Is the Fix in tonight?

[celticsclay]

I am not a super big conspiracy theorist, but if I was to believe one professional league was somewhat fixed in terms of the league office leaning on officials, the NBA would be it. With that in mind, and with the fact that the NBA is well aware that a lot of fans are wary of the officiating right now, particularly with the flopping issue and the recent allegation of donaghy, does anyone else find it surprising that they have selected joey crawford to referee tonight?

You would want to seem to avoid inviting people saying the referees are influencing the game, but crawford  being chosen for this game after he was suspended for previous interactions with Duncan (and is controversial to begin with) seems to do just that. Before I am written of as delusion I can also tell you people with a lot of money may believe this as vegas has moved the line against San Antonio since this announcement was made. Thoughts?

I really hope I am wrong, but will not look good for the league if Miami is involved in a parade to the free throw line tonight

[timobusa]

The fix is in.... LOL

But I hope the Spurs overcome it.

[hpantazo]

All I know is Joey Crawford should never be allowed to ref NBA playoff games involving Tim Duncan ever again, yet here he is.

The Spurs are a smart group though, they will be ready.

[CelticConcourse]

The fix is in.

Go Spurs!

[LGC88]

"48 minutes, execution."
That's all Pop says before the game and that's all the players think about.
Go Spurs!

[Celtics4ever]

The script usually involves getting the team not named the HEAT into foul trouble early thereby hurting them on both ends and subsidizing the HEAT at the line.  Fouls will be called in the fourth to even up things.  If several Spurs are in foul trouble by the early third then it went down.  I would expect some Tech's too for good measure.  It is the NBA recipe.

[celticsclay]

yeS I really hope I am wrong on this. I agree the spurs have excellent execution and considering they almost beat the heat in a game they sat all their stars, anything is possible. However, if they do put duncan and parker in foul trouble and are relying on bonner/diaw and Gary Neal for much more minutes than usual it is a lot tougher to execute. please let me be wrong. Go spurs!

[Greenback]

I am sick to death of seeing the Heat get preferential treatment.

Watch to see tonight how many free throws the Spurs take and how any free throws the Heat take in the box score.

Also watch for dirty play from the Heat that go unaddressed.

Watch Wade like a hawk for dirty plays - like when he tried to trip Parker on his amazing shot.

[PhoSita]

I think LeBron and Wade will both attack the rim and that will open things up for their role players to get some good looks.  I do think the Heat will take a lot of free throws.  I don't know if it'll be ref bias or just aggressive play.

I am quite sure the Heat will be allowed to get away with some very physical on-ball defense, though.  LeBron, Wade, Chalmers etc. will get to hack the crap out of the Spurs perimeter guys.

[Greenback]

The Miami Tweet "aggressive play" is usually to charge in like a bull, throw your body around, flop, and hope for a foul.  It is an offensive foul more times than not.

[Greenback]

How many will the Heat win by tonight?

[RebusRankin]

Well they did assign Joey Crawford. Wonder if he'll kick Duncan out for sitting on the bench minding his own business again?

[Celtics4ever]

The Miami Tweet "aggressive play" is usually to charge in like a bull, throw your body around, flop, and hope for a foul.  It is an offensive foul more times than not.

They know the script...

[Greenback]

We can only hope that Crawford remembers that he doesn't like JaBron Lames either.

[Galeto]

It's Danny Crawford who has the ridiculously one-sided record for the Heat when reffing Heat games.  I expect Joey Crawford to make himself part of the show since that's why fans tune into and come to games for but I don't think his presence is an advantage for the Heat.