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Western Conference

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TOTAL BREAKDOWN

How Fourth Quarter Pick-and-Rolls Helped Oklahoma City Sweep Dallas

By Sebastian Pruiti at

The Oklahoma City Thunder started the fourth quarter of their series-clinching Game 4 against the Dallas Mavericks trailing by 13 points. With Russell Westbrook on the bench, the Thunder started the quarter with James Harden as the primary ball handler. When the team began running pick-and-roll plays for Harden, coach Scott Brooks found a mismatch that allowed the Thunder to get back in the game and eventually complete a sweep of the defending champions.

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B.S. REPORT

B.S. Report: Two-part Joe House NBA Podcast

By Bill Simmons at
Chris Paul
Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images

I know we're not supposed to bitch about the NBA lockout anymore, but one thing still gnaws at me: The shortened 66-game season and a three-week whirlwind of transactions caused the Las Vegas books to say, "Screw it, we're not posting over/under wins totals this year." How dare they! I repeat … HOW DARE THEY! How could they forget that, right before every season, my buddy Joe House and I pick every NBA over/under on the BS Report? Now what? What about us?

We audibled by flying House to Los Angeles, dragging him into the BS Report studio and forcing him to play "Closest to the Pin" with me in a special two-part podcast. Fine, dragging and forcing weren't involved — he couldn't have been more delighted to join us, especially after we pumped three pounds of Chinese food into his body right before the taping. What's "Closest to the Pin?" We predicted the exact win totals of every NBA team. Did it take two hours spread over two parts? Of course it did! Is there video? Actually, yes!

You can listen to Part 1 (Eastern Conference) on ESPN.com's Podcenter or on iTunes.

You can listen to Part 2 (Western Conference) on ESPN.com's Podcenter or on iTunes.

And if you wanted to see House's snazzy D.C. hat or two guys yell at each other, here's a video …

EASTERN CONFERENCE: THE PISTONS

WESTERN CONFERENCE: THE LAKERS

Previously on the B.S. Report:
B.S. Report: Andy Greenwald, Alan Sepinwall, David Jacoby and Joe House
B.S. Report: Cousin Sal and Joe House
B.S. Report: Louis C.K.

Subscribe to the BS Report and the Grantland Network on iTunes.

Bill Simmons is the editor-in-chief of Grantland, the host of the BS Report and the author of the recent New York Times no. 1 best-seller The Book of Basketball. Follow him on Twitter and check out his new home on Facebook.


Read more of The Triangle, Grantland's sports blog.

Contact us at triangle@grantland.com

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B.S. REPORT

Watch: Bill Simmons and Joe House Podcast Sneak Peek

By Sarah Larimer at

Here's a holiday gift, from us to you: A podcast preview of Joe House and Grantland boss Bill Simmons discussing the Western Conference. Look for more B.S. Report podcasts with House later in the week. Enjoy!

Bill Simmons is the editor-in-chief of Grantland, the host of the BS Report and the author of the recent New York Times no. 1 best-seller The Book of Basketball. Follow him on Twitter and check out his new home on Facebook.


Read more of The Triangle, Grantland's sports blog.

Contact us at triangle@grantland.com

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