256 Team All Time Basketball Tournament: Region 16 Finals

 Region 15

1. 2008 NBA CHAMP BOSTON CELTICS v. 6. 2006 WEST CHAMP DALLAS MAVS

Celtics: 66-16, 1st Atl Div, 10th Off/1st Def

              d. Hawks East 1st Rnd 4-3

              d. Cavs East Semis 4-3

              d. Pistons East Finals 4-2

              d. Lakers NBA Finals 4-2

              #16 overall seed

              d. '11 Magic (2-1 Allen/KG)

              d. '10 Lakers (2-0 KG)

              d. '19 Blazers (2-0 KG)

Coach: Doc Rivers, Asst Tom Thibodeau, Clifford Ray GM Danny Ainge

Starters

C Leon Powe                  24-Cal               7.9           20.9          4.3         .5

F Kevin Garnett              31                     18.8         25.3          12.9         6 VORP

F Paul Pierce                  30-Kansas         19.6        19.6           12.4        5

G Rajon Rondo               21-Kentucky    10.6         15.6          7.2          2.4

G Ray Allen                    32-UConn        17.4         16.4           9.7         3.3

Rotation Reserves

C Kendrick Perkins        23                      6.9 PPG  13.3 PER  6.2 WS    1.2

F Glen Davis                  22-LSU             4.5          11.3           2.5            -.2

F James Posey                31-X                  7.4          12             6.2          2.1

G Eddie House               29-Ariz St          7.5          13             3.9         1.4

G Tony Allen                 26-Oklahoma St 6.6          10.7          2.7         .1

Leaders: RAllen 4th FT%

                Garnett 4th PER, 2nd Def WS, 2nd WS/48, 4th +/-, 1st Def Rtng, 1st Team All NBA

                Pierce 5th Def WS, 3rd Team All NBA

                Perkins 4th Def Rtng

                Posey 5th Def Rtng

One region left.  The last top overall seed to compete is the NBA Champion Celtics, the top defensive team in the league in '08. 31 year old KG is over 20 PER with double digit WS. 30 year old Paul Pierce has double digit WS and 24 year old Leon Powe has 20 PER.  Last chance for the legendary Celtics franchise to win a regional title. No Russell, No Bird - this is it.  KG was Defensive Player of the Year, Danny Ainge Executive of the Year. Pierce was Finals MVP.  Garnett, Pierce and 32 year old Ray Allen were all All Stars

Mavs: 60-22, 2nd SW Div, 1st Off/11th Def

            d. Grizzlies 4-0 West 1st Rnd

            d. Spurs West Semis 4-3

            d. Suns West Finals 4-2

            Lost Heat NBA Finals 4-2

            #81 overall seed

            d. '69 Knicks (2-1 Dirk)

            d. '12 Spurs (2-0 Dirk)

            d. '09 Cavs (2-1 Stackhouse/Daniels)

Coach: Avery Johnson, Asst: Rolando Blackman, Del Harris

Starters

C Erick Dampier               30-Miss St     5.7 PPG  13.9 PER  4.8 WS        .2

F Dirk Nowitzki                27                  26.6         28.1          17.7             7.9 VORP

F Josh Howard                  25-Wake        15.6         19.3          6.7               2

G Jason Terry                    28-Arizona    17.1         18.4          9.6               3.7

G Marquis Daniels            25-Auburn     10.2         14.9         4.2               1.1

Rotation Reserves

C DeSagana Diop             24                   2.3           11.5          4.1               1

F Keith Van Horn              30-Utah         8.9           13.8          2.3               .2

F Jerry Stackhouse           31-UNC        13             14.5           2.4             .2

G Devin Harris                  22-Wisconsin  9.9         17.4          3.7              1.1

G Adrian Griffin               31- S Hall      4.6           11.6          2.9               .9

Leaders Dampier 3rd Off Reb, 4th Reb%

               Dirk 4th FT%, 1st PER, 1st WS, 1st WS/48, 2nd +/-, 3rd VORP, 2nd Off Rtng, 1st Team All NBA

               Diop 2nd Block %

Dirk's 27 - number one in PER, Win Shares, Win Shares/48 in 2006. Dirk's last team standing.  Last chance to win a regional title for the Mavs. Dirk's an All Star, Avery Johnson Coach of the Year. 

Matchup:

C Powe (Celtics)

F Dirk (Mavs)

F Pierce (Celtics)

G Terry (Mavs)

G Allen (Celtics)

Bench: Celtics

Gm 1: Boston: TD Garden: Mike Gorman/Tom Heinsohn

1Qtr

9 Mavs 11 Celtics 6

Celtics Powe, RAllen, Pierce

Mavs Terry, Daniels, Daniels, Howard(3) Dirk

6 Mavs 13 Celtics 11

Celtics Powe, RAllen(3)

Mavs Dirk

Region 16 - the Final Region - one more spot to go.

3 Mavs 22 Celtics 16

Celtics RAllen(3) KG

Mavs Dirk, Howard, Dirk(3) Terry

1Score Mavs 29 Celtics 21

Celtics RAllen(3) Perkins

Mavs Terry, Dirk, Terry(1) Harris

Dirk's got 4 PotG and 11 first qtr pts.

2Qtr

9 Mavs 35 Celtics 30

Celtics House(3) Davis, Perk, Perk

Mavs Dirk, Dirk, VHorn

6 Mavs 43 Celtics 41

Celtics Powe, RAllen(3) RAllen, KG, Rondo

Mavs Harris, Dirk, Stack, VHorn

17 for Nowitzki.

3 Mavs 49 Celtics 46

Celtics KG(3) KG

Mavs VHorn, Howard, Stack

HScore Celtics 56 Mavs 54

Celtics Pierce, RAllen(3) Rondo, RAllen(3)

Mavs Daniels, Dirk(3)

Ray Allen 11 second qtr points and Boston has its first lead.

3Qtr

9 Celtics 63 Mavs 62

Celtics KG, Powe, RAllen(3)

Mavs Dirk(3) Howard, Terry(3)

6 Celtics 73 Mavs 68

Celtics Perk, KG, KG, Rondo, KG

Mavs Harris, Harris, Howard

Garnett with 8 to open the qtr.

3 Celtics 75 Mavs 73

Celtics Davis

Mavs Terry, Harris(1) Daniels

3Score Celtics 79 Mavs 77

Celtics RAllen, Perk

Mavs  Daniels, Howard

Good game one as we finish the regionals, one more net left to cut.

4Qtr

9 Celtics 90 Mavs 84

Celtics RAllen, Rondo, Pierce, Rondo, Pierce

Mavs VHorn, VHorn(3) VHorn

6 Celtics 98 Mavs 90

Celtics House(3) House(3) KG

Mavs Howard, Damp, Griffin

Dirk hasn't scored since the opening moments of the half.

3 Celtics 107 Mavs 97

Celtics Rondo, TAllen, Powe(3) Pierce

Mavs Stack, Diop, Dirk(3)

FScore Celtics 113 Mavs 97

Celtics Powe, Rondo, KG

Mavs 

Wow - Boston just threw the clamps on Dirk in the second half, holding him to 2 buckets and they win going away.

RAllen: 29 pts-Player of the Game

KG: 21 pts/8 boards/5 assists

Pierce: 11 pts/5 assists

Powe: 13 pts/15 boards

Rondo: 14 pts/11 assists

Perkins: 10 pts

Dirk: 26 pts/10 boards

Terry: 12 pts

Howard: 15 pts/9 boards

Daniels: 10 pts/5 boards

Van Horn: 13 pts

Gm 2 Dallas: American Airlines: Mark Followell/Derek Harper

1Qtr

9 Mavs 8 Celtics 7

Mavs Terry, Howard, Howard, Daniels

Celtics KG, RAllen(3) Rondo

6 Mavs 14 Celtics 13

Mavs Terry, Daniels, Dirk

Celtics Pierce, Powe, Rondo

If Boston wins, that's it - we will be all the way down to 16 teams left in the tournament.

3 Mavs 19 Celtics 17

Mavs Terry, Damp(1) Stack

Celtics Pierce, Perk

1Score Mavs 21 Celts 17

Mavs VHorn

Celtics 

Dallas holds Boston to just 4 in the last 6

2Qtr

9 Mavs 25 Celtics 17

Mavs Diop, Harris

Celtics 

6 Mavs 30 Celtics 26

Mavs VHorn, Stack(3)

Celtics Rondo, KG, RAllen(3) KG

Boston went 6+ scoreless minutes.

3 Mavs 36 Celtics 32

Mavs VHorn, Harris, Stack

Celtics Rondo, Powe, Rondo

HScore Mavs 42 Celtics 40

Mavs Damp, Stack, Howard

Celtics Powe, KG, KG, Posey

Defense here in Big D; Garnett with 8 in the second.

3Qtr

9 Mavs 51 Celtics 50

Mavs Dirk, Griffin, Howard(3) Dirk

Celtics Powe(3) House, House, Perkins(3)

6 Mavs 57 Celtics 52

Mavs Dirk, Damp, Howard

Celtics Rondo

Dirk adds 6 - Mavs try to force the showdown.

3 Mavs 62 Celtics 56

Mavs Howard, Terry(3)

Celtics Perk, Posey

3Score Mavs 70 Celtics 68

Mavs Howard, Dirk, Dirk, Damp

Celtics Powe, Rondo, Rondo, Powe, TAllen, Pierce

Dirk scores 10 in the third and we head down the stretch.

4Qtr

9 Mavs 77 Celtics 72

Mavs Terry, VHorn, Daniels

Celtics Pierce, RAllen

6 Mavs 81 Celtics 76

Mavs Dirk, Stack

Celtics TAllen, KG

Dallas maintaining the lead.

3 Celtics 87 Mavs 83

Mavs Harris

Celtics KG(3) Powe, RAllen, Powe, Powe

2:40 BOS: Ray Allen 12 footer - Boston's up 6 and we may be nearing the end of the round.

2:26: DAL: Dampier in the post.

1:31: BOS: Rondo drives and scores.

:53: BOS: It's done - Garnett makes it an 8 pt game

Allen, KG each get 2 FT; Dirk hits a 3

FScore: Celtics 97 Mavs 88

Boston holds the Mavs to 18 in the 4th; Boston grabs the 16th and Final Regional Title

KG: 19 pts/15 boards/5 assists/4 blocks-Player of the Game

RAllen: 14 pts/5 assists

Powe: 19 pts/8 boards

Rondo: 18 pts

16 teams left.  

Sweet Sixteen is next.  The first 5 game series. 

Region 16 Champ 2008 Boston Celtics v. Region 1 Champ 1980 LA Lakers

-We get a Celtics/Lakers matchup, battle of NBA Champs; KG/Pierce/Allen taking on Magic and Kareem

Region 2 Champ 2017 SA Spurs v. Region 15 Champ 1992 Cleveland Cavs

-Kawhi and Gasol lead the Spurs against Daugherty and Price in a battle of teams who both lost in the conference finals

Region 14 Champ 2013 SA Spurs v. Region 3 Champ 2011 Chicago Bulls 

-They're unbeaten in the tournament; Duncan/Parker/Ginobli - they don't meet Jordan's Bulls, they take on Derek Rose and the 2011 Bulls

Region 13 Champ: 2020 LA Lakers v. Region 4 Champ 1995 Seattle SuperSonics 

-LeBron/AD and the Covid Champion Lakers battle GP/Kemp and the Sonics

Region 5 Champ: 2018 Golden St Warriors v. Region 12 Champ 2015 Houston Rockets

-Another NBA Champ, Steph/KD lead the Warriors against a team they always knocked off, Harden/CP3 and the Rockets.

Region 6 Champ: 2012 Miami Heat v. Region 11 Champ 2011 OKC Thunder

-LeBron/Wade/Bosh - its the NBA Champion Heat taking on Durant and Harden from the previous series along with Russell Westbrook.  

Region 10 Champ: 2013 Miami Heat v. Region 7 Champ 2020 Milwaukee Bucks

-Miami goes back to back; the '13 club takes on Giannis and the Covid Bucks

Region 9 Champ: 1989 LA Lakers v. Region 8 Champ 2015 SA Spurs

-Magic and Kareem knocked off the 2016 Spurs in the Region 9 Final and we get as close as we can to a rematch.

1. If the '80 and '89 Lakers both win - we will see them face off in the Elite 8

2. We might see LeBron's Heat take on the 1992 Cavs in the Elite 8

3. We've yet to see two teams from the same season - it might happen if the '11 Bulls and '11 Thunder both win their sweet 16 matchups. 

4. Are Durant/Steph and the '18 Warriors headed for an Elite 8 Matchup against LeBron/AD and the Covid Lakers?

All Region:

C Nurkic ('19 Blazers 1)

F LeBron ('09 Cavs 5)

F Garnett ('08 Celtics 6)-MOST VALUABLE PLAYER

G RAllen ('08 Celtics 2)

G J.Stackhouse ('06 Mavs 1)

256 Team All Time Basketball Tournament: Region 15 Finals

 Region 14

                  9. 2020 LA CLIPPERS v. 10. 1992 CLEVELAND CAVALIERS

Clips: 49-23, 2nd West Conf, 2nd Off/5th Def

           d. Mavs West 1st Rnd 4-2

           Lost Nuggets West Semis 4-3

           #143 overall seed 

           d. '95 Jazz (2-0, Zubac/Kawhi)

           d. '87 Lakers (2-1 Kawhi/Zubac)

           d. '16 Cavs (2-0 George/Kawhi)

Coach Doc Rivers, Asst Sam Cassell, Ty Lue

Starters

C Ivica Zubac                    22                    8.3 PPG   21.7 PER  6.6 WS  1.6

F Montrez Harrell             26-Louisville   18.6          23.2          7        2.2

F Kawhi Leonard              28-S Diego St  27.1          26.9         8.7     5.1 VORP

G Lou Williams                  33                     18.2          17.3        4.1      1.3

G Paul George                   29-Fresno St    21.5          21.1         4.8    2.5

Rotation Reserves

C Mo Harkless                   26-St Johns      5.5            9.7           2.3     .6

F JaMychal Green              29-Alabama     6.8            11.1         3.1     .5

F Patrick Peterson              30-Kentucky    4.9            11.5         1.9     .5

G Patrick Beverley            31-Arkansas    7.9            12.5          3.6      1.4

G Reggie Jackson              29-B College    9.5           12.6          .8       .2

Leaders Zubac 4th WS/48, 1st Of Rtng, 1st Off Reb%

               Kawhi 3rd +/-, 2nd Team All NBA

               Beverley 4th Def +/-

The Covid Clips are seeded 9th in the Region, top 5 in 2020 in both offense and defense. Kawhi has 3 Regional Titles with the Spurs; the Clips look to become the third 2020 team to win a Regional Title.  Kawhi's 28 he was All Star MVP,  26 year old Montrez Harrell was 6th man of the year, but starts in the tournament.  Clips already clipped a LeBron Cavs team.

Cavs: 57-25, 2nd Cen Div, 2nd Off/11th Def

           d. Nets East 1st Rnd 3-1

           d. Celtics East Semis 4-3

           Lost Bulls East Finals 4-2

           #146 overall seed

           d. '94 Knicks (2-1 Daughterty 2 PotG)

           d. '17 Rockets (2-1 Daugherty/Nance)

           d. '08 Lakers (2-1 Daugherty/Nance)

Coach Lenny Wilkens, Asst Brian Winters

Starters

C Brad Daugherty           26-UNC         21.5        23 PER  11.7 WS   4.5

F Hot Rod Williams        29-Tulane      11.9         18.6        9.2           3.4

F Larry Nance                 32-Clemson   17           21.4        12.2        5.2

G Mark Price                   27-G Tech     17.3         22.7        9.1          4.2

G Craig Ehlo                   30-Wash St     12.3          13.8       3.8         1.2

Rotation Reserves

C Danny Ferry                25-Duke         5.1           11.2        1.3          -.4

F Mike Sanders               31-UCLA       9.2           14.1        1.7         .3

F John Battle                   29-Rutgers     10.3          12.6        2           -.8

G Terrell Brandon           21-Oregon      7.4            12.8        .9          -.1

G Steve Kerr                   26-Arizona     6.6          15.3        2.4            .8

Leaders: Nance 4th Blocks, 3rd Blocks/Gm, 5th Off Rtng, 2nd TO%, 5th Trip Doub

                Daugherty 4th FG%, 4th Eff FG%, 2nd TS%, 5th Trip Doub, 3rd Team All NBA

                Price FT%, 3rd Off +/-, 4th Asst%, 3rd Team All NBA

90s battle here; the Cavs had the second best offense in '92 taking on that Knicks defense. 26 year old Daugherty, 27 year old Price, 32 year old Nance all over 20 PER, Daugherty and Nance with double digit WS. Last chance for the Cavs and the last chance for the 1990s, who have just 1 Regional Title. Nance was 2nd team all defense. Daugherty and Price were both All Stars.

 

Matchup:

C Daugherty (Cavs)

F Push

F Kawhi (Clips)

G Price (Cavs)

G George (Clips)

Bench: Clips

Gm 1: LA: Staples: Brian Sieman/Chauncey Billups

1Qtr

9 Cavs 10 Clips 5

Clips George, Williams(3)

Cavs Nance, Daugherty, Ehlo, Daugherty, Nance

6 Cavs 16 Clips 11

Clips Williams, Williams, George

Cavs Ehlo(3) Nance(1) Daugherty

A half dozen for Brad Daugherty, Region 15 Finals.

3 Cavs 22 Clips 18

Clips George, Kawhi(3) George

Cavs Daugherty, Daugherty, Nance

1Score Cavs 31 Clips 25

Clips jackson, Green, Patterson(3)

Cavs Price(3) Daugherty, Brandon, Sanders

Brad Daugherty with a dozen; Cavs are giving up 30 years in basketball advancement but come out firing.

2Qtr

9 Clips 37 Cavs 37

Clips Green, Beverley, Beverley, Harkless, Jackson, Kawhi

Cavs Ferry, Battle, Nance

6 Clips 47 Cavs 40

Clips George(3) Zubac, George, George(3)

Cavs Daugherty(3)

Paul George with 8 in 3 minutes.  

3 Clips 50 Cavs 42

Clips Williams(3)

Cavs Nance

HScore Clips 57 Cavs 47

Clips Kawhi(3) Williams, Zubac

Cavs Battle(1) Williams, Price

Cleveland held to 16 in the second and it's double digits now.

3Qtr

9 Clips 62 Cavs 55

Clips Williams(3) Beverley

Cavs nance, Nance, Sanders, Ehlo

6 Clips 69 Cavs 61

Clips Patterson, George, George(3)

Cavs Sanders, nance, Daugherty

The Clips just keep knocking down 3 balls and it's likely too much to overcome.

3 Clips 74 Cavs 71

Clips Williams, George, Williams(1)

Cavs nance, Daugherty, Price(3) Price(3)

3Score Clips 83 Cavs 76

Clips Harrell, Kawhi, Zubac, Kawhi(3)

Cavs Daugherty, Kerr, Price(1)

Clips continue to hold the Cavs off; Kawhi with 5 in 3.

4Qtr

9 Clips 93 Cavs 86

Clips George, Kawhi, Harrell, Harkless, Harkless

Cavs Williams, Nance, price, price, Williams

6 Clips 103 Cavs 93

Clips harrell, Patterson(3) Beverley(3) Kawhi, Zubac

Cavs Price, Nance, Kawhi(3)  

Double digit lead.

3 Clips 107 Cavs 103

Clips Williams(1) Williams(3)

Cavs Kerr, Williams(3) Nance, Williams, Ehlo

2:47: CLE: Nance drives and scores - the Cavs trail by 2.

2:18: LAC: Zubac 4 footer.

1:22: LAC: Thats probably it - Lou Williams top of the key.

:47: CLE: Nance misses a 3 but Hot Rod Williams putback

:36: LAC: Lou Williams.

:16: CLE: Price 3 from the top.  113-110

:13: LAC: George is fouled, hits 1 which should be plenty.

kawhi hits a couple FT for the final

FScore: Clips 116 Cavs 110

7 triples more is plenty and the Clips take game one.  When Lou Williams is PotG, the Clips are in good shape

Williams: 26 pts/11 assists-Player of the Game

Kawhi: 19 pts.7 assists

Zubac: 10 pts/14 boards/4 blocks

George: 26 pts/7 boards

Daugherty: 21 pts/15 assists

Nance: 27 pts/11 boards

Williams: 12 pts/9 boards

Price: 21 pts/8 assists

Gm 2: Cleveland: Richfield Coliseum: Joe Tait/Jim Chones

1Qtr

9 Cavs 13 Clips 8

Cavs Price, Nance, Ehlo, Williams, Nance(3) nance

Clips Kawhi, Zubac, Harrell, Zubac

6 Cavs 17 Clips 10

Cavs Ehlo, Daugherty

Clips Harrell

Bumping in Cleveland for game two; Cavs trying to force the showdown.

3 Cavs 23 Clips 21

Cavs Williams, Price

Clips Zubac(3) George, Harrell, Beverley, Kawhi(1)

1Score Cavs 29 Clips 26

Cavs Brandon, Kerr, Daugherty

Clips Kawhi, Patterson(3)

Cavs up early, can they take this one?

2Qtr

9 Cavs 37 Clips 37

Cavs Battle, Ferry, Nance, Williams

Clips Harkless(3) Green, Harrell, Zubac, Harrell

6 Clips 45 Cavs 39

Cavs Ferry

Clips Kawhi(3) Kawhi(3) Kawhi

Modern basketball - are the 2020 Covid teams about to win their 3rd Regional titles?

3 Clips 56 Cavs 44

Cavs Williams, Williams, Nance(1)

Clips Patterson, Georgr, Patterson(3) Kawhi, Williams

HScore Clips 60 Cavs 59

Cavs Price(3) Nance, Nance, Nance(3) Kerr(3) Kerr

Clips Harrell, George

Larry Nance with 10 in the second, Cavs slice the deficit to 1.  

3Qtr

9 Clips 65 Cavs 63

Cavs Williams, Daugherty

Clips Williams(3) Harrell

6 Cavs 73 Clips 71

Cavs Kerr, Kerr, Nance, Price, Daugherty

Clips Williams, Zubac, Green

The Cavs catch up.  

3 Cavs 79 Clips 76

Cavs Nance, Brandon, Daugherty

Clips Harrell(3) Zubac

3Score Cavs 86 Clips 80

Cavs Williams, Daugherty(1) Daugherty, Williams

Clips George(3) Harrell(1)

9 in the third for Daugherty - can the Cavs hold on?

4Qtr

9 Cavs 92 Clips 85

Cavs Nance, Daugherty, Nance

Clips Williams

6 Cavs 96 Clips 93

Cavs Williams, Williams

Clips Williams, Green(3) Zubac(3)

5:08: CLE: Danny Ferry banks one home.

4:22: LAC: Kawhi 17 footer. 

3 Cavs 103 Clips 95

4:13: CLE: Brad Daugherty bangs a corner triple.

3:48: CLE: Terrell Brandon dunks on a lob from Nance

FScore Cavs 111 Clips 105

Cavs Nance, Price, Daugherty, Daugherty

Clips Zubac, Harrell, Zubac, Kawhi, Williams

Cleveland does it - the Clips never get closer than 4 and the Cavs force the showdown.

Daugherty: 22 pts/17 boards/5 assists-Player of the Game

Nance: 27 pts/6 boards/5 blocks

Williams: 22 pts/7 boards/4 blocks

Price: 11 pts/13 assists

Kerr: 11 pts

Kawhi: 19 pts/6 boards

Zubac: 20 pts/18 boards/4 blocks

George: 10 pts/8 assists/6 boards

Harrell: 20 pts/9 boards

Willliams: 13 pts/5 assists

Green: 10 pts/8 assists

Gm 3: Gm 1: LA: Staples: Brian Sieman/Joe Tait

1Qtr

9 Cavs 11 Clips 2

Clips Zubac

Cavs Ehlo, Williams, Price(3) Daugherty, Price

6 Cavs 18 Clips 7

Clips Williams, Williams(3)

Cavs Nance(3) Daugherty, Nance

Showdown at Staples - two franchises with one last shot to advance.  

3 Cavs 22 Clips 11

Clips harrell, George

Cavs Daugherty, Price

1Score Cavs 27 Clips 21

Clips Beverley, Noah, Patterson(3) Patterson(3)

Cavs Kerr, Kerr(3)

Couple of Patrick Patterson triples and the 12 pt Cavs lead is down to 6.

2Qtr

9 Cavs 33 Clips 25

Clips Patterson, Beverley

Cavs Sanders, Ferry, Williams

6 Cavs 45 Clips 31

Clips Patterson, Beverley, Kawhi

Cavs Price(3) Kerr(3) Price, Price, Daugherty

There's no Jordan, no Stockton/Malone, the only surviving 90s team is the '95 Sonics - but look what's happening here.  

3 Cavs 49 Clips 37

Clips Williams, Jackson, harrell

Cavs Ehlo, Daugherty

HScore Cavs 51 Clips 45

Clips Kawhi, Zubac, Harrell, Harrell

Cavs Battle

Montrez Harrell with a half dozen to close the half - Clips get as close as theyve been all day.

3Qtr

9 Cavs 64 Clips 53

Clips George(3) Harrell(3) Kawhi

Cavs Nance, Daugherty, nance(3) Ehlo, price, Ehlo

6 Cavs 74 Clips 64

Clips George(3) George(3) George(3) George

Cavs Kerr, Daugherty, nance, Williams, Daugherty

Paul George with 14 points in 6 minutes, keeping the Clips in shouting distance.

3 Cavs 82 Clips 74

Clips Green(3) Williams(3) Harrell, harrell

Cavs Nance, Williams, Daugherty, price

3Score Cavs 87 Clips 84

Clips Jackson(3) Harrell, Jackson(3) Zubac

Cavs Williams(3) Williams

So much talk about the advantage modern teams have with the 3 ball - we've neve seen that expressed as fully as this quarter - 9 triples for the Clips to just 2 for the Cavs.

4Qtr

9 Clips 96 Cavs 93

Clips Kawhi(3) Williams, Kawhi, George(3) Harrell

Cavs Daugherty, Nance, Daugherty

6 Cavs 102 Clips 98

Clips Kawhi

Cavs Brandon(1) Battle, Price(3) Price(3)

3 Cavs 109 Clips 104

Cavs Daugherty, Price(3) Williams

Clips Zubac, Zubac

2:38: LA: Green dunk cuts it to 3.

2:24: CLE: Kerr from the foul line.

2:17: LA: Kawhi slashes into the paint and it's a 3 pt game

1:39: LA: Zubac dunk - it's now 111-110 Cavs.

1:15: CLE: Larry Nance hits a big shot - 14 footer and again it's 3.

:46: CLE: Is it the Cavs?? Clips miss a triple and Mark Price scores in traffic.  5 point game

:19: CLE: Again, the Clips don't score - Price 2 FT

George triples.  

Price 2 FT

George again.  119-115.  11 seconds

Daugherty 2 FT  Nance 2 FT.  Series.

FScore: Cavs 123 Clips 115

What can you say?  The 1992 Cleveland Cavaliers have had to go to the showdown in every series -- but they've survived every time; Kobe, Kawhi, Harden - they've beaten them all and win Region 15.

Price: 33 pts/10 assists-Player of the Game

Daugherty: 26 pts/12 boards/5 assists

Williams: 15 pts/11 boards/4 blocks

Nance: 20 pts/13 boards/4 blocks

Kerr: 12 pts

All Region:

C  Daugherty ('92 Cavs 5)-MOST VALUABLE PLAYER

F LeBron ('16 Cavs 3)

F Kawhi ('20 Clips 3)

G Harden ('17 Rockets 3)

G Kobe ('08 Lakers 3)

256 Team All Time Basketball Tournament: Region 14 Finals

 Region 13

1. 2009 NBA CHAMPION LA LAKERS v. 3. 2013 WEST CHAMP SA SPURS

Lakers: 65-17, 1st Pac Div, 3rd Off/6th Def

              d. Jazz West 1st Rnd 4-1

              d. Rockets West Semis 4-3

               d. Nuggets West Finals 4-2

               d. Magic NBA Finals 4-1

               #14 overall seed

               d. '98 Suns (2-0, Kobe 2 PotG)

               d. '05 Heat (2-1, Kobe)

               d. '84 Celtics (2-0 Kobe)

Coach: Phil Jackson, GM Mitch Kupchak, Asst Kurt Rambis, Brian Shaw

Starters

C Andrew Bynum                    21                      14.3              20             5.5          1.1

F Pau Gasol                              28                     18.9 PPG     22.6 PER  13.9 WS  5

F Trevor Ariza                          23-UCLA          8.9               15.5          6.1          2.3

G Derek Fisher                         34-L Rock         9.9               12.1          6.3         1.3

G Kobe Bryant                         30                      26.8             24.4          12.7  5.9VORP

Rotation Reserves

C Lamar Odom                         29-R Island       11.3             16.6          6.9     2.4

F Vladmir Radmanovic           28                       5.9                11.6          1.6    .5

F Luke Walton                         28-Arizona         5                   11.3          2        .3

G Shannon Brown                   23-Mich St         3.2                15             .4       .1

G Sasha Vujavic                      24                        5.8               12.6         3.7      .9

Leaders Kobe 3rd PPG, 5th +/-, 5th VORP, 4th Trip Doub, 1st Team All NBA

               Gasol 5th FG%, 4th WS, 5th WS/48, 1st Off Rtng, 3rd Team All NBA

               Ariza 2nd Stl %

The World Champion Lakers are top 6 in both offense and defense and the top seeds in Region 14; Gasol is 28, Kobe's 30 and they both cross 20 PER and double digit WS; 21 year old Andrew Bynum also hits 20 PER.  Lakers got 3 Regional Champs, but none of them is a Kobe team; he was NBA Finals MVP in 2009. He and Gasol were All Stars and Kobe was co-MVP of that game.  They beat Shaq and swept Bird - the top seeds in the Region look to take the title.

Spurs: 58-24, 1st SW Div, 7th Off/3rd Def

            d. Lakers West 1st Rnd 4-0

            d. Warriors West Semis 4-2

            d. Grizzlies West Finals 4-0

            Lost Heat NBA Finals 4-3

            #46 overall seed

            d. '06 Suns (2-0, Splitter/Duncan)

            d. '74 Bucks (2-0, Duncan 1)

            d. '96 Lakers (2-0 Splitter/Duncan)

Coach: Gregg Popovich, Asst Mike Budenholzer

Starters

C Tim Duncan             36-Wake             17.8 PPG  24.4 PER  8.3 WS  3.8 VORP

F Tiago Splitter           28                        10.3          18.7           8.2        2.1

F Kawhi Leonard        21-San Diego St  11.9          16.4           6.2        2.3

G Tony Parker             30                        20.3          23             9.3         3.1 

G Manu Ginobli          35                        11.8          19              4.5         2

Rotation Reserves

C Matt Bonner             32-Florida           4.2           11.8           2.5        .5

F Boris Diaw               30                        5.8            11.9          4.4        1.2

F DeJuan Blair             23-Pitt                5.4            14.6          2.2        .1

G Patty Mills               24-St Marys        5.1            14.1          1.5       .4

G Danny Green            25-UNC             10.5           14.1         5.9       2.7

Leaders Duncan 5th Blocks, 3rd Blocks/Gm, 4th Def WS, 2nd Def +/-, 1st Def Rtng, 3rd Def Reb%, 4th Block%, 1st Team All NBA Team

               Parker 5th WS/48, 4th Asst%, 2nd Team All NBA

3rd seed in the Region is the Spurs team that lost to Miami in the Finals; it's a defense first group; 36 year old Duncan and 30 year old Parker each pass 20 PER. The Spurs are looking for their 3rd Regional Title; the '15 and '17 groups have already won.  Duncan was 2nd team all defense; he and Parker were All Stars; the Spurs are undefeated in the tournament.

Matchup:

C Duncan (Spurs)

F Gasol (Lakers)

F Kawhi (Spurs)

G Parker (Spurs)

G Kobe (Lakers)

Bench: Spurs

Gm 1: LA: Staples: Joel Meyers/Mychal Thompson

1Qtr

9 Lakers 8 Spurs 7

Lakers Kobe, Ariza, Kobe, Gasol

Spurs Parker, Parker, Ginobli(3)

6 Spurs 16 Lakers 15

Lakers Kobe(3) Kobe(1) Kobe

Spurs Parker, Duncan, Ginobli, Kawhi(3)

Region 14 Finals underway.

3 Spurs 28 Lakers 24

Lakers Walton, Gasol(3) Kobe, Gasol

Spurs Duncan, Duncan (3) Parker, Parker, Kawhi(3)

1Score Spurs 32 Lakers 28

Lakers Odom, Walton

Spurs Duncan, Duncan

Duncan's got 11.  

2Qtr

9 Spurs 41 Lakers 37

Lakers Bynum(3) Radmanovic, Vujacic(3)

Spurs Blair, Ginobli(3) Ginobli, Splitter

6 Spurs 49 Lakers 42

Lakers Kobe(3) Kobe

Spurs Splitter, Mills(3) Splitter, Bonner(1)

Spurs continue leading, 10 for Ginobli.

3 Spurs 53 Lakers 49

Lakers Kobe, Ariza, Odom(3)

Spurs Splitter, Green

HScore Spurs 59 Lakers 54

Lakers Ariza(3) Fisher

Spurs Parker, Splitter, Duncan

10 in the quarter for Spitter.

3Qtr

9 Spurs 69 Lakers 59

Lakers Kobe, Walton(3)

Spurs Duncan, Ginobli(3) Duncan, Duncan

6 Spurs 77 Lakers 66

Lakers Walton, Bynum, Gasol(3)

Spurs Mills(3) Splitter , Parker, Duncan

it's been San Antonio all day; Duncan adds 8 more

3 Spurs 82 Lakers 69

Lakers Kobe(1) Odom

Spurs Parker, Kawhi, Splitter(1)

3Score Spurs 84 Lakers 76

Lakers Kobe, Gasol, Kobe(3)

Spurs Duncan

8 in the qtr for Kobe, can LA make a run?

4Qtr

9 Spurs 88 Lakers 85

Lakers Kobe, Odom, Kobe(3) Bynum

Spurs Splitter, Duncan

6 Spurs 98 Lakers 90

Lakers Kobe(3) Radmanovic

Spurs Duncan, Parker(1) Green(3) Duncan, Diaw

LA cut a 13 pt deficit to 1 - but that Danny Green triple stopped the bleeding.

3 Spurs 107 Lakers 94

Lakers Fisher, ariza

Spurs Mills(3) Mills(3) Mills(3)

FScore Spurs 116 Lakers 97

Lakers Walton(3)

Spurs Kawhi, Ginobli(3) Kawhi, Ginobli

Patty Mills scored 9 straight pts - just drained 3 triples, pop, pop, pop and it ended the game.

Duncan: 29 pts/9 boards-Player of the Game

Kawhi: 12 pts/8 boards

Splitter: 15 pts/13 boards/5 assists

Parker: 17 pts/5 assists

Ginobli: 18 pts/9 boards/9 assists

Mills: 15 pts

Gasol: 12 pts/10 boards

Kobe: 36 pts/5 boards/5 assists

Walton: 12 pts

Gm 2: San Antonio: AT&T Center: Bill Land/Sean Elliott

1Qtr

9 Spurs 5 Lakers 4

Spurs Kawhi(3) Ginobli

Lakers Gasol, Bynum

6 Spurs 15 Lakers 15

Spurs Splitter, Parker, Kawhi(3), Duncan, Parker(1)

Lakers Gasol, Kobe (3) Kobe, Kobe, Bynum

Game 2 - Spurs looking to advance.

3 Lakers 22 Spurs 22

Spurs Ginobli, Parker, Parker(3)

Lakers Bynum Fisher(3) Odom

1Score Lakers 30 Spurs 26

Spurs Parker, Blair

Lakers Kobe, Vujacic, Odom, Radmanovic

LA takes its first lead.

2Qtr

9 Lakers 40 Spurs 32

Spurs Mills, Splitter, Splitter

Lakers Ariza(3) Gasol, Vujacic, Odom, Odom

6 Lakers 46 Spurs 36

Spurs Splitter, Duncan

Lakers odom, Gasol, Kobe

LA has turned this around - Odom with 6 to open the qtr.

3 Lakers 50 Spurs 45

Spurs Splitter, Splitter(3) Kawhi, Green

Lakers Gasol, Bynum

HScore Lakers 52 Spurs 47

Spurs Mills

Lakers Brown

Splitter with 11 in the second.  

3Qtr

9 Lakers 56 Spurs 51

Spurs Splitter, Kawhi

Lakers Gasol, Ariza

6 lakers 58 Spurs 57

Spurs Dunca, Diaw, Parker

Lakers Kobe

The Sours continue to slice away.

3 Lakers 65 Spurs 62

Spurs Green(3) Diaw

Lakers Odom Fisher, Kobe(3)

3Score Lakers 71 Spurs 67

Spurs Parker, Ginobli(3)

Lakers Gasol, Kobe, Kobe

Kobe with 9 in the qtr.  

4Qtr

9 Lakers 77 Spurs 77

Spurs Green(3) Duncan, Duncan, Kawhi(3)

Lakers Bynum Kobe, Bynum

6 Lakers 85 Spurs 80

Spurs Blair(3)

Lakers Kobe(3) Gasol, Vujacic(3)

San Antonio ties it up - but 5 more from Kobe and LA is up 5

3 Spurs 92 Lakers 89

Spurs Duncan, Ginobli(3) Ginobli, Duncan, Parker, Splitter(1)

Lakers Ariza, Odom

2:22 SA: The Spurs have come back - and now Duncan puts back a Ginobli miss and it's a 5 pt game

1:37: SA: The dagger.  Ginobli 3.  

Bynum scores, Splitter scores, Bynum again. Duncan FT, DFisher triples at 15 seconds and LA trails by 4.  

Parker hits 3 FT for the final

FScore: Spurs 103 Lakers 96

We may have a favorite headed to the next round = the Spurs went undefeated in regional play, 8-0 and take region 14.  25 for Kobe in the loss, he takes region MVP

Splitter: 18 pts/12 boards/4 steals

Duncan: 17 pts/12 boards/4 blocks

Parker: 19 pts/9 assists

Kawhi: 13 pts/8 boards

Ginobli: 15 pts/6 assists

All Region

C Duncan ('13 Spurs 4)

F Bird ('84 Celtics 3)

F Splitter ('13 Spurs 3)

G Kobe ('09 Lakers 6)

G DJ ('84 Celtics 1)

256 Team All Time Basketball Tournament: Region 13: Final

 region 12

4. 2020 NBA CHAMP LA LAKERS v. 7. 2002 MW DIV CHAMP SA SPURS 

Lakers: 52-19, 1st Pac Div, 11th Off/3rd Def

              d. Blazers West 1st Rnd 4-1

              d. Rockets West Semis 4-1

              d. Nuggets West Finals 4-1

              d. Heat West Finals 4-2

              #52 overall seed

              d. '74 Celtics (2-0, LeBron 2 PotG)

              d. '08 Jazz (2-0 Davis/LeBron)

              d. '71 Bucks (2-0 Davis/LeBron)

Coach: Frank Vogel, Asst Jason Kidd, Lionel Hollins

Starters:

C Dwight Howard                          34                         7.5 PPG     18.7 PER  5.4 WS  .7

F Anthony Davis                             26-Kentucky       26.1            27.4          11.1  5.4

F LeBron James                              35                        25.3            25.5          9.8    6.1 VORP

G Rajon Rondo                               33-Kentucky        7.1              12.4        1.4      .2

G Kentavious Caldwell-Pope          26-Georgia          9.3             11             3.7      .5

Rotation Reserves:

C Javale McGee                              32-Nevada           6.6             19.4          4.7     1

F Kyle Kuzma                                 24-Utah               12.8            12.2          2       -.2

F Danny Green                                32-UNC              8                 10.8         3.4     1.1

G Alex Caruso                                 25-Texas A&M   5.5             10.8          2.3       .5

G Avery Bradley                             29-Texas              8.6              8.9           1.5       -.2

Leaders: LeBron: 1st Assts, 1st Assts/Gm, 5th +/-, 3rd VORP, 1st Asst%, 2nd Trip Doub, 1st Team All NBA

                Davis: 3rd Blocks, 3rd Blocks/Gm, 4th PER, 4th WS, 3rd WS/48, 4th Def Rtng, 5th Block %, 1st Team All NBA

               Howard 5th Def Rtng, 3rd Off Reb %

The Covid Champs were just okay offensively, but had the third best defense in 2020; The King is 35, he and 26 year old Anthony Davis both cross 25 PER. Both were All Stars and Davis was All Defense first team; LeBron won the NBA Finals MVP. The Lakers have swept through the tournament. 

Spurs: 58-24, 1st MW Div, 9th Off/2nd Def

            d. Sonics West 1st Rnd 3-2

            Lost Lakers West Semis 4-1

            #109 overall seed

            d. '08 Hornets (2-1 Duncan 2)

            d. '79 Sonics (2-1 Duncan)

            d. '06 Heat (2-0 Duncan)

Coach Gregg Popovich, Asst Mike Budenholzer

Starters

C David Robinson            36-Navy                  12.2 PPG   20.3 PER 10.1 WS   3.4

F Tim Duncan                   25-Wake                 25.5            27            17.8         8VORP

F Malik Rose                    27-Drexel                9.4             16.4          4.4           .3

G Terry Porter                  38-Wisc Stev Pt       5.5             13.9          3.5          1.2

G Steve Smith                   32-Mich St.            11.6            13.9         6.4           1.6

Rotation Reserves

C Danny Ferry                  35-Duke                   4.6             11.2         2.3         .5

F Bruce Bowen                 30-Cal St Fullerton  7                8.2           1.9         .3

F Charles Smith                26-N Mexico            7.4             13.2         2             .8

G Tony Parker                  19                              9.2             11.7         3.8          .6

G Antonio Daniels            26-BGSU                 9.2             13.4         5.9           1.3

Leaders Duncan 5th PPG, 1st Reb, 2nd Reb/Gm, 3rd Blocks, 4th Blocks/Gm, 2nd PER, 1st WS, 2nd WS/48, 2nd +/- 1st VORP, 2nd Def Rtng, 3rd Def Rtng, 1st Team All NBA

               Smith: 1st 3 Pt%

               Robinson: 5th Def +/-, 3rd Def Rtng

               Rose: 4th Def Rtng

Time for another Spurs team as we finish region 13, 25 year old Duncan is one of the 2 best players in the league in 2002, 1st in VORP and Win Shares, 2nd in PER and WS/48. He won the MVP and was all Defense first team.  The 36 year old Admiral also hits 20 PER and double digit WS. Duncan was an All Star; 30 year old Bruce Bowen was 2nd team all Defense.  Duncan's been PotG in all 6 Spurs wins.

Matchup:

C Robinson (Spurs)

F Duncan (Spurs)

F LeBron (lakers)

G Porter (Spurs)

G Smith (Spurs)

Bench: Push

We get the Hall of Fame front court battle - 36 year old Robinson/25 year old Duncan v. 35 year old LeBron/26 year old Davis.  Spurs are pretty clearly better everywhere else, but the Lakers have 20 years on them and are undefeated. 

12 teams are in the Sweet 16.  Heavily skews modern, as you can see.  

'80 Lakers

'89 Lakers

'15 Spurs

'17 Spurs

'20 Bucks

'12 Heat

'13 Heat

'18 Warriors

'11 Thunder

'15 Rockets

'11 Bulls

'95 Sonics

The winner here will be the first organization to win 3 Regional Titles; if the Lakers win, that will give LeBron 3 Regional Titles, pulling him ahead of Duncan/Parker/Durant/Harden.

The Region 14 Final is next - also Spurs/Lakers.

The Region 15 Final is another Covid team, the '20 Clips, against who would be just the 2nd 90s team in the field, the '92 Cavs

And we will conclude with Region 16 - Dirk and the Mavs against the last chance the Celtics have to win a regional title.  

Gm 1: LA; Staples: Announcers: Bill MacDonald/Mychal Thompson

1Qtr

9 Spurs 4 Lakers 2

Lakers KCP

Spurs Duncan, Duncan

6 Lakers 7 Spurs 7

Lakers Lebron(3) Davis

Spurs Duncan(3)

Region 13 is underway

3 Lakers 15 Spurs 14

Lakers Lebron, Rondo, Howard, Howard

Spurs Smith(3) Robinson, Duncan

1Score Spurs 21 Lakers 16

Lakers LeBron(1)

Spurs Duncan, Robinson(3) Daniels

Defensive battle here; Lakers were the third best defense in '20, the Spurs the second best in '02

2Qtr

9 Spurs 32 Lakers 24

Lakers Davis, Davis, McGee, LeBron

Spurs Daniels, CSmith, Robinson, Parker, Bowen(3)

6 Spurs 38 Lakers 33

Lakers Davis, Bradley(3) Bradley, LeBron

Spurs Duncan, Duncan, Duncan

Duncan's got 17; 4 Hall of Famers in the frontcourts are fighting it out in this series.

3 Spurs 47 Lakers 41

Lakers Bradley(3) Rondo(3) LeBron

Spurs Daniels, Robinson, Dunca, Porter(3)

HScore Lakers 51 Spurs 50

Lakers LeBron, LeBron, McGee, Davis, LeBron

Spurs Robinson(3)

LeBron's got 18, Duncan 19, Robinson 12, Davis 10

3Qtr

9 Lakers 56 Spurs 54

Lakers LeBron(3) Howard

Spurs Rose, SSmith

6 Lakers 66 Spurs 62

Lakers McGee, KCP, Caruso, Rondo, Davis

Spurs Parker(1) SSmith(3) Duncan, Robinson

LeBron and Duncan locked in this game one battle.

3 Lakers 74 Spurs 65

Lakers KCP, Bradley, Davis, Davis

Spurs Bowen(1) Parker

3Score Lakers 82 Spurs 74

Lakers Bradleym KCP, Davis, Howard(1)

Spurs Porter, Duncan, Smith, Parker(3)

AD now has 18 and LA leads by 8.

4Qtr

9 Lakers 89 Spurs 83

Lakers Rondo(3) Howard, Rondo

Spurs Rose, Rose, Porter(3) Smith

6 Lakers 96 Spurs 89

Lakers Davis, Caruso(3) LeBron

Spurs Robinson, Duncan, CSmith

Is LA about to take game one?

3 Lakers 102 Spurs 95

Lakers Davis, Lebron, LeBron

Spurs Porter(3) Rose, Duncan(1)

FScore Lakers 117 Spurs 107

Lakers KCP(3) Davis, Davis, Rondo, Davis, leBron, LeBron

Spurs Dunca, Duncan, Robinson, Smith, SSmith(3)

The Spurs never make that run - closest they get down the stretch is 6.

LeBron: 31 pts/11 assists/5 boards

Davis: 28 pts/11 boards/5 assists

Rondo: 14 pts/7 boards/5 assists

KCP: 12 pts

Howard: 9 pts/13 boards

Bradley: 12 pts

Duncan: 30 pts/9 boards

Robinson: 18 pts/12 boards

SSmith: 18 pts

Rose: 8 pts/10 boards

Porter: 11 pts/8 boards

Gm 2: San Antonio: Alamodome: Joel Meyers/Sean Elliott

1Qtr

9 Lakers 8 Spurs 5

Spurs Porter(3) Rose

Lakers LeBron(3) LeBron(3) Davis

6 Lakers 14 Spurs 9

Spurs Rose, Rose

Lakers Davis, Howard, LeBron

Lakers are looking to close.

3 Lakers 18 Spurs 18

Spurs Smith(3) Duncan, Rose, Porter

Lakers LeBron, KCP

1Score Spurs 24 Lakers 22

Spurs CSmith, Dunca, Robinson

Lakers McGee, LeBron

A dozen for the King.

2Qtr

9 Spurs 27 Lakers 27

Spurs Parker(3)

Lakers Davis, Caruso(3)

6 Spurs 32 Lakers 31

Spurs Rose(3) Duncan

Lakers McGee, Bradley

How about 11 for Malik Rose?  

3 Spurs 37 Lakers 36

Spurs SSmith, Duncan(3)

Lakers LeBron, leBron, Caruso(1)

HScore Lakers 42 Spurs 39

Spurs Duncan

Lakers Davis, LeBron, Bradley

Defense dominating in this one; 18 for LeBron as the Lakers are a half from the Region 13 title.

3Qtr

9 Spurs 48 Lakers 46

Spurs  Robinson, SSmith, SSmith, Robinson(1) Porter

Lakers Howard, Howard

6 Spurs 54 Lakers 51

Spurs Duncan, CSmith, Rose

Lakers KCP, Caruso(3)

Just 5 for Robinson today, Lakers really bottling him up - but if he gets going, that might force the showdown.

3 Spurs 61 Lakers 58

Spurs Duncan, Parker(3) Porter

Lakers McGee, LeBron(3) Howard

3Score Spurs 65 Lakers 65

Spurs Bowen, Rose

Lakers Davis, LeBron(3) Davis

LeBron has 24; we get a good game 2.

4Qtr

9 Lakers 71 Spurs 70

Spurs Parker, Daniels

Lakers LeBron, Davis, LeBron

6 Lakers 76 Spurs 74

Spurs Daniels, Parker

Lakers Bradley, Bradley(3)

5:41: LA: Avery Bradley has scored 7 straight LA pts

5:31: SA: The Admiral dunk.  

5:08: LA: Alex Caruso from the wing.

4:58: SA: Tony Parker 10 footer.

4:51: LA: Anthony Davis fadeaway.  82-78

4:11: SA: Duncan, post moves.  

3:37: SA: Duncan hits a 6 footer and we are tied.  

2:31: LA: Anthony Davis from outside the paint.  

2:18: SA: Malik Rose thunders home a dunk.  

1:40: LA: Howard's fouled hard - makes 1 and it's a 1 pt Laker game.

:57: SA: Terry Porter in traffic gives the Spurs the lead.

:50: LA: Anthony Davis goes off glass.

:39: SA: Malik Rose 15 footer.  88-87 Spurs

'

LeBron misses.  

Duncan misses.

5 seconds left.  Spurs by 1.  Lakers call time.  They'll get the ball at halfcourt.

LeBron?  Davis?  Who takes it?

It's Anthony Davis - he's on the wing - he fires -

GOOOOOOD!!!!  GOOOOOOOD!!!  GOOOOOOD!!!! GOOOOD!!!

Anthony Davis hits a triple at the buzzer to end the series!! LA takes Region 13!!

Final: Lakers 90 Spurs 88

That's 3 - the Laker organization becomes the first to win 3 Regional Titles and they're about to shoot for a 4th.  

Davis: 23 pts/8 boards/5 assists/Buzzer Beater-Player of the Game

LeBron: 28 pts/12 boards/6 assists

Howard: 9 pts/11 boards

Bradley: 11 pts

All Region

C Kareem ('71 Bucks-4)

F Duncan ('02 Spurs-6)

F LeBron ('20 Lakers-5)-MOST VALUABLE PLAYER

G Wade ('06 Heat-2)

G Smith ('02 Spurs)

2022 Royal Rumble Preview/Every Match in Royal Rumble History Ranked

 

Regular readers know that I do quarterly previews of the WWE traditional big 4 PPV and include my contemporaneous rankings of each match in the history of that PPV (I'm not watching 1987 matches through 2020 eyes, I'm an old, I wanted them in 1987; I've seen every major WWF/E PPV at or around its original date).

Really regular readers know that these previews predate this space, I've been doing them since WMXII for the benefit of my old writing partner, Kirk Hiner; he's a lapsed WWE fan but has been a Day 1 AEW supporter and you (yes you) may know him as "guy in Minnesota North Stars jersey" at Dynamite this week.  

I assume, through TV magic, he will also be wearing said jersey for Rampage.

Royal Rumble 35 is Saturday night from St Louis.  Here's the card.

1. WWE UNIVERSAL TITLE: ROMAN REIGNS v. SETH ROLLINS

2. WWF TITLE: BROCK LESNAR (w/Heyman) v. BOBBY LASHLEY (w/MVP)

3. RAW WOMEN'S TITLE: BECKY LYNCH v. DOUDROP

4. MIXED TAG: EDGE/BETH v. MIZ/MARYSE

5. MEN'S RUMBLE MATCH

6. WOMEN'S RUMBLE MATCH

I'm probably more negative on WWE as a whole than at any point in my life, largely because the qualitative drop from Hunter's NXT to Bruce Pritchard's NXT is just offensive.  But what always delivers is the Roman Reigns character work; the Head of the Table version of Reigns wins, wins every week, I am a workrate monkey and I always stop to see a Reigns promo.  

Reigns is the top guy in the promotion, Universal Champ...I mean, I think he took it from Bruno, that's how long he's been Universal Champ. He's really in a program with Brock - but Covid took Reigns out of a PPV at the top of January, moving Brock to go take the other belt.  Reigns old stablemate Rollins was moved in  and here we are  - they're both heels; although Reigns is cheered a lot.  Rollins is now aligned with Owens, the Usos are banned from ringside, so if they want to do this switch and screw Reigns out of the belt they could.  It'll be a good match and I'll decide they do the belt switch.  

Edit - this was a rough show; Reigns kept in a DQ finish; they did what I suggested, just did it with Brock instead.  This is a 3 star match and the best match on the show.

Brock's the lineal WWF Champ; he's got Bruno's belt, Hogan's belt, Austin's belt - that's this belt.  He took from Langston (I know, they just call him Big E now...note, AEW sometimes does some goofy stuff that is not for me, but they are not likely to soon give their top belt to a guy named Big And a Letter) on New Year's Day. It's his 6th reign.  In the way that Reigns/Rollins are both heels - Brock and Lashley are, I think both babyfaces - I'd assume that they're doing Brock/Reigns at Mania, so one and not both leave here with a title.  Like if....if Reigns/Rollins was the opener and Reigns lost and then came back to win the Rumble - maybe that makes sense.  I'll say that's the result - this match is likely really short; probably anything more than 8 minutes is diminishing returns, but Brock and anyone can do 8 good minutes.

Edit - 3 is generous maybe...but I'll say it squeaks through, Brock loses when Reigns interferes.

Becky's gonna keep this belt; Doudrop is not taking a title on the road to Wrestlemania.  It'll be...fine.

Edit - Fine is a stretch, Lynch did keep.

I'd assume this is the end of the Edge/Miz program and strongly assume that end will be Edge going over; this is not a match I have any interest in.

Edit - babyfaces and it wasn't good.

As mentioned, I think it's Reigns in the Rumble; Owens screwing him  seems more likely than Brock somehow losing to a now babyface Lashley - and then having him come back later, win the Rumble and then challenge Brock for his belt at Mania; it just makes a ton of sense to book it like this.  

Edit - Brock, one of the lesser rumbles, it was short, not very dramatic, nothing that stands out as a special moment, it's going to be near the bottom and maybe at the bottom of the Rumbles, I give all rumbles 3 stars at least...this stretches that.

The number of women's likely winners is pretty small - Charlotte has the other belt; so who else is at a level where they would push her?  Banks? Injured. Belair?  Nobody else, right? There's been some Rousey talk and they should do that for sure if they could - Rousey's a star, was a star when she was in the promotion before and if she wanted to come back and do a run between here and Mania, they should do that.  

Edit - they did that, Rousey went over, which is a good decision and a mediocre Rumble.

That's the show - it's the Rumble; there's zero circumstance where you should skip the Rumble (there's also zero circumstance where there will be a match as good as Devlin/Dragunov from this week) it's an irresistable match format.  Watch it.  

You could have skipped it.  

Here is my ranking of every match in the history of the Royal Rumble.  Times are approximate, star ratings are for the 3 and up matches.  Apologies if I missed anything. Updated through 2021.

   1.    '03 WWF Title: Kurt Angle d. Chris Benoit 20 min 5

   2     '15 WWF Title: Brock Lesnar d. Seth Rollins/John Cena 23 min 4 1/2

   3.    ’00 WWF Title HHH d. Cactus Jack 27 min 4 ¼

   4  ’01 IC Ladder: Chris Jericho d. Chris Benoit 19 min 4 ¼

   5. '17 WWF Title: John Cena d. AJ Styles 24 min 4 1/4

   6. '16 IC Falls Count Anywhere: Dean Ambrose d. Kevin Owens 21:30 4 1/4 

   7  ’04 Rumble Match: (Chris Benoit) 61:30 4

   8 ’92 WWF Title: Rumble Match (Ric Flair) 62 min 4

   9. '18 Rumble Match (Shinsuke Nakamura) 65:30 min 4 

   10 '14 Bray Wyatt d. Daniel Bryan 22 min 4

   11. '17 RAW Title: Kevin Owens d. Roman Reigns 23 min 4

   12 ’91 Rockers d. Orient Express 19 min 4

   13 ’95 WWF Title: Diesel draw Bret Hart 27 min 4

   

   14. '19 Smackdown Womens Title: Asuka d. Becky 17 min 3 3/4 stars

 15. '20 Rumble Match (McIntyre) 61 min 3 3/4

  16. '10 Rumble Match (Edge) 49:30 3 ¾

      17.      '00 Tables Hardys d. Dudleys 10:30 3 ¾

   18.  ’94 Tags: Quebecers d. Bret/Owen 16:30 3 ¾

   19. ’04 WWF Title: HHH draw HBK 22:30 3 ¾

   

   20   '11 World: Edge d. Dolph Ziggler 20:30 3 ½  

   21  ’02 WWF Title: Chris Jericho d. Rock 19 min 3 1/2 

   22 ’98 WWF Title: Casket Match: Shawn Michaels d. Undertaker 22 min 3 ½

   23 ’07 WWF Title: Last Man Standing: John Cena d. Umaga 22:30 3 ½

   24. '19 Universal Title: Brock Lesnar d. Finn Balor 9 min 3 1/2 

   25 ’99 WWF Title: I Quit Match: Rock d. Mankind 22 min 3 ½

   26 ’93 WWF Title: Bret Hart d. Razor Ramon 18 min 3 ½

   27 ’11 Rumble Match (Alberto del Rio) 69 min 3 1/2 

   28 ’90 Rumble Match (Hulk Hogan) 59 min 3 ½

   29 ’97 Rumble Match(Steve Austin) 50:30 3 ½

   30. '21 Rumble Match (Edge) 58:30 3 1/2

   31 '18 Women's Rumble (Asuka) 59 min 3 1/2

   32. '19 RAW Women's Title: Ronda d. Sasha 14 min 3 1/2 

   33. '17 Cruiser Title: Neville d. Rich Swann 13 min 3 1/2

   34. '18 WWF Title: AJ Styles d. Owens/Zayn 16 min 3 1/2

   35. '20 Universal Title: The Fiend d. Daniel Bryan 17:30  3 1/2

   36 ’01 WWF Title: Kurt Angle d. HHH 24:30 3 ¼

   37 ’13 WWF Title: Rock d. CM Punk 23:30 3 ¼  

   38 ’93 IC Shawn Michaels d. Marty Jannetty 14:30 3 ¼

   39 ’05 Edge d. Shawn Michaels 18:30 3 ¼

   40. '18 Smackdown Tags: Usos d. Gable/Benjamin 14 min 3 1/4

   41 ’09 WWF Title: Edge d. Jeff Hardy 19:30 3 ¼

   42  '16 WWF Title Rumble Match (HHH) 61:30 3 1/4

   43 ’12 Rumble Match (Sheamus) 55 min 3 ¼

   44 ’05 Rumble Match (Batista) 51:30 3 ¼

   45 ’03 Rumble Match(Brock Lesnar) 53:30 3 ¼

   46 ’00 Rumble Match(Rock) 52 min 3 ¼

   47 ’01 Rumble Match(Steve Austin) 62 min 3 ¼

   48 ’06 Rumble Match (Rey Mysterio) 62 min 3 ¼

   49 ’07 Rumble Match (Undertaker) 56:30 3 ¼

   50 ’89 Rumble Match(John Studd) 64 min 3 ¼

   51 ’98 Rumble Match (Steve Austin) 55:30 3 ¼

   52 ’08 Rumble Match (John Cena) 51:30 3 ¼

   53. '21 Women's Rumble Match (Belair) 59 min 3 1/4

   54. '19 WWF Title: Daniel Bryan d. AJ Styles 24:30  3 1/4

   55 '14 WWF Title: Randy Orton d. John Cena 21 min 3 1/4 

   56 ’10 World: Undertaker d. Rey Mysterio 11 min 3 ¼

   57. '20 RAW Women's: Becky d. Asuka 16:30 3 1/4

   58. '21 Universal Title: Reigns d. Owens 25 min 3 1/4 

   59 ’11 WWF: Miz d. Randy Orton 20 min 3 ¼  

   60 ’05 World: HHH d. Randy Orton 21:30 3 ¼

   61 ’07 Hardys d. MNM 15:30 3 ¼

   62 ’12 WWF Title: CM Punk d. Dolph Ziggler 14 min 3

   63 ’01 Tags: Dudleys d. Edge/Christian 10 min 3

   64 ’08 WWF Title: Randy Orton d. Jeff Hardy 14 min 3

   65 ’92 Owen/Anvil d. Orient Express 17 min 3

   66 ’95 Tags: Bob Holly/123 Kid d. Tatanka/Bam Bam Bigelow 15:30 3

   67 ’02 Rumble Match(HHH) 69:30 3

   68 ’94 Rumble Match: (Bret/Lex) 55 min 3

   69 ’93 Rumble Match: (Yokozuna) 66:30 3

   70 ’91 Rumble Match (Hulk Hogan) 65 min 3

   71 ’96 Rumble Match(Shawn Michaels) 59 min 3

   72. '19 Rumble Match (Rollins) 57:30 min 3

   73. '20 Women's Match: (Charlotte) 54:30 3

   74 ’99 Rumble Match (Vince McMahon) 56:30 3

   75 ’95 Rumble Match (Shawn Michaels) 39 min 3

   76 ’09 Rumble Match (Randy Orton) 58:30 3

   77 '14 Rumble Match (Batista) 55 min 3

   78 ’13 Rumble Match (John Cena) 55 min 3

   79 '15 Rumble Match (Reigns) 59 min 3

   80 '17 Rumble Match (Orton) 3

   81. '19 Women's Rumble Match (Becky) 72 min 3

   82 ’88 Rumble Match (Jim Duggan) 33:30 3 

   83 ’02 IC: William Regal d. Edge 10 min 3

   84 ’04 Eddy Guerrero d. Chavo Guerrero 8 min 3

   85 ’13 World: Last Man Standing: Alberto del Rio d. Big Show 17 min 3

   86 ’09 ECW: Jack Swagger d. Matt Hardy 10:30 3

   87 ’96 Tags: Smoking Gunns d. Bodydonnas 11 min 3

   88 ’03 Tags: Dudleys d. Regal/Storm 7:30 3

   89 '16 US: Kalisto d. Del Rio 11:30 3

   90. '17: Women's Title: Charlotte d. Bayley 13 min 3

   91 ’97 WWF Title: Shawn Michaels d. Sid 14 min 3

   92 ’89 Haku d. Harley Race 9 min 3

   93 ’97 IC: HHH d. Goldust 17 min 3

   

   94 ’06 Jr.: Gregory Helms d. Kash, Funaki, Noble, Nunzio, London 7:30

   95 ’88 Jumping Bomb Angels d. Glamour Girls 14 min

   96 ’89 Hart Foundation/Duggan d. Dino Bravo/Rougeaus 16 min

   97 ’96 WWF Title: Undertaker d. Bret Hart 29 min

   98. ’90 Ronny Garvin d. Greg Valentine 17 min

   99 ’08 World: Edge d. Rey Mysterio 12:30

   100 ’88 Ricky Steamboat d. Rick Rude 17 min

   101 ’00 Taz d. Kurt Angle 3 min

   102 ’02 Ric Flair d. Vince McMahon 15 min

   103 ’98 IC Rock d. Shamrock 11 min

   104 ’05 WWF Title: JBL d. Big Show/Kurt Angle 12 min

   105 ’06 WWF Title: John Cena d. Edge 14

   106 ’97 Vader d. Undertaker 13 min

   107 ’13 Tags: Hell No d. Rhodes Scholars 9:30 

   108 ’93 Steiners d. Beverlys 10:30 

   109. '18 RAW Tags: Sheamus/Cesaro d. Rollins/Jordan 13 min.

   110. ’07 World: Batista d. Ken Kennedy 10:30

   111. '16 Women: Charlotte d. Becky 11:30

   112. '20 Roman Reigns d. King Corbin 21:30

   113. ’10 ECW: Christian d. Ezekial Jackson 12 min

   114 ’88 Islanders d. Young Stallions 14 min

   115 ’02 Tags: Taz/Spike Dudley d. Dudleys 5 min

   116  '16 Tags: New Day d. Usos 11 min

   117 ’12 World: Cage: Daniel Bryan d. Big Show/Mark Henry

   118 '19 Smackdown Tags: Miz/Shane d. The Bar 13:30 min

   119 ’00 IC: Chris Jericho d. Chyna d. Bob Holly 7:30

   120 ’08 JBL d. Chris Jericho 9:30

   121 ’10 US: Miz d. MVP 7:30 

   122 ’97 Garza/Aguayo/Canek d. Estrada/Metal/.Guerrera 11 min

   123 ’04 WWF Title: Brock Lesnar d. Bob Holly 6:30

   124 '18 Universal Title: Lesnar d. Kane/Strowman 11 min

   125 '15 Tags: Usos d. Miz/Mizdow 9:30

   126 ’03 Brock Lesnar d. Big Show 6 min

   127 Euro: '99 Sean Waltman d. Gangrel 6 min

   128 ’98 Vader d. Goldust 8 min

   129 ’95 IC Jeff Jarrett d. Razor Ramon 18 min

   130 ’99 IC: Ken Shamrock d. Billy Gunn 14:30

   131 ’04 Jr. Rey Mysterio d. Jamie Noble 3:30

   132  ’91 Boss Man d. Barbarian 14 min

   133 '14 Brock Lesnar d. Big Show 2 min

   134’92 IC: Roddy Piper d. Mountie 5:30

   135 ’08 Ric Flair d. MVP 8 min

   136 ’98 Mini/Mosaic/Nova d. Battalion/Torito/Tarantula 8 min

   137 ’97 Ahmed Johnson d. Farooq 9 min

   138 ’96 Ahmed Johnson d. Jeff Jarrett 6:30

   139 ’10 WWF: Sheamus d. Randy Orton 12:30

   140 ’07 ECW: Bobby Lashley d. Test 7:30

   141 ’04 Tags: Evolution d. Dudleys 4:30

   142 ’03 World Title: Scott Steiner d. HHH 18:30

   143 ’09 World John Cena d. JBL 15:30

   144 ’99 Boss Man d. Road Dogg 12 min

   145 ’90 Hacksaw Duggan d. Big Boss Man 10:30

   146  ’91 Ted DiBiase/Virgil d. Dusty/Dustin 10 min

   147 ’00 Tags: New Age Outlaws d. Acolytes 2:30

   148 ’94 Tatanka d. Bam Bam Bigelow 8

   149  ’94 IC: Razor Ramon d. IRS 11:30

   150 ’96 IC: Goldust d. Razor 14:30

   151. '21 Smackdown Women's Title: Banks d. Carmella 10:30

   152. '20 Smackdown Women: Bayley d. Lacey 9:30

   153 ’89 Rockin Robin d. Judy Martin 6:30

   154 ’11 Women: Eve d. Natalya/Layla/Michelle McCool 5 min

   155 '15 Bellas d. Page/Natty 8 min

   156 ’12 Bellas/Beth/Natalya d. Kelly/Eve/Alicia/Tamina 5:30

   157 ’02 Women: Trish d. Jazz 4 min

   158 ’09 Women: Melina d. Beth Phoenix 6:30

   159 ’92 Tags: Natural Disasters d. LOD 9:30

   160 ’98 Tags: LOD d. New Age Outlaws 8 min

   161 ’91 Mountie d. Koko 9

   162 ’05 Casket: Undertaker d. Heidenreich 13:30

   163 ’91 WWF Title: Sgt. Slaughter d. Ultimate Warrior 12:30

   164 ’06 World: Kurt Angle d. Mark Henry 9:30

   165  ’93 Bam Bam Bigelow d. Big Boss Man 10 min

   166  WWE Title: Drew McIntyre d. Goldberg 2:30

   167 ’95 Undertaker d. IRS 12:30

   168 '15 Ascension d. New Age Outlaws 5:30

   169 ’01 Women: Ivory d. Chyna 3:30

   170 ’99 Women: Sable d. Luna 4:30

   171 ’12 Brodus Clay d. Drew McIntyre 1 min

   172  ’06 Boogeyman d. JBL 2 min

   173  ’90 Bushwackers d. Rougeaus 13:30

   174 ’12 John Cena draw Kane 11

   175  ’90 Brutus Beefcake draw Lanny Poffo 11 min

   176  ’92 Beverlys d. Bushwackers 15 min

   177  ’10 Women: Mickie James d. Michelle McCool :30

   178 ’03 Torrie Wilson d. Dawn Marie 3:30

   179 ’06 Women: Mickey James d. Ashley 7:30

   180. '94 WWF Title: Yokozuna d. Undertaker 14:30