Pastner to Memphis

Josh Pastner, an assistant coach at the University of Arizona the past six years, has been recommended to join the Memphis men’s basketball coaching staff, head coach John Calipari announced Monday. Pastner’s hiring is pending approval of the University and Tennessee State Board of Regents.

“We are excited that Josh is joining our staff,” said Calipari. “To add a coach with the experience and success Josh has is a plus for our program and the University. We are always looking to move forward and improve our basketball program in every way, and I believe Josh can help us to do that.”

“This is a great opportunity for me to be able to work not only for one of the nation’s top basketball programs but also under one of college basketball’s best coaches in John Calipari,” said Pastner. “I want to thank and give credit to the former assistants whose tremendous efforts helped make the Memphis program what it is today. I just want to assist in continuing the momentum they started.

“I’m also excited about moving to Memphis. I’ve heard a lot of great things about the University and city and look forward to getting involved in the community.”

With Pastner's joining the Memphis coaching staff, the chances for the Houston Cougars (and the rest of the teams in Conference USA) to top the Tigers in hoops may have gotten even smaller than usual.

Clock Malfunction

I know the Detroit Pistons got a break in Monday night's game versus the Orlando Magic at the end of the third quarter.

Here's a statement from the NBA on the clock malfunction:

Joel Litvin, NBA President, League and Basketball Operations, issued the following statement today regarding the inadvertent clock stoppage that occurred at the end of the third quarter of the Detroit Pistons’ 100-93 win over the Orlando Magic last night at the Palace of Auburn Hills in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals:

“After reviewing the video of last night’s Pistons-Magic game, we determined that the play that concluded with Chauncey Billups’ three-point field goal at the end of the third quarter took approximately 5.7 seconds. Because there were only 5.1 seconds remaining in the quarter when the play began, the shot would not have counted had the clock continued to run.

"The referees followed proper procedure in addressing the clock malfunction by estimating the elapsed time and using their judgment as to whether the shot was taken in time. Under NBA rules, the referees did not have the option of using instant replay and a timing device to determine exactly how much time had elapsed, nor do the rules allow for a re-play after a clock malfunction is discovered. The NBA Competition Committee was scheduled to discuss the possible expanded use of instant replay at its meeting at the end of the month and we will raise, for the Committee's consideration, the use of replay in situations like this.”

The NBA determined that the clock stoppage resulted from a technical malfunction in the arena timing system. As with all NBA playoff games, the timekeeper who worked last night's game was from a "neutral" city.

HRR's Semifinal Picks

I know two semi-final series began Saturday; but, those results won't impact my picks.

Here we go:

Eastern Conference

#2 Detroit Pistons vs. #3 Orlando Magic

HRR Prediction: Pistons in Six.

Why?
Detroit's balance on offense and their flexibility on defense should put them over the top in this competitive match up.

Game 1 - Sat May 3 Orlando at Detroit -- Pistons 91, Magic 72.
Game 2 - Mon May 5 Orlando at Detroit --- 6:00 PM, TNT.
Game 3 - Wed May 7 Detroit at Orlando --- 7:00 PM, TNT.
Game 4 - Sat May 10 Detroit at Orlando --- 4:00 PM, ESPN.
Game 5 * Tue May 13 Orlando at Detroit --- TBD, TNT.
Game 6 * Thu May 15 Detroit at Orlando --- TBD, ESPN.
Game 7 * Sun May 18 Orlando at Detroit --- TBD, TBD.


Though the Celtics are still playing in Game 7 versus the Atlanta Hawks, the Cs are well on the way to advancing to face the Cleveland Cavaliers in Round 2. So,...

#1 Boston Celtics vs. #4 Cleveland Cavaliers

HRR Prediction: Celtics in seven.

Why?
Putting the stars aside (KG, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, and Lebron James), this series will probably be decided by the role players. As long as Sam Cassell doesn't shoot Boston out of the series, the Cs should win in seven games.

Game 1 - Tue May 6 Cleveland at Boston --- 7:00 PM, TNT.
Game 2 - Thu May 8 Cleveland at Boston --- 6:00 PM, ESPN.
Game 3 - Sat May 10 Boston at Cleveland --- 7:00 PM, ABC.
Game 4 - Mon May 12 Boston at Cleveland --- 7:00 PM, TNT.
Game 5 * Wed May 14 Cleveland at Boston --- TBD, TNT.
Game 6 * Fri May 16 Boston at Cleveland --- TBD, ESPN.
Game 7 * Sun May 18 Cleveland at Boston --- TBD, TBD.


Western Conference

#1 Los Angeles Lakers vs. #5 Utah Jazz

HRR Prediction: Lakers in five.

Why?
I know Utah plays defense -- which the Denver Nuggets absolutely did not versus the Lakers in the first round -- however, I believe the Lakers have too many advantages in the individual match ups versus the Jazz.

Game 1 - Sun May 4 Utah at L.A. Lakers --- 2:30 PM, ABC.
Game 2 - Tue May 6 Utah at L.A. Lakers --- 9:30 PM, TNT.
Game 3 - Fri May 9 L.A. Lakers at Utah --- 8:00 PM, ESPN.
Game 4 - Sun May 11 L.A. Lakers at Utah --- 2:30 PM, ABC.
Game 5 * Wed May 14 Utah at L.A. Lakers --- TBD, TNT.
Game 6 * Fri May 16 L.A. Lakers at Utah --- TBD, ESPN.
Game 7 * Mon May 19 Utah at L.A. Lakers --- TBD, TNT.


#2 New Orleans Hornets vs. #3 San Antonio Spurs

HRR Prediction: Spurs in six.

Why?
I know the Hornets top the Spurs in Game 1; and they were impressive in the victory. However, I'm sticking the defending champs to find a way to defend Chris Paul and get Tim Duncan more shots (than the nine he got in Game 1) and win the series.

Game 1 - Sat May 3 San Antonio at New Orleans --- Hornets 101, Spurs 82.
Game 2 - Mon May 5 San Antonio at New Orleans --- 8:30 PM, TNT.
Game 3 - Thu May 8 New Orleans at San Antonio --- 8:30 PM, ESPN.
Game 4 - Sun May 11 New Orleans at San Antonio --- 7:00 PM, TNT.
Game 5 * Tue May 13 San Antonio at New Orleans --- TBD, TNT.
Game 6 * Thu May 15 New Orleans at San Antonio --- TBD, ESPN.
Game 7 * Mon May 19 San Antonio at New Orleans --- TBD, TNT.