2015 NBA Tournament of Champions: Group Play Day 26

Happy Sunday! We have a round of basketball to finish.

We're on Round 13 of the 14 rounds of group play that narrow down the field of the last 64 NBA champions to 32. We've played half of the games of the round, and today we finish out the rest.

Through 25 days and 400 games, 20 of the 32 Elimination Round spots have been claimed. Groups F and H are back after a two day layoff, while Groups C and E return from one day off. Like with yesterday's post, I will post all the clinching scenarios following the game recaps for each group.

Below, I will include links to each group's page in their respective headers so you can view scores and standings. On those pages, the team on the right will be considered the home team for all games. All game simulations are provided by WhatIfSports.com. To view player and team stats for the tournament, click here. Time to play.

Group C

@ 1972 Los Angeles Lakers 118, 1992 Chicago Bulls 108

This puts the Lakers in the drivers' seat for the fourth and final Group C spot in the Elimination Round while setting the stage for a first place game on Tuesday. The Bulls trailed by three going into the fourth quarter but the Lakers started the frame on a 9-2 run to take control. Gail Goodrich is trying to work his way back into the awards conversation after being part of an All-Bracket team in 2013, going off for 35 points. Wilt Chamberlain added 18 points, 21 rebounds and five blocks for the Lakers, while Jerry West added 18 points and nine assists. Michael Jordan paced the Bulls with 24 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists, Scottie Pippen added 20, four and 10, and Horace Grant had 16 points and 13 rebounds.

@ 1993 Chicago Bulls 100, 1983 Philadelphia 76ers 94
MJ must have seethed for a year between the '92 and '93 titles before coming forward in time to get revenge for this other game. He scored 10 of Chicago's final 11 points (Horace Grant had the 100th) to give the Bulls the lead they would not relinquish in the final minutes. Chicago only shot 41.7 percent for the game but won the rebounding battle and forced 16 turnovers. Jordan finished the day with 27 points, nine rebounds and seven assists, Scottie Pippen added 19, 10 and five, and Grant finished with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Moses Malone had 22 points and a game-high 17 rebounds to lead the Sixers while Julius Erving posted 19 points, eight rebounds and five blocks and Andrew Toney added 16 points and seven assists.

@ 1954 Minneapolis Lakers 99, 1958 St. Louis Hawks 90
The Lakers led by 20 points early in the fourth quarter, so this game wasn't as close as the final score appears, but the Lakers were certainly never really threatened in the final stanza to pick up their first NBA Tournament of Champions victory. George Mikan rallied with 28 points and 16 rebounds, while James Pollard added 16 and 13 and Vern Mikkelsen chipped in 16 and nine. Cliff Hagan led the Hawks with 20 points and 15 rebounds, Bob Pettit had 14 and eight, and Jack Coleman contributed 12 points, seven rebounds and five assists.

1995 Houston Rockets 120, @ 1977 Portland Trailblazers 101
Houston shot 54.7 percent and outscored the Blazers 36-21 in the final quarter, including a 14-1 run to start the frame to put the game away. The Blazers won the rebounding battle 53-46, but couldn't shoot well enough while the Rockets hit 10 of their 26 threes in the game. Hakeem Olajuwon led the way with 23 points, 11 rebounds and four steals, Kenny Smith had 24 points (including six threes), and Otis Thorpe added 12 points and 10 rebounds for the Rockets. Maurice Lucas led Portland with 19 points, 12 rebounds and six assists while Bill Walton had 11 points, 15 rebounds, four blocks and three steals.

Clinching Scenarios

• 1992 Bulls: Clinched berth; Clinch #1 seed with a win
• 1983 76ers: Clinched berth; Clinch #1 seed with a win
• 1977 Trailblazers: Clinched berth; Clinch #3 seed with a win
• 1972 Lakers: Clinch #3 seed with a win, clinch berth with 1993 Bulls loss OR 1992 Bulls win
• 1993 Bulls: Clinch berth with a win AND 1972 Lakers loss AND 1983 Sixers win

Group E

1990 Detroit Pistons 117, @ 1978 Washington Bullets 85
The Bullets officially lock up residence in the Group E basement after shooting just 38.3 percent and getting outrebounded 63-44. The Pistons shot 49 percent for the game, including a 6-10 day from three. Detroit jumped out to a 33-21 lead after one quarter, though early in the fourth quarter the Bullets got back within single digits. However, the Pistons outscored the Bullets 32-11 overall in the final frame to make this a laugher. Bill Laimbeer had 21 points and 10 rebounds for the Pistons, with Isiah Thomas adding 19 points and 12 assists, and Dennis Rodman chipped in 11 points and 14 rebounds. Bob Dandridge led Washington with 19 points and six rebounds while Elvin Hayes had seven and 12 and Mitch Kupchak added 14 points.

2014 San Antonio Spurs 100, @ 1973 New York Knicks 97

The Knicks blew an 11 point lead at the start of the fourth quarter, seeing the Spurs score 10 straight to start the period. The Knicks were able to trade leads for a while, but ultimately succumbed to the Spurs' superior frontcourt. Even with that, Tony Parker split a pair of free throws with three seconds left, and Bill Bradley missed a game-tying three at the buzzer to give the Spurs the win. Tim Duncan had 17 points and 15 rebounds to pace San Antonio, Tiago Splitter had 14 and seven, and Tony Parker added 15 points, five rebounds and six assists. Walt Frazier led the Knicks with 19 points and nine rebounds, Dave DeBusschere had 14 and 13, and Willis Reed had 13 and 11.

1997 Chicago Bulls 98, @ 1974 Boston Celtics 87
Chicago got to the free throw line twice as much as the Celtics and took advantage of a strong first half where they outscored Boston 55-41 to hold on for a key 10th win. Even with a good third quarter for Boston, the Bulls kept the lead comfortable and around 10 points for pretty much the whole fourth quarter. Michael Jordan led the way with 23 points and 10 rebounds, Scottie Pippen added 16 and five, Dennis Rodman had eight points, 20 rebounds and six assists, and Luc Longley chipped in 14 points for the Bulls. Dave Cowens paced the Celtics with 20 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists, Jo Jo White added 18 points and seven assists, and Don Chaney contributed 12 points.

@ 2008 Boston Celtics 113, 1981 Boston Celtics 80
The '81 Celtics couldn't clinch their berth in the Elimination Round and instead will have to fight off a pair of 6-7 teams as well as the Bulls to make it. The '08 Celtics make it a three team race after controlling the boards in this one 58-38 and making as many threes (10) as their '81 cousins attempted. Ray Allen had four of those makes en route to 20 points while adding five assists, Paul Pierce had 19 points and 10 rebounds, and Kevin Garnett added 15 and 10. Larry Bird couldn't do it all on his own despite posting 20 points and 18 rebounds for the '81 Celtics. No one else had more than Rick Robey's 11 points, while Kevin McHale and Nate Archibald each added 10. Archibald also dished out seven assists.

Clinching Scenarios

• 2014 Spurs: Clinched berth; Clinch #1 seed with a win OR 1997 Bulls loss
• 1997 Bulls: Clinched berth; Clinch #1 seed with a win AND 2014 Spurs loss
• 1981 Celtics: Clinch berth with a win OR 1973 Knicks loss OR 2008 Celtics loss; Clinch #3 seed with win
• 1973 Knicks: Clinch berth with a win OR 2008 Celtics loss; Clinch #3 seed with win AND 2008 Celtics loss AND 1981 Celtics loss
• 2008 Celtics: Clinch berth with a win AND 1973 Knicks loss

Group F

1998 Chicago Bulls 96, @ 2004 Detroit Pistons 94
Luc Longley missed a jumper with under a minute to play, but followed his shot and made the tip with Rip Hamilton hanging onto him for an and-1 that, with the made free throw, gave the Bulls a 96-94 lead. Hamilton missed a pair of shots on ensuing possessions, but a Rasheed Wallace offensive rebound gave the Celtics 12 seconds for one last shot. Wallace tried to go up near the basket at the buzzer, but Toni Kukoc saved the day with a key block. That sequence ended a very back and forth game and guaranteed the Bulls a spot in the Elimination Round. Scottie Pippen led the way for the Bulls with 26 points, nine rebounds and six assists, Michael Jordan added 22 points and six rebounds, and those last three of Luc Longley's 13 points were critical. Hamilton finished the day with 10 points and six assists for the Pistons, Chauncey Billups added 18 points and seven rebounds, and Rasheed Wallace chipped in 14 points and nine rebounds.

1986 Boston Celtics 102, @ 1961 Boston Celtics 98
The '86 Celtics' shot at the top overall seed might be in trouble, as was this game. '86 Boston used a 37-22 third quarter advantage to carry a 13 point lead into the final quarter, but nearly saw it disappear as the '61 Celtics pulled within three with less than two minutes left and the Celtics couldn't buy a basket. Multiple players missed chances until with 10 seconds left, Larry Bird jumped in front of a Bob Cousy pass, drew the intentional foul and hit one free throw to ice the contest. Bird finished with 28 points, 15 rebounds and four steals, including that clinching one with 10 seconds left to lead the '86 Celtics, Dennis Johnson had 10 points, six rebounds and 10 assists, and Robert Parish added 16 points and 15 rebounds. Bill Russell led the '61 team with 16 points and 30 rebounds, Tommy Heinsohn added 17 and 15, and Bob Cousy scored 21 points.

1994 Houston Rockets 113, @ 1960 Boston Celtics 107
The Rockets didn't need to finish this game to clinch a spot in the Elimination Round, as the '98 Bulls win helped with that, but the Rockets lock up the #2 seed with the win since they hold the tiebreaker over the Bulls. Boston gave Houston a challenge early, leading 53-49 at halftime, but the Rockets put up 43 points in the third quarter to retake control, and the Celtics would get no closer than down four in the final frame to drop a tough one. Hakeem Olajuwon helped push the Rockets onward with 42 points, 12 rebounds and seven blocks, Vernon Maxwell had 15 points and nine assists, and Robert Horry chipped in 10 points and nine rebounds. Bill Russell had 12 points, 20 rebounds and six assists to lead the Celtics, Bob Cousy added 18 points and eight assists, and Bill Sharman notched 23 points.

@ 1988 Los Angeles Lakers 140, 1956 Philadelphia Warriors 104

The Lakers shot 57.9 percent from the floor and outrebounded Philly 56-41 to put up another monstrous offensive performance. After taking a 35-29 lead after one quarter, the defense stepped up and held the Warriors to 18 points while scoring 31 on offense. A 42 point third quarter just sealed the deal for the Lakers, who are now 8-5 and in the driver's seat for that last Group F spot in the Elimination Round. Byron Scott had 33 points to lead the Lakers, Magic Johnson added 20 points, seven rebounds and 11 assists, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar chipped in 16 points, 10 rebounds and five assists. Paul Arizin led the Warriors with 24 points, Jack George had 11 points and eight assists, and Neil Johnston keeps making his argument for the All Group Team with 17 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and nine blocks.

Clinching Scenarios

• 1986 Celtics: Clinched #1 seed
• 1994 Rockets: Clinched #2 seed
• 1998 Bulls: Clinched berth; Clinch #3 seed with a win
• 1988 Lakers: Clinch #3 seed with a win; Clinch berth with a 2004 Pistons loss
• 2004 Pistons: Clinch berth with a win AND 1988 Lakers loss

Group H

@ 2006 Miami Heat 121, 1969 Boston Celtics 110

After being a first round elimination in 2013, the '06 Heat have won Group H behind a 37-21 third quarter advantage. The Celtics missed 11 free throws and were outrebounded 56-54 in an otherwise tight game. Dwyane Wade had 32 points, six rebounds and 10 assists to lead the way for Miami, Jason Williams had 20 points and eight assists, and Shaquille O'Neal added 18 points and 12 rebounds while Udonis Haslem chipped in 10 and 15. John Havlicek had 25 points to pace the Celtics while Bill Russell had 10 points, 20 rebounds and six assists and Bailey Howell contributed 19 points and 10 rebounds.

@ 1976 Boston Celtics 105, 1952 Minneapolis Lakers 96
Minneapolis outrebounded the Celtics and shot fairly well from three point range, but 18 turnovers and 36 Boston trips to the foul line helped propel the Celtics to their eighth win of the tournament and a berth in the Elimination Round. The Lakers actually played very well all game and led by one after three quarters. However, with the game tied at 81 midway through the fourth quarter, the Celtics went on a 7-1 run to open up a lead, and the Lakers couldn't mount a comeback. John Havlicek led the way with 26 points, Dave Cowens added 15 points and 17 rebounds, and Charlie Scott had 15 points and eight assists. George Mikan paced the Lakers with 30 points and 13 rebounds while Vern Mikkelsen had 16 points, 18 rebounds, five assists and five blocks.

1962 Boston Celtics 117, @ 1991 Chicago Bulls 108
A bittersweet day for the Bulls, who turned it over 22 times, including twice during a crucial 71 second stretch where the Celtics scored eight unanswered points to open up a 10 point lead. The Bulls would get as close as five late, but couldn't get the crucial stop to get any closer than that. Bill Russell led the Celtics to the upset victory with 19 points, 21 rebounds, six assists and four blocks, Sam Jones had 20 points and six rebounds, and Tommy Heinsohn added 20 and eight. Michael Jordan's 27 points, nine rebounds and seven assists weren't enough to propel the Bulls to a win. John Paxson added 19 points, Scottie Pippen had 15 points and eight rebounds, and Horace Grant had 10 points and 16 rebounds. Despite the loss, the Bulls have actually locked up a spot in the Elimination Round.

@ 1963 Boston Celtics 112, 1984 Boston Celtics 91
The '63 Celtics outrebounded their '84 cousins 65-47 and held them to 1-12 shooting from outside the arc to force a furious final day for the final spot in Group H. Sam Jones had 25 points to lead the way, Bill Russell added 11 points, 24 rebounds and five assists, John Havlicek had 17 points and nine rebounds, and Bob Cousy chipped in 14 points and eight assists. Larry Bird led the '84 Celtics with 20 points, six rebounds and eight assists, but had seven turnovers, Cedric Maxwell had 14 points and six rebounds, and Robert Parish added 11 and 10.

Clinching Scenarios

• 2006 Heat: Clinched #1 seed
• 1991 Bulls: Clinched berth; Clinch #2 seed with a win
• 1976 Celtics: Clinched berth; Clinch #2 seed with a win
• 1963 Celtics: Clinch berth win win OR 1984 Celtics loss; Clinch #3 seed with win AND 1991 Bulls loss
• 1984 Celtics: Clinch berth win win AND 1963 Celtics loss