While the Hornets continue the insanity that is their rise to the top of the West as they beat the Heat last night, Miami had an unusual gameplan in the 3rd quarter...

Meanwhile, as Chandler and the Hornets took care of the undermanned Heat, most of Miami's best players headed up to the Heat's executive offices at halftime and the early portions of the third quarter - manning a phone bank as prospective season-ticket buyers called in about the 2008-09 season.

Dwyane Wade, Alonzo Mourning, Jason Williams and Shawn Marion were among the injured Heat players working their sales magic.

``This is D-Wade. Who is this?'' is how Wade began one conversation with a man who wound up buying seats. ``Just tell me one thing. Just tell me you're going to be back next year to watch us come back and get back to our winning ways, get back to the playoffs and get back to competing for a championship.''

Before the deal got done, Wade even engaged the caller in some draft conversation - but didn't reveal the name of the player he wants running alongside him next year.

``He's still in the tournament,'' was the only hint Wade would offer.

(Hmmm. Memphis point guard Derrick Rose, anyone?)

``These people make an incredible investment in us,'' Riley said. ``But I also think they know we have a track record and while there have been some down years here, we've turned it around real quick and were able to give them back value. They didn't get it this year, for a lot of reasons.''

Heat fans who were there Wednesday night got some value, at least for a little while.

I think back on the old board I contribued to the NBA thread by saying that Celtics of Boston would definitely not win the NBA title this year.

I just wanted to remind everyone so when I'm wrong you know who to gloat at. I won't be though.

I hope you're right, Matej.

If the Lakers beat the Celtics in the Finals...you ever seen Amelie? Do you remember when she took the blind guy by the arm and marched him down the street, describing every sight before them in a mad dash, and when she walked away, the blind guy briefly glowed and lifted off the ground? That would be me if the Lakers beat the Celtics.

I mean, that rivalry was what got me into basketball when I was a kid, but really, I was too young to truly appreciate it. Not now.

So I was driving home yesterday, and I saw a Rolls Royce with a Lakers license plate holder, and a vanity license plate reading 9XWCHMP, and I thought, 'wow, that guy really likes the Lakers. I pass the car, look over, and see Dr. Jerry Buss sitting in the passenger seat.

Does anyone every just call him "Jerry Buss"? It's always "Dr. Jerry Buss". Like "Dr. Jack Ramsay".

I used the "dr.' there as a joke. It's like "slain tejano star Selena," or back in the mid-90s, "war-torn Bosnia."

So Don Nelson kept Baron Davis, who had a shocking first quarter, on the bench for the whole second half in a game the Warriors had to win to make the playoffs.

Boston - Atlanta 4-1
Detroit - Philadelphia 4-1
Orlando - Toronto 4-3
Cleveland - Washington 4-2

LAL - Denver 4-1
New Orleans - Dallas 3-4
San Antonio - Phoenix 4-0
Houston - Utah 1-4

And my beloved Celtics for the title, of course.

Boston - Atlanta 4-0
Detroit - Philadelphia 4-1
Orlando - Toronto 4-3
Cleveland - Washington 3-4

LAL - Denver 4-1
New Orleans - Dallas 4-2
San Antonio - Phoenix 2-4
Houston - Utah 1-4

Boston - Atlanta 4-0
Detroit - Philadelphia 4-2
Orlando - Toronto 4-2
Cleveland - Washington 4-1

LAL - Denver 4-1
New Orleans - Dallas 3-4
San Antonio - Phoenix 4-3
Houston - Utah 1-4

Boston - Atlanta 4-0
Detroit - Philadelphia 4-0
Orlando - Toronto 4-2
Cleveland - Washington 2-4

LAL - Denver 4-1
New Orleans - Dallas 4-2
San Antonio - Phoenix 4-3
Houston - Utah 1-4

I only caught the last 5 minutes of regulation and the 2 overtimes of the Suns/Spurs game 1, but wow, it was fantastic. Duncan hitting his first three-pointer of the year to tie the game with 3 seconds left at the end of the first OT was one of the more impressive clutch shots I've seen recently in the NBA.

Also, I hadn't seen the Suns play since the first game after the Shaq trade. They look much better now, and, even though Shaq is old and slow and Stoudamire is dire on defense, the combination can be fairly impressive as it frees Stoudamire up to be even more of an offensive force. Great game. Looks like it might be a great series.

After so many pretenders after so many years, is Chris Paul truly the new Isaiah ? This is some game against the Mavs.

I hope the Suns get their revenge, and I hope a whole lot of other things but no one really cares about other people's hopes unless they have a direct implication on their own.

And for another thought-provoking and intriguing question, is this the most brilliant, most idiotic, or most brilliant and idiotic shirt of all-time ? (courtesy of adidas originals)

I hate the shirt aesthetically, but think it somehow brilliantly encapsulates the (deserved) arrogance of the Lakers.

It also alludes nicely to the image of one of the great Lakers as the NBA logo.

I missed all but the last two minutes, but am shocked that the Sixers managed to get one game from the Pistons, let alone the first. Though I expect it will be the last game they win, it was a good one to get.