You'll notice that this post went live a couple hours ahead of when I have been posting these in the past week. Timeline-wise, we're getting towards the end of the Round of 32 over in the Elimination Round, and I will have results from four of those series later today.
As for today's schedule, we're back to the loser's bracket. Yesterday's four losers are back in action today, with wins resulting in a stretch of three straight days playing, but such is what happens when you lose. Home court advantage is going to the teams that are higher seeded based on Group Play finish. Today's winners will end up playing each other tomorrow. All simulations are provided by WhatIfSports.com. Let's head courtside.
Loser's Bracket
The Lakers forced 20 turnovers, won the rebounding battle, and had a slightly better day at the free throw line to stay alive for another day. Andrew Bynum went off for 26 points and 14 rebounds, Kobe Bryant added 25 points, seven rebounds, and eight assists, and Lamar Odom chipped in 14 points and seven rebounds for the Lakers. Roger A. Brown led the Pacers with 20 points, six rebounds, and five assists, Mel Daniels added 12 points and 15 rebounds, and Bob Netolicky logged 10 and 10.
@ (5) '66 Boston Celtics 109, (7) '99 San Antonio Spurs 100
The Celtics continue their dominance in the loser's bracket as they have now won four straight. Boston shot 45.9 percent and won the rebounding battle fairly handily to advance once again. Bill Russell had 11 points and 27 rebounds for the Celtics, John Havlicek added 21 points, five rebounds, five assists, and four steals, Satch Sanders had a breakout performance with 18 points, 10 rebounds, and five blocks, and K.C. Jones finished with 13 points and eight rebounds. Tim Duncan had 23 points and 13 rebounds, David Robinson recorded 16 points, 11 rebounds, and five blocks, and Mario Elie scored 19 points for San Antonio.
Dwyane Wade put the Heat ahead 111-110 with 1:49 to go in the game, then scored four clutch points in the final minute, and Shaquille O'Neal split a pair of free throws with seven seconds left to make it a two point game. James Worthy missed a contested look at the buzzer, and the Heat escape with the road win. Shaq had a vintage performance with 30 points and nine rebounds, Wade added 22 points, six rebounds, and four steals, James Posey had 19 points and eight rebounds, and Jason Williams finished with 19 points and six assists for Miami. Magic Johnson paced the Lakers with 24 points and 13 assists, Byron Scott scored 17 points before fouling out, Worthy logged 15 points and eight assists, and A.C. Green finished with nine points and a game-high 16 rebounds.
@ (5) '93 Chicago Bulls 127, (7) '79 Seattle Supersonics 120
Seattle shot 51.6 percent from the floor, but sent the Bulls to the line 45 times and committed 18 turnovers to make their late comeback too little, too late. They also had no answer for Michael Jordan, who annihilated them with 38 points, eight rebounds, nine assists, and four steals, Scottie Pippen added 17 points, six rebounds, and six assists, Horace Grant logged 23 points and 10 rebounds, and Bill Cartwright put up 10 and nine for the Bulls. Jack Sikma had 28 points and 13 rebounds for the Sonics, Dennis Johnson scored 27 points, and John Johnson finished with 13 points, five rebounds, and five assists.
To see the updated bracket, click here.
Just eight teams remain. Today's four winners will do battle tomorrow in an effort to continue their push to the championship games. Later today, I will have a post with a quarter of the results from the Elimination Bracket. Check back later for more basketball action!
No comments:
Post a Comment