I'm not super surprised that most of the series we've done in this round so far have largely adhered to chalk. Just one five seed and two six seeds have advanced to the Round of 32 to this point. In terms of competitiveness, just three series so far have gone the full seven games and only six others have gone as many as six games.
Eight matchups for the next round of games are determined, and we'll set up four more in today's post.
The up to date bracket, scores, and results from Group Play can be found here. All simulations are provided by WhatIfSports.com. Let's get to it!
(5) 1983 Philadelphia 76ers vs (4) 2010 Los Angeles Lakers
Game 1: @ '10 LAL 106, '83 PHI 103
After needing a couple minutes to get going offensively, the Sixers went on a 9-0 run to take an eight point lead midway through the opening quarter. But the Lakers answered with an 8-2 run, and managed to leave the first quarter only down three. Four straight from the Sixers opened the second, and a later 6-0 Philly run got them up nine early in the frame. After getting the lead as high as a dozen, LA fought back to within seven going to the locker room. That momentum didn't keep up as the Sixers were able to double their lead by about the four minute mark of the third. That seemed to finally spark the Lakers, as they used a 9-2 run to get the margin back to where it was to start the half, and they were back within six by stanza's end. After a transition bucket by the Sixers opened the fourth to push the margin back to eight, LA scored seven unanswered to pull back within one. Philly pushed it back to seven with a little over six minutes to play, but it didn't last as a Kobe Bryant dunk with 4:41 to play gave the Lakers their first lead since the opening quarter. Suddenly the Lakers seemingly had everything under control as they led by five with just over a minute to go. But baskets by Andrew Toney and Moses Malone got the Sixers back within one with just 28 seconds left. After a Kobe miss Philly had a chance to steal the lead, but Andrew Toney missed a go-ahead shot with six seconds left, Derek Fisher calmly hit two free throws to push the margin to three, and Toney's desperation heave to force overtime was overshot, allowing the hosts to escape with the Game 1 victory.
Pau Gasol ('10 LAL): 26 pts, 13 reb, 4 ast, 9 blk
Kobe Bryant ('10 LAL): 33 pts, 5 reb, 4 ast
Pau Gasol ('10 LAL): 26 pts, 13 reb, 4 ast, 9 blk
Kobe Bryant ('10 LAL): 33 pts, 5 reb, 4 ast
Moses Malone ('83 PHI): 25 pts, 27 reb
Game 2: '83 PHI 101, @ '10 LAL 92
An early 10-4 Sixer run once again got Philly off and running, and while the Lakers tied the game at 16 with about four minutes left in the opening quarter, the Sixers kept them off the board for the rest of the period and went up by six. The Lakers kept it close for the entirety of the second quarter, coming back from down as many as nine at one point to pull within one, then answering a Mark Iavaroni three point play with a Ron Artest bank shot at the buzzer to make it a two point game going to halftime. The Sixers largely stayed ahead for much of the third quarter until a Shannon Brown shot tied the game at 58 with under three minutes left, and the game stayed tied at 64 going to the final frame. A 7-0 Laker run early gave LA a six point lead, which Philly countered with nine straight. We entered a back and forth until Bobby Jones hit a pull up to put the Sixers up one with 3:26 left. This sparked a 6-0 Sixer run, which Philly used to pull away to even up the series.
An early 10-4 Sixer run once again got Philly off and running, and while the Lakers tied the game at 16 with about four minutes left in the opening quarter, the Sixers kept them off the board for the rest of the period and went up by six. The Lakers kept it close for the entirety of the second quarter, coming back from down as many as nine at one point to pull within one, then answering a Mark Iavaroni three point play with a Ron Artest bank shot at the buzzer to make it a two point game going to halftime. The Sixers largely stayed ahead for much of the third quarter until a Shannon Brown shot tied the game at 58 with under three minutes left, and the game stayed tied at 64 going to the final frame. A 7-0 Laker run early gave LA a six point lead, which Philly countered with nine straight. We entered a back and forth until Bobby Jones hit a pull up to put the Sixers up one with 3:26 left. This sparked a 6-0 Sixer run, which Philly used to pull away to even up the series.
Moses Malone ('83 PHI): 20 pts, 19 reb
Maurice Cheeks ('83 PHI): 11 pts, 5 reb, 4 ast, 5 stl
Pau Gasol ('10 LAL): 23 pts, 10 reb, 3 blk
Maurice Cheeks ('83 PHI): 11 pts, 5 reb, 4 ast, 5 stl
Pau Gasol ('10 LAL): 23 pts, 10 reb, 3 blk
Game 3: @ '83 PHI 109, '10 LAL 86
LA built an eight point lead midway through the opening frame, but ended up needing a Shannon Brown dunk with under a minute left in the period to lead by just two after 12 minutes. That was enough to spark something though, as LA kept the Sixers off the board for four and a half minutes while scoring 11 to build a 13 point advantage. But Philly closed the half on an 11-4 run, with a Pau Gasol beyond half court heave at the buzzer salvaging a seven point Laker lead at the intermission. An 11-2 Sixer run early in the third flipped the script, followed shortly after by a 10-0 run that helped build a cushion that ballooned to 14 by quarter's end, part of a 45 point outburst by the hosts. A 10-0 Sixer run in the fourth ended all of LA's hopes for Game 3 as Philly cruised to a comfortable win.
Moses Malone ('83 PHI): 25 pts, 18 reb
Julius Erving ('83 PHI): 20 pts, 9 reb, 6 ast, 4 stl
Moses Malone ('83 PHI): 25 pts, 18 reb
Julius Erving ('83 PHI): 20 pts, 9 reb, 6 ast, 4 stl
Kobe Bryant ('10 LAL): 23 pts, 7 reb, 6 ast
Game 4: @ '83 PHI 109, '10 LAL 94
After Kobe Bryant opened the scoring with a three a couple minutes into the game, the hosts used a 10-2 run to take control of the game, then used an extended 12-2 run to help close out the quarter with a sizable lead, keeping the Lakers under 20 points for the period. Philly pushed the lead to 15 halfway through the second and as high as 16 before the Lakers finally began to fight back, closing the half on a 9-0 run that kept the Sixers off the board for almost three and a half minutes and trimmed their lead to five. The Lakers would manage to tie the game six times in the third quarter, but could never get over the hump as the Sixers had an answer every time, and closed the half on a 10-2 run with a Moses Malone tip at the quarter buzzer to go up double digits. LA got within seven early and eight a number of times as the quarter went along, but no closer as the Sixers take a commanding series lead.
Moses Malone ('83 PHI): 26 pts, 21 reb
Julius Erving ('83 PHI): 20 pts, 8 reb, 5 ast
Pau Gasol ('10 LAL): 17 pts, 15 reb, 5 ast, 3 blk
Game 5: @ '10 LAL 113, '83 PHI 107
After trading 6-0 runs early in Game 5, the Lakers began hitting from beyond the arc to help build an 11 point lead after just one frame. LA pushed it to 18 early in the second, but the Sixers used a 12-0 run midway through to fight back. Seven straight from the Lakers as a response got the margin back to double digits, and they led by 11 going to intermission. The Sixers made some adjustments at the break, and used a 14-2 run early in the third to grab their first lead since the opening minutes, but it didn't last long and we settled into a heavyweight fight that saw LA lead by just two going to the final period. The Lakers used separate 5-0 and 6-0 runs to push their lead up to nine by the halfway point. Four separate times in the final 91 seconds, the Sixers managed to get back within two points. But every time, the Lakers had an immediate answer, including making their final eight free throws to ice the game and stave off elimination.
Pau Gasol ('10 LAL): 13 pts, 18 reb, 6 ast, 8 blk
After Kobe Bryant opened the scoring with a three a couple minutes into the game, the hosts used a 10-2 run to take control of the game, then used an extended 12-2 run to help close out the quarter with a sizable lead, keeping the Lakers under 20 points for the period. Philly pushed the lead to 15 halfway through the second and as high as 16 before the Lakers finally began to fight back, closing the half on a 9-0 run that kept the Sixers off the board for almost three and a half minutes and trimmed their lead to five. The Lakers would manage to tie the game six times in the third quarter, but could never get over the hump as the Sixers had an answer every time, and closed the half on a 10-2 run with a Moses Malone tip at the quarter buzzer to go up double digits. LA got within seven early and eight a number of times as the quarter went along, but no closer as the Sixers take a commanding series lead.
Moses Malone ('83 PHI): 26 pts, 21 reb
Julius Erving ('83 PHI): 20 pts, 8 reb, 5 ast
Pau Gasol ('10 LAL): 17 pts, 15 reb, 5 ast, 3 blk
Game 5: @ '10 LAL 113, '83 PHI 107
After trading 6-0 runs early in Game 5, the Lakers began hitting from beyond the arc to help build an 11 point lead after just one frame. LA pushed it to 18 early in the second, but the Sixers used a 12-0 run midway through to fight back. Seven straight from the Lakers as a response got the margin back to double digits, and they led by 11 going to intermission. The Sixers made some adjustments at the break, and used a 14-2 run early in the third to grab their first lead since the opening minutes, but it didn't last long and we settled into a heavyweight fight that saw LA lead by just two going to the final period. The Lakers used separate 5-0 and 6-0 runs to push their lead up to nine by the halfway point. Four separate times in the final 91 seconds, the Sixers managed to get back within two points. But every time, the Lakers had an immediate answer, including making their final eight free throws to ice the game and stave off elimination.
Pau Gasol ('10 LAL): 13 pts, 18 reb, 6 ast, 8 blk
Kobe Bryant ('10 LAL): 43 pts, 5 ast
Moses Malone ('83 PHI): 32 pts, 20 reb
Moses Malone ('83 PHI): 32 pts, 20 reb
An 11-2 Sixer run early in this one got the hosts off and running as they never trailed in the early going and built an eight point lead after one quarter. It took Philly two and a half minutes into the second quarter to get their first field goal of the frame, but the Lakers couldn't fully capitalize; they only managed to get within two and only had one possession with a chance to tie or take the lead before the Sixers closed the half on a 12-2 run, holding the Lakers without a field goal for the final 4:49 of the half for a 12 point lead. Philly would lead by as many as 18 in the third quarter, but LA began slowly chipping away at the margin until it was down to 13 by quarter's end, though a Julius Erving turnaround at the buzzer helped with that for Philly. The Sixers quickly got it back up to 18 and held that lead with seven minutes to play. A 12-2 Laker run that saw no Sixer field goals over two and a half minutes got the margin down to single digits, though six straight from the Sixers got it back to 15 with under three minutes to play. LA would get a couple threes in the final minute, but Derek Fisher's three with two seconds left really only served to make the game seem tighter than it actually was, and Julius Erving calmly hit a couple free throws with no time left to secure the series upset.
Moses Malone ('83 PHI): 20 pts, 29 reb, 3 blk
Julius Erving ('83 PHI): 32 pts, 11 reb, 4 ast, 4 blk
Kobe Bryant ('10 LAL): 28 pts, 10 reb, 5 ast, 3 blk
(7) 1990 Detroit Pistons vs (2) 2018 Golden State Warriors
Game 1: @ '18 GS 114, '90 DET 106 (OT)
This one started as the kind of defensive slugfest the Bad Boys wanted to, with neither team able to gain an edge offensively and a David Greenwood late basket to close the first tying the game at just 14. Offense opened up in the second as both teams started to hit threes, but it was the Pistons who had the game's first big run with nine straight to go up six just before the halfway point. After leading for most of the rest of the quarter, the Warriors closed the frame out with Klay Thompson tying the game twice, including at the buzzer to knot the score at 39. It took three and half minutes into the second half for the Warriors to hit a field goal, but their first seemed to break the dam and unleash a 9-2 run. But even with that the Pistons remained just a hair ahead, with a late Golden State basket right before quarter's end only cutting the deficit to three. The Warriors finally got hot in the fourth, using a 13-0 run to flip the script and take control with a little over six minutes left. The Warriors led by nine with 4:45 to go, but the Pistons scored nine straight to tie it, and we had a back and forth that seemed like it would go down to the wire. Sure enough, after an Isiah Thomas turnover, the Warriors managed to go ahead on a Kevin Durant dunk, but it left a second on the clock, and that was just enough for Detroit to find James Edwards, who hit a shot at the buzzer to force overtime. Durant's late heroics in regulation were just the appetizer though, as he opened overtime on a personal 10-2 run spanning a minute and 20 seconds, and the Pistons would get no closer than five the rest of the extra session.
Kevin Durant ('18 GS): 34 pts, 7 reb, 11 ast, 3 blk
Steph Curry ('18 GS): 28 pts, 10 reb, 7 ast, 3 stl
This one started as the kind of defensive slugfest the Bad Boys wanted to, with neither team able to gain an edge offensively and a David Greenwood late basket to close the first tying the game at just 14. Offense opened up in the second as both teams started to hit threes, but it was the Pistons who had the game's first big run with nine straight to go up six just before the halfway point. After leading for most of the rest of the quarter, the Warriors closed the frame out with Klay Thompson tying the game twice, including at the buzzer to knot the score at 39. It took three and half minutes into the second half for the Warriors to hit a field goal, but their first seemed to break the dam and unleash a 9-2 run. But even with that the Pistons remained just a hair ahead, with a late Golden State basket right before quarter's end only cutting the deficit to three. The Warriors finally got hot in the fourth, using a 13-0 run to flip the script and take control with a little over six minutes left. The Warriors led by nine with 4:45 to go, but the Pistons scored nine straight to tie it, and we had a back and forth that seemed like it would go down to the wire. Sure enough, after an Isiah Thomas turnover, the Warriors managed to go ahead on a Kevin Durant dunk, but it left a second on the clock, and that was just enough for Detroit to find James Edwards, who hit a shot at the buzzer to force overtime. Durant's late heroics in regulation were just the appetizer though, as he opened overtime on a personal 10-2 run spanning a minute and 20 seconds, and the Pistons would get no closer than five the rest of the extra session.
Kevin Durant ('18 GS): 34 pts, 7 reb, 11 ast, 3 blk
Steph Curry ('18 GS): 28 pts, 10 reb, 7 ast, 3 stl
Bill Laimbeer ('90 DET): 28 pts, 23 reb
Game 2: @ '18 GS 118, '90 DET 98
After getting the perfect start they wanted in Game 1, the Pistons couldn't shake off the bad overtime and fell behind 13-6 early in Game 2. Despite getting back within two a couple times in the opening quarter, the Warriors still went up by seven after 12 minutes, and managed to keep the margin around that until going up double digits halfway through the second. A late Andre Igoudala floater right before halftime pushed Golden State's lead to a dozen, and the lead stayed in that range for a good chunk of the third. But the Pistons couldn't hold the Warriors down for long, three straight triples were part of a 13-3 Golden State run, and a Klay Thompson three at the third quarter buzzer put his team up 19. Detroit managed to get back within 12 a couple times in the final stanza, but a Steph Curry four point play with five minutes to go effectively sealed the game.
After getting the perfect start they wanted in Game 1, the Pistons couldn't shake off the bad overtime and fell behind 13-6 early in Game 2. Despite getting back within two a couple times in the opening quarter, the Warriors still went up by seven after 12 minutes, and managed to keep the margin around that until going up double digits halfway through the second. A late Andre Igoudala floater right before halftime pushed Golden State's lead to a dozen, and the lead stayed in that range for a good chunk of the third. But the Pistons couldn't hold the Warriors down for long, three straight triples were part of a 13-3 Golden State run, and a Klay Thompson three at the third quarter buzzer put his team up 19. Detroit managed to get back within 12 a couple times in the final stanza, but a Steph Curry four point play with five minutes to go effectively sealed the game.
Steph Curry ('18 GS): 27 pts, 7 reb, 7 ast
Draymond Green ('18 GS): 17 pts, 9 reb, 9 ast, 4 stl
Draymond Green ('18 GS): 17 pts, 9 reb, 9 ast, 4 stl
Bill Laimbeer ('90 DET): 22 pts, 14 reb
Game 3: @ '90 DET 106, '18 GS 101
This was a fairly tight game early on, as the Warriors led just 17-16 after John Salley hit a shot for the hosts. But Golden State closed the period on an 11-2 run for a 10 point lead after 12 minutes. Golden State kept the margin close to double digits for much of the second quarter, getting within one late in the period before answering a Klay Thompson three with a Vinnie Johnson jumper to trim the margin at the break to just two points. The third quarter turned into a massive back and forth, featuring seven ties before Golden State seemed like they retook control with a 9-0 run. Detroit stayed within six going to the fourth, then managed to tie the game twice in the first four minutes of the final quarter. Then the Pistons made their move: a 12-2 run including seven straight from Joe Dumars gave them a nine point lead with just over two minutes to play.
Joe Dumars ('90 DET): 31 pts, 6 ast
Bill Laimbeer ('90 DET): 16 pts, 16 reb
Kevin Durant ('18 GS): 29 pts, 12 reb, 9 ast, 4 blk
Game 4: '18 GS 118, @ '90 DET 112
A 14-4 Warrior run midway through the opening quarter helped give the visitors the early edge, though the Pistons again managed to keep this one close, trailing by just three after 12 minutes. The lead then changed hands six times in the first five minutes of the second, with the sixth one sparking a 9-0 Golden State run. Despite getting control of the game back, the Warriors still couldn't put the Pistons away as Detroit got back within three going into the locker room. Back to back Steph Curry threes early in the third pushed the margin up to seven, and other Warriors pushed the margin as high as eight, but still the Pistons would not go away. After a Kevin Durant three point play made it a six point game, Detroit broke through with nine straight, and that helped them take a one point lead to the final stanza. But a Javale McGee three point play early in the fourth flipped the game back Golden State's way, and an Andre Igoudala three pushed the margin to five right after. Still Detroit wouldn't go away, getting back within one with 5:19 to go and staying down just three with about three minutes to go. But a couple quick Durant buckets with less than two minutes left, combined with Bill Laimbeer fouling out with 1:35 left and Draymond Green hitting both of this free throws off of that pushed the margin to nine. Even still the Pistons wouldn't go away, with an Isiah Thomas three cutting the lead to just three with 18 seconds to go. Durant split a pair of free throws, and Thomas would miss a three the next time down that effectively ended the contest.
Kevin Durant ('18 GS): 27 pts, 5 reb, 8 ast, 3 blk
A 14-4 Warrior run midway through the opening quarter helped give the visitors the early edge, though the Pistons again managed to keep this one close, trailing by just three after 12 minutes. The lead then changed hands six times in the first five minutes of the second, with the sixth one sparking a 9-0 Golden State run. Despite getting control of the game back, the Warriors still couldn't put the Pistons away as Detroit got back within three going into the locker room. Back to back Steph Curry threes early in the third pushed the margin up to seven, and other Warriors pushed the margin as high as eight, but still the Pistons would not go away. After a Kevin Durant three point play made it a six point game, Detroit broke through with nine straight, and that helped them take a one point lead to the final stanza. But a Javale McGee three point play early in the fourth flipped the game back Golden State's way, and an Andre Igoudala three pushed the margin to five right after. Still Detroit wouldn't go away, getting back within one with 5:19 to go and staying down just three with about three minutes to go. But a couple quick Durant buckets with less than two minutes left, combined with Bill Laimbeer fouling out with 1:35 left and Draymond Green hitting both of this free throws off of that pushed the margin to nine. Even still the Pistons wouldn't go away, with an Isiah Thomas three cutting the lead to just three with 18 seconds to go. Durant split a pair of free throws, and Thomas would miss a three the next time down that effectively ended the contest.
Kevin Durant ('18 GS): 27 pts, 5 reb, 8 ast, 3 blk
Steph Curry ('18 GS): 27 pts, 8 reb, 5 ast, 3 stl
Joe Dumars ('90 DET): 26 pts, 9 ast
Game 5: '90 DET 103, @ '18 GS 94
Golden State seemed poised to seal the series quickly, opening the game on an 8-2 run, but the Pistons responded with a 14-4 run to grab a four point lead with just over four minutes left in the opening quarter. Kevin Durant hit a three in the final minute though, and that gave the hosts a two point lead at period's end. After some back and forth, the visitors went on a 9-0 run to take an eight point lead, and the Pistons got the lead up as high as nine before taking a five point advantage to the break. Detroit opened the third with four straight to get the margin back to nine, and after a mini Golden State surge made it four, eight straight Piston points got the lead to a game-high 12. The Warriors would cut it to six by the end of the frame, but struggled to get closer as the fourth rolled on. An 10-2 Piston run midway through the period got the lead up to 13 with three and a half minutes to go, and all the hosts could do was get a couple garbage time threes to make the final margin a single digit one as they could not close the series out at home.
Isiah Thomas ('90 DET): 20 pts, 4 reb, 12 ast, 4 stl
Joe Dumars ('90 DET): 26 pts, 5 reb
Golden State seemed poised to seal the series quickly, opening the game on an 8-2 run, but the Pistons responded with a 14-4 run to grab a four point lead with just over four minutes left in the opening quarter. Kevin Durant hit a three in the final minute though, and that gave the hosts a two point lead at period's end. After some back and forth, the visitors went on a 9-0 run to take an eight point lead, and the Pistons got the lead up as high as nine before taking a five point advantage to the break. Detroit opened the third with four straight to get the margin back to nine, and after a mini Golden State surge made it four, eight straight Piston points got the lead to a game-high 12. The Warriors would cut it to six by the end of the frame, but struggled to get closer as the fourth rolled on. An 10-2 Piston run midway through the period got the lead up to 13 with three and a half minutes to go, and all the hosts could do was get a couple garbage time threes to make the final margin a single digit one as they could not close the series out at home.
Isiah Thomas ('90 DET): 20 pts, 4 reb, 12 ast, 4 stl
Joe Dumars ('90 DET): 26 pts, 5 reb
Draymond Green ('18 GS): 14 pts, 11 reb, 8 ast
The Pistons seemed energized by being back at home, leading by six just over five minutes into the contest. But the Warriors hit four consecutive threes to flip the game on its head, and they took a five point lead after one. The margin was still there just over three minutes into the second after a Vinnie Johnson jumper, but then the Warriors took over with a 16-0 run. The Pistons did a nice job not rolling over, but even with a Bill Laimbeer three at the buzzer, Detroit still trailed by 15 going to the locker room. It took Golden State less than two minutes into the second half to push the lead back to 20, with a 16-3 run being the critical stretch for the visitors. All told the Pistons managed just 13 third quarter points as they went to the fourth down 29. Detroit had some pride as they scored the first 10 of the final quarter, but they managed just seven points over the final nine minutes as the Warriors pulled away for the series victory.
Steph Curry ('18 GS): 29 pts, 7 ast, 4 stl
Kevin Durant ('18 GS): 25 pts, 6 reb
Bill Laimbeer ('90 DET): 13 pts, 16 reb, 4 blk
(6) 1974 Boston Celtics vs (3) 1995 Orlando Magic
Game 1: '74 BOS 118, @ '95 ORL 102
The Magic led by six just five minutes into the game and managed to push it to eight late in the opening frame, but the Celtics closed the quarter on an 8-3 run to make it a one score game. Boston then followed that up with seven straight to open the second quarter to grab the lead, though it would be short lived, and after a series of ties, the Magic retook control and went to the locker room up five. After a Penny Hardaway three pushed it to eight to open the third, the Celtics embarked on a 14-4 run to retake the lead and set up a back and forth for much of the rest of the period. A John Havlicek three point play late in the period gave the Celtics the lead back with 1:53 to play in the period, and a couple Dave Cowens free throws helped them keep a one point lead going into the fourth. The Magic managed to keep it close for much of the fourth, pulling within two with just over six minutes to play. But a 9-2 Celtics run got the margin up to nine with four and a half to go, a Hondo three pushed it to double digits with 2:22 left, and after an Orlando miss, Dave Cowens got a putback to make it a 12 point game. The Magic got no closer than nine over the last two minutes as the visitors steal Game 1.
Dave Cowens ('74 BOS): 31 pts, 9 reb
Paul Silas ('74 BOS): 13 pts, 13 reb
The Magic led by six just five minutes into the game and managed to push it to eight late in the opening frame, but the Celtics closed the quarter on an 8-3 run to make it a one score game. Boston then followed that up with seven straight to open the second quarter to grab the lead, though it would be short lived, and after a series of ties, the Magic retook control and went to the locker room up five. After a Penny Hardaway three pushed it to eight to open the third, the Celtics embarked on a 14-4 run to retake the lead and set up a back and forth for much of the rest of the period. A John Havlicek three point play late in the period gave the Celtics the lead back with 1:53 to play in the period, and a couple Dave Cowens free throws helped them keep a one point lead going into the fourth. The Magic managed to keep it close for much of the fourth, pulling within two with just over six minutes to play. But a 9-2 Celtics run got the margin up to nine with four and a half to go, a Hondo three pushed it to double digits with 2:22 left, and after an Orlando miss, Dave Cowens got a putback to make it a 12 point game. The Magic got no closer than nine over the last two minutes as the visitors steal Game 1.
Dave Cowens ('74 BOS): 31 pts, 9 reb
Paul Silas ('74 BOS): 13 pts, 13 reb
Shaquille O'Neal ('95 ORL): 26 pts, 11 reb
Game 2: @ '95 ORL 116, '74 BOS 113
An 11-2 Magic run early in the first got Orlando going, and they controlled play in the opening frame, going up by four after 12 minutes. The second saw the Magic stay just a step ahead, not allowing the Celtics to take possession with a chance to tie or take the lead until the closing minutes of the half, but even then Orlando was able to hold on and carry a five point lead to the locker room. Less than a minute and a half into the third the Magic were able to push the margin to double digits, and the margin went as high as a dozen until the Celtics closed out the frame strong, pulling within seven. Dave Cowens of the Celtics and Nick Anderson of the Magic traded personal 5-0 runs as the hosts were able to stay ahead, but Boston would not go away. Despite making it a one possession game a couple times, the Magic seemed poised to even the series, leading by seven with 2:04 to play. But the Celtics scored the next six and did a good job managing the clock, with a Dave Cowens tip with 18 seconds left cutting the margin to just one. Shaq split a pair of free throws after an intentional foul, giving the Celtics one last chance to tie or take the lead in the closing seconds. But Boston opted for the win, with Cowens missing a three with nine seconds to go. Hardaway got the rebound and the Celtics smartly fouled O'Neal again. Once again he split the pair to only put his team up three and give the Celtics one last chance. But Don Chaney's three at the buzzer was contested and did not fall, allowing the Magic to escape with the series knotted at one.
Shaquille O'Neal ('95 ORL): 32 pts, 11 reb, 3 blk
An 11-2 Magic run early in the first got Orlando going, and they controlled play in the opening frame, going up by four after 12 minutes. The second saw the Magic stay just a step ahead, not allowing the Celtics to take possession with a chance to tie or take the lead until the closing minutes of the half, but even then Orlando was able to hold on and carry a five point lead to the locker room. Less than a minute and a half into the third the Magic were able to push the margin to double digits, and the margin went as high as a dozen until the Celtics closed out the frame strong, pulling within seven. Dave Cowens of the Celtics and Nick Anderson of the Magic traded personal 5-0 runs as the hosts were able to stay ahead, but Boston would not go away. Despite making it a one possession game a couple times, the Magic seemed poised to even the series, leading by seven with 2:04 to play. But the Celtics scored the next six and did a good job managing the clock, with a Dave Cowens tip with 18 seconds left cutting the margin to just one. Shaq split a pair of free throws after an intentional foul, giving the Celtics one last chance to tie or take the lead in the closing seconds. But Boston opted for the win, with Cowens missing a three with nine seconds to go. Hardaway got the rebound and the Celtics smartly fouled O'Neal again. Once again he split the pair to only put his team up three and give the Celtics one last chance. But Don Chaney's three at the buzzer was contested and did not fall, allowing the Magic to escape with the series knotted at one.
Shaquille O'Neal ('95 ORL): 32 pts, 11 reb, 3 blk
Nick Anderson ('95 ORL): 23 pts, 7 reb, 4 stl
Dave Cowens ('74 BOS): 25 pts, 17 reb, 7 ast
Game 3: @ '74 BOS 109, '95 ORL 104 (OT)
This one should have been over early. The Celtics opened the game on a 12-2 run and held the Magic scoreless for almost the first six minutes of the contest, and a John Havlicek shot at the buzzer got the Celtics doubling up the Magic 30-15 after one. The Celtics did a good job bottling up the Magic for much of the second too, pushing the lead as high as 17 with about two minutes to go. But the Magic closed the half on a 12-3 run, getting the game back to single digits going to the break. After keeping the margin around eight for much of the third, a 7-0 Magic run midway through the period cut it to one. Boston survived it and pushed the margin back out, though Shaquille O'Neal would tie the game on a three point play with about a minute to go, then tie it again after a Don Nelson basket on the ensuing possession, and we went to the fourth all square. The teams traded leads for much of the fourth, though it started to look like the visitors would walk out victorious after Dennis Scott capped a 9-0 run with a three that put Orlando up six with 4:15 to go. Boston stayed with it, cutting it to a single possession game multiple times as the clock wound down. Shaq seemed like he might ice the game, scoring five points in the final five minutes, including a 3-4 performance at the line. But that one miss proved costly as Jo Jo White found Havlicek for a game-tying three with three seconds left. Orlando called timeout and got a good play called, but Shaq's runner at the buzzer missed and we got an extra session. In overtime a 6-0 Celtic run gave Boston a five point lead with 1:31 to go. Shaq cut it to three with 26 seconds to go, and the Magic forced a miss on the ensuing possession, but White rebounded Havlicek's dagger miss, and Hondo iced the game at the line for a 2-1 series lead.
John Havlicek ('74 BOS): 31 pts, 9 reb, 5 ast
John Havlicek ('74 BOS): 31 pts, 9 reb, 5 ast
Don Chaney ('74 BOS): 20 pts, 9 reb
Shaquille O'Neal ('95 ORL): 34 pts, 18 reb, 4 blk
Game 4: '95 ORL 109, @ '74 BOS 99
Boston again got the early lead, pushing ahead by seven in the opening minutes, but a 17-4 Magic run flipped the game around (and could have been worse the Magic missed four free throws in this stretch). Orlando broke a 24-all tie with 90 seconds left with six straight to close the quarter, though the Celtics opened the second with seven in a row to retake the lead, setting up a nice back and forth until the Magic slowly pulled away, going to the locker room up 11. After Orlando pushed it to 14, the Celtics stormed back, using an 18-3 run to briefly retake the lead. Eight straight from the Magic put them back in front, and they settled into the fourth up just two. The teams traded a couple leads in the fourth before the Magic started to pull away, using a Penny Hardaway three point play to go up four, and later pulling off an extended 8-0 run to push the margin back to double digits. The Celtics would get no closer than six the rest of the way, and the series goes back to Orlando even.
Shaquille O'Neal ('95 ORL): 36 pts, 24 reb
Anfernee Hardaway ('95 ORL): 22 pts, 5 reb, 8 ast, 4 stl
John Havlicek ('74 BOS): 24 pts, 8 reb, 6 ast
Game 5: @ '95 ORL 122, '74 BOS 110
After trading 5-0 runs to begin the game, Orlando began to take control back at home with an 11-2 run. Despite that, the Celtics stayed in it and fought back to take a four point lead after one quarter. Five straight from the Magic to open the second began a long back and forth that saw the lead change hands eight times in about five minutes. Boston could not hold a five point lead late in the half, and Orlando took a tie game into the break. The Celtics made some good adjustments early in the half, scoring the first eight of the third quarter, but the Magic answered that with a 17-0 run of their own. This helped them build a double digit lead, though a Dave Cowens heave from beyond half court at the third quarter buzzer got the margin back to single digits. Five straight from Boston in the opening minute of the fourth got it down to a four point game. After cutting it to three, an extended 7-0 Orlando run that saw the Celtics kept off the scoreboard for almost four minutes pushed the lead back out enough that the Celtics didn't seriously threaten the rest of the way.
Shaquille O'Neal ('95 ORL): 28 pts, 13 reb
Anfernee Hardaway ('95 ORL): 22 pts, 8 reb, 7 ast
After trading 5-0 runs to begin the game, Orlando began to take control back at home with an 11-2 run. Despite that, the Celtics stayed in it and fought back to take a four point lead after one quarter. Five straight from the Magic to open the second began a long back and forth that saw the lead change hands eight times in about five minutes. Boston could not hold a five point lead late in the half, and Orlando took a tie game into the break. The Celtics made some good adjustments early in the half, scoring the first eight of the third quarter, but the Magic answered that with a 17-0 run of their own. This helped them build a double digit lead, though a Dave Cowens heave from beyond half court at the third quarter buzzer got the margin back to single digits. Five straight from Boston in the opening minute of the fourth got it down to a four point game. After cutting it to three, an extended 7-0 Orlando run that saw the Celtics kept off the scoreboard for almost four minutes pushed the lead back out enough that the Celtics didn't seriously threaten the rest of the way.
Shaquille O'Neal ('95 ORL): 28 pts, 13 reb
Anfernee Hardaway ('95 ORL): 22 pts, 8 reb, 7 ast
Dave Cowens ('74 BOS): 20 pts, 14 reb
Orlando opened the game on a 9-2 run to take control, then survived the inevitable Boston counterattack that saw them cut it to a one possession game numerous times. The Magic ended the first quarter up five, and kept the margin around that mark until under five minutes remained, when a second chance finger roll by Shaquille O'Neal sparked a 12-2 Magic run that opened up a 15 point lead. A Nick Anderson three with 33 seconds left before the half got Orlando to a 16 point lead, which they took to the break. The Celtics couldn't cut into it in the third, and before long the margin got to 20. By frame's end it was 26, and the Magic got it up to 29 before calling off the dogs with their ticket to the Round of 32 secure.
Anfernee Hardaway ('95 ORL): 21 pts, 7 reb, 11 ast, 4 stl
Anfernee Hardaway ('95 ORL): 21 pts, 7 reb, 11 ast, 4 stl
Shaquille O'Neal ('95 ORL): 30 pts, 13 reb
Paul Silas ('74 BOS): 8 pts, 19 reb, 3 stl
(5) 2022 Golden State Warriors vs (4) 1972 Los Angeles Lakers
Game 1: '22 GS 113, @ '72 LAL 87
Golden State left no doubt in the opener, getting threes in the opening minute from Steph Curry and Klay Thompson, which sparked an 18-2 run that put the Warriors well out in front. The Lakers never truly threatened, falling behind by 21 by quarter's end. Even a 10-2 run for the Lakers midway through the second only trimmed the margin to 20, and Golden State was able to get the lead up to 25 going to the break. LA was able to make some headway once the second half started, allowing just one field goal over the first four minutes and trimming the deficit to 16. But that was as close as they got, as Golden State got it back to 20 by the end of the third, and the Warriors put it away with an 11-0 run to open the fourth.
Klay Thompson ('22 GS): 31 pts, 6 reb, 5 ast
Draymond Green ('22 GS): 11 pts, 8 reb, 11 ast, 3 blk
Golden State left no doubt in the opener, getting threes in the opening minute from Steph Curry and Klay Thompson, which sparked an 18-2 run that put the Warriors well out in front. The Lakers never truly threatened, falling behind by 21 by quarter's end. Even a 10-2 run for the Lakers midway through the second only trimmed the margin to 20, and Golden State was able to get the lead up to 25 going to the break. LA was able to make some headway once the second half started, allowing just one field goal over the first four minutes and trimming the deficit to 16. But that was as close as they got, as Golden State got it back to 20 by the end of the third, and the Warriors put it away with an 11-0 run to open the fourth.
Klay Thompson ('22 GS): 31 pts, 6 reb, 5 ast
Draymond Green ('22 GS): 11 pts, 8 reb, 11 ast, 3 blk
Jerry West ('72 LAL): 24 pts, 4 reb, 10 ast
Game 2: @ '72 LAL 126, '22 GS 121
The Lakers were determined not to put themselves in an early hole this time, and they got out to a 7-0 lead just a minute in. Naturally, the Warriors followed this up with a 14-4 run to take the lead, then hit a trio of threes late in the quarter to go up by a dozen. But the Lakers scored the final seven of the quarter to keep it close after 12 minutes, and managed to only allow the Warriors to go up double digits very briefly in the second. A 7-2 run for LA prompted a back and forth barrage where the Warriors just couldn't pull away, though they would go to the break up four. The Lakers would cut it to a one possession multiple times in the third, but every time the Warriors had a prompt answer to push it back to a two possession game, and a 9-2 Golden State run late in the period again briefly got the margin to double digits, though LA would cut it to seven going into the fourth. Golden State took a big blow early in the fourth, when Draymond Green fouled out with over 10 minutes still left. That came on a three point play as part of a 7-0 Laker run that cut the margin to just one point. But the Warriors continued to answer, and even seemed to get a break when Jerry West missed a pair of free throws in the bonus with five minutes to go and his team down eight. West would later redeem himself with a personal 7-0 run that again got the Lakers within one, and a Happy Hairston shot that followed gave them their first lead since the opening minutes. The lead would change hands a few more times until Gail Goodrich put his team ahead for good with 78 seconds to go. LA went a perfect 8-8 at the line after that to secure the split at home.
Jerry West ('72 LAL): 35 pts, 5 reb, 13 ast
The Lakers were determined not to put themselves in an early hole this time, and they got out to a 7-0 lead just a minute in. Naturally, the Warriors followed this up with a 14-4 run to take the lead, then hit a trio of threes late in the quarter to go up by a dozen. But the Lakers scored the final seven of the quarter to keep it close after 12 minutes, and managed to only allow the Warriors to go up double digits very briefly in the second. A 7-2 run for LA prompted a back and forth barrage where the Warriors just couldn't pull away, though they would go to the break up four. The Lakers would cut it to a one possession multiple times in the third, but every time the Warriors had a prompt answer to push it back to a two possession game, and a 9-2 Golden State run late in the period again briefly got the margin to double digits, though LA would cut it to seven going into the fourth. Golden State took a big blow early in the fourth, when Draymond Green fouled out with over 10 minutes still left. That came on a three point play as part of a 7-0 Laker run that cut the margin to just one point. But the Warriors continued to answer, and even seemed to get a break when Jerry West missed a pair of free throws in the bonus with five minutes to go and his team down eight. West would later redeem himself with a personal 7-0 run that again got the Lakers within one, and a Happy Hairston shot that followed gave them their first lead since the opening minutes. The lead would change hands a few more times until Gail Goodrich put his team ahead for good with 78 seconds to go. LA went a perfect 8-8 at the line after that to secure the split at home.
Jerry West ('72 LAL): 35 pts, 5 reb, 13 ast
Wilt Chamberlain ('72 LAL): 20 pts, 17 reb, 6 ast, 5 blk
Klay Thompson ('22 GS): 29 pts, 6 reb, 5 ast
Game 3: @ '22 GS 113, '72 LAL 102
This was a game on runs early, as a Golden State 10-2 run was answered by seven straight from LA, and an 8-2 Laker run closed out the period with the Lakers up seven. LA couldn't fully press their advantage in the second, but they managed to keep a step ahead for the entire period, with a Jim McMillian jumper with 22 seconds left putting the Lakers up three, a lead they took into the intermission. A slow offensive start to the second half for both teams kept the Lakers in front until the halfway point, when Andrew Wiggins put the Warriors up by one. An 8-2 Laker run reclaimed the lead, but five straight points from Draymond Green cut the margin to its narrowest going into the fourth. A couple Jonathan Kuminga baskets to open the frame put the Warriors up three, but it was a pair of Klay Thompson three's about halfway through the fourth that seemed to get the hosts in firm control. Seven straight from the Warriors with less than three minutes to go made it a 10 point game, and the Lakers did not seriously threaten the rest of the way.
Klay Thompson ('22 GS): 30 pts
This was a game on runs early, as a Golden State 10-2 run was answered by seven straight from LA, and an 8-2 Laker run closed out the period with the Lakers up seven. LA couldn't fully press their advantage in the second, but they managed to keep a step ahead for the entire period, with a Jim McMillian jumper with 22 seconds left putting the Lakers up three, a lead they took into the intermission. A slow offensive start to the second half for both teams kept the Lakers in front until the halfway point, when Andrew Wiggins put the Warriors up by one. An 8-2 Laker run reclaimed the lead, but five straight points from Draymond Green cut the margin to its narrowest going into the fourth. A couple Jonathan Kuminga baskets to open the frame put the Warriors up three, but it was a pair of Klay Thompson three's about halfway through the fourth that seemed to get the hosts in firm control. Seven straight from the Warriors with less than three minutes to go made it a 10 point game, and the Lakers did not seriously threaten the rest of the way.
Klay Thompson ('22 GS): 30 pts
Andrew Wiggins ('22 GS): 16 pts, 11 reb, 4 ast
Jerry West ('72 LAL): 25 pts, 5 reb, 11 ast
Game 4: '72 LAL 104, @ '22 GS 93
A 9-2 Warrior run midway through the first seemed to get the hosts off and running, though the Lakers would stay within seven by period's end thanks in part to a Jerry West shot at the buzzer. The Warriors largely held the lead for the first half of the second quarter, but a Jim McMillian three gave the Lakers a 45-43 lead, and after Golden State tied the game at 47 with 5:50 left in the half, the Lakers closed it out on a 12-4 run for an eight point halftime lead. LA briefly got the lead to double digits early in the third before a furious Golden State rally cut it to two at the halfway mark. The Lakers used a 12-2 run to get the margin back out to double digits, and they'd lead by eight going to the final stanza. The Warriors quickly cut it to five early, but they went over six minutes without a field goal in the fourth as the Lakers were slowly able to pull away and even the series.
A 9-2 Warrior run midway through the first seemed to get the hosts off and running, though the Lakers would stay within seven by period's end thanks in part to a Jerry West shot at the buzzer. The Warriors largely held the lead for the first half of the second quarter, but a Jim McMillian three gave the Lakers a 45-43 lead, and after Golden State tied the game at 47 with 5:50 left in the half, the Lakers closed it out on a 12-4 run for an eight point halftime lead. LA briefly got the lead to double digits early in the third before a furious Golden State rally cut it to two at the halfway mark. The Lakers used a 12-2 run to get the margin back out to double digits, and they'd lead by eight going to the final stanza. The Warriors quickly cut it to five early, but they went over six minutes without a field goal in the fourth as the Lakers were slowly able to pull away and even the series.
Happy Hairston ('72 LAL): 16 pts, 21 reb
Jerry West ('72 LAL): 34 pts, 7 reb, 5 ast
Jordan Poole ('22 GS): 19 pts, 4 reb, 5 ast
Game 5: @ '72 LAL 128, '22 GS 106
A 7-0 Golden State run midway through the first seemed to get the visitors primed and running in this pivotal game, but the Lakers responded with an 11-0 run to force a tight one, and it took a couple late Jordan Poole threes to help the Warriors to a five point lead after 12 minutes. The second quarter was a very back and forth affair featuring six ties and 13 lead changes; the sixth tie came on a Pat Riley jumper at the halftime buzzer that evened the contest at 61. Riley and Andrew Wiggins traded threes to open the third, the first of three ties to go along with eight more lead changes, but that eighth sparked a Laker takeover as they outscored Golden State 22-4 from that point on, and saw the Warriors go without a field goal for the final 5:14 of the quarter, capped by a Jerry West jumper at the buzzer. Jim McMillian pushed it to 20 less than a minute into the fourth. The Warriors would get no closer than 14 the rest of the way as the Lakers force Golden State to the brink of elimination.
Wilt Chamberlain ('72 LAL): 19 pts, 21 reb, 4 blk
Jim McMillian ('72 LAL): 26 pts, 5 reb, 5 ast
Jerry West ('72 LAL): 25 pts, 5 reb, 11 ast
Game 6: @ '22 GS 152, '72 LAL 127
We have a record score for the Tournament of Champions, and at first the Lakers looked poised to clinch as they got out to a 20-11 lead just over halfway through the first, but a 9-2 Warrior run made it tight. An 8-0 Laker run helped offset that, and LA led by six after one. The Lakers spent most of the second doing everything they could to stay in front until finally Klay Thompson tied the game at 54, and a later 16-4 Warrior run helped Golden State build a double digit lead. An Otto Porter three at the buzzer gave the Warriors 49 for the quarter and 77 for the half, with a comfortable 11 point lead at the intermission. Back to back Gary Payton three's early in the third before the Lakers even notched a field goal helped press the advantage, and Klay Thompson's three in a row at the midway point pushed the margin to 24. A Steph Curry floater right before the third quarter buzzer pushed it to 30, and Golden State was able to cruise to a critical elimination game victory.
Steph Curry ('22 GS): 31 pts, 6 reb, 9 ast
Andrew Wiggins ('22 GS): 32 pts, 5 reb
Jerry West ('72 LAL): 36 pts, 7 reb, 12 ast
We got a classic to start Game 7, as the teams traded leads and a John Trapp runner with one second left tied the game at 31 going to the second. Trapp followed this up with a three point play to open the second, but they couldn't press the advantage as the teams continued to trade leads for much of the second quarter. With under a minute to go a Pat Riley shot tied the game at 56 and we looked poised for a tight game going into halftime, but Steph Curry and Draymond Green hit back to back threes to close the half out and the Warriors led by six. The Warriors' long range barrage continued into the third, with an Otto Porter three just over four minutes in pushing the margin to double digits. LA couldn't close the gap to more than eight as the Warriors slowly pulled away, leading by 15 going into the fourth. Golden State got it to 20 early in the fourth, and the upset was complete.
Steph Curry ('22 GS): 35 pts, 10 reb, 5 ast
Draymond Green ('22 GS): 21 pts, 6 reb, 5 ast, 3 stl
Jerry West ('72 LAL): 28 pts, 8 ast, 3 stl
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