Passions were further inflamed Friday morning as Montreal coach Michel Therrien criticized Ottawa counterpart Paul MacLean for what he felt were disrespectful comments. MacLean had suggested Eller should have kept his head up and that defenseman Raphael Diaz had left him open to a hit with a "suicide" pass.
But the teams stuck to hockey at night.
"When I read his comments this morning, I was pretty upset," said Therrien.
MacLean just stared into space without answering when asked about the two-game suspension. But he was clear on what caused his team to lose the game.
"They played harder than we did for most of the game," MacLean said. "We turned over pucks that ended up in our net.
"We need a lot of rest and on Sunday, we need to come out and play. We got a split here and now we have home-ice advantage. Now we have to respond to that."
The spotlight was on Price, who was porous down the stretch in the regular season and was thoroughly outplayed in Game 1 by Craig Anderson. He took more criticism for failing to speak to the media after the game.
But he was solid only 24 hours later, and got help from teammates who blocked 34 shots, including five each by Josh Gorges and P.K. Subban.
"The guys were letting me see the puck," said Price. "They did an excellent job of getting to the trash I left out. We're going to need the same type of effort in Game 3."
Subban was not surprised.
"When he wants to shut the door, he shuts it and he locks it," the defenseman said.
The win cost Price the bottom of his two front teeth thanks to a collision in the crease with teammate Jarred Tinordi. He calmly skated to the team bench to hand over the broken choppers.
Curiously, Anderson had lost a tooth from being hit in the mask by Rene Bourque's shot while winning Game 1.
Montreal broke through with two quick goals early in the second period.
White skated hard into the Ottawa zone and intercepted Erik Karlsson's weak backhand pass out of the air at 3:20.
Only 53 seconds later, Alex Galchenyuk took the rebound of Francis Bouillon's shot and slipped it across to Gallagher for the rookie's second goal of the series.
Ottawa had an extra man on for a delayed penalty call when Michalek tipped in Chris Phillips' shot.
A sliding pad save by Price during an Ottawa power play was big, as Montreal killed it off and then scored. Bourque slid the puck through a scramble to Ryder for a shot into an open side.
Notes: Gryba served the first of the two-game suspension and was replaced by Andre Benoit. Tough guy Matt Kassian replaced Cory Conacher and started the game on a rugged line with Chris Neil and Zack Smith. . . . With Eller as well as Pacioretty and Gionta out, Jeff Halpern, Colby Armstrong and Gabriel Dumont were suited up for Montreal.. . The Canadiens were 7-1-1 in the second game of back-to-back contests this season.
Ryan White started a three-goal second period and goalie Carey Price was back in top form with 29 saves and the Montreal Canadiens downed the Ottawa Senators 3-1 to even their playoff series on Friday.
The best-of-seven Eastern Conference quarterfinal is tied 1-1 heading into Game 3 on Sunday in Ottawa.
Brendan Gallagher and Michael Ryder also scored for Montreal. Milan Michalek scored for Ottawa, which was let down by a power play that went 0-for-4.
There was anticipation of rough play after Eric Gryba's hit that saw Montreal's Lars Eller carried off the Bell Centre ice on a stretcher with a concussion and some missing teeth in Ottawa's 4-2 win in the series opener on Thursday night. Eller spent the night in hospital and was released Friday morning.
Gryba served the first of a two-game suspension for his Game 1 hit on Eller and was replaced by Andre Benoit.
Price was criticized for two goals that went between his pads in the opener, but he was sharp throughout Game 2 as Montreal outshot the Senators 34-30 and found ways to get pucks past Craig Anderson, who was coming off a 48-save effort in the opener.
Montreal got two quick goals early in the second period.
White skated hard into the Ottawa zone and was there to bat Erik Karlsson's backhand pass out of the air and between Anderson's pads at 3:20.
Just 53 seconds later, Alex Galchenyuk took the rebound of a Francis Bouillon shot and slipped it across to Gallagher for the rookie's second goal of the series.
Ottawa had an extra man on for a delayed penalty call when Michalek scored at 8:16.
A sliding pad save by Price during an Ottawa power play proved to be big, as Montreal killed it off and then scored as Rene Bourque slid the puck through a scramble to Ryder for a shot into an open side at 18:57.
Price went to the bench after apparently losing a tooth in a collision in front of his net. In Game 1, Anderson lost a tooth when hit in the mask by a Bourque shot.
Notes: Matt Kassian replaced Cory Conacher and started the game on a rugged line with Chris Neil and Zach Smith for Ottawa. ... With Eller as well as Max Pacioretty and Brian Gionta (upper body injuries) out, Jeff Halpern, Colby Armstrong and Gabriel Dumont suited up for Montreal. ... The Canadiens were 7-1-1 in the second game of back-to-backs this season.
Related on HuffPost: Get AlertsSaturday, September 7, 2013
'S.H.I.E.L.D.': J. August Richards Cast In Joss Whedon's 'Avengers' Spin-Off Series For ABC (REPORT)
Joss Whedon is apparently still loyal to his Whedonverse alums and has reportedly cast "Angel" star J. August Richards in ABC's "Avengers" spinoff series, "S.H.I.E.L.D." According to TVLine, Richards has been tapped for a "super top-secret role," but no further details are available at this time.
Since the "S.H.I.E.L.D." pilot finished shooting in February, it remains to be seen whether Richards was secretly involved throughout the production, was brought in to film pickups or reshoots after production wrapped, or has already been contracted to appear in future episodes if and when the show inevitably earns a full-season pick-up from ABC (likely around the network's annual upfront presentation to advertisers in mid-May).
He'll join Clark Gregg as Marvel movie mainstay Agent Phil Coulson, Elizabeth Henstridge as Agent Jemma Simmons, a master in biology and chemistry; Iain De Caestecker as Agent Leo Fitz, a technology and weapons guru; Ming-Na Wen as Agent Melinda May, an expert pilot; Chloe Bennet as the "witty and charming" Skye and Brett Dalton as "cool under fire" Agent Grant Ward.
Despite the show's place in the Marvel universe, Whedon is on record as stressing the need for "S.H.I.E.L.D." to feature new characters. "It needs to be its own thing," Whedon said. "It needs to be adjacent [to the MCU] but you don't want to do a show where you're constantly going, 'Iron Man just left, but he was totally here a minute ago.'"
Check out the slideshow below for some of our casting suggestions for "S.H.I.E.L.D."
Loading Slideshow
Backstabbing and butt-kicking are two of the reasons Eliza Dushku has become a Whedonverse actress close to our hearts. She can pull both off with sexy finesse, which is needed to play S.H.I.E.L.D. agent and sometimes Nick Fury love interest Contessa Valentina Allegra de la Fontaine.
ABC was developing a series based on Brian Michael Bendis' "Alias" comics with Jessica Jones, a onetime superhero who gives up the spandex and becomes a private eye. The series has been scrapped, but there's no reason Ms. Jones can't find her way into the "Avengers" world, either as a private eye, or S.H.I.E.L.D. agent. Either way, Jessica Jones is a fascinating -- and tortured -- character who is ripe for TV.
In the comics, Dum-Dum Dugan is one of Nick Fury's right-hand men. After originally appearing in "Captain America: The First Avenger," Neal McDonough could reprise the role for Joss Whedon's "S.H.I.E.L.D." series thanks to the use of comic book magic. Example: S.H.I.E.L.D.'s usage of life model decoys, or LMD.
No self-respecting comic-book story can function without a bad guy, and Osborn/the Green Goblin certainly qualifies. No character did more to damage S.H.I.E.L.D., which means he could be the basis for a season-long arc (or three), and Tudyk proved in "Dollhouse" that he can play scary, damaged characters very well. Obviously he's got a commitment to ABC's "Suburgatory," but if he's underused again in the upcoming season, we say set him free!
This Asian-American secret agent would work well within the context of a weekly spy-adventure series, and ever since Watanabe reminded us in "Inception" of what a charismatic actor he is, we've wanted to see a lot more of him on our screens. Delving into the "life model decoy" stories that Woo was involved in would also allow Whedon and the writers to explore the kind of identity issues seen in the short-lived Fox drama "Dollhouse."
Johnson, who in the comics is Director of S.H.I.E.L.D., has the ability to cause seismic activity and once defeated Magneto that way. It's been too long since Benson had a prominent role on television, and the role of Daisy would draw on her strength, range and general ability to kick ass.
Glau, who debuted as a dancer in the "Buffy" spinoff "Angel" before blowing our minds on "Firefly," has the right kind of physicality and grace for the role of Jessica Drew, the original Spider-Woman. After a series of adventures fighting a wide array of bad guys, Drew eventually became a private investigator, meaning she (possibly in combination with a similar character, Jessica Jones) could potentially anchor a weekly drama with procedural overtones.
Wood proved her dramatic chops at a young age thanks to her breakthrough role in "Thirteen," and after showcasing her kick-ass side in "True Blood," we think there are few young actresses that could pull off Carol Danvers' combination of poise and empowerment as well as she could. In the comics, Major Carol Danvers (AKA Ms. Marvel) has served as executive director of S.H.I.E.L.D. after Nick Fury was deposed, and is a superheroine in her own right after an explosion caused her genetic structure to meld with Captain Marvel's, imbuing her with superhuman strength and flight. Since we're betting ABC doesn't have the budget for a super-powered superhero show, we see Danvers as a respected agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. with aspirations towards leadership.
As an integral part of S.H.I.E.L.D. and the occasional girlfriend of Captain America, Carter would be a key part of any TV spinoff, and Helfer proved on "Battlestar Galactica" and in countless guest roles that she has the presence, acting chops and physical ability to play the part of an active field agent with a complicated past. It'd be nice if Hayley Atwell, who played Sharon's aunt Peggy in the "Captain America" movie, wanted to play her own niece in the American drama, but that seems unlikely. Either actress would be a fine addition to the new show, but we'll admit that even the hint of a "BSG"/"Avengers" crossover makes us all tingly.
Time will tell whether Whedon can lure Samuel L. Jackson back to TV on a regular or recurring basis to reprise the role of Nick Fury, or whether the S.H.I.E.L.D. series will take part in a specific subdivision that can explain the executive director's absence. Either way, we'd like to have our Fury cake and eat it, so rather than recasting, we propose including Marcus Johnson, Nick Fury's son. Michael B. Jordan stole our hearts in "Friday Night Lights" as a teen who had a somewhat antagonistic relationship with his absentee father, so drafting Johnson in as a new S.H.I.E.L.D. recruit facing accusations of nepotism could be a good way to keep things in the family but stay within ABC's budget.
Since Jensen Ackles and Warren Kole are occupied on other shows, we think "American Horror Story" and "Raising the Bar" star Sears is a good alternative for S.H.I.E.L.D agent Clay Quartermain, who is described as a "blond-haired, fast-talking, grinning Burt Lancaster" sort of chap, as well as a former love interest of Jessica Jones. Sears also has Whedonverse credentials, having guest-starred in an episode of "Dollhouse."
Eagle-eyed "Avengers" fans know that Gjokaj already has a role in the Marvel-verse, thanks to his blink and you'll miss it cameo as a cop in Whedon's movie. Still, Whedon has never been averse to recycling his favorite actors between projects, so we'd love to see the "Dollhouse" alum in "S.H.I.E.L.D." in some capacity. We were torn between this role and the more antagonistic character of Warhawk, but figured that Alexander Pierce's position as Nick Fury's bodyguard and sleeper agent for S.H.I.E.L.D. was a good fit. Pierce has no superhuman powers in the comics, but is described as a skilled hand-to-hand combatant and marksman, something that we know Gjokaj could sell.
Maybe it's the similarity in their names, but the villain-turned-S.H.I.E.L.D. agent (or is it the other way round?) known as Taskmaster would be a perfect role for the man who masterfully charted the evolution of Spike throughout "Buffy" and "Angel." Marsters also has experience playing a comic book villain thanks to his stint as Brainiac on "Smallville," and certainly has the charisma and menace to portray an antihero who could later be welcomed back into the agency.
Clark Gregg's Agent Coulson has been an integral part of the Marvel cinematic universe since his introduction in "Iron Man," and is so beloved by fans that he was retroactively brought into the comics. We still don't know if "S.H.I.E.L.D." will be a prequel or sequel to the events of the "Avengers" movie, but whether Coulson is revealed to be alive, a LMD, or Whedon suddenly introduces Phil's long-lost twin brother Bill, we need to see Clark Gregg in "S.H.I.E.L.D." in some capacity if the show goes to series.
Who do you think Richards is playing?
Related on HuffPost: Get AlertsThursday, June 13, 2013
Friday, March 15, 2013
'Zombieland' Series: Amazon Negotiating For Half-Hour Comedy Based On Woody Harrelson Movie
The current zombie craze shows no signs of abating, with Amazon reportedly in negotiations to develop a half-hour comedy based on the 2009 movie "Zombieland," according to Deadline.
If a deal is reached between the streaming service and production company Sony Pictures TV, the show would reportedly be a straight-to-series order, as well as becoming the first original scripted project for Amazon.
This isn't Sony Pictures TV's first attempt to adapt the cult movie for the small screen -- the project was originally in contention at Fox last year, and developed for CBS before that.
The movie's writers, Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, are attached to write and executive produce the prospective series, along with "Zombieland" producer Gavin Polone, who would join them as an EP. According to Deadline, Eli Craig is under consideration for directing duties, since the movie's helmer, Ruben Fleischer, is reportedly otherwise engaged with pilots at 20th Century Fox TV as part of his overall deal there.
No word yet on whether the show would attempt to utilize (and undoubtedly recast) characters from the film, or create a whole new roster of heroes.
Would you watch a "Zombieland" series?
Loading Slideshow(L-R) Lori Grimes (Sarah Wayne Callies); Carl Grimes (Chandler Riggs); Daryl Dixon (Norman Reedus); Carol (Melissa Suzanne McBride); T-Dog (Robert 'IronE' Singleton); Beth Greene (Emily Kinney); Hershel Greene (Scott Wilson); Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln); Maggie Greene (Lauren Cohan); Glenn (Steven Yeun); The Governor (David Morrissey); Michonne (Danai Gurira) and Andrea (Laurie Holden) - Photo Credit: Frank Ockenfels/AMC
(L-R) Daryl Dixon (Norman Reedus), Maggie Greene (Lauren Cohan), T-Dog (Robert 'IronE' Singleton), Glenn (Steven Yeun) and Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln).
(L-R) Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln), T-Dog (Robert 'IronE' Singleton), Daryl Dixon (Norman Reedus), Glenn (Steven Yeun) and Maggie Greene (Lauren Cohan) .
Maggie Greene (Lauren Cohan).
The Governor (David Morrissey)
Merle (Michale Rooker).
Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln).
Michonne (Danai Gurira).
Your friendly jail zombie.
Your friendly neighborhood zombie.
Michonne (Danai Gurira)
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