256 Team All Time Basketball Tournament: Region 1 Round 1: Series 3 and 4

 Series 1 and 2

The 2017 Warriors and 2005 Mavericks win the first two series in Region 1, time for the next two.

5. 2015 LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS V. 12. 1992 PHOENIX SUNS

I don't think we've seen a team from the 2010s lose to any earlier squad; that 3 ball era has so far been too much for the past to overcome, we'll see if that plays out here. 

Clippers: 56-26, 2nd in Pac Div, 1st in Off, 15th in Def.

                d. Spurs West First Rnd 4-3

                Lost Rockets West Semis 4-3

                #65 overall seed 

Coach: Doc Rivers

Starters:

C D.Jordan (26 Texas A&M)    11.5 PPG  21 PER  12.8 Win Shares

F B.Griffin (25 Oklahoma)        21.9         22.8        9

F M.Barnes (34 UCLA)            10.1          11.3        4.3

G C.Paul (29 Wake Forest)       19.1          26           16.1

G JJ Redick (30 Duke)              16.4          16.2        6.7

Rotation Reserves

C S.Hawes (26 Washington)      5.8            9.8         1.2

F G.Davis (29 LSU)                   4               10.8       1.4

F H.Turkoglu (35)                      3.7            10.5       1.2

G A.Rivers (22 Duke)                7.1            10.6       .8

G J.Crawford (34 Michigan)      15.8          16.6      3.6

Leaders: Griffin 4th in 2s, Redick in 3s, Jordan 1st in Rebounds, Paul 1st in Assists, Paul 1st in Steals, Jordan 3rd in Blocks, Jordan 1st in FG%, Jordan 1st in Rebounds/Gm, Paul Assists/Gm, Paul 5th Steals/GM, Jordan 4th Blocks/Gm, Jordan 1st Effective FG%, Jordan 1st Rebound %, Paul 1st Asst %, Jordan 4th Block %, Paul 1st Off Win Shares, Jordan 1st Def Win Shares. 

CP3 leads the league in offensive Win Shares, Jordan in defensive Win Shares and when you add Griffin, that's a strong trio.  

Suns: 53-29, 3rd in Pac Div, 5th in Off, 8th in Def.

                     d. Spurs West First Round 3-0

                     d. Blazers West Semis 4-1

                     #192 overall seed

Coach: Cotton Fitzsimmons

Starters:

C A.Lang (25 Arkansas)                       7.7 PPG   13.8 PER  5.8 Win Shares

F T.Chambers (32 Utah)                       16.3          15.9          4.4

F D.Majerle (26 Central Mich)             17.3          17.8          9.8

G K.Johnson (25 Cal)                           19.7          19.9          10

G J.Hornacek (28 Iowa St)                   20.1          18.9          11.6

Rotation Reserves:

C M.West (31 Old Dominion)              6.1            12.5          3.9

F T.Perry (26 Temple)                          12.3           13.8          5.7

F E.Nealy (31 Kansas St)                     3.1             12.9          1.5

G N.Knight (24 Dayton)                      5.8              11.1          .5

G C.Ceballos (22 Cal St Fullerton)      7.2             16.9          1.3

Leaders: Johnson 2nd Assists, Johnson 2nd Assts/Gm, Johnson 3rd Asst %, Lang 4th Block %

KJ and Hornacek are both double digit Win Shares, nobody is over 20 PER.

Compare Lineups
C Jordan Clips

F Griffin Clips

F Majerle Suns

G Paul Clips

G Hornacek Suns

Bench Suns

So - the Clips have the two best players on the floor, but all in all the rosters are comparable. Clips are favored here.

GAME ONE

FIRST QTR:

11:50: LA: Matt Barnes 2FT 2-0 Clips

11:36: PHO: Tom Chambers 1 FT 2-1

10:28: PHO: Jeff Hornacek 2 FT 3-2 Suns

8:42: LA: Barnes 2 FT 4-3 Clips

7:27: PHO: Hornacek from 17, KJ assist, 5-4 Suns

7:07: LA: Chris Paul long 2, Griffin asst, 6-5 Clips

6:50: PHO: Hornacek left wing 3, Lang asst, 8-6 Suns

4:39: PHO: Andrew Lang scoop, Majerle asst, 10-6

4:30: LA: DeAndre Jordan drives the baseline, Griffin asst, 10-8

4:18: PHO: Hornacek contested from 16, KJ asst, 12-8

4:06: LA: JJ Redick buries a 3 from the top of the arc, Jordan asst, 12-11

3:48: PHO: Helluva quarter for Horacek, he cruises in for a layup, 14-11

3:36: LA: Barnes from the left wing, CP3 assit, 14-13

3:21: PHO: Dan Majerle from the foul line, KJ asst, 16-13

3:06: PHO: Chambers right side J, Majerle asst, 18-13

2:53: LA:  Ooh, Ahh...it's Blake Griffin tearing home a dunk, 18-15

2:46: PHO Kevin Johnson from the right wing, Hornacek asst, 20-15

2:12: PHO: Chambers 1 FT 21-15

1:57: LA: Jamal Crawford layuop, Paul asst 21-17

:59: LA: CP3 from the paint, 21-19

:17: LA: Spencer Hawes 21-21

FIRST QTR SCORE: CLIPS 21 SUNS 21

10 for Hornacek and we're tied heading to the second.

SECOND QTR:

11:20: LA: Glen Davis 2 FT 23-21 Clips

10:29: PHO: Negele Knight pull up J, 23-23

10:10: LA: Crawford corner 3, Rivers asst, 26-23

9:06: LA: Hedo Turkoglu 3 from the wing, 29-23 Clips

8:48: LA: Austin Rivers dunk, big start to the quarter for the Clippers.  31-23

8:08: PHO: Cedric Ceballos bank from the right side. 31-25

7:50: PHO: Tim Perry from the right side, 31-27

7:08: PHO: Ceballos from the wing and that's 6 straight from the ring, 31-29

6:46: PHO: Ed Nealy 2 FT 31-31

6:32: LA: Blake Griffin from the foul line, Paul asst, 33-31

6:25: PHO: KJ from the wing, 33-33

6:16: LA: Barnes 1 FT 34-33

5:33: LA: Griffin 2 FT 36-33

5:25: PHO: KJ driving layup, 36-35

4:23: PHO: Perry one hander from the block, Majerle asst, Suns take the lead, 37-36

4:11: LA: Crawford 3 from the wing, the modern team starting to unload the 3s, 39-37

3:57: PHO: Hornacek long 2, 39-39

3:25: PHO: Perry in traffic 41-39

2:56: LA: Griffin banks one in, CP3 assit 41-41

2:25: LA: Barnes corner 3, there's another Clipper 3, 44-41

2:15: PHO: Mark West off glass, 44-43

2:05: LA: Griffin 2 FT 46-43

1:42: LA: Griffin jump hook, Paul asst, 48-43

1:16: LA: Redick 3 ball from the corner, 51-43

:57: PHO: Hornacek flashes in for a dunk, KJ asst, 51-45

:44: LA: Griffin powers home a dunk, Crawford asst, 53-45

:21: PHO: Tim Perry from the block, 53-47

:00: LA: Matt Barnes hits a 3 from half court!  56-47

HALFTIME: CLIPS 56 SUNS 47

6 three pointers in the quarter; here's another team from the 2010s just pouring home the 3 ball.

11:39: LA: CP3 banks one from the wing, 58-47

10:12: PHO: Majerle 3 from the top, 58-50

9:26: LA: Crawford from the wing, Paul asst, 60-50

9:16: PHO: Thunder Dan Majerle pounds one down, 60-52

7:06: LA: Blake gets the dish from Paul, drives to the goal and the foul, 63-52

6:39: LA: DeAndre Jordan gets the tough inside bucket, he picks up the foul, 66-52

5:49: PHO: KJ 2 FT 66-54

5:34: LA: Blake in traffic 68-54

4:57: PHO: KJ hits a foul line J, 68-56

4:45: LA: Jordan finger roll, 70-56

3:33: PHO: West drills a bank shot, KJ assist, 70-58

3:25: LA: Griffin foul line turnaround, Paul asst, 72-58

2:56: LA: Blake from the paint, Crawford assist, 74-58

2:01: LA: CP3 hits a triple from the wing - that probably salts game one.  77-58

1:47: PHO: Lang 2 FT 77-60

1:13: PHO: KJ 1 FT 77-61

:41: LA: Griffin 2 FT 79-61

:24: PHO: Chambers contested bank, Knight asst, 79-63

THIRD QTR SCORE CLIPS 79 SUNS 63

Looks like game one is all but in the books, the favored Clips just cruising now.  

FOURTH QUARTER:

11:46: LA: CP3 short J, 81-63 Clips

11:24: PHO: Majerle from 10 81-65

10:46: LA: Blake the nice flip shot, 83-65

10:35: PHO: Chambers goes off glass 83-67

10:18: LA: Barnes foul line J, 85-67

10:05: PHO: Hornacek from the block 85-69

9:32: PHO: West muscles his way to the hole, 85-71

9:08: LA: DeAndre from 4 feet, 87-71

8:51: PHO: Lang gets the put back, 87-73

8:27: PHO: Lang nice short turnaround, 87-75

8:00: PHO: Chambers busts a long 2, KJ assists and theyve cut it to 10, 87-77

7:00: PHO: Perry lays it in, Hornacesk asst, it's single digits 87-79

6:43: LA: But the Clips counter with the 3 ball - it's Paul from the corner 90-79

6:27: PHO: KJ with the nice layup, 90-81

5:30: PHO: West tips it in and the lead is cut to 7, 90-83

5:22: LA: Jordan 1 FT 91-83

So, at the 5 minute mark, the Suns are hanging around, trailing by 8.  

4:26: LA: Crawford hits the long 2, 93-83

4:11: LA: Blake hits a long 2, 95-83

4:04: PHO: Majerle from the wing, 95-85

3:48: LA: Griffin flies in for a rip roaring dunk, 97-85, does that do it?

3:39: PHO: Majerle hits a dead red 3, 97-88

3:28: LA: CP3 from the foul line, 99-88

2:47: LA: CP3 lays it in, 101-88

2:39: PHO: Hornacek 2 FT 101-90

2:23: PHO: Chambers 1 FT 101-91

2:02: LA: Redick hits the floater, 103-91

2 minutes left.

1:57: PHO: Chambers corner 3, 103-94

1:53: LA: Barnes 2 FT, 105-94

1:44: LA: Paul 1 FT 106-94

1:34: LA: Paul 2 FT 108-94

1:25: PHO: Steve Burtt from the lane, 108-96

1:00: PHO: Knight hits a 3 from the wing, 108-99

:59: LA: Paul 2 FT 110-99

:49: PHO: Hornacek 3, 110-102

:47: LA: Griffin 2 FT 112-102

:16: PHO: Majerle 3, 112-105

:12: LA: Griffin 1 FT 113-105

:08: PHO: The Suns closing hard, Hornacek 3, but it's a little late, 113-108

:07: LA: Griffin 1 FT 114-108

:02: PHO: Majerle hits a 3 114-111

:00: LA: Griffin hits 2 more foul shots and it's done.

FINAL: CLIPS 116 SUNS 111

The Suns hit nearly 50% from 3, driving hard at the end of the game, but couldn't quite overcome the 16 pt deficit and the Clips take Game 1.  The Clips big 3 all come up huge.  

Griffin 37 pts, 10 boards - Player of the Game

Paul 23 pts, 16 assists

Jordan - 10 pts, 26 boards

Barnes - 17 pts

Crawford - 12 pts

Majerle - 20 pts, 10 boards, 7 assists

Hornacek - 25 pts, 5 assts

Johnson - 13 pts, 16 assts, 6 boards

Chambers - 14 pts, 7 boards

Lang - 8 pts, 12 boards

Perry - 10 pts, 4 boards

GAME TWO

1ST QUARTER

11:51 LA: JJ Redick comes right out and nails a shot from the wing, Clips 2-0

11:44: PHO: The Suns shot the hell out of the 3 ball in game one, Majerle gets one here. 3-2

11:33: LA: Blake Griffin from 16, Paul asst, 4-3

11:04: LA: Bombs away for Redick, 7-3

10:20: LA: Chris Paul from the lane, 9-3

10:03: LA: DeAndre Jordan from the block, 11-3, look out, Clips trying to end this series.

9:49: PHO: Kevin Johnson in traffic, 11-5

9:42: LA: Jordan hits the runner, 13-5

9:18: PHO: Andrew Lang buries a 9 footer, KJ asst, 13-7

9:08: LA: Jordan from the paint, 15-7

8:51: PHO: Lang midrange, Hornacek asst and the foul, 15-10

8:36: LA: DeAndre Jordan gets the putback 17-10

8:23 PHO: Dan Majerle hits a floater, KJ asst, 17-12

7:52: PHO: Jeff Hornacek hits an 18 footer, Chambers asst, 17-14

6:34: LA: Griffin lays it in, CP3 asst, 19-14

6:25: PHO: Hornacek drives hard for the layin, 19-16

5:33 PHO: Tom Chambers skies in for a hard dunk, 19-18

4:58: LA: Griffin from the wing and the foul, 22-18

4:39: PHO: KJ banks one in, Hornacek asst, 22-20

4:19: PHO: Majerle pounds home a huge dunk and ties the score, 22-22

3:51: LA: Matt Barnes drills a dead eye 3.  25-22

3:40: PHO: Hornacek hits a long 2, Majerle asst, 25-24

3:32: PHO: Hornacek corner 3 and the Suns take the lead.  27-25

2:48: LA: Blake gets the putback 27-27

2:11: PHO: Mark West drives to the goal, 29-27

1:53: LA: Jordan dunks home a Paul lob and gets the foul, 30-29 Clips

1:07: LA: Austin Rivers 2 FT 32-29

:42: LA: Rivers 1 FT 33-29

:12: PHO: Cedric Ceballos layup, 33-31

:03: LA: Rivers hits the floater, 35-31

:00: PHO: Ceballos at the buzzer, 35-33

FIRST QUARTER SCORE: CLIPS 35 SUNS 33

That could be the highest scoring first quarter of the tournament to date; Jordan's got 11 for LA, Hornacek 9 for the Suns.

SECOND QTR:

10:36: PHO Tim Perry goes high off glass and it's tied 35-35

10:25: LA: Hedo Turkoglu hits a corner 3, 38-35

10:17: PHO: Knight 1 FT 38-36

9:41: LA: CP3 drives to the tin and gets fouled, 41-36

9:28: PHO: Hornacek elevates and rocks one home, 41-38

8:34: LA: Jamal Crawford hits a corner 3, 44-38

7:59: LA: Uh oh - Blake steps back for a 3 and now it's 47-38

7:49: PHO: Hornacek layup, 47-40

7:31: PHO: KJ 2 FT 47-42

7:18: LA: Crawford hits a 3 from the wing, that's a dozen Clipper points in the last 2:30 minutes. 50-42

7:11: PHO: KJ 2 FT 50-54

6:55: LA: Griffin finger roll, 52-44

6:24: LA: Griffin layup from Paul, 54-44

6:05: LA: Redick corner 3, Paul assist, 57-44

5:39: LA: Barnes corner 3, Paul assist and that's that, the Clippers have just slapped down the Suns, 60-44

5:20: PHO: Lang 2 FT 60-46

4:46: PHO: Chambers left side step back J, 60-48

3:22: PHO: Chambers 2 FT 60-50

3:07: LA: CP3 triples from the left wing, the 3 ball for the modern teams has just been a full assult on the rest of NBA history to date in this tournament.  63-50

2:28: PHO: KJ 2 FT 63-52

2:21: LA: CP3 layup 65-52

2:09: PHO: West 2 FT 65-54

1:58: LA: Blake hits a long 2, 67-54

1:40: LA: Crawford slamma jamma 69-54

1:30: PHO: Perry from the lane 69-56

1:02: PHO: West fadeaway, 69-58

:45: PHO: Majerle long 2, 69-60

:32: LA: Griffin ends the half with a long 2, 71-60

HALFTIME SCORE: CLIPS 71 SUNS 60

Just a helluva performance for the Clippers, just burying Phoenix in points; honestly, also a pretty good effort from the Suns just to stay alive. Griffin's got 20.  

THIRD QUARTER 

11:48: PHO: Chambers 2 FT 71-62

11:29: LA: Glen Davis flips it in, 73-62

10:35: PHO: Ed Nealy baseline J, 73-64

10:21: LA: Big Baby Davis hits a ten footer 75-64

8:51: LA: Redick 2 FT 77-64

7:49: LA: CP3 hits a 3 from the top of the arc, the lead is now 16, it's over, 80-64

6:46: LA: Blake hits the bank, 82-64

6:31: LA: Blae again, it's a 20 point Clipper lead.  84-64

5:39: PHO: Majerle layup. 84-66

5:17: PHO: Majerle again, 84-68

5:00: LA: Barnes hits a driving layup, and the foul, 87-68

4:27: LA: Blake from the block, 89-68

3:34: LA: Crawford hits a long 2, Paul asst, it's a beating, 91-68

2:34: LA: Turkoglu hits a 3 from the wing, 94-68

1:29: PHO: Knight hits a dead on triple. 94-71

:48: PHO: Crawford short turnaround, 96-71

:26: LA: CP3 flies in for a dunk, the Clippers are going to sweep this series 98-71

THIRD QTR CLIPS 98 SUNS 71

Just a matter of finishing this one off; the Clippers will advance to the next round.

FOURTH QTR;

11:13: LA: Redick comes out and hits a 3, 101-71

10:45: LA: Jordan 1 FT 102-71

10:33: PHO: Ceballos hits the pull up 102-73

10:11: LA: Davis from the left, 104-73

9:55: PHO: Nealy in the paint, 104-75

9:45: LA: Paul layup 106-75

9:32: PHO: Ceballos dunk, 106-77

9:16: PHO: KJ 2 FT 106-79

8:44: PHO Hornacek from 13, 106-81

7:25: LA: Crawford hits a 3, 109-81

6:45: LA: Griffin 2 FT 111-81

6:38: PHO: Hornacek 2 FT 111-83

6:25: LA: Redick 2 FT 113-83

6:00 LA: Paul from the foul line 115-83

4:51: I think I'm going to change the way I report this a little bit and more broadly cover stretches of time, particularly when a game is out of reach.  

This game ends, the final here is 125-95 Clips.  In the last five minutes:

Clips Pts: Barnes, Jordan, Bullock (3) Hamilton (3)

Suns Pts: West, Burtt, Burtt, Burtt (3), Knight (1)

FINAL: CLIPPERS 125 SUNS 95

The Clips take both games and the series; they'll move on to face the winners of the next series.

Griffin - 28 pts, 11 boards - Player of the Game

Paul 19 pts, 18 assts

Jordan 14 pts 19 boards

Barnes 11 pts, 5 boards

Redick 15 pts

Crawford 15 pts

I think I'll noodle around with the reporting of this a little bit, doing it in chunks makes some sense outside of a game competitive in the 4th quarter.  Highlights until then.

4. 1980 NBA CHAMPION LOS ANGELES LAKERS V. 13. 1955 NBA CHAMPION SYRACUSE NATIONALS

Careful readers will note there's been a change since the preview; the simulation doesn't include the original team in this slot, the 1950 Nationals; so I just went forward until I found their first title team that wasn't already in the field, that's this team.  It gives us (I think) the only Champion v Champion matchup in the round.  

Lakers: 60-22, 1st in Pac Div, 1st in Offense, 9th in Defense

                         d. Suns West Semis 4-1

                         d. Sonics West Finals 4-1

                         d. Sixers NBA Finals 4-2

                         #64 overall seed

Coach: Paul Westhead

Starters

C K.Abdul-Jabbar (32 UCLA)                  24.8 PPG    25.3 PER  14.8 Win Shares

F S.Haywood (30 Detroit Mercy)              9.7               13.9           3.1

F J.Wilkes (26 UCLA)                               20                17.6           10

G M.Johnson (20 Mich St)                       18                 20.6           10.5

G N.Nixon (24 Duquense)                       17.6              14.9          6.7

Rotation Reserves 

C J.Chones (30 Marquette)                  10.6              11.3          3.5

F M.Landsberger (24 Ariz St)              7                   17             1

F D.Ford (27 UC Santa Barbara)          3                   8.3            .9

G B.Holland (23 UCLA)                     2.8                14.3          .3

G M.Cooper (23 N Mexico)                8.8                12.5          4

Leaders: Abdul-Jabbar (5th Def Rebounds, 1st Blocks, 1st Blocks/game, 3rd Block %, 1st Win Shares, 1st Win Shares/48, 1st VORP) 

Johnson (1st Triple Doubles)

Westhead took over early in the season; Pat Riley is an assistant. It's Magic's rookie season; he and Kareem have PERs over 20, he, Wilkes and Kareem all have double digit Win Shares.  This is really just a seven man rotation.  

Nationals: 43-29, 1st in East Div, 7th in Off, 1st in Def

                  d. Celtics East Div Finals 3-1

                  d. Pistons NBA FINALS 4-3

                  # 193 overall seed

Coach: Danny Biasone

Starters

C R.Kerr (22 Illinois)               10.5 PPG   18.2 PER  5 Win Shares

F D.Schayes (26 NYU)            18.5           23             12

F D.Farley (22 Indiana)            5.9              12.7          3

G G.King (26 Charleston)         8.9             12.8          3.8

G P.Seymour (27 Toldeo)        14.6            15.1           6.7

Rotation Reserves

C R.Rocha (31 Oregon St)             11.3           12             5

F J.Tucker (22 Duquense)               5.3            11.2         .3

F E.Lloyd (26 West Virginia St)       10.2           11.6         3.6

G B.Kenville (24 St Bonaventure)     7.1             13.6        3

Leaders: Schayes (1st Def Win Shares)

There's Schayes and then everybody else on this Nationals squad; tough to see a circumstance where they take this series from the Lakers.

Lineup Matchups:

C Abdul-Jabbar (Lakers)

F Schayes (Nats)

F Wilkes (Lakers)

G Johnson (Lakers)

G Push

Bench: Nats

GAME ONE:

FIRST QUARTER:

9 MINUTE MARK: LAKERS 11 NATS 11

Pts: Lakers: Magic, Wilkes, Kareem, Magic, Magic (1), Haywood

        Nats: Farley (1), Schayes (3), Farley (3), Seymour, Schayes

6 MINUTE MARK: LAKERS 18 NATS 13

Pts: Lakers: Kareem, Haywood (3), Wilkes

        Nats: Kerr

3 MINUTES: LAKERS 24 NATS 24

Pts: Lakers: Wilkes, Nixon, Nixon

        Nats: Kerr, Seymour, Kerr, Farley (3), Seymour

END OF 1ST QTR: LAKERS 36 NATS 30

Pts: Lakers: Wilkes, Wilkes, Nixon, Kareem, Landsberger, Kareem

        Nats: Schayes, Kerr, Kerr

Okay, new format, I think this is the format going forward through 3 quarters and then if it's a single digit game we go posession for possession.  Nats hanging in here, the game was tied three minutes ago and now the Lakers are up 6.  Jamal Wilkes has 10 for LA, Red Kerr 10 for Syracuse.

SECOND QUARTER

9 MINUTES: LAKERS 41 NATS 32

Pts: Lakers: Holland (3), Chones

        Nats: Lloyd

6 MINUTES: LAKERS 48 NATS 38

Pts: Lakers: Chones, Cooper, Chones, Haywood (1)

        Nats: King, Lloyd, Rocha

3 MINUTES: LAKERS 56 NATS 47

Pts Lakers: Kareem, Kareem, Haywood, Wilkes, 

      Nats: Schayes (3), Kenville, Rocha (1), Kenville (3)

HALFTIME: LAKERS 62 NATS 55

Pts: Lakers: Magic, Haywood, Kareem

        Nats: King, Rocha, Lloyd, Schayes

Nats still hanging tough as we hit the half; Kareem's got 14, Schayes 12.

THIRD QUARTER

9 MINUTES: LAKERS 70 NATS 65

Pts: Lakers: Wilkes, Cooper, Wilkes, Nixon

        Nats: Seymour, King, Schayes, Schayes, Farley

6 MINUTES: LAKERS 74 NATS 72

Pts: Lakers: Kareem, Magic

        Nats: Seymour (3) Lloyd, Kerr

3 MINUTES: LAKERS 78 NATS 78

Pts Lakers: Nixon, Kareem

      Nats: Lloyd, Schayes (Nats take lead), Schayes, 

THIRD QTR SCORE: LAKERS 84 NATS 89

Pts: Lakers: Nixon, Kareem

        Nats: Kenville, Farley, Rocha, King 1FT, Kerr, Seymour

Man, look at this - Syracuse is up 5 on the Lakers as we go to the 4th quarter; Schayes has 20.

4TH QTR:

11:40: LA: Jamal Wilkes gets a pass from Jim Chones, hits a J from the foul line, gets fouled, converts, and the Lakers cut it to 89-87. 

11:31: SYR: The Nats waste no time, Schayes getting the ball to Red Kerr, who hits a long 2, 91-87.

The Lakers come down, Chones misses from the left wing, Lloyd gets the board for the Nats, Seymour misses from the baseline, Chones boards, gets the ball to Magic, Magic goes to the goal and is fouled on the shot.

10:48: LA: Magic hits one FT and it's 91-88 Nats.  

10:22: SYR: George King dishes to Red Rocha who hits a contested turnaround to make it 93-88 Syracyse.  

Spencer Haywood turns it over on the Lakers next trip, Schayes has a drive to the bucket rejected by Kareem; the Lakers come down and Cooper misses from the block.

9:27: SYR: Red Rocha dunks, Schayes asst, 95-88, it's Syracuse's biggest lead. 

9:19: LA: Magic takes it himself, goes right to the glass and gets fouled.  He hits both.  95-90

On the Nats possession, Schayes misses the pull up, Wilkes gets the board but has it stolen, and then Dick Farley throws a pass out of bounds to get the ball to LA as the clock is stopped with 8:45 remaining.  

Wilkes again has the ball stolen, Schayes misses at 8:10, a Norm Nixon pass is stolen at 7:58

7:40: SYR: Dolph Schayes drives hard to the bucket for a dunk, 97-90

Nixon misses a short bank.

7:20: SYR: Red Kerr short J, Seymour assist, 99-90

7:11: LA: Spencer Haywood short J, Nixon asst, 99-92

Farley misses from 15 on the next trip, Nixon then misses from the foul line, the teams each miss on the next trips down. 

5:51: LA: Kareem hits a sky hook, and he's fouled, the Lakers cut it to 4, 99-95

After a Syracuse turnover, there's an iso play run for Wilkes. He's fouled on the shot.

5:31: LA: Wilkes 2 FT  99-97

5:17: SYR: George King hits a runner off of a Rocha dish, 101-97

The Lakers miss twice on the next possession; the Nats then miss twice, the Lakers turn it over, the Nats miss, but ge tthe rebound.

3:34: SYR: Red Rocha gets the put back, 103-97

3:20: LA: Magic runs the break, gets it to Chones who dunks it.  103-99

3:08: SYR: The Nats come right down and Bill Kenville dunks from a King pass, the Nats are up 6, big underdogs on the road.  105-99

Wilkes comes down and misses, Kareem gets a block on the other end, each team turns it over.

1:48: SYR: George King 2FT 107-99, big 8 point Nats lead.  

1:36: LA: Magic doesn't even look at anyone else, he goes down, gets fouled on the drive, makes them both.  107-101

The Nats miss, this time Magic finds the big fellow.

1:08: LA: Kareem sky hook and the foul.  107-104.

:52: SYR: Paul Semour 2 FT 109-104

:45: LA: Magic again, drives hard to the lane, hits a 5 footer.  109-106

Offensive foul on the other end, giving the Lakers the ball - it's Haywood who takes the shot, misses.  Kerr winds up with it.

:19: SYR: Kerr 1 FT 110-106

Lakers now need two scores, just 19 seconds left here in game one.  Magic throws to Kareem who kicks to Haywood.

:14: LA: Haywood from the foul line.  110-108

Lakers trail by a bucket.  Quick foul.

:11 SYR: Dick Farley 2 FT 112-108

Lakers again trail by 2 scores.  Magic misses a 3 from the corner - and Kerr gets the board. Kareem fouls Schayes.  

:04: SYR: Schayes 1FT 113-108

FINAL: NATIONALS 113 LAKERS 108

We get our biggest upset to date; the Nats were not in the initial field, they go on the road and take game 1.  Now they just need 1 more of the next two and they will advance.  

Schayes - 23 pts, 18 rebounds - Player of the Game

Kerr - 19 pts, 6 boards

Seymour - 15 pts, 5 boards, 6 assists

Farley 13 pts

King 11 pts

Rocha 13 pts 5 boards

Lloyd 10 pts 5 boards

Kareem 26 pts, 10 boards, 4 blocks

Wilkes 21 pts, 9 boards

Magic 16 pts, 7 boards 5 assists

Haywood 14 pts 8 boards

Nixon 14 pts

GAME TWO

FIRST QUARTER:

9 MINUTE MARK: LAKERS 10 NATS 4

Pts: Lakers: Kareem, Haywood, Wilkes, Kareem, Kareem

        Nats: Schayes, King

6 MINUTE MARK: LAKERS 19 NATS 13

Pts: Lakers: Nixon (3) Kareem, Wilkes, Wilkes

        Nats: Seymour (3) Seymour King, Seymour

3 MINUTES: LAKERS 23 NATS 22

Pts: Lakers: Kareem, Wilkes

        Nats: Schayes (3), Rocha, Seymour, Seymour

END OF 1ST QTR: LAKERS 31 NATS 28

Pts: Lakers: Kareem, Cooper, Kareem, Nixon

        Nats: Rocha (3) Rocha (3)

Red Rocha hits a 3 at the buzzer to bring the Nats within 3; very similar to the game one start, the Lakers threatening to pull away but Syracuse hangs in there. Kareem's got 14.

SECOND QUARTER:

9 MINUTE MARK: LAKERS 39  NATS 33

Pts: Lakers: Nixon, Nixon, Kareem, Wilkes

        Nats: Tucker (3) Kerr, 

6 MINUTE MARK: LAKERS 46 NATS 37

Pts: Lakers: Kareem, Magic, Kareem (1) Haywood

        Nats: Farley, King, 

3 MINUTES: LAKERS 48 NATS 41

Pts: Lakers: Nixon

        Nats: Schayes, Kenville

HALFTIME: LAKERS 58 NATS 45

Pts: Lakers: Haywood, Magic, Wilkes, Kareem, Magic

        Nats: Rocha, Schayes

That's more of what we expected coming into the series, LA up 13 at the half. Kareem with 21. 

THIRD QUARTER: 

9 MINUTE MARK: LAKERS 68 NATS 47

Pts: Lakers: Magic, Wilkes, Kareem, Kareem, Wilkes

        Nats: Schayes, 

6 MINUTE MARK: LAKERS 71 NATS 55

Pts: Lakers: Magic (3) 

        Nats: Kerr, Kenville, Kenville, Lloyd

3 MINUTES: LAKERS 79 NATS 62

Pts: Lakers: Nixon, Cooper, Kareem, Nixon

        Nats: Kenville, Kerr, Seymour (3)

END OF 3RD QTR: LAKERS 83 NATS 71

Pts: Lakers: Nixon, Haywood

        Nats: Kenville, Kenville, Schayes (3) Farley

Lakers maintining the lead, Nats go on a late run, but it's still a dozen as we hit the 4th. Kareem's got 27, the tournament high is 38.  

4TH QTR: 

9 MINUTES: LAKERS 91 NATS 73

Pts: Lakers: Landsberger (1) Magic, Kareem, Haywood (3) 

        Nats: Farley 

6 MINUTE MARK: LAKERS 101 NATS 81

Pts: Lakers: Kareem, Landsberger (3), Haywood (3), Chones

        Nats: King, Kerr, Rocha, Schayes

3 MINUTES: LAKERS 108 NATS 85

Pts: Lakers: Nixon, Chones, Landsberger

        Nats: Tucker, Seymour

FINAL: LAKERS 110 NATS 91

Pts: Lakers: Mack

        Nats: Gabor, Gabor (3)

Easy one for the Lakers and they send this series to a decisive Game 3.  

Kareem 31 pts, 14 boards, 4 blocks - Player of the Game

Wilkes - 16 pts, 10 boards, 8 assists

Magic - 13 pts, 10 boards

Nixon - 20 pts

Haywood - 14 pts

Schayes - 16 pts, 10 boards

Seymour - 16 pts, 9 assts

Rocha -  12 pts, 10 boards

GAME THREE

Series deadlocked at a game each.  One to decide it.  Who moves on to face the Clippers?

1ST QTR

9 MINUTES: LAKERS 8 NATS 6

Pts: Lakers: Wilkes, Kareem, Nixon, Haywood

        Nats: King (1) King (1) Farley, Seymour

6 MINUTE MARK: LAKERS 18  NATS 11

Pts: Lakers: Magic, Kareem, Magic, Magic, Haywood

        Nats: Schayes, Schayes, Kerr

3 MINUTES: LAKERS 30 NATS 17

Pts: Lakers: Wilkes, Kareem, Wilkes, Holland, Lee, Kareem

        Nats: Seymour, Rocha, Lloyd

1ST QTR SCORE: LAKERS 34 NATS 26

Pts: Lakers: Ford, Holland

        Nats: Seymour, Schayes, Rocha, Rocha, Lloyd (1)

Late Nats run, pretty similar to the first quarters of the prior 2 games, puts this one within shouting distance, that stretch between 6 and 3 minutes where the Lakers poured in a dozen points gives them this advantage.  Kareem's got 8.

2nd QTR

9 MINUTES: LAKERS 44 NATS 32

Pts: Lakers: Haywood, Mack, Haywood, Chones, Nixon

        Nats: Kenville, Kenville, Seymour

6 MINUTE MARK: LAKERS 52 NATS 35

Pts: Lakers: Magic, Wilkes, Magic, Magic

        Nats: Schayes (3)

3 MINUTES: LAKERS 57 NATS 44

Pts: Lakers: Kareem, Magic (3) Kenville (1)

        Nats: Kerr, Kenville, Farley, Schayes

HALFTIME SCORE: LAKERS 63 NATS 47

Pts: Lakers: Kareem, Magic, Haywood, 

        Nats: Rocha (1) Kerr

The Lakers are rolling pretty good now; it's more of what was expected coming into the series and they're 24 minutes away from moving on.  Magic's got 17.  

3RD QTR: 

9 MINUTES: LAKERS 73 NATS 55

Pts: Lakers: Kareem, Haywood, Chones, Wilkes, Magic

        Nats: King, Tucker, Tucker, King

6 MINUTE MARK: LAKERS 81 NATS 59

Pts: Lakers: Cooper, Kareem, Cooper, Wilkes

        Nats: Seymour, Rocha

3 MINUTES: LAKERS 88 NATS 65

Pts: Lakers: Chones, Chones (1) Wilkes, Haywood, 

        Nats: Seymour, Seymour, Schayes

3RD QTR SCORE: LAKERS 94 NATS 67

Pts: Lakers: Kareem, Nixon, Magic

        Nats: Farley

Dominant performance by LA - they're running the Nationals right out of the Forum.  21 for Magic.

4TH QTR: 

9 MINUTES: LAKERS 100 NATS 72

Pts: Lakers: Kareem, Nixon, Nixon 

        Nats: Schayes, Tucker (3) 

6 MINUTE MARK: LAKERS  111 NATS 82

Pts: Lakers: Wilkes, Kareem, Cooper, Haywood (1) Cooper, Nixon

        Nats: Seymour, Schayes, King (3) Seymour

3 MINUTES: LAKERS  117 NATS 86

Pts: Lakers: Wilkes, Kareem, Lee

        Nats: Farley (1)  Kerr (3)

FINAL SCORE: LAKERS 125  NATS 92

Pts: Lakers: Byrnes, Lee (1) Lee (3) Lee

        Nats: Osterkorn (3) Tucker (3)

The Lakers dropped game 1, but rebound (wordplay) strong to take 2 and 3 and they'll face the Clippers in the next round. 

Kareem - 24 pts, 16 boards

Magic - 21 pts, 9 boards, 7 assists

Wilkes - 18 pts, 9 boards, 

Haywood 15 pts, 9 boards

Nixon - 12 pts, 5 assists

We're halfway through Region 1, Round 1 - here's the All Tournament Team so far:

Center - Kareem '80 Lakers

Forward - Durant '17 Warriors

Forward - Griffin '15 Clips

Guard - Curry '17 Warriors

Guard - Paul '15 Clips

 

                     

                     

256 Team All Time Basketball Tournament: Region 1 Round 1: Series 1 and 2

Play in Round 

256 teams.  We're underway.  Round 1 is a best of 3, with all games at the site of the better seed.

REGION 1

1. 2017 NBA CHAMPION GOLDEN ST WARRIORS v. 16. 1993 MW DIV CHAMP HOUSTON ROCKETS

Warriors: 67-15, 1st in Pac Div

                            d. Blazers West First Rnd 4-0

                            d. Jazz West Semis 4-0

                            d. Spurs West Finals 4-0

                            d. Cavs NBA Finals 4-1     

                            #1 Overall Seed

16-1 in the postseason, it's the Warriors second title in 3 years.  

Coach: Steve Kerr

Starters

C Z.Pachulia (32)                 6.1 PPG     16.1 PER    4.7 Win Shares

F D.Green (26 Mich St)       10.2           16.5            8.2 

F K.Durant (28 Texas)         25.1           27.6            12   

G S.Curry (28 Davidson)     25.3           24.6            12.6   

G K.Thompson (26 Wash St) 22.3         17.4            7.1            

Rotation Reserves

C J.McGee (29 Nevada)       6.1             25.2            3.5

F K.Looney (20 UCLA)       2.5             13.6            1.4  

F D.West (36 Xavier)           4.6             16.6            2.6

G S.Livingston (31)              5.1             10.1           2.6

G A.Iguodala (33 Arizona)   7.6             14.3            6.9

NBA Leaders: Curry 1st in 3s, Green 1st in Steals/Gm, Durant 1st Win Shares/48, Green 1st Def +/-

Rockets 55-27, 1st Midwest Division

                          d. Clippers West First Round 3-2

                          lost West Semis Sonics 4-3

                          Tournament Seed #256

                          Play In Round: d. '68 Lakers

Coach: Rudy Tomjanovich

Starters

C H.Olajuwon (30 Houston)           26.1 PPG      27.3 PER  15.8 Win Shares  

F O.Thorpe (30 Providence)           12.8               14.6          6

F C.Herrera (26 Houston)               7.5                 13.1          4.6

G K.Smith (27 North Carolina)      13                  17.1         8.2 

G S.Brooks (27 UC Irvine)             6.3                 14.1         4.6

Reserves

C M.Bullard (25 Iowa)                   7.3                 13.6          3.4

F R.Horry (22 Alabama)                10.1                12.1         3.6

F V.Maxwell (27 Florida)              13.8               13.4           3.9

G W.Garland (28 Missouri St)       5.9                  12.2         1.8

G S.Floyd (32 Georgetown)            6.6                 12.1         1

NBA Leaders: Olajuwon 4th Rebounds, Olajuwon 1st Blocks, Olajuwon 3rd Points, Smith 4th 3 PT%, Olajuwon 4th PPG, Olajuwon 4th Rebounds/Game, Olajuwon 1st Blocks/Game, Olajuwon 2nd PER, Smith 2nd True Shooting %, Smith 1st Effective FG%, Olajuwon 1st Block%, Smith 5th Offensive rating, Olajuwon 2nd defensive rating, Olajuwon 2nd Def Win Shares, Olajuwon 2nd Win Shares, Olajuwon 3rd +/-, Olajuwon 3rd Def +/-, Olajuwon 2nd VORP

Battle of the Lineups

C Olajuwon - Rockets

F Durant  - Warriors

F Green - Warriors

G Curry - Warriors

G Thompson - Warriors

Warriors better at 4 spots on the floor, they are home each game in the series, they are heavy favorites. If Houston wins, it's because Olajuwon just couldn't be contained.  Also, in a very limited sample size, the modern 3 ball teams have had an advantage, we'll see how that plays out.

GAME ONE

FIRST QUARTER

11:14: GSW Kevin Durant driving layup, Curry asst, 2-0 Warriors

11:06: HOU Carl Herrera flips it up and in.  Brooks asst, 2-2

10:40 HOU Hakeem Olajuwon off glass, 4-2 Rockets

10:20: GSW Durant corner 3, Curry asst, 5-4 Warriors

10:01: GSW: Draymond Green powers home a dunk, 7-4

9:52: HOU: Olajuwon 1 FT 7-5

9:39: GSW: Zaza Pachulia baseline J, Green asst, and the foul 10-5

9:00 HOU: Otis Thorpe right side J, 10-7

8:52: GSW: Stephen Curry buries a long 3, his first of the tournament, Zaza asst, 13-7

8:32: GSW: Klay Thompson short 1 hander, Green asst, 15-7

7:16: HOU: Thorpe from the left wing, Olajuwon asst, 15-9

7:09 GSW: Curry right wing turnaround, Thompson asst, 17-9

5:59: HOU: Scott Brooks from the foul line, 17-11

5:49: GSW: Curry from 4 feet, Green asst, 19-11

5:31: HOU: Olajuwon left side J, Smith asst, 19-13

4:26: HOU: Former Warrior Sleepy Floyd floater, Thorpe asst, 19-15

4:16: GSW: Durant 10 foot bank, Curry asst, and the foul, 22-15

3:20: GSW: Curry hits his second 3, Durant asst, 25-15

2:43: GSW:  Look out.  Curry 3 from the right wing.  28-15

2:17: GSW: Look out.  Thompson corner 3, Curry asst, 31-15

2:07: HOU: Smith short J, Olajuwon asst, 31-17

1:58: GSW: Durant from the paint, West asst, 33-17

1:39: HOU: Roberty Horry from the left block, 33-19

1:10: HOU: Horry layup, Smith asst, 33-21

1:01: GSW: Curry from the left, West asst, 35-21

:48: HOU: Olajuwon 18 footer, Floyd asst, 35-23

:30: GSW: Curry 2 FT 37-23

:01: GSW: West dunk, 39-23

:00 HOU: Floyd from the right wing, 39-25

FIRST QUARTER: WARRIORS 39 ROCKETS 25

The Warriors just pounding the basket; Curry has 17, the highest scoring quarter of the tournament to date.

SECOND QUARTER: 

11:14: GSW: Durant 16 footer, West asst, 41-25

9:33: HOU: Floyd 12 footer, Garland asst, 41-27

9:26: GSW: Shaun Livingston jump hook, Iguodala asst 43-27

9:14: HOU: Horry short turnaround, Bullard asst, 43-29

8:39: HOU: Bullard 1 FT 43-30

8:31: GSW: Javale McGee explosive dunk on the lob from Green, 45-30

8:12: HOU: Smith floater, Thorpe asst, 45-32

7:14: GSW Thompson 3 FT 48-32

6:34: GSW: Curry knifes his way to the hoop, 50-32

6:10: GSW Thompson 1 FT 51-32

5:22: GSW Thompson in traffic, Green asst, 53-32

4:26: GSW Zaza flips it in, Durant asst, 55-32

4:08 GSW: Green power dunk, 12 straight for the Warriors 57-32

3:52: HOU: Vernon Maxwell corner 3, 57-35

3:33: HOU: Olajuwon 9 footer, 57-37

2:34: GSW: Andre Iguodala short J, Zaza asst, 59-37

2:10: GSW: McGeee short J, Iguodala asst, 61-37

1:55: HOU: Olajuwon from the line, Garland asst, 61-39

1:25: GSW: Steph from the paint, West asst, 63-39

1:16: HOU: Olajuwon from 9 63-41

:01 HOU: Horry J 63-43

HALFTIME: WARRIORS 63 ROCKETS 43

Just an easy one here in Oakland, 21 for Curry.

THIRD QUARTER

11:49: GSW KD right side J, Thompson asst, 65-43

11:33: HOU: Olajuwon dunk, Maxwell asst, 65-45

10:39: GSW: Thompson driving layup, Durant asst, 67-45

10:05 GSW: Curry 17 foot bank 69-45

9:55: HOU: Maxwell floater, Brooks asst, 69-47

9:48: GSW: KD 2 FT 71-47

9:36: HOU: Brooks from 16 71-49

7:15: GSW: Klay hits the corner 3, Steph asst, 74-49

6:39: HOU: Horry 2FT 74-51

5:51 HOU: Herrera 2 FT 74-53

5:40: GSW: Curry corner 3, 77-53

5:30 HOU: Olajuwon from the paint 77-55

5:20: HOU: Olajuwon 2 FT 77-57

5:00 GSW: Curry corner 3, 80-57, that's 29 for Steph. 

4:44 HOU: Olajwuon 3 footer, 80-59

4:35: GSW Durant from the left block 82-59

4:25: HOU: Garland hits a long 3, 82-62

4:09: GSW: Green layup, Curry asst, 84-62

3:15: HOU: Thorpe in traffic, Herrera asst, 84-64

3:03: GSW: Curry from the paint, he's got 31, 86-64

2:14: HOU: Garland from the right block, 86-66

1:19: GSW: Iguodala left wing 3, 89-66

:45: GSW: Steph dips his way in for an acrobatic scoop, 91-66

:14: GSW: Steph hits a corner 3, that's a tournament high of 36 and it's the third qtr. 94-66

:02: HOU: Garland J, 94-68

:00: GSW: Steph from 8, 96-68

THIRD QUARTER SCORE: WARRIORS 96 ROCKETS 68

Good God, the humanity.  Steph Curry has a tournament high 36 points; this has never been a game, the Rockets can not compete with these Warriors.

11:44: HOU: Bullard corner 3, 96-71

11:30: GSW: Livingston dead on 3, 99-71

11:01: HOU: Horry off glass, Maxwell asst, 99-73

10:39: HOU: Bullard tip in, 99-75

10:20: GSW: Livingston driving layup, 101-75

9:58: HOU: Floyd 1FT 101-76

9:44: GSW: Durant right side, Curry asst, 103-76

9:35: HOU: Olajuwon tip in, 103-78

9:11: GSW: Klay contested 3, Curry asst, 106-78

8:48 HOU: Thorpe baseline, 106-80

8:14: HOU: Olajuwon 2 FT 106-82

8:03: GSW: McGee dunk, 108-82

7:41 HOU: Olajuwon left side, Smith asst, 108-84

7:28: GSW: Thompson from 12, Curry asst, 110-84

7:13: HOU: Olajuwon jump hook, Thorpe asst, 110-86

6:40 HOU: Olajuwon putback 110-88

6:30 GSW: KD off glass, Curry asst, 112-88

6:14: HOU: Smith skies for a jam, 112-90

6:03: GSW: McGee lob dunk, Curry asst, 114-90

5:25: HOU: Smith hits a long 2, Olajuwon asst, 114-92

4:43: GSW: West from the foul line, 116-92

4:23: HOU: Horry from the foul line, 116-94

4:07: GSW: Klay hits a right wing 3, Curry asst, 119-94

3:44: GSW: West short bank, Klay asst, 121-94

3:12: HOU: Olajuwon tip in, 121-96

2:58: HOU: Smith corner 3, Olajuwon asst, 121-99

2:16: HOU: Mark Acres 3, 121-102

2:08: GSW: James Michael McAdoo dunk, 123-102

2:01: HOU: Bullard 3, 123-105

1:24: HOU: Bullard 1 FT 123-106

1:00 GSW: Ian Clark 6 footer, 125-106

:15: HOU: Bullard corner 3, 125-109

FINAL: WARRIORS 125 ROCKETS 109

Houston pours in some garbage time points to narrow the score to 16, but this one was not close.  Olajuwon had 33 points and 15 boards in the losing effort. 

Curry 38 pts 12 assts 5 rebounds - Player of the Game

Durant 22 pts, 11 boards

Thompson 24 pts, 5 boards

Green 6 pts, 9 boards, 7 assists

Olajuwon 33 pts, 15 boards, 4 blocks

Smith 11 pts

Horry 14 pts

Bullard 13 pts, 5 boards

GAME TWO

Warriors win the easy one in game 1 - they stay at home for game 2 and they can close this out.  

FIRST QUARTER

11:43: GSW: Zaza Pachulia turnaround in the lane, Curry asst, and the foul 3-0 Warriors

11:29: HOU: Hakeem Olajuwon 9 footer, Smith asst, 3-2

10:36: GSW: Draymond Green layup, Curry asst, 5-2

10:27: HOU: Carl Herrera tip in, 5-4

9:57: GSW: Stephen Curry corner 3, Thompson asst, 8-4

8:37: HOU: Kenny Smith right side J, 8-6

8:17: HOU: Scott Brooks driving layup, Smith asst, the Rockets tie it up, 8-8

8:00 HOU: Brooks 2 FT, 10-8 Rockets

6:47: GSW: Kevin Durant 2 FT 10-10

6:27: HOU: Olajuwon jump hook, Smith asst, 12-10 Rockets

6:17: GSW: Curry knifes through traffic, Durant asst, 12-12

6:09: HOU: Olajuwon 2 FT 14-12

4:57: GSW: Javale McGee tip in 14-14

4:01: GSW: Shaun Livingston layup, Durant asst, 16-14 Warriors

3:39: GSW: McGee 1 FT 17-14

3:02: GSW: McGee from the lane, Green asst, 19-14

2:11: GSW: Klay Thompson 2 FT 21-14

1:41: GSW Durant from 15, Iguodala asst, and the foul, it's a Warriors run, 24-14

1:26: HOU: Smith dead red on the 3 ball, Brooks asst, 24-17

1:03: GSW: Andre Iguodala corner 3, Durant asst, 27-17

:17: GSW: KD corner 3, West asst, 30-17

FIRST QUARTER SCORE: WARRIORS 30 ROCKETS 17

Until a pre 2010s team shows they can beat a modern 3 ball shooting team, you've got to conclude they can't really hang, Houston was ahead halfway through and now the game is close to getting away from them.  

SECOND QUARTER:

11:37: GSW: Thompson right side J, Pachulia asst, 32-17

11:09: GSW: David West tip in, 34-17

10:54: HOU: Vernon Maxwell contested 3, Brooks asst, 34-20

10:34: GSW: Klay in the paint, Iguodala asst, 36-20

10:02: GSW: Klay foul line J, 38-20

9:04: GSW: West from the right - its 40-20, time to update your brackets.

8:34: GSW: Zaza 1 FT 41-20

8:17: HOU: Winston Garland short bank, Olajuwon asst, 41-22

8:08: GSW: Zaza 1 FT 42-22

7:42: GSW: Curry 3 FT 45-22

7:25: HOU: Otis Thorpe power dunk, Herrera asst, 45-24

6:45: GSW: Durant left bank, Curry asst, 47-24

6:37: HOU: Olajuwon fadeaway, Garland asst, 47-26

6:10: HOU: Olajuwon fadeaway, Herrera asst, 47-28

5:56: GSW: Durant right bank, 49-28

4:11: GSW: Durant right bank, 51-28

3:41: GSW: McGee dunks home a putback, 53-28

3:21: HOU: Herrera 13 footer, 53-30

3:05: GSW: Curry left wing 3, Thompson asst, 56-30

2:07: GSW: Curry breakaway dunk, 58-30

1:49: HOU: Brooks 2 FT 58-32

1:09: GSW: Curry layup 60-32

:55: HOU: Thorpe bank, Maxwell asst, 60-34

:46: GSW: Iguodala 2 FT 62-34

:39: HOU: Maxwell left wing 3, Smith asst, 62-37

:20: GSW: Kevon Looney J, 64-37

:02: HOU: Sleepy Floyd from the right side, 64-39

:00: GSW: Curry left wing J 66-39

HALFTIME SCORE: WARRIORS 66 ROCKETS 39

Curry has 17; Durant 13 and the Warriors are 24 minutes from moving to the second round.

THIRD QUARTER

11:38: HOU: Horry 2 FT 66-41

11:24: GSW: KD layup, Curry asst, 68-41

11:13: HOU: Smith 2 FT 68-43

10:40: GSW: Draymond Green 1 FT 69-43

10:33 HOU: Kenny Smith skies in for a dunk, 70-45

10:17: GSW: Livingston 2 FT 71-45

9:49: GSW: Klay from the paint, Livingston asst, 73-45

9:26: HOU: Olajuwon drives hard for a dunk, 73-47

8:56: GSW: Smith 2 FT 73-49

8:46: GSW: Looney open J, Green asst, 75-49

8:13: GSW: Curry flips it up and in, Looney asst, 77-49

6:48: HOU: Maxwell 2 FT, 77-51

6:32: GSW: KD rips a dunk, 79-51

6:25 GSW: Olajuwon 2 FT 79-53

6:11: GSW: KD one handed jam, Green asst, 81-53

6:02: HOU: Olajuwon fadeaway, Floyd asst, 81-55

6:11: GSW: West layup, 83-55

5:42: HOU: Thorpe 1 FT 83-56

5:31: GSW: KD corner 3, Curry asst, 86-56

5:03: HOU: Smith foul line J and the foul, 86-59

4:31: HOU: Smith 14 footer, 86-61

4:22: GSW: KD left wing fadeaway, Green asst, 88-61

3:16: HOU: Olajuwon layup, Thorpe, 88-63

3:05: GSW: KD left wing J, Curry asst 90-63

2:51: HOU: Olajuwon drives hard for a layup, Thorpe asst, 90-65

2:15: HOU: Thorpe contested, 90-67

2:03 GSW: West putback, 92-67

1:55: HOU: Herrera up and in, Smith asst, 92-69

1:48: GSW Durant fadeaway 94-69

1:03: GSW: Curry right wing 3, West asst, 97-69

:55: HOU: Smith driving layup, 97-71

:43: GSW: West high off glass, 99-71 

THIRD QUARTER SCORE: WARRIORS 99 ROCKETS 71

Durant leads the way with 27; Curry's got 22 - the Dubs are headed to the next round.  

11:40: HOU: Smith pull up, Olajuwon asst, 99-73

11:30: GSW: KD thunderdunk, Green asst, 101-73

11:06: GSW: Zaza 1 FT 102-73

10:30: GSW: Zaza from the right wing, Iguodala asst, 104-73

10:21: HOU: Garland J, Floyd asst, 104-75

10:01: GSW: Zaza 2 FT 106-75

9:45: HOU: Olajuwon from the paint, Floyd asst, 106-77

9:13: HOU: Olajuwon fadeaway and the foul, 106-80

8:00: GSW: Klay right wing 3, KD asst, 109-80

7:19: GSW: Klay from the right side, Iguodala asst, 111-80

7:06: HOU: Olajuwon pull up 111-82

6:37: GSW: KD 18 footer, and the foul 114-82

6:21: HOU: Garland 11 footer 114-84

5:50: HOU: Bullard corner 3, 114-87

5:31: GSW: Durant powers home another dunk, no regard for human life, 116-87

5:22: HOU: Garland 2 FT 116-89

4:49: HOU: Herrera hits a runner, 116-91

4:34: GSW: KD again, Green asst, 118-91

3:08: HOU: Smith dead on 3, 118-94

2:45: GSW: Zaza elevates for the dunk, Green asst, 120-94

1:36: HOU: Kenna Winchester 3, 120-97

1:28: GSW: Matt Barnes fadeaway, 122-97

:56: HOU: Bullard 3 122-100

:44: GSW: Ian Clark dunk, 124-100

:11: GSW: Ian Clark dunk 126-100

:06: HOU: Bullard 3 126-103

FINAL WARRIORS 126 ROCKETS 103

Olajuwon goes 27/11 and the '93 Rockets head home; Durant dominates this one; matching Curry's tournament high 38 points from game 1.  

Durant 38 points, 9 boards, 5 assists - Player of the Game

Curry 22 pts, 9 assists

Thompson 15 pts

Pachulia 12 pts 6 boards

Green 3 pts, 10 boards, 7 assists, 4 steals

West 10 pts

8. 2005 DALLAS MAVERICKS V. 9. 2008 CEN DIV CHAMP DETROIT PISTONS

Winner will play those 2017 Warriors in the second round. Mavs have home court throughout the series. 

Mavs: 58-24, 2nd in SE Div

                       d. Rockets in West First Rnd 4-3

                       Lost Suns West Semis 4-2

Coach: Avery Johnson 

Starters:

C E.Dampier (29 Miss St)                      9.2 PPG  15.2 PER  4.5 Win Shares

F D.Nowitzki (26)                                  26.1         26.1          15.6

F J.Howard (24 Wake Forest)                12.6         15.8          6.4

G J.Terry (27 Arizona)                           12.4         18.4          8.5

G M.Finley (31 Wisconsin)                    15.7         14.3          5.5

Rotation Reserves:

C S.Bradley (32 BYU)                            2.7           11            1.9

F K.Van Horn (29 Utah)                         12.2          16.9         2.1

F A.Henderson (32 Indiana)                   3.5            12.4         3.1

G D.Harris (21 Wisconsin)                     5.7            14.7         2.7

G J.Stackhouse (30 North Carolina)       14.9          15.9        3.5

Dirk carries these Mavs; strong year for Terry, lot of high draft picks coming off the bench.  

NBA Leaders: Nowitzki, 3rd Def Rebounds, Nowitzki 5th Pts, Nowitzki 4th PPG, Nowitzki 5th PER, Terry 4th Effective FG%, Finley 1st TO%, Nowitzki 3rd Off Win Shares, Nowitzki 2nd Win Shares, Nowitzki 1st Win Shares/48, Nowitzki 4th +/1, Nowitzki 3rd Off +/-, Nowitzki 3rd VORP

Pistons: 59-23, 1st Central Div

                         d. Sixers East First Round 4-2

                         d. Magic East Semis 4-1

                         Lost Celtics East Finals 4-2

Coach: Flip Saunders

Starters:

C R.Wallace (33 North Carolina)       12.7 PPG   17.2 PER  7.6 Win Shares

F A.McDyess (33 Alabama)               8.8             14.1           6.7

F T.Prince (27 Kentucky)                   13.2            15.6          7.5

G C.Billups (31 Colorado)                 17               23.6           13.5

G R.Hamilton (29 UConn)                 17.3            18.2           7.7

Reserves:

C J.Maxiell (24 Cincinnati)                7.9              16.7           6.3

F A.Johnson (20)                                  3.6              17.5           3

F J.Hayes (26 Georgia)                       6.7              13              2.9

G R.Stuckey (21 E.Washington)         7.6              13.8           2

G A.Afflalo (22 UCLA)                      3.7              10.2           1.9

Chauncey Billups and his 13.5 Win Shares leads a veteran Pistons squad; lots of vets in the lineup and kids coming off the bench. College teammates Wallace and Stackhouse on opposite sides.

Leaders: Billups 2nd FT%, Billups 3rd Off Rating, Billups 4th Off Win Shares, Billups 5th Win Shares, Billups 4th Win Shares/48, Billups 3rd Off +/-, Billups 4th VORP

Matchup Battle:

C Wallace - Pistons

F Nowitzki - Mavs

F Prince - Pistons

G Billups - Pistons

G Hamilton - Pistons

Bench - Pistons

So - Dallas has home court, but the Pistons look like the better squad on paper; although Dirk is the best player on the floor.  We'll say the Pistons are favored, despite being on the road.  

GAME ONE

FIRST QUARTER

11:45 DAL: Dirk Nowitzki 2 FT Mavs 2-0

11:18: DET: Rasheed Wallace J, McDyess asst, 2-2

10:10: DAL: Jason Terry layup, Dampier asst, 4-2 Mavs

10:03: DET: Chauncey Billups 2 FT 4-4

9:42: DAL: Terry left wing 3, Finley asst 7-4 Mavs

8:57: DAL: Dirk 17 footer, Terry asst, 9-4

8:20: DAL: Terry turnaround, 11-4

7:41: DAL: Erick Dampier dunks on the Finley lob, 13-4

6:52: DAL: Josh Howard 2 FT 15-4, the Mavs sprint out early.

5:41: DET: Antonio McDyess 8 footer, 15-6

4:46: DAL: Dirk 13 footer, 17-6

4:20: DAL: Dirk dunk, 19-6

4:13: DET: McDyess off glass, Billups asst, 19-8

3:02: DET: Tayshaun Prince 1 FT 19-9

2:44: DAL: Terry 1 FT 20-9

2:18: DAL: Terry dips home a shot, 22-9

2:11: DET: Jason Maxiell 2 FT 22-11

2:00 DAL: Dirk bombs a long 3, 25-11

:40: DET: DET: Amir Johnson short J, Billups asst, 25-13

FIRST QUARTER SCORE: MAVS 25 PISTONS 13

Dallas really clamping down on the Pistons early; Dirk has 11.

SECOND QTR:

11:44: DET: Rodney Stuckey 9 footer, Hamilton asst, 25-15

11:32 DAL: Jerry Stackhouse 2 FT 27-15

11:20 DET Jason Maxiell 5 footer, 27-17

10:56: DAL: Keith Van Horn corner 3, Harris asst, 30-17

10:42: DET: Rip Hamilton 1 FT 30-18

9:57: DET: Prince contested left side, 30-20

9:44: DAL: Josh Howard driving layup, Harris asst, 32-20

8:28: DET: Billups long 2, Prince asst, 32-22

8:21: DAL: Michael Finley corner 3, 35-22

8:13: DET: Prince left side J, Maxiell asst, 35-24

7:39: DET: Maxiell tip in 35-26

7:20: DAL: Van Horn 1 FT 36-26

7:06: DET: Billups dead center 3, 36-29

6:02: DAL: Dirk left side turnaround, Terry asst, 38-29

5:43 DAL; Van Horn tip in 40-29

5:18: DET: Hamilton 18 footer 40-31

5:05: DAL: Van Horn long 2, 42-31

4:41: DAL: Van Horn another long 2, Dirk asst, Van Horn scores 7 in the last 3 min, 44-31

4:28: DET: Prince 1 FT 44-32

3:28: DAL: Stackhouse 18 footer, 46-32

3:17: DET: Wallace short J, Hamilton asst, 46-34

2:53: DAL: Stackhouse 2 FT 48-34

2:44: DET: Stuckey left wing J, 48-36

2:35: DAL: Stackhouse hits a corner 3, Harris asst, 51-36, the Mavs biggest lead.

2:26: DET: Wallace 2 FT 51-38

1:06: DAL: Erick Dampier driving layup, Terry asst, 53-38

:47: DAL: Howard 1 FT 54-39

:32: DET: Hamilton dunk from Billups 54-40

:02: DAL: Alan Henderson 6 footer, 56-40

:00 DET: Jarvis Hayes from the right wing, 56-42

HALFTIME: MAVS 56 PISTONS 42

The veteran Van Horn comes off the bench to score 10 in the quarter and the Mavs extend this lead.  

THIRD QTR: 

11:28: DAL: Finley corner 3, Damp asst, 59-42

11:01: DET: Hamilton another dunk, Billups asst, 59-44

9:51: DAL: Dampier big dunk, Terry asst, 61-44

8:46: DAL: Dampier tip in 63-44

8:28 DAL: Dirk bombs a 3 from the top of the circle - it's time to put game one to bed, 66-44

7:56: DET: Dirk left side J, Terry asst, 68-44

6:43: DAL: Finley corner 3, Dirk asst, 71-44, it looked close on paper, it has not been close.

6:01: DET: Billups dead center 3, Prince asst, 71-47

5:54: DAL: Terry scoop, Finley asst, 73-47

5:31: DET: McDyess from the right block, Billups asst, 73-49

5:22: DET: Howard coasts in for a dunk, 75-49

4:08: DET: Wallace floater, 75-51

3:39: DAL: Howard fadeaway 77-51

3:19: DET: Wallace 2FT 77-53

2:33: DET: Stuckey 1 FT 77-54

2:09: DET: Hayes in trafffic 77-56

:02 DAL: Harris 3 from the top, 80-56

:00: DET: Hamilton long 2, 80-58

THIRD QUARTER SCORE: MAVS 80 PISTONS 58

Nice Pistons run late makes this an even quarter, but the Mavs have this one locked up,  

 

FOURTH QTR: 

10:51: DAL: Dirk layup, Terry asst, 82-58

10:13: DAL; Howard contested, 84-58

9:24: DET: Billups layup, 84-60

9:14: DAL: Howard putback 86-60

8:13: DET: Prince one handed jam 86-62

8:06: DAL: Stackhouse scoop, 88-62

7:40: DAL: Stackhouse long 2, 90-62

7:20: DET: Billups layup 90-64

6:58: DAL: Stackhouse enormous dunk, 92-64

6:39: DET: Maxiell tip in 92-66

6:08: DET: Billups left side J, 92-68

5:23: DAL: Dirk dunk, 94-68

4:51: DET: Amir Johnson driving layup, 94-70

4:19: DET: Stuckey 1 FT 94-71

3:29: DET: McDyess short J, 94-73

2:52: DET: Hayes 2 FT 94-75

1:50: DAL: Marquis Daniels J, 96-75

1:34: DET: Lindsey Hunter corner 3, 96-78

:32: DAL: Dan Dickau 17 footer, 98-78

:22: DET: Lindsey Hunter 3 98-81

FINAL: MAVS 98 PISTONS 81

Detroit gets some garbage time, but this was never a game, Dallas easily takes game 1.

Nowitzki 22 pts, 11 boards - Player of the Game

Dampier 8 pts, 17 boards

Howard 13 pts 6 boards

Terry 12 pts 7 assists

Van Horn 10 pts 8 boards

Stackhouse 15 pts

Billups 16 pts, 9 assists

Wallace 10 pts, 9 boards

GAME TWO

FIRST QTR:

10:05: DET: Tayshaun Prince 9 footer, Billups asst, 2-0 Pistons

9:59: DAL: Erick Dampier 1 FT 2-1

9:52: DET: Antonio McDyess right wing J, 4-1

9:12: DET: Prince left side pull up 6-1

8:55: DAL: Dampier right side bank and the foul, 6-4

8:38: DAL: Josh Howard 2 FT 6-6

8:31: DET: McDyess one handed shot, Wallace asst 8-6

8:09: DET: Rasheed Wallace drills a 3, 11-6

7:03: DAL; Jason Terry short J, 11-8

6:50: DET: Wallace dunk, McDyess asst, 13-8

5:29: DET: Chauncey Billups 2 FT 15-8

5:11: DAL: Dirk Nowitzki right side J, 15-10

4:45: DAL: Dirk baseline, Finley asst, 15-12

4:12: DAL: Dampier right wing J, Terry asst, 15-14

3:39: DET: Billups layup, 17-14

3:06: DET: Prince left wing 3, Billups asst 20-14

2:39: DET: Amir Johnson short J, 22-14

2:30: DAL: Devin Harris putback 22-16

2:19: DET: Johnson 2 FT 24-16

1:52: DAL: Jerry Stackhouse left side J, 24-18

1:13: DET: Aaron Afflalo right wing contested, 26-18

:46: DET: Jarvis Hayes left side J, Maxiell asst, 28-18

:22 DET: Billups 2 FT 30-18

FIRST QTR SCORE: 

Very different than game 1, the Pistons come out and drop 30 first qtr points, looking to force a deciding game 3.  

SECOND QTR:

11:42: DAL Keith Van Horn deftly weaves in for a layup, Stackhouse asst, 30-20

11:34: DET Rip Hamilton right side fadeaway 32-20

11:27: DAL: Van Horn 2 FT 32-22

11:15: DET: Hamilton 2 FT 34-22

10:19: DAL: Alan Henderson putback 34-24

9:48: DAL: Stackhouse flies in for a hard dunk, 34-26

9:29: DET: Prince left bank, Stuckey asst, 36-26

9:21: DAL: Van Horn layup, 36-28

8:56: DAL: Finley left wing J, 36-30

8:05: DA:: Howard layup, and the lead is down to 4 36-32

7:05: DET: Hamilton 2 FT 38-32

6:43: DAL: Stackhouse hits a 3 from the wing, and the lead is down to 3.  38-35

6:28: DET: Maxiell 1 FT 39-35

6:16: DAL: Howard throws down a hard dunk on the asst from Dirk and it's 39-37

5:53: DET: Hamilton 17 footer and the foul, 42-37

5:15: DAL: Dirk goes to the bank, Terry asst, 42-39

4:09: DET: McDyess slices in for a stuff, 44-39

3:55: DAL: Howard 1 FT 44-40

3:39: DET: Hayes 2 FT 46-40

3:08: DAL: Van Horn the driving layup and the foul, 46-43

2:46: DAL: Van Horn hits a game tying 3 from the wing.  46-46

2:21: DAL: Devin Harris hits a J from the wing and the Mavs take the lead 48-46

:59: DET: Billups 2 FT 48-48

:32: DET: Billips finger roll, Hamilton asst, Pistons 50-48

HALFTIME SCORE: PISTONS 50 MAVS 48

Much different game than game 1; Pistons bolt out early, Mavs make the run late and it's Detroit up a bucket as we head to the third.

11:32: DET: Billups opens with a dead on 3 and it's 53-48

11:23: DA: Howard contested, Terry asst, 53-50

11:00 DET: Prince left wing J, Hamilton asst, 55-50

10:43: DAL: Dampier right block contested, 55-52

10:03: DET: McDyess 9 footer, 57-52

8:55: DAL; Dirk hits a corner 3, 57-55

7:30 DET: Billups 1 FT 58-55

7:20: DAL: Van Horn 3 FT 58-58

6:40: DET: Maxiell left side, and the foul, 61-58

6:26: DAL: Stackhouse from the left side and the foul, 61-61.  Good game 2.

6:11: DET: Stuckey from 16, 63-61 Pistons

6:02: DAL: Howard layup, Terry asst, 63-63

4:53: DET: Stuckey from the right block, Maxiell asst, 65-63

3:45 DET: Hayes hits a 3 from the right wing, Billups asst, 68-63

2:19: DET: Hamilton hits a right wing J, Maxiell asst, 70-63

2:12: DAL: Dampier from the paint, Dirk asst, 70-65

1:34: DAL: Dirk off glass 70-67

THIRD QUARTER: PISTONS 70 MAVS 67

12 minutes left - if the Pistons win, they force game 3.

11:47: DAL: Van Horn hits a game tying corner 3, 70-70

10:58: DAL: Van Horn 1FT 71-70 Mavs

9:31: DAL: Terry 2 FT 73-70

9:08: DET: Prince baseline J, 73-72

8:23: DET: McDyess tip in 74-73 Pistons

8:11: DAL: Dirk long 2, Terry asst, 75-74 Mavs

7:44: DAL: Henderson 2 FT 77-74

7:28: DET: Stuckey from the left wing, Billups asst, 77-76

6:49: DAL: Harris from the paint, 79-76 Mavs

6:10: DET: Rasheed slams it home, 79-78

5:45: DAL: Dampier tip in, 81-78

5:04: DET: Billups rips home a dunk, Hayes asst, 81-80 Mavs at the 5 minute mark.

3:32: DET: Billups hits a 3 at the top of the arc and the Pistons take the lead, 83-81

1:32: 2 minutes pass, no scoring, Dirk steals a pass, dishes to Finley who misses a jumper, McDyess gets the board.  

1:08: Wallace misses, Finley rebound.  Pistons still up a bucket.  Jason Terry misses and it's back to Detroit.  

:38: McDyess misses, Terry with the board - they go down quickly and Dirk misses, rebound Wallace.  

:10: DET: CHAUNCEY BILLUPS HITS A 3, AND THAT'S THE DAGGER.  

FINAL: PISTONS 86 MAVS 81

The baskets closed up in the 4th, just 30 combined points - the Mavs didn't score a point in the last 5 and a half minutes of the game and now the series will conclude, still in Dallas, with a game 3.

Billups 22 pts, 6 assists, 5 boards - Player of the Game

McDyess 10 pts, 10 boards

Prince 13 pts, 6 boards

Hamilton 11 pts, 6 boards

Wallace 7 pts, 12 boards

Nowitzki 13 pts, 11 assists

Dampier 12 pts, 9 boards

Howard 11 pts, 6 boards

Van Horn 19 pts

Stackhouse 10 pts

GAME THREE

One game for all of it - winner advances, loser goes home.

FIRST QTR:

11:36: DAL: Erick Dampier 1 FT 1-0 Mavs

10:37: DAL: Damp hits a one handed runner, and the foul, 3-0 Mavs

10:06: DET: Tayshaun Prince hits a 12 footer, Billups asst, 3-2

9:52: DAL: Jason Terry hits a corner 3, 6-2

9:45: DET: Antonio McDyess bank from the left block, Wallace asst, 6-4

9:30: DET: Prince hits a nifty scoop 6-6

9:15: DAL: Dampier again, with the putback, and he's fouled, 9-6 Mavs

9:00: DAL: Howard 1 FT 10-6

8:16: DET: Prince hits a long 2, 10-8

7:59: DAL: Just 13 for Dirk in game 2, he hits a corner 3 here, 13-8

6:35: DET: Chauncey Billups floater, 13-10

5:45: DET: Rasheed Wallace corner 3 and it is tied.  13-13

4:00 DET: Jason Maxiell 2 FT 15-13 Pistons

3:50: DAL: Dirk layup, 15-15

3:36: DET: Maxiell from the left wing, Billups asst, 17-15

3:00 DAL: The Giant Shawn Bradley 1 FT 17-16

2:39: DET: Billups the breakaway dunk, 19-16

2:18: DAL: Van Horn, so effective off the bench so far, 19-18

1:43: DET: Jarvis Hayes knocks down a 3 ball.  22-18

1:30: DAL: Devin Harris comes down and matches that 3, 22-21

1:01: DAL; And then a Stackhouse dunk gives the Mavs the lead, 23-22

:04: DET: Maxiell hits a short J and it's Detroit who leads after 1, 24-23

FIRST QTR: PISTONS 24 MAVS 23

Looks like a close one for our first game 3; Pistons up a point.

11:17: DET: Hayes from the paint, 26-23

9:48: DET: Rodney Stuckey finger roll, 28-23, McDyess asst

9:40: DAL: Van Horn busts a 3, 28-26

8:36: DAL: Dirk drives home for a layup to tie the score, 28-28

7:37: DET: Billups turnaround J, 30-28

7:05: DET: Maxiell 2 FT 32-28

5:49: DAL: Stackhouse in traffic and the foul, 32-31

4:19: DET: Hamilton 2 FT 34-31

3:26: DET: Hamilton from the wing 36-31

2:31: DET: Wallace drives hard to the bucket, 38-31 Pistons

2:15: DAL: Dirk from the wing, Van Horn asst, 38-33

1:58: DAL: And then there's Van Horn, from the block, 38-35

1:11: DAL: And here's Dirk with a really long 2, 38-37

:48 DET: Wallace stops it with a layup, 40-37

:25: DAL: Van Horn with a long 2.  40-39

:04: DET: Wallace 1 FT 41-39

HALFTIME: PISTONS 41 MAVS 39

We've got a tight game 3, defensive minded and that probably shapes this game the rest of the way.

THIRD QTR:

11:26: DET: Hamilton from 15, Billups asst, 43-39

10:42: DAL: Dirk 2 FT 43-41

9:08: DAL: It's Shawn Bradley who ties the score with the alley oop dunk from Terry 43-43

8:50: DET: Maxiell hits a jump hook, Pistons 45-43

7:48: DAL: Dirk comes back and ties it, 45-45

7:17: DAL: Michael Finley 2 FT 47-45 Mavs

5:57: DAL: Josh Howard rips home a dunk and the foul and the Mavs are up 50-45

5:46: DET: Prince layup, McDyess asst, 50-47

4:19: DAL; Finley corner 3, 53-47, are the Mavs getting some daylight?

3:47 DAL Howard 1 FT 54-47

2:25: DAL; Terry putback 56-47

1:19: DALL: Dirk 2 FT 58-47, double digit lead now for Dallas

:57: DET: Wallace layup 58-49

THIRD QUARTER: MAVS 58 PISTONS 49

Dallas totally clamps down on the Pistons, they score just 10 points, that's the lowest scoring quarter in the tournament so far.

FOURTH QTR:

11:48: DET: Hamilton hits a quick 19 footer and gets fouled, 58-52

11:32: DAL: Finley pulls up from 13, 60-52

8:42: DET: Arron Afflalo short J, 60-54

8:04: DAL: Alan Henderson rips home a dunk, 62-54

7:14: DAL: Dampier gets a tip in and a foul and now the Mavs can sense it 65-54

6:34: DAL: Dampier dunk, it's a 13 point lead now, 67-54

6:11: DET: McDyess from the wing, 67-56

5:59: DAL: Dampier in traffic, 69-56

5:39: DAL: Terry layup, Stackhouse asst, 71-56

4:53: DET: McDyess dunk, but we're under 5 now and this lead looks insurmountable 71-58

3:50 DET: McDyess 2 FT 71-60

1:44: DALL: Now we're under 2 min, Dirk hits 2 FT 73-60

1:36: DET: Billups quick 3 73-63

1:11: DET: Wallace 3, 73-66, 6 quick ones for the Pistons.

:56: DAL: Damp 2 FT 75-66

:25: DAL: Dirk hits 2 FT 77-66

:17: DET: Hamilton corner 3 77-69

:14: DAL: Dirk 2 FT 79-69

FINAL: PISTONS 79 MAVS 69

The Dallas defense clamps down hard and the Mavs advance into the Round of 128.

Nowitzki 23 pts, 14 boards - Player of the Game

Dampier 15 pts 11 boards

2 series down - the 2017 Warriors will face the 2005 Mavs. So far, here are the best players in the Region:

C Olajuwon '93 Rockets

F Durant '17 Warriors 

F Nowitzki '08 Mavs

G Curry '17 Warriors

G Thompson '17 Warriors

Next time - the next two series, the 5th seed in Region 1, the 2015 Clippers take on the 12th seeded '92 Suns and the 4th seeded 1980 Lakers face the 13th seeds, the 1950 Syracuse Nationals

2021 Royal Rumble Preview+Every Match in Rumble History Ranked

 

I've been doing quarterly previews of WWF/E big 4 PPVs since WM12, publishing them here for about a decade.  I'm old enough to have watched the full history of WWF/E PPV in real time (I seens 'em come and I seens 'em go)  this year's Rumble is Sunday.

1 Men's Royal Rumble match 30 man Royal Rumble match for a world championship match at WrestleMania 37

Edge strikes me as the most likely winner; I'm almost entirely making that up, there isn't a lot of evident long term feud building in this promotion.  But his promo in the go home RAW shifted entirely from his Orton feud to a need to win a main title (I can't recall if he specified, I assume not) prior to his window closing.  And given WWE affinity for name brand veterans (see #4 below) sticking Edge in one of the main events at Mania makes sense.  My inclination might be to have him switch "brands" (ick) and challenge Reigns.  Edge/Reigns would be really fresh and Edge has the gravity to pull off the idea that he might take the belt.  For work purposes, I'd prefer Danielson, who is either positioned to do very well in the Rumble or to leave the territory. Brock's been gone since Mania, Rollins could return at any moment, Cena's always sitting out there, the money match is Rock/Reigns, so there's room for surprise entrants.  

(Edit - 3 1/2 stars, paint by numbers textbook solid Rumble, Edge did, in fact, go over)

2 Women's Royal Rumble match 30 woman Royal Rumble match for a women's championship match at WrestleMania 37

Babyfaces have both women's belts, so a heel makes sense (I assume Lynch isn't ready to come back yet; I don't know Rousey's interest in returning - this feels like a spot for someone like that) Flair would make sense, because she always makes sense in predicting WWE booking.  She and Asuka, as seen below, are currently tag champs, Asuka currently has the RAW belt, if they were to lose those belts and Flair were to win this match and challenge Asuka, you could understand that progression.

(Edit - 3 1/4 stars - pretty good, the work in the women's division can get rough once you move anywhere beyond upper card, but it was pretty good, Belair goes over)

3 Roman Reigns (c) (with Paul Heyman) vs. Kevin Owens Last Man Standing match for the WWE Universal Championship

Match quality aside (and he's fine) "Head of the Table" Reigns is the best act in US wrestling and it's not particularly close.  He's had the belt since August and will keep it here.  Owens has been excellent in this role (do you watch Talking Smack?  The Heyman/Owens Talking Smack stuff has been outstanding) and this is likely the best match of the night.  

(Edit - 3 1/4 stars; I really liked this, even with the challenge of the last man standing stip, but the finish was brutally botched; Reigns goes over.)

4 Drew McIntyre (c) vs. Goldberg Singles match for the WWE Championship

This is likely the worst match of the night, certainly the shortest.  This is a hotshot angle to shoehorn Goldberg's name on the card.  He's going to get pinned.  McIntyre's the lineal WWF Champion, he's had the belt since November. He's fine.  

(Edit - 1.5 stars, as expected)

5 Asuka and Charlotte Flair (c) vs. Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler Tag team match for the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship

Asuka/Flair took the tag belts from Jax/Baszler in December; Asuka's clearly a babyface, Jax and Baszler clearly heels, Flair's Flair (how would you describe her...she's a babyface who acts like a heel) as mentioned above, maybe a switch here makes sense, Flair's got an ongoing program with Lacey Evans that, I guess, they could stretch to Mania, meaning someone else would be winning the women's Rumble (it's a tough program to watch, Ric's involved, there's what sure looks like elder abuse, it's no fun) either way a switch here checks out.

(Edit - They moved this to the pre-show, they did switch the belts; this match was replaced with a Banks/Carmella Title match which was okay)

That's the current card - The Fiend will do something related to Orton, one assumes, they could do a US Title match, an IC Title match to fill out the card/pre show.

It's the Rumble.  You know how it works.  

I've done it for Mania, SummerSlam, and Survivor Series.  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 2020.

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

   31. '19 RAW Women's Title: Ronda d. Sasha 14 min 3 1/2 

   32. '17 Cruiser Title: Neville d. Rich Swann 13 min 3 1/2

   33. '18 WWF Title: AJ Styles d. Owens/Zayn 16 min 3 1/2

   34. '20 Universal Title: The Fiend d. Daniel Bryan 17:30  3 1/2

   35 ’01 WWF Title: Kurt Angle d. HHH 24:30 3 ¼

   36 ’13 WWF Title: Rock d. CM Punk 23:30 3 ¼  

   37 ’93 IC Shawn Michaels d. Marty Jannetty 14:30 3 ¼

   38 ’05 Edge d. Shawn Michaels 18:30 3 ¼

   39. '18 Smackdown Tags: Usos d. Gable/Benjamin 14 min 3 1/4

   40 ’09 WWF Title: Edge d. Jeff Hardy 19:30 3 ¼

   41  '16 WWF Title Rumble Match (HHH) 61:30 3 1/4

   42 ’12 Rumble Match (Sheamus) 55 min 3 ¼

   43 ’05 Rumble Match (Batista) 51:30 3 ¼

   44 ’03 Rumble Match(Brock Lesnar) 53:30 3 ¼

   45 ’00 Rumble Match(Rock) 52 min 3 ¼

   46 ’01 Rumble Match(Steve Austin) 62 min 3 ¼

   47 ’06 Rumble Match (Rey Mysterio) 62 min 3 ¼

   48 ’07 Rumble Match (Undertaker) 56:30 3 ¼

   49 ’89 Rumble Match(John Studd) 64 min 3 ¼

   50 ’98 Rumble Match (Steve Austin) 55:30 3 ¼

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

   52. '19 WWF Title: Daniel Bryan d. AJ Styles 24:30  3 1/4

   53 '14 WWF Title: Randy Orton d. John Cena 21 min 3 1/4 

   54 ’10 World: Undertaker d. Rey Mysterio 11 min 3 ¼

   55. '20 RAW Women's: Becky d. Asuka 16:30 3 1/4

   56 ’11 WWF: Miz d. Randy Orton 20 min 3 ¼  

   57 ’05 World: HHH d. Randy Orton 21:30 3 ¼

   58 ’07 Hardys d. MNM 15:30 3 ¼

   59 ’12 WWF Title: CM Punk d. Dolph Ziggler 14 min 3

   60 ’01 Tags: Dudleys d. Edge/Christian 10 min 3

   61 ’08 WWF Title: Randy Orton d. Jeff Hardy 14 min 3

   62 ’92 Owen/Anvil d. Orient Express 17 min 3

   63 ’95 Tags: Bob Holly/123 Kid d. Tatanka/Bam Bam Bigelow 15:30 3

   64 ’02 Rumble Match(HHH) 69:30 3

   65 ’94 Rumble Match: (Bret/Lex) 55 min 3

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

   67 ’91 Rumble Match (Hulk Hogan) 65 min 3

   68 ’96 Rumble Match(Shawn Michaels) 59 min 3

   69. '19 Rumble Match (Rollins) 57:30 min 3

   70. '20 Women's Match: (Charlotte) 54:30 3

   71 ’99 Rumble Match (Vince McMahon) 56:30 3

   72 ’95 Rumble Match (Shawn Michaels) 39 min 3

   73 ’09 Rumble Match (Randy Orton) 58:30 3

   74 '14 Rumble Match (Batista) 55 min 3

   75 ’13 Rumble Match (John Cena) 55 min 3

   76 '15 Rumble Match (Reigns) 59 min 3

   77 '17 Rumble Match (Orton) 3

   78. '19 Women's Rumble Match (Becky) 72 min 3

   79 ’88 Rumble Match (Jim Duggan) 33:30 3 

   80 ’02 IC: William Regal d. Edge 10 min 3

   81 ’04 Eddy Guerrero d. Chavo Guerrero 8 min 3

   82 ’13 World: Last Man Standing: Alberto del Rio d. Big Show 17 min 3

   83 ’09 ECW: Jack Swagger d. Matt Hardy 10:30 3

   84 ’96 Tags: Smoking Gunns d. Bodydonnas 11 min 3

   85 ’03 Tags: Dudleys d. Regal/Storm 7:30 3

   86 '16 US: Kalisto d. Del Rio 11:30 3

   87. '17: Women's Title: Charlotte d. Bayley 13 min 3

   88 ’97 WWF Title: Shawn Michaels d. Sid 14 min 3

   89 ’89 Haku d. Harley Race 9 min 3

   90 ’97 IC: HHH d. Goldust 17 min 3

   

   91 ’06 Jr.: Gregory Helms d. Kash, Funaki, Noble, Nunzio, London 7:30

   92 ’88 Jumping Bomb Angels d. Glamour Girls 14 min

   93 ’89 Hart Foundation/Duggan d. Dino Bravo/Rougeaus 16 min

   94 ’96 WWF Title: Undertaker d. Bret Hart 29 min

   95. ’90 Ronny Garvin d. Greg Valentine 17 min

   96 ’08 World: Edge d. Rey Mysterio 12:30

   97 ’88 Ricky Steamboat d. Rick Rude 17 min

   98 ’00 Taz d. Kurt Angle 3 min

   99 ’02 Ric Flair d. Vince McMahon 15 min

   100 ’98 IC Rock d. Shamrock 11 min

   

   101 ’05 WWF Title: JBL d. Big Show/Kurt Angle 12 min

   102 ’06 WWF Title: John Cena d. Edge 14

   103 ’97 Vader d. Undertaker 13 min

   104 ’13 Tags: Hell No d. Rhodes Scholars 9:30 

   105 ’93 Steiners d. Beverlys 10:30 

   106. '18 RAW Tags: Sheamus/Cesaro d. Rollins/Jordan 13 min.

   107. ’07 World: Batista d. Ken Kennedy 10:30

   108. '16 Women: Charlotte d. Becky 11:30

   109. '20 Roman Reigns d. King Corbin 21:30

   110. ’10 ECW: Christian d. Ezekial Jackson 12 min

   111 ’88 Islanders d. Young Stallions 14 min

   112 ’02 Tags: Taz/Spike Dudley d. Dudleys 5 min

   113  '16 Tags: New Day d. Usos 11 min

   114 ’12 World: Cage: Daniel Bryan d. Big Show/Mark Henry

   115 '19 Smackdown Tags: Miz/Shane d. The Bar 13:30 min

   116 ’00 IC: Chris Jericho d. Chyna d. Bob Holly 7:30

   117 ’08 JBL d. Chris Jericho 9:30

   118 ’10 US: Miz d. MVP 7:30 

   119 ’97 Garza/Aguayo/Canek d. Estrada/Metal/.Guerrera 11 min

   120 ’04 WWF Title: Brock Lesnar d. Bob Holly 6:30

   121 '18 Universal Title: Lesnar d. Kane/Strowman 11 min

   122 '15 Tags: Usos d. Miz/Mizdow 9:30

   123 ’03 Brock Lesnar d. Big Show 6 min

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

   125 ’98 Vader d. Goldust 8 min

   126 ’95 IC Jeff Jarrett d. Razor Ramon 18 min

   127 ’99 IC: Ken Shamrock d. Billy Gunn 14:30

   128 ’04 Jr. Rey Mysterio d. Jamie Noble 3:30

   129  ’91 Boss Man d. Barbarian 14 min

   130 '14 Brock Lesnar d. Big Show 2 min

   131’92 IC: Roddy Piper d. Mountie 5:30

   132 ’08 Ric Flair d. MVP 8 min

   133 ’98 Mini/Mosaic/Nova d. Battalion/Torito/Tarantula 8 min

   134 ’97 Ahmed Johnson d. Farooq 9 min

   135 ’96 Ahmed Johnson d. Jeff Jarrett 6:30

   136 ’10 WWF: Sheamus d. Randy Orton 12:30

   137 ’07 ECW: Bobby Lashley d. Test 7:30

   138 ’04 Tags: Evolution d. Dudleys 4:30

   139 ’03 World Title: Scott Steiner d. HHH 18:30

   140 ’09 World John Cena d. JBL 15:30

   141 ’99 Boss Man d. Road Dogg 12 min

   142 ’90 Hacksaw Duggan d. Big Boss Man 10:30

   143  ’91 Ted DiBiase/Virgil d. Dusty/Dustin 10 min

   144 ’00 Tags: New Age Outlaws d. Acolytes 2:30

   145 ’94 Tatanka d. Bam Bam Bigelow 8

   146  ’94 IC: Razor Ramon d. IRS 11:30

   147 ’96 IC: Goldust d. Razor 14:30

   148. '20 Smackdown Women: Bayley d. Lacey 9:30

   149 ’89 Rockin Robin d. Judy Martin 6:30

   150 ’11 Women: Eve d. Natalya/Layla/Michelle McCool 5 min

   

   151 '15 Bellas d. Page/Natty 8 min

   152 ’12 Bellas/Beth/Natalya d. Kelly/Eve/Alicia/Tamina 5:30

   153 ’02 Women: Trish d. Jazz 4 min

   154 ’09 Women: Melina d. Beth Phoenix 6:30

   155 ’92 Tags: Natural Disasters d. LOD 9:30

   156 ’98 Tags: LOD d. New Age Outlaws 8 min

   157 ’91 Mountie d. Koko 9

   158 ’05 Casket: Undertaker d. Heidenreich 13:30

   159 ’91 WWF Title: Sgt. Slaughter d. Ultimate Warrior 12:30

   160 ’06 World: Kurt Angle d. Mark Henry 9:30

   161  ’93 Bam Bam Bigelow d. Big Boss Man 10 min

   162 ’95 Undertaker d. IRS 12:30

   163 '15 Ascension d. New Age Outlaws 5:30

   164 ’01 Women: Ivory d. Chyna 3:30

   165 ’99 Women: Sable d. Luna 4:30

   166 ’12 Brodus Clay d. Drew McIntyre 1 min

   167  ’06 Boogeyman d. JBL 2 min

   168  ’90 Bushwackers d. Rougeaus 13:30

   169 ’12 John Cena draw Kane 11

   170  ’90 Brutus Beefcake draw Lanny Poffo 11 min

   171  ’92 Beverlys d. Bushwackers 15 min

   172  ’10 Women: Mickie James d. Michelle McCool :30

   173 ’03 Torrie Wilson d. Dawn Marie 3:30

   174 ’06 Women: Mickey James d. Ashley 7:30

   175. '94 WWF Title: Yokozuna d. Undertaker 14:30