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

 1 and 2

5. 1981 PHILADELPHIA 76ERS  12. 2009 PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS

Sixers: 62-20, 2nd Atl Div, 8th in Off, 2nd in Def

            d. Pacers, East 1st Rnd, 2-0

            d. Bucks East Semis 4-3

            Lost Celtics East Finals 4-3

            #67 overall seed

Coach: Billy Cunningham, Chuck Daly is an assistant.

Starters

C Darryl Dawkins (24)                             14 PPG    15.9  PER   6.3 Win Shares

F Bobby Jones (29, North Carolina)        13.5          20.1            9.2

F Julius Erving (30, UMass)                    24.6          25.1            13.8

G Maurice Cheeks (24, West Tex A&M)   9.4         16.4             8.5

G Andrew Toney (23, Louisiana)             12.9         12.7             2.2

Rotation Reserves

C Caldwell Jones (30, Albany St)            7.2            10.1            5.5

F Steve Mix (33, Toledo)                         10.8          19.7            5.5

F Doug Collins (29, Illinois St)               12.3          13.1            .7

G Lionel Hollins (27, Ariz St)                 9.5            11               2.9

G Clint Richardson (24, Seattle)             7                12.2           2.4

Leaders: Cheeks (3rd Steals, 4th Steals/Gm, 4th Steal % 3rd Def +/-)

               Erving (5th Pts, Erving 4th PER, 4th Def Rating, 2nd Win Shares, 1st Win Shares/48, 1st +/-, 1st VORP)

               Dawkins (2nd FG%, 3rd True Shooting, 2nd Eff FG%)

               Jones (5th Def Rating, 3rd Def Win Shares, 4th Win Shares/48)

The Doctor carries the load; 25 PER and double digit Win Shares. Multiple good complimentary pieces, particularly on defense where the Sixers finished 2nd in '81.

Blazers: 54-28, 2nd NW Div, 1st Off, 13th Def

              Lost Rockets West 1st Rnd, 4-2

              #190 overall seed

Coach: Nate McMillan, Maurice Lucas, who played against many of these Sixers, is an assistant.

Starters

C Greg Oden (21, Ohio St)            8.9 PPG    18.1 PER  4.6 Win Shares

F LaMarcus Aldridge (23, Texas)  18.1           19.1          9.5

F Travis Outlaw (24)                      12.8          15.1           5.3

G Steve Blake (28, Maryland)       11              14.4          5.8

G Brandon Roy (24, Washington) 22.6           24             13.5

Rotation Reserves

C Joel Przybilla  (29, Minnesota)   5.5            15.4          6.6

F Channing Frye (25, Arizona)      4.2             10            .8

F Nicolas Batum (20)                     5.4            12.9          3.7

G Sergio Rodriguez (22)                4.5            12.5          1.7

G Rudy Fernandez (23)                 10.4           15.5          6.1

Leaders: Przybilla (1st Reb%)

               Roy (3rd Off Win Shares, 4th +/1, 4th VORP)

This is Brandon Roy's Blazers, 24 PER, double digit Win Shares.   This is a really young group, everyone in the rotation in their 20s; Oden's a rookie, Aldridge/Roy in their thrid seasons. 

Lineup Matchup:

C-Push (all four guys really)

F Push

F-Erving (Sixers)

G-Cheeks (Sixers)

G Roy (Blazers)

Bench: Push

GAME ONE

1ST

9 MIN BLAZERS 11 SIXERS 7

SIXERS Erving, Jones, Toney(1) Erving

BLAZERS Oden, Oden, Blake(3) Frye, Oden

6 MIN BLAZERS 19 SIXERS 19

SIXERS Dawkins, Dawkins, Jones, Erving, Erving, Toney

BLAZERS Outlaw, Roy, Oden, Oden

Greg Oden has a helluva 6 minutes to open this series, scoring 10 points.  The Doctor has 8 for the Sixers.

3 MIN BLAZERS 25 SIXERS 23

SIXERS Dawkins, Jones

BLAZERS Oden, Oden, Roy

1ST QTR SCORE: BLAZERS 32 SIXERS 27

SIXERS Cheeks, Collins

BLAZERS Rodriguez, Rodriguez(3) Diogu

Blazers pour in 32 first quarter points against a tough Sixers defense; the rookie center Greg Oden scores 14.

2ND

9 MIN BLAZERS 37 SIXERS 31

SIXERS Mix, Mix

BLAZERS Randolph, Fernandez(3)

6 MIN SIXERS 42 BLAZERS 40

SIXERS Collins, Hollins, Hollins(3) Dawkins, Erving

BLAZERS Roy, Aldridge(1) 

Lionel Hollins was with the Blazers when they faced the Sixers in the NBA Finals; his old teammate Maurice Lucas is on the 2009 Blazers bench as a coach - but he's a Sixer today and scores 5 in the last 3 minutes and the Sixers have taken the lead.  

3 MIN SIXERS 48 BLAZERS 47

SIXERS Richardson, Erving, Erving

BLAZERS Aldridge, Fernandez(3) Outlaw

HALFTIME SCORE: BLAZERS 56 SIXERS 52

SIXERS Erving(1) Toney, Erving(1)

BLAZERS Roy(3) Blake, Fernandez, Roy

Erving has 16 - but it's the Blazers up a couple of buckets at the half.

3RD

9 MIN SIXERS 61 BLAZERS 58

SIXERS Toney, Toney(3) Cheeks, Erving

BLAZERS Roy

6 MIN SIXERS 71 BLAZERS 63

SIXERS Mix, Dawkins, Mix, Cheeks, Toney

BLAZERS Roy, Fernandez(3)

12 point swing in the first 6 minutes of the half; 7 points for Andrew Toney in that stretch.

3 MIN SIXERS 79 BLAZERS 71

SIXERS Cheeks(1) Caldwell Jones(3) Dawkins, Cheeks

BLAZERS Fernandez, Aldridge, Oden, Aldridge

3RD QTR SCORE: SIXERS 82 BLAZERS 79

SIXERS Erving, Toney(1)

BLAZERS Batum, Blake, Rodriguez, Przybilla(buzzer)

The Sixers built a ten point lead, but the Blazers fight back and hit the 4th quarter down only 3.

4TH

11:45: PHI: Erving opens the quarter with a short bank shot from a Cheeks assist.  84-79

11:09: PHI: The Blazers miss and Cheeks hits a baseline runner.  86-79

10:51: POR: Stevie Blake hits a 16 foot pull up J.  86-81

10:15: POR: Empty trip for the Sixers leads to a Travis Outlaw foul shot the other way.  86-82

9:46: PHI: The Sixers get a couple cracks at the basket, ending with an Andrew Toney layup. 88-82

9:34: POR: Blake bombs a triple from the wing.  88-85

9:02: POR: The Sixers miss - but Oden doesn't, dunking home a lob.  88-87.

8:55: PHI: The Doctor comes back with a midrange J.  90-87

8:34: POR: Blake misses - but Aldridge is there with the putback.  90-89

7:27: PHI: Empty trips for both sides and then Dawkins thunders home a powerful slam.  92-89

7:09: POR Rudy Fernandez soars home for a dunk.  92-91

7:02: PHI: Mo Cheeks fires a no look dish to Bobby Jones just outside the paint.  94-91

6:18: POR: Exhchanged miss baskets and then a layup for Brandon Roy.  94-93

6:04: PHI: Caldwell Jones hits a floater.  96-93

5:24: POR: The Blazers get a couple chances and Travis Outlaw drills a foul line J.  96-95

5:02: PHI: Clint Richardson drives hard to the goal and scores.  98-95.  Great game.  

3:58: PHI: Blazers had a couple of emoty trips and Dawkins hits an 18 foot jumper to give the Sixers a 5 pt lead.

2:58: PHI: A LaMarcus Aldridge offensive foul, a 5th foul, gives Philly the ball and they wind up with another Dawkins midrange. 102-95

2:08: POR: Missed trips both ways and Aldridge winds up getting a putback.  

2:01: PHI: Mo Cheeks from the right wing.  104-97

1:53: POR: Outlaw makes a free throw.

1:07: PHI: Portland gets a shot after a missed Sixer basket, but fail and Toney hits a FT the other way.

:58: POR: Blake FT.

:41: PHI: Toney 2 FT

:24: PHI: Erving 2 FT

:14: POR: Roy 3.  

:10: POR: Erving 2 FT

:04: POR Blake 3

:01: PHI: Erving 1 FT

FINAL: SIXERS 112 BLAZERS 105

The Sixers overcome the Blazer comeback and take game one.

Erving - 29 pts, 8 boards - Player of the Game

Dawkins - 18 pts, 10 boards

Toney - 18 pts, 5 assists

Cheeks - 13 pts, 9 assists

Bobby Jones - 8 pts, 11 boards

The Sixers shot 1 3 pointer.  The Blazers shot 25.

Roy - 2 pts, 7 assists, 5 boards

Oden - 18 pts, 8 boards

Blake - 16 pts, 8 assists

Aldridge - 11 pts, 8 rebounds

Fernandez - 15 pts, 6 rebounds

Przybilla - 2 pts, 10 rebounds

GAME TWO

1ST

9 MIN SIXERS 7 BLAZERS 5

SIXERS Erving(3) Jones, Erving

BLAZERS Oden, Aldridge(3)

6 MIN SIXERS 11 BLAZERS 10

SIXERS Cheeks, Richardson

BLAZERS Blake(3) Przybilla

Erving scores 5 in the first 3 minutes and Philly's up a point.

3 MIN SIXERS 18 BLAZERS 17

SIXERS Cheeks, Cheeks, Cheeks(1) Erving

BLAZERS Fernandez(3) Aldridge, Aldridge

1ST QTR SCORE: SIXERS 27 BLAZERS 24

SIXERS Collins, Collins, Caldwell Jones, Hollins, Bobby Jones

BLAZERS Roy, Randolph(1) Frye, Randolph

Sixers up by 3 through a quarter.

2ND

9 MIN SIXERS 33 BLAZERS 30

SIXERS Mix, Hollins, Cheeks

BLAZERS Frye, Frye, Aldridge

6 MIN SIXERS 41 BLAZERS 34

SIXERS Mix, Toney, Cheeks, Cheeks

BLAZERS Rodriguez, Batum

Mo Cheeks scores 6 in the first 6 of the quarter after 5 in the last 6 of the first quarter and the Sixers extend the lead.  

3 MIN SIXERS 47 BLAZERS 38

SIXERS Erving, Hollins, Jones

BLAZERS Blake, Blake

HALFTIME SCORE: SIXERS 58 BLAZERS 46

SIXERS Dawkins, Richardson(3) Dawkins, Dawkins, Jones

BLAZERS Aldridge, Roy, Roy, Aldridge

Darryl Dawkins with 6 in the last 3 and the Sixers extend their lead to a dozen as we hit halftime.

3RD

9 MIN SIXERS 60 BLAZERS 53

SIXERS Richardson, Caldwell Jones, Toney, Dawkins

BLAZERS Roy, Oden(3) Blake, 

6 MIN SIXERS 66 BLAZERS 56

SIXERS Caldwell Jones, Toney, Dawkins 

BLAZERS Roy (3)

3 MIN SIXERS 77 BLAZERS 60

SIXERS Toney, Toney, Erving, Dawkins, Erving

BLAZERS Przybilla, Outlaw

3RD QTR SCORE: SIXERS 79 BLAZERS 67

SIXERS Jones

BLAZERS Roy(3) Aldridge, Outlaw

Portland scores the last 7 points in the quarter to cut a 19 point deficit to 12, but it looks like the Sixers are 12 minutes from advancing.

4TH

9 MIN SIXERS 83 BLAZERS 77

SIXERS Cheeks, Erving

BLAZERS Blake(3) Oden(3) Aldridge, Przybilla 

Look at Portland; down 19, cut it to 6.  

8:32: POR: After a Sixers miss, Przybilla is fouled on the other end and now the deficit is 4.

8:21: PHI: Andrew Toney his an 11 footer.

7:29: PHI: Unsucessful trips both ways leads to a Steve Mix dunk and now it's 8.

7:06: PHI: Blazer turnover leads to a short Erving J.  Double digits.  

3 MIN SIXERS 93 BLAZERS 87

SIXERS Hollins, Toney

BLAZERS Blake, Roy(1), Aldridge, Rodriguez(3)

3 minutes left; Sixers up 6.

2:47: POR: Outlaw dunks after an Alrdridge handoff to cut it to 4.

2:24: PHI: Toney from the baseline just before the shot clock expires.  

:58: PHI: Empty trips, including Dawkins fouling out, it leads eventually to an Erving FT.  96-89

:44: POR: Brandon Roy keeps the Blazers alive with a 3 from the wing.

:20: PHI: The Blazers don't foul, looking for a defensive stop - the Sixers take the entire shot clock but Erving hits a turnaround in the paint and that might be that.  

:14: POR: Roy drives hard to the basket, Sixers by 4.

Toney is fouled - he misses both shots - the Blazers are still alive, down 4, 13 seconds.

Blake misses a 3.  

:06: POR: Oden puts it back.  Sixers by 2.  

Erving is fouled.

:04: PHI: Erving hits both.  That's that.  

FINAL: SIXERS 100 BLAZERS 96

Triple Double for the Doctor to close out the series.  

Erving - 22 pts, 10 boards, 10 assists - Player of the Game

Dawkins - 10 pts, 11 boards

Bobby Jones - 10 pts, 7 boards

Cheeks - 15 pts, 6 boards

Toney - 14 pts

Caldwell Jones - 4 pts, 13 boards

4. 1964 NBA CHAMPION BOSTON CELTICS 13. 1996 MW CHAMP SAN ANTONIO SPURS

The Sixers are safely into the next round; they face the winner of this one.

Celtics: 59-21, 1st Eastern Div, 9th in Off, 1st in Def

             d. Royals East Finals 4-1

             d. Warriors NBA Finals 4-1

             #62 overall seed

Coach: Red Auerbach

Starters

C Bill Russell (29, San Francisco)        15 PPG  19.3 PER  17.3 Win Shares

F Tom Heinsohn (29, Holy Cross)        16.5        17             6.2

F John Havlicek  (23, Ohio St)             19.9         16.9         7.7

G KC Jones (31, San Francisco)           8.2          10.4          5.8

G Sam Jones (30, NC Central)             19.4         17.6          8.9

Rotation Reserves

C Clyde Lovellette (34, Kansas)           6.7          16.8          1.3

F Satch Sanders (25, NYU)                  11.4         12.7          7.6

F Willie Nauls (29, UCLA)                   9.8           14.4          3.9

G Larry Siegfried (24, Ohio St)            3.3           11.8          .5

G Frank Ramsey (32, Kentucky)           8.6          12.6          3.2

Leaders: Russell (1st Rebounds, 3rd Triple Doubles, 1st Reb/Gm, 3rd Win Shares, 3rd WS/48)

               KC Jones (3rd Assists, 5th Assists/Gm, 3rd Def Win Shares)

               Heinsohn (4th FT%)

It's Bill Russell and the World Champion Celtics; 19 PER, 17 Win Shares. Usual Hall of Fame suspects supporting.  Cousy's gone, but Hondo is here.  

Spurs: 59-23, 1st MW Div, 9th Off, 3rd Def

           d. Suns West 1st Rnd, 3-1

           Lost Jazz West Semis 4-2

           #195 overall seed

Coach: Gregg Popovich, Dave Cowens, Celtic Hall of Famer, on the Spurs bench.

Starters:

C David Robinson (30, Navy)        25 PPG  29.4 PER 18.3 Win Shares

F Charles Smith (30, Pitt)               9.6         13.7          1.7

F Sean Elliott (27, Arizona)            20          16.3          7.7

G Avery Johnson (30, Southern)     13.1       16.3          9.1

G Vinny Del Negro (29, NC St)      14.5       15.6          8.3

Rotation Reserves

C Will Perdue (30, Vandy)              5.2          13.7          3.4

F Brad Lohaus (31, Iowa)               3.3          11             .5

F JR Reid (27, North Carolina)       6.5          8.6           .6

G Doc Rivers (34, Marquette)         4             9.6          2.2

G Chuck Person (31, Auburn)        10.9         13.6        5.5

Leaders: Robinson (1st Rebounds, 3rd Blocks, 3rd Pts, 5th PPG, 2nd Reb/Gm, Blocks/Gm, 1st PER, 4th Block %, 1st Def Rating, 2nd Win Shares, 2nd WS/48, 2nd +/-, 2nd VORP)

              Johnson (2nd Assists, 3rd Assists/Gm)

30 year old David Robinson was better than 29 year old Bill Russell; 29 PER. His supporting cast doesn't quite have the same pedigree

Lineup Matchup:

C Robinson (Spurs)

F Heinsohn (Celtics)

F Push

G Johnson (Spurs)

G S Jones (Celtics)

Bench: Celtics

GAME ONE

1ST

9 MIN CELTICS 10 SPURS 4

CELTICS Heinsohn(3) Russell, KC Jones(3) Havlicek

SPURS Robinson, Del Negro

6 MIN CELTICS 17 SPURS 12

CELTICS Sam Jones, Havlicek, Sam Jones(1) Russell

SPURS Robinson, Elliott, Del Negro, Del Negro

Vinny Del Negro has 6, but it's the Celtics who lead by 5 halfway through the 1st.

3 MIN CELTICS 24 SPURS 14

CELTICS Sam Jones, Sam Jones(3) Heinsohn

SPURS Del Negro

1ST QTR SCORE CELTICS 30 SPURS 20

CELTICS Naulls, Sam Jones, Havlicek

SPURS Reid, Smith(3) Perdue(1)

10 1st quarter points for Sam Jones and Boston, much more a defensive team than an offensive one, scores 30.  

2ND

9 MIN CELTICS 34 SPURS 26

CELTICS Lovellette, Sanders

SPURS Smith, Smith, Person

6 MIN CELTICS 39 SPURS 30

CELTICS Ramsey, Russell(1) Russell 

SPURS Robinson, Rivers

Defense stiffens in the first half of the 2nd and the Celts hold the lead.

3 MIN CELTICS 49 SPURS 43

CELTICS Havlicek, Ramsey, Naulls, Lovellette(1) Lovellette(3)

SPURS Robinson, Robinson, Elliott(3) Elliott(3) Person(3)

HALFTIME SCORE CELTICS 56 SPURS 52

CELTICS Sam Jones(1) Russell Sam Jones, Havlicek (buzzer)

SPURS Smith, Del Negro(3) Smith(1) Robinson

6 in the last 6 for both The Admiral and Sean Elliott and the Spurs cut the deficit to 4 as we go to the half.  

3RD

9 MIN SPURS 64 CELTICS 62

CELTICS Naulls, Ramsey, Sanders

SPURS Elliott, Smith, Johnson, Del Negro, Johnson, Smith

KC Jones has 4 fouls and is on the bench to start the half; that contributes to the Spurs having come all the way back to take this lead.  

6 MIN SPURS 72 CELTICS 70

CELTICS Heinsohn, Russell, Sanders, Sam Jones

SPURS Del Negro(3) Lohaus(3) Lohaus

Brad Lohaus, drafted by the Celtics, scores 5 in the last 3 minutes and the Spurs lead by a bucket.

3 MIN CELTICS 81 SPURS 80

CELTICS KC Jones(3) Havlicek, Heinsohn, Havlicek, Havlicek

SPURS Robinson, Elliott(3) Person(1) Johnson

6 for Hondo in the last 3 minutes and Boston goes back on top.

3RD QTR SCORE CELTICS 88 SPURS 88

CELTICS Ramsey(3) Russell, Sanders

SPURS Robinson (3) Robinson, Elliott(3)

We're all set up for a big finish here; deadlocked at 88.

4TH

11:40: SA: Vinny Del Negro hits a runner to put the Spurs up a bucket.

11:33: BOS: Tommy Heinsohn muscles up and ties the score.

11:15 SA: Long 2 for Del Negro.  

10:10: SA: Failed trips both ways leads to a Robinson hitting foul shots.  94-90

9:51: BOS: Frank Ramsey hits a bank shot from the right side.  94-92

9:41: SA: Avery Johnson misses - but Robinson is there with the putback. 96-92

9:19: SA: Heinsohn misses, Robinson rebound; Charles Smith hits a 16 footer the other way.

9:08: BOS: Havlicek comes down and hits the bank.  

8:30: SA: Misses exahnged, Del Negro hits 2 FT  100-94

7:57: SA: Havlicek misses again, Del Negro hits a triple the other way and now the Spurs are up 9.

7:40: SA: Sam Jones mises - Robinson hits the other way and it's 11.  

7:21: SA: Sean Elliott hits a triple after a Celtic miss and that's probably the ballgame.

3 MIN SPURS 117 CELTICS 104

CELTICS  Sam Jones, Sam Jones, Sam Jones, Havlicek, Sanders

SPURS Person, Rivers, Smith, Robinson

FINAL SPURS 127 CELTICS 109

CELTICS Loscutoff, Siegfried (3)

SPURS Robinson, Robinson, Demps, Anderson, Williams

The Celtics had the top defense in the NBA in 1964 but they couldn't slow these Spurs, who hit them for 127.  An overwhelming game by the Admiral.

Robinson - 31 pts, 20 boards, 6 blocks - Player of the Game

Del Negro - 26 pts

Elliott - 19 pts, 7 boards

Smith - 18 pts, 6 boards

Johnson - 6 pts, 10 assists

Perdue - 1 pt, 10 boards

Russell - 13 pts, 21 boards

Sam Jones - 21 pts, 5 boards

Havlicek - 20 pts

Heinsohn - 11 pts

Sanders - 10 pts, 5 boards

Ramsey - 11 pts, 5 boards

GAME TWO

1ST

9 MIN CELTICS 7 SPURS 2

CELTICS Sam Jones, KC Jones, Russell

SPURS Smith

6 MIN CELTICS 15 SPURS 11

CELTICS Heinsohn, KC Jones, Havlicek, Havlicek

SPURS Robinson, Robinson, Elliott(3) Robinson

The Admiral follows up his 30 point game 1 with 6 in the first 6 of game 2, but it's Boston with the early lead.

3 MIN SPURS 20 CELTICS 17

CELTICS Havlicek

SPURS Smith(1) Robinson, Elliott, Del Negro, Smith

1ST QTR SCORE SPURS 25 CELTICS 22

CELTICS Havlicek (1) Ramsey, Jones

SPURS Lohaus(3), Alexander

Spurs looking for the upset here; we saw the #1 seed in the region bounced and the #4 seed is down here in game 2. 

2ND

9 MIN SPURS 33 CELTICS 28

CELTICS Naulls, Sam Jones, Naulls

SPURS Perdue(1) Del Negro, Person(3) Del Negro

6 MIN SPURS 41 CELTICS 34

CELTICS Sam Jones(1) Heinsohn(3) KC Jones,

SPURS Del Negro, Robinson, Robinson, Robinson, 

Del Negro and Robinson each score 6 in the first 6 of the 2nd and the Spurs are up 7.

3 MIN SPURS 49 SPURS 36

CELTICS Russell

SPURS Smith, Robinson, Johnson, Robinson

HALFTIME SCORE SPURS 57 CELTICS 46

CELTICS Ramsey, Ramsey, Russell, Sam Jones, Russell

SPURS Johnson, Johnson, Smith, Robinson

The Celtics were favored here - but it sure looks like they are not keeping up with these Spurs; Robinson and Avery Johnson both with 6  in the past 6 minutes.  Double digit lead as we go to the third.

3RD

9 MIN SPURS 61 CELTICS 50

CELTICS Russell, Sam Jones

SPURS Smith, Del Negro

6 MIN SPURS 66 CELTICS 60

CELTICS Heinsohn, Naulls, Heinsohn, Russell, Russell

SPURS Reid(3) Smith

Boston cuts it to 6.  Russell with 6 in the first 6 of the 3rd.

3 MIN SPURS 71 CELTICS 68

CELTICS Sam Jones, Russell, Sanders, Sam Jones

SPURS Rivers(1) Robinson, Robinson

3RD QTR SCORE SPURS 79 CELTICS 72

CELTICS Heinsohn, Havlicek

SPURS Perdue, Del Negro, Johnson, Elliott

We hit the 4th quarter - Celtics trail by 7, needing a win to force a decisive game 3.

4TH

9 MIN SPURS 85 CELTICS 76

CELTICS Sam Jones, Havlicek

SPURS Elliott, Robinson, Person

6 MIN SPURS 89 CELTICS 84

CELTICS Naulls, Russell, Naulls, Naulls

SPURS Johnson, Robinson

Willie Naulls comes off the Celtics bench, scores 6 in the past 3 minutes and cuts the deficit to 5.

5:52 BOS: Naulls stays hot, hits a mid range to cut it to 3.

5:44: SA: Sean Elliott quiets this Boston Garden crowd with a corner 3.  

5:26: SA: After a turnover, Del Negro drives home with a layup and the lead is 8.

5:01: BOS: Boston gets a couple of chances, Heinsohn nailing a triple.  

3:54: BOS Empty trips both ways and Sam Jones gets a FT.  94-90 Spurs

3:36: BOS: Robinson misses and Frank Ramsey gets a layup the other way.

3:23: SA: Elliott's fouled, hits 1.  

2:52: SA: Empty Celtics trip leads to a Charles Smith dunk.  

2:39: BOS: Russell gets a putback on a Sam Jones miss.  97-94 Spurs

2:29: SA: Charles Smith FT

:45: SA: Everyone empty multiple times until Del Negro hits from the paint - it's now 5 and Boston's in trouble.

:28: SA: Big Celtic turnover is converted into a driving Robinson dunk and that is the end.

:17: SA: One more Robinson FT

FINAL: SPURS 103 CELTICS 94

Robinson just couldn't be contained by the smaller Celtics; he ran over them in both games.

Robinson-31 pts, 18 boards, 5 blocks - Player of the Game

Smith - 16 pts, 14 boards

Johnson - 10 pts, 13 assists

Del Negro - 16 pts, 5 boards

Elliott - 13 pts, 5 boards

Region 3 All Tournament Team:

C Robinson ('96 Spurs)

F Malone ('93 Jazz)

F Erving ('81 Sixers)

G Payton ('97 Sonics)

G Stockton ('01 Jazz)

256 Team All Time Basketball Tournament: Region 3 Round 1: Series 1 and 2

 7 and 8

1. 2015 NBA CHAMPION GOLDEN ST WARRIORS V. 16. 2001 UTAH JAZZ

2 Regions down, 14 to go.  Here's the third overall seed, the 2015 Warriors.  

Warriors: 67-15, 1st Pac Div, 2nd Off, 1st Def

                d. Pelicans West 1st Round 4-0

                d. Grizzlies West Semis 4-2

                d. Rockets West Finals 4-1

                d. Cavs NBA Finals 4-2

                #3 overall seed 

Coach: Steve Kerr

Starters

C Andrew Bogut (30, Utah)                     6.3 PPG  15.8 PER  5.2 Win Shares

F Draymond Green (24, Michigan St)     11.7         16.4          8.5

F Harrison Barnes (22, North Carolina)   10.1        13.4          6.7

G Stephen Curry (26, Davidson)              23.8        28            15.7

G Klay Thompson (24, Washington)       21.7         20.8         8.8

Rotation Reserves

C Marresse Speights (27, Florida)           10.4         19.5         4

F David Lee (31, Florida)                        7.9           17.8         3.2

F Andre Iguodala (31, Arizona)               7.8           12.3        5.1

G Shaun Livingston (29)                         5.9            12.9        3.3

G Leandro Barbosa (32)                          7.1            15.3        2.8

Leaders: Curry (1st in 3s, 4th in Assists, 1st in Steals, 2nd in Pts, 1st FT %, 4th Steals/Gm, 3rd PER, 4th True Shooting, 2nd Eff FG%, 4th Steal % 3rd Win Shares, 1st Win Shares/48, 1st +/1, 2nd VORP)

               Thompson (2nd in 3s

               Bogut (2nd Def Rating, 1st Def+/-)

               Green (4th Def Rating, 5th Def +/-)

Steph's team; PER nearly 30, 15+ Win Shares; Klay has a PER over 20 as well.  

Jazz: 53-29, 2nd MW Div, 3rd Off, 12th Def

         Lost Mavs West First 3-2

         #254 overall seed

         d. 1954 Lakers

Coach: Jerry Sloan

Starters

C Greg Ostertag (27, Kansas)                   4.5 PPG   13.3 PER  3.8 Win Shares

F Karl Malone (37, La Tech)                    23.2          24.7          13.1

F Donyell Marshall (27, UConn)             13.6          19.9          8.5

G John Stockton (38, Gonzaga)               11.5          22.3          10.8

G Bryon Russell (30, Cal St Long Beach) 12           14.1          6.8

Rotation Reserves

C Olden Polynice (36, Virginia)               5.3            9.9            2

F Danny Manning (34, Kansas)                7.4           14.3          2.6

F David Benoit (32, Alabama)                 3.6            11.1          .7

G Jacque Vaughn (25, Kansas)                6.1             12.8         3

G John Starks (35, Oklahoma St)            9.3             9.3           2.1

Leaders: Stockton (2nd Assists, 2nd Assists/Gm, Stockton 1st True Shooting, 3rd Eff FG%, 1st Asst%, 1st Off Rtg, 4th +/-

               Malone (4th PER, 5th Win Shares, 5th Win Shares/48, 5th +/- 5th VORP)

               Polynice (5th Off Reb%

Stockton and Malone are pushing 40 and can still go - both over 20 PER, both double digit Win Shares.

Lineup Matchup:

C Bogut (Warriors)

F Malone (Jazz)

F Marshall (Jazz)

G Curry (Warriors)

G Thompson (Warriors)

Bench: Warriors

GAME ONE

1ST

9 MIN WARRIORS 6 JAZZ 6

WARRIORS Barnes, Curry(3) Green (1)

JAZZ Malone(3) Ostertag(1) Ostertag

6 MIN WARRIORS 13 JAZZ 11

WARRIORS Bogut, Bogut, Curry(3)

JAZZ Malone, Ostertag(1) Ostertag

Steph's got 6 in the first 6 and the Warriors lead by a bucket.  

3 MIN JAZZ 24 WARRIORS 22

WARRIORS Speights, Speights, Thompson(1) Curry, Thompson

JAZZ Russell(3) Stockton, Stockton, Polynice, Marshall, Russell(1)

1ST QTR SCORE JAZZ 34 WARRIORS 30

WARRIORS Curry, Barbosa, Iguodala, Speights

JAZZ Marshall(3) Polynice, Stockton(3) Stockton(buzzer)

Utah's a massive underdog - but they are up 4 through 1.  9 for Stockton, 10 for Curry.

2ND

9 MIN JAZZ 42 WARRIORS 38

WARRIORS Speights, Barbosa, Livingston, Iguodala

JAZZ Manning, Benoit, Manning, Benoit

6 MIN JAZZ 48 WARRIORS 42

WARRIORS Speights, Barbosa

JAZZ Marshall, Malone, Marshall

The Jazz do have a real size advantage; that's a given, but the Warriors are still giant favorites here and now Utah leads by 6.

3 MIN JAZZ 54 WARRIORS 53

WARRIORS Curry (3) Thompson(3) Curry (3) Green

JAZZ Marshall, Stockton

HALFTIME SCORE WARRIORS 62 JAZZ 61

WARRIORS Barnes, Barbosa (3) Green, Lee (buzzer)

JAZZ Stockton(3) Stockton, Malone

The Warriors hit 4 threes in the last 6 minutes of the half to take the lead by a point.  16 for Steph; 16 for Stockton.  

3RD

9 MIN WARRIORS 73 JAZZ 69

WARRIORS Thompson, Bogut, Speights, Barbosa(3) Curry

JAZZ Marshall, Marshall, Malone, Malone

6 MIN WARRIORS 80 JAZZ 75

WARRIORS Curry, Green(3) Barnes

JAZZ Polynice, Stockton, Polynice

Warriors tick their lead up; Steph now has 20 - 4 fouls on Malone.  

3 MIN WARRIORS 86 JAZZ 79

WARRIORS Bogut, Barnes, 

JAZZ Stockton, Stockton, 

3RD QTR SCORE WARRIORS 93 JAZZ 85

WARRIORS Barbosa, Green(3) Curry, Curry

JAZZ Starks, Russell, Russell (buzzer)

Warriors find a little more daylight; Curry has 24, Stockton 22

4TH

9 MIN WARRIORS 99 JAZZ 87

WARRIORS Green, Speights, Lee

JAZZ Russell

6 MIN WARRIORS 109 JAZZ 97

WARRIORS Thompson, Thompson, Curry(3) Green(3)

JAZZ Stockton, Malone, Manning, Manning, Malone

Warriors lead is double digits with 6 to go.  

3 MIN WARRIORS 115 JAZZ 100

WARRIORS Curry(3) Thompson(3)

JAZZ Vaughn, Ostertag

FINAL SCORE WARRIORS 128 JAZZ 117

WARRIORS Barnes, Thompson, Thompson(2) Thompson(1) Curry, Thompson, Thompson

JAZZ Russell, Stockton(3) Russell (3) Marshall, Malone, Stockton(3) Marshall

Warriors were the number one defense in the league in 2015 and the Jazz gives them all they could want - but at the end the Dubs have just too much firepower and they take game one. Steph Curry with the second triple double of the tournament.

Curry - 32 pts, 12 boards, 10 assists - Player of the Game

Thompson - 24 pts, 5 assists

Green - 16 pts, 6 boards

Barnes - 10 pts

Speights - 14 pts, 5 boards

Barbosa - 14 pts

Bogut - 8 pts, 13 boards

Stockton - 30 pts, 9 assists, 5 boards

Marshall - 22 pts, 15 boards, 7 assists

Malone - 19 pts, 6 assists, 5 boards

Russell - 15 pts

Polynice - 10 pts, 5 boards

GAME TWO

1ST

9 MIN WARRIORS 8 JAZZ 6

WARRIORS Curry(3) Thompson, Thompson(3)

JAZZ Ostertag, Marshall, Malone

6 MIN WARRIORS 16 JAZZ 9

WARRIORS Bogut, Green, Barbosa(3) Green(1)

JAZZ Marshall, Ostertag

Klay's got 5 and the Warriors sprint up by 7.

3 MIN WARRIORS 22 JAZZ 17

WARRIORS Green, Iguodala, Livingston

JAZZ Malone, Malone, Malone(1) Malone(3)

8 in the last 3 minutes for the Mailman.  

1ST QTR SCORE WARRIORS 27 JAZZ 19

WARRIORS Speights, Lee(1) Barbosa

JAZZ Russell

Just 3 for Curry, but the Dubs lead by 9

2ND 

9 MIN WARRIORS 35 JAZZ 29

WARRIORS Curry(3) Curry, Iguodala(3)

JAZZ Polynice, Polynice(1) Manning(3) Starks, Marshall

6 MIN JAZZ 38 WARRIORS 37

WARRIORS Barnes, 

JAZZ Manning, Russell(3) Stockton, Stockton

Great stretch by the Jazz; they score 9 straight and take the lead.  

3 MIN JAZZ 43 WARRIORS 42

WARRIORS Bogut, Speights, Lee(1)

JAZZ Manning(1) Vaughn, Vaughn

HALFTIME SCORE JAZZ 54 WARRIORS 46

WARRIORS Thompson, Barnes

JAZZ Polynice, Polynice, Stockton(3) Malone, Stockton(buzzer)

5 in the last 3 for Stockton; Utah is up 8 at the half - really holding that Warrior offense in check here in game two.  

3RD

9 MIN JAZZ 58 WARRIORS 51

WARRIORS Lee, Barbosa(3)

JAZZ Marshall, Vaughn

6 MIN JAZZ 61 WARRIORS 58

WARRIORS Curry, Green, Thompson(3)

JAZZ Malone, Stockton(1)

Utah's lead got as high as a dozen, but the 3 ball is the great equalizer and the Warriors cut it to 3.

3 MIN WARRIORS 71 JAZZ 68

WARRIORS Thompson(3), Thompson, Thompson, Curry, Thompson, Thompson

JAZZ Russell(3) Manning, Russell

Klay Thompson scores 11 points in 3 minutes and the Warriors take the lead.  

3RD QTR SCORE JAZZ 78 WARRIORS 74

WARRIORS Curry, Lee(1)

JAZZ Manning, Stockton, Stockton, Marshall, Vaughn

Utah's a veteran group and they don't roll over after the Warriors go on that run; Utah up 4 as we head to the final quarter.

4TH

11:51 UT: Donyell Marshall hits a corner 3 from the rip and Utah goes up 7.

10:55: GSW: Both sides miss, Barnes gets fouled and makes 1.  

10:38: UT: Marshall again, from the lane.  

10:11: UT: Malone a short J and it's a double digit Jazz lead.

9:55 GSW: Klay hits a corner 3.  

9:34: GSW: Utah misses, Iguodala hits a midrange to cut the deficit to 5.

9:20: UT: Malone with the putback on a Russell miss. 

8:55 UT: Warrior miss - and there's Stockton from the paint.  

8:29: UT: Another Warrior miss, Marshall is fouled the other way, hits one and the lead is 10.

8:04: GSW: Barnes misses, but Draymond has the putback. 90-82

7:55: GSW: Steph intercepts a pass and Draymond drills a pull up 3 from the wing. 90-85

7:19: GSW: Barbosa steals a pass, hits Draymond - he's fouled and hits 1.  

6:38: GSW: Utah misses and David Lee drives home for a lyup the other way. 90-88

6:31: UT: Malone hits an 8 footer.

6:02: UT: Steph misses a 3 and former Warrior John Starks responds with a dunk on the other end.

5:15: GSW: Both sides miss, David Lee winds up fouled and hitting 1. 

3:54: UT: A couple unproductive trips both ways leads to Bryon Russell hitting a corner 3.

3:36: UT: Stockton picks Curry clean and feeds Malone for the huge dunk and it's double digits and Jazz are 3 minutes from forcing game 3.

2:48: GSW: Both sides miss - Harrison Barnes hits a corner 3.

1:51: GSW: Both sides miss, Utah misses again and Bogut hits one from the paint.  99-94

1:24: GSW: Utah misses again and again it's Bogut, hitting a 12 foot fadeaway.  99-96

Marshall, a former Warrior, misses.  Barnes with the rebound with 64 seconds left.  

Barnes misses from 11.  56 seconds left.  Malone rebound.  

:44: UT: Ostertag misses, but Russell is there with the putback and Utah leads by 5.

Barnes misses.  Stockton rebound and that might be that.  

:31: UT: Marshall hits 2 FT.

Klay misses the 3.  Russell rebound.  It's over.  

:19: UT: Malone 2 FT

FINAL: JAZZ 105 WARRIORS 96

Utah survives, really strong effort here in game 2 and they force a decisive game 3.

Malone - 24 pts, 18 boards, 8 assists, 4 steals - Player of the Game

Stockton - 16 pts, 10 boards, 5 assists, 5 steals

Marshall - 18 pts, 9 boards

Russell - 15 pts

Manning - 10 pts

Thompson - 24 pts, 5 rebounds

Green - 13 pts, 13 rebounds

Curry - 14 pts, 7 assists

GAME THREE

1ST

9 MIN JAZZ 6 WARRIORS 5

WARRIORS Curry(3) Curry

JAZZ Ostertag, Malone, Malone

6 MIN JAZZ 10 WARRIORS 10

WARRIORS Curry, Curry

JAZZ Marshall, Stockton

Curry has all 10 Warriors points in this decisive game 3 and we're tied.

3 MIN JAZZ 18 WARRIORS 15

WARRIORS Barnes, Curry(3)

JAZZ Marshall, Russell, Marshall, Ostertag

1ST QTR SCORE JAZZ 19 WARRIORS 18

WARRIORS Lee(1) Speights

JAZZ Ostertag(1)

Steph fires out with 13 in the first quarter, but that's virtually the entire Golden St offense, they continue to have trouble with the Utah size - that "how do 3 ball teams lose" thing is being answered by a big Jazz club in this series.  

2ND

9 MIN JAZZ 23 WARRIORS 21

WARRIORS Speights, Thompson(1)

JAZZ Marshall, Starks

6 MIN JAZZ 29 WARRIORS 26

WARRIORS Thompson, Green(1) Curry

JAZZ Malone, Malone, Russell

Utah continues to really hold down the Warrior offense, just owning the glass. 

3 MIN JAZZ 34 WARRIORS 34

WARRIORS Bogut, Iguodala, Thompson, Thompson

JAZZ Stockton(3) Ostertag

HALFTIME SCORE WARRIORS 40 JAZZ 39

WARRIORS Iguodala(1) Bogut, Barnes(3-buzzer)

JAZZ Malone, Russell(3)

Harrison Barnes hits from halfcourt at the buzzer to give the Warriors their first lead of the game.  One half to go - who advances?  

3RD

9 MIN WARRIORS 55 JAZZ 46

WARRIORS Curry(3) Curry(3) Bogut, Green, Lee, Iguodala(3)

JAZZ Marshall, Starks, Russell(3)

Big, big start to the quarter; the Warriors with 15 in 3 minutes.  

6 MIN WARRIORS 57 JAZZ 51

WARRIORS Speights

JAZZ Russell, Ostertag(1) Stockton

Each time the Warriors go on one of their big runs, the Jazz just hang in there and refuse to fade away.  

3 MIN WARRIORS 66 JAZZ 60

WARRIORS Curry(3) Thompson, Thompson, Iguodala

JAZZ Russell, Malone(3) Malone, Polynice

3RD QTR SCORE WARRIORS 71 JAZZ 68

WARRIORS Speights(3) Speights

JAZZ Malone, Russell, Marshall, Manning

Utah keeps coming - they keep coming - and with 12 minutes left they trail by only 3.

4TH

11:44 UT: Steph misses the quick 3, Malone turns it into a layup at the other end.

11:34: GSW: Draymond gets a pass on the block from Bogut and hits a turnaround  

11:00: UT: Marshall misses, but Malone gets the rebound and Vaughn will score from the paint.  73-72 Warriors by 1.

10:20: UT: After a Warriors miss, Starks hits from 9 to put the Jazz in front.

9:45: UT: Another Warriors miss leads to a Stockton foul line J.

9:23: UT: Danny Manning steals the ball and cruises in for a layup.  78-73

9:07: GSW: Klay stops the bleeding with a 3 from the right wing.  78-76

8:51: GSW: Utah misses and the Warriors tie the game on a ripping Barnes dunk.  78-78

7:55: UT: Unsuccessful trips for both teams leads to a Starks triple from the wing. 81-78

6:32: UT: After missed shots both ways, Stockton steals the ball and gets fouled, making 1. 82-78

6:17: UT: Steph is called for an offensive foul; the Warrior fans howl - and then Draymond is called for a foul on a Malone three and the Warriors can barely be contained.  Mailman hits them all and the Warriors are fully in trouble.  85-78

5:49 UT: Steph misses, Malone doesn't.  Look out.  87-78

4:47: UT: The Warriors haven't scored in 4 minutes - Donyell Marshall hits a monster dunk and this game is getting out of hand.

4:21: GSW: Draymond hits a 3 from the top.  Warriors down by 8.

3:52: GSW: After a turnover, Bogut hits from the lane.  89-83

3:39: UT: Manning's fouled, hits 1.  

2:06: GSW: Empty trips for both teams, Bogut puts back a missed bucket.  90-85

1:41: UT: Stockton dunk.  Its almost over.

1:18: UT: Stockton 2 FT

1:11: GSW: Bogut.

:55 UT: Stockton the 3 -- that's the dagger and the monumental upset has happened.

:45: GSW Curry 3.

:42: UT: Malone 2 FT

:12 GSW: Curry 3

:08 UT Malone 2 FT

:00: UT Marshall 1 FT

FINAL: JAZZ 102 WARRIORS 93

We've put to bed concerns about a lack of upsets; put to bed concerns about the dominance of the 3 ball shooting team.  The number 3 overall seeded Warriors are bounced in round one.  

Malone-28 points 10 rebounds, 5 assists-Player of the Game

Stockton - 17 points 16 assists

Marshall - 15 points 11rebounds

Russell - 16 points 8 rebounds

Ostertag, 8 pts, 13 rebounds

8. 1997 PAC DIV CHAMP SEA SUPERSONICS V. 9. 1993 WEST CONF CHAMP PHO SUNS

Sonics: 57-25, 1st Pac Div, 3rd Off, 6th Def

             d. Suns West First Rnd 3-2

             Lost Rockets West Semis 4-3

             #131 overall seed

Coach: George Karl

Starters

C Sam Perkins (35, North Carolina)       11 PPG  17 PER  7.1 Win Shares

F Shawn Kemp (27, Trinity Valley)        18.7        20.7       10

F Detlef Schrempf (34, Washington)      16.8        18.3       8

G Gary Payton (28, Oregon St)               21.8        21.8      12.9

G Hersey Hawkins (30, Bradley)            13.9        17.6       10.9

Rotation Reserves

C Jim McIlvaine (24, Marquette)            3.8           11.1     3

F Terry Cummings (35, Depaul)              8.2           15.2     2.1

F Larry Stewart (28, Coppin St)              4.3           10.8     1.6

G Eric Snow (23, Michigan St)               3               12.5     1.9

G David Wingate (33, Georgetown)        3.6           9.3        1.7

Leaders: Kemp (4th Off Reb)

               Payton (3rd Steals, 5th Triple Doubles, 3rd Steals/Gm)

              Hawkins (4th Off Rating)

Payton and Kemp are in their primes, PER over 20, double digit Win Shares.  Hawkins also double digit win Shares. Schrempf, Perkins, Cummings all in their mid 30s.  

Suns: 62-20, 1st Pac Div, 1st Off, 9th Def

          d. Lakers  West1st Round 3-2

          d. Spurs West Semis 4-2

          d. Sonics West Finals 4-3

          Lost NBA Finals Bulls 4-2

Coach: Paul Westphal 

Starters

C Mark West (32, Old Dominion)          5.3 PPG      11.4  PER  3.4 Win Shares

F Charles Barkley (29, Auburn)             25.6             25.9          14.4

F Cedric Ceballos (23, Cal St Fullerton) 12.8           21              6.2

G Kevin Johnson (26, Cal)                     16.1             18.1          5.1

G Dan Majerle (27, Cen Michigan)        16.9            15.4           9.8

Rotation Reserves

C Oliver Miller (22, Arkansas)               5.6               12.7         1.6

F Tom Chambers (33, Utah)                   12.2              14.7         4.5

F Richard Dumas (23, Oklahoma St)      15.8             18.6         3.9

G Frank Johnson (34, Wake Forest)        4.3               10.8         1.5

G Danny Ainge (33, BYU)                      11.8             14.3         6.2

Leaders: Majerle (1st 3s)

               Barkley (1st Triple Doubles, 5th PPG, 4th PER, 4th Win Shares, 2nd Win Shares/48, 2nd +/-, 4th VORP)

               Ceballos (1st FG%, 2nd Eff FG%)

               Ainge (5th Eff FG%)

It's 29 year old Barkley; 25 PER and 14 Win Shares.  23 year old Ceballos also has 20+ PER; Chambers and Ainge are 33 and coming off the bench.  

Lineup Matchup:

C Perkins (Sonics)

F Barkley (Suns)

F Push

G Payton (Sonics)

G Hawkins (Sonics)

Bench: Suns

GAME ONE

1ST

9 MIN SONICS 4 SUNS 4

SONICS Kemp, Perkins

SUNS West, Majerle

6 MIN SUNS 12 SONICS 11

SONICS Payton, Perkins (3) Hawkins

SUNS West, KJ, Ceballos, KJ

You'd expect a tight series; the '97 Sonics beat the Suns in the playoffs; the '93 Suns beat the Sonics in the playoffs; that's true so far.  Sam Perkins has 5.  

3 MIN

SONICS SUNS 15 SONICS 11

SUNS Barkley(3)

1ST QTR SCORE: SUNS 27 SONICS 17

SONICS McIlvane, Scheffler, Wingate

SUNS KJ, Barkley(3) Dumas, Miller, Ainge(1) Frank Johnson(buzzer)

The Suns go up 10; Barkley scores 6 in the back half of the quarter.

2ND QTR

9 MIN SUNS 34 SONICS 25

SONICS Scheffler, Payton(3) Schrempf(1) Payton

SUNS Ceballos, Chambers(3) Ceballos

6 MIN SUNS 41 SONICS 35

SONICS Hawkins, Hawkins, Hawkins, Schrempf, Kemp

SUNS Ceballos, KJ, Barkley

Hawkins scores 6 in the last 3 minutes and the Sonics cut it to 6.

3 MIN SUNS 47 SONICS 41

SONICS Hawkins, Cummings, Payton

SUNS Majerle, West, Chambers

HALFTIME SCORE: SUNS 52 SONICS 51

SONICS Kemp, Schrempf, Payton, Perkins(3) Kemp(1)

SUNS West(1) Ceballos, Barkley

The Sonics have cut it to a point; gonna be a good one in the second half.

3RD QTR

9 MIN SUNS 60 SONICS 55

SONICS Payton, Kemp

SUNS KJ, Ceballos, Barkley, Miller

6 MIN SUNS 66 SONICS 61

SONICS Schrempf, Kemp(1) Kemp

SUNS Majerle, Dumas, Chambers

Kemp scores 5 in the first half of the quarter but the Suns are up 5.

3 MIN SUNS SUNS 72 SONICS 65

SONICS Payton, Hawkins

SUNS West, Ceballos, Miller

3RD QTR SCORE: SUNS 77 SONICS 71

SONICS Payton(3) Schrempf(3)

SUNS Ainge(3) Barkley

Seattle cuts it to 1 after back to back triples - but the Suns score the last 5 of the quarter and lead by 6. 

4TH QTR

9 MIN SUNS 86 SONICS 77

SONICS Kemp, Payton, Stewart

SUNS Majerle, Chambers, KJ, KJ

6 MIN SUNS 96 SONICS 85

SONICS Kemp, Hawkins, Schrempf, Kemp

SUNS Miller, Ceballos, Barkley, KJ, Barkley

Seattle just can't make a run and trail by 11 with 6 to go. 

3 MIN SUNS 105 SONICS 95

SONICS Hawkins, Kemp, Perkins (3) Schrempf, Hawkins

SUNS Majerle, Chambers, KJ, KJ, Kempton(1)

Shawn Kemp fouls out and the Suns are up 10.  

FINAL SCORE:

SONICS Hawkins(3) Schrempf, Schrempf(3) Perkins(3)

SUNS KJ, KJ, Ceballos, Barkley, Barkley

FINAL: SUNS 115 SONICS 106

The Sonics can't get closer than 6 in the 4th and they drop game one.  4 Sonics score 20 each, first time that's happned in the tournament.

Barkley - 23 pts, 11 boards, 7 assists - Player of the Game

Johnson - 24 points, 8 assists

Ceballos - 18 pts, 9 rebounds

Chambers - 11 pts

Payton - 20 pts, 9 assists

Schrempf - 20 pts, 8 boards, 5 assists

Hawkins - 20 pts, 5 boards

Kemp -20 pts, 5 boards

GAME TWO

1ST

9 MIN SUNS 11 SONICS 7

SONICS Hawkins(3) Payton, Perkins

SUNS Majerle(3) West, Barkley, Majerle, Ceballos

6 MIN SONICS 18 SUNS 14

SONICS Payton(3) Perkins(3) Payton, Perkins, Kemp(1)

SUNS KJ(3)

Sonics biggest lead of the series; Payton and Perkins each score 7 in the first 6 

3 MIN SONICS 24 SUNS 22

SONICS Wingate, Schrempf, Wingate

SUNS Barkley, Barkley, Barkley, KJ

1ST QTR SCORE: SONICS 35 SUNS 26

SONICS McIlvane(1) Payton, Kemp, Snow, Snow, McIlvane

SUNS Barkley, Barkley

Barkley scores 10 in the back half of the quarter but the Sonics lead by 9.

2ND QTR

9 MIN SONICS 43 SUNS 35

SONICS Perkins, Cummings(1) Snow, Stewart(3)

SUNS Chambers, Miller, Ainge(3) Ceballos

6 MIN SONICS 47 SUNS 41

SONICS Perkins, Schrempf

SUNS Ceballos, Ceballos, Miller

Ceballos scores 6 in the last 6 but the Sonics hold the 6 pt lead.

3 MIN SONICS 53 SUNS 48

SONICS Cummings(1) Cummings(1) Schrempf, Cummings, 

SUNS Barkley, Majerle(3) Ceballos

HALFTIME SCORE: SONICS 63 SUNS 52

SONICS Cummings, Cummings, Cummings, Kemp, Cummings

SUNS Chambers, Barkley

The veteran Terry Cummings comes off the Sonics bench and scores 10 in the last 6 of the half and Seattle is up 11.

3RD QTR

9 MIN SONICS 69 SUNS 58

SONICS Schrempf(3) Schrempf(1) Payton

SUNS Barkley, KJ, KJ

6 MIN SONICS 81 SUNS 68

SONICS Hawkins(3) Cummings, Payton(3) Payton, Perkins

SUNS KJ, Dumas, Dumas, KJ, KJ

Sonics just pouring in buckets; 7 more for GP in the last 6.  

3 MIN SONICS 87 SUNS 74

SONICS Hawkins, Payton (1) McIlvane (1) Kemp

SUNS Barkley, Chambers, Frank Johnson

3RD QTR SCORE: SONICS 94 SUNS 80

SONICS Kemp, Hawkins (3) Stewart

SUNS Ceballos, Ceballos, West

The Sonics are up 14 and it sure looks like we're headed to a decisive game 3.

4TH QTR

9 MIN SUNS 100 SONICS 86

SONICS Hawkins, Snow, Cummings

SUNS Chambers, Dumas, Ceballos

6 MIN SONICS 110 SUNS 90

SONICS Schrempf(3) Hawkins (3) Schrempf, Kemp

SUNS Barkley, Ceballos

3 MIN SONICS 118 SUNS 103

SONICS Schrempf, Perkins(1) Perkins (3), Spencer, 

SUNS Ainge(3) Barkley(1) KJ(3) Mustaf, Stivrins(1) Mustaf(3) 

FINAL SCORE: SONICS 112 SUNS 111

SONICS Scheffler, Scheffler

SUNS Mustaf, Stivrins, Mustaf, Stivrins(3)

Seattle wins an easy one and we will have a showdown game.  

Payton - 17 pts, 11 assists, 8 boards - Player of the Game

Kemp - 11 pts, 12 boards, 5 assists

Schrempf - 17 pts, 8 boards

Perkins - 17 pts, 5 boards

Cummings - 17 points, 7 boards

Hawkins - 16 pts

Barkley - 23 pts, 11 boards, 5 assists

Ceballos - 18 pts, 9 boards

Johnson - 18 pts, 6 assists

GAME THREE

1ST

9 MIN SONICS 9 SUNS 4

SONICS Kemp, Perkins, Hawkins, Kemp(1) Perkins

SUNS KJ, KJ

6 MIN SONICS 11 SUNS 11

SONICS Kemp

SUNS Majerle, West, Majerle(3)

Majerle scores 5 in the last 3 and we are tied.  

3 MIN SONICS 25 SUNS 11

SONICS Payton, Hawkins(3) Perkins, Payton, McIlvane, Hawkins (3)

SUNS

Huge Sonics run; 14 points to 0.  

1ST QTR SCORE: SONICS 31 SUNS 13

SONICS Payton, Payton, Cummings

SUNS Barkley

Seattle just lays the lumber to the Suns in the last 6 minutes, a 20-2 run probably ends this series.

2ND QTR

9 MIN SONICS 35 SUNS 17

SONICS Stewart, Schrempf

SUNS Dumas, Chambers

6 MIN SONICS 42 SUNS 29

SONICS Schrempf, Cummings(1) Payton, Payton

SUNS Ainge, KJ, KJ, Dumas, Dumas, Chambers

Dumas has 6 in the quarter, the Suns still strail by 13

3 MIN SONICS 44 SUNS 33

SONICS Schrempf

SUNS Chambers, KJ

HALFTIME SCORE: SONICS 54 SUNS 41

SONICS Payton, Cummings, Perkins, Hawkins, Kemp

SUNS Majerle, Majerle(3) Ceballos(1) Ceballos

Majerle scored the first 5 points in the last 3 minutes and the Suns cut it to 6 -- but the lead is now 13 as we hit halftime.  

3RD QTR

9 MIN SONICS 64 SUNS 43

SONICS Perkins(3) Kemp, Kemp, Hawkins(3)

SUNS Dumas

6 MIN SONICS 69 SUNS 48

SONICS Hawkins(1) Cummings, Schrempf

SUNS Barkley, Majerle(3)

Seattle's just been too much in games 2 and 3; they're rolling into the next round where they will face the Jazz team that knocked off the Warriors. 

3 MIN SONICS 76 SUNS 53

SONICS Kemp, Hawkins, Payton(3)

SUNS Ceballos, West, West(1)

3RD QTR SCORE: SONICS 79 SUNS 60

SONICS Hawkins, Kemp(1)

SUNS Ainge(3) Majerle, Miller

Just a matter of finishing this up - Sonics by 19.

4TH QTR

9 MIN SONICS 85 SUNS 64

SONICS Kemp, Kemp, Hawkins

SUNS Barkley, Miller

6 MIN SONICS 95 SUNS 73

SONICS Cummings, Payton, Snow, Payton, Perkins

SUNS  Ceballos, Ceballos, Ainge, Majerle(3)

3 MIN SONICS 104 SUNS 81

SONICS Schrempf(3) Hawkins(1) Kemp, Hawkins(3)

SUNS Miller, Barkley(3) Majerle(3)

FINAL SCORE: SONICS 111 SUNS 85

SONICS Scheffler, Spencer, Graham(1) Graham

SUNS Barkley, Barkley

Easy one for Seattle; they cruise on to a series victory today.

Payton-21 pts, 8 assists, 7 boards - Player of the Game

Kemp - 20 pts, 9 boards

Hawkins - 24 pts, 5 boards

Schrempf - 11 pts, 9 boards, 6 assists

Perkins - 13 pts, 5 boards

Region 3 All Tournament Team:

C Ostertag ('01 Jazz)

F Malone ('93 Jazz)

F Kemp ('97 Sonics)

G Payton ('97 Sonics)

G Stockton ('01 Jazz)

256 Team All Time Basketball Tournament: Region 2 Round 1: Series 7 and 8

 

5 and 6

7. 2017 SW DIV CHAMPS SAN ANTONIO SPURS V. 10. 2013 DENVER NUGGETS

Two slots left in Region 2.  Winner of this one gets one of them.

Spurs: 61-21, SW Div Champs, 9th in Off, 1st in Def

           d. Grizzlies West First Round, 4-2

           d. Rockets West Semis 4-0

           Lost Warriors West Finals 4-0

           #98 overall seed

Coach: Gregg Popovich

Starters

C Pau Gasol (36)                               12.4 PPG   20.2 PER  6.4 Win Shares

F LaMarcus Aldridge (31, Texas)     17.3            18.6          7.2

F Kawhi Leonard (25, S Diego St)   25.5            27.6          13.6

G Patty Mills (28, St Marys)            9.5              15.2           5.1

G Kyle Anderson (23, UCLA)         3.4              12.5           2.7

Rotation Reserves

C Dewayne Dedmon (27, USC)       5.1              16             5.2

F David Lee (33, Florida)                7.3               18.5         5.7

F Davis Bertans (24)                        4.5               12.9         2.3

G Tony Parker (34)                          10.1              13           3

G Manu Ginobli (39)                       7.5                13.9        3

Leaders: Leonard (3rd PER, 4th Win Shares, 3rd Win Shares/48, 2nd +/1, 3rd VORP)

It's Kawhi's Spurs; Gasol also is 20+ PER, Parker/Ginobli come off the bench.  

Nuggets: 57-25, 2nd NW Div, 5th Off, 11th Def

                Lost Warriors West 1st Round 4-2

                #159 overall seed

Coach: George Karl

Starters

C Kosta Koufos (23, Ohio St)             8 PPG  17.2 PER  6.5 Win Shares

F Kenneth Faried (23, Morehead St)  11.5      18.5          7.8

F Danilo Gallinari (24)                       16.2       16.7         7.2

G Ty Lawson (25, North Carolina)     16.7       17.9        7.4

G Andre Iguodala (29, Arizona)         13          15.2         5.6

Rotation Reserves

C Javale McGee (25, Nevada)            9.1          20.5        4.9

F Wilson Chandler (25, DePaul)        13           16.6         3.9

F Corey Brewer (26, Florida)             12.1        14.7         3.9

G Andre Miller (36, Utah)                  9.6          15.7         5.4

G Evan Fournier (20)                         5.3          13.8          1

Leaders: McGee (3rd FG%)

               Koufos (5th, Off Reb %)

The Nuggets don't have anyone close to Leonard; no double digit Win Shares, only 20+ PER is McGee off the bench. 

Lineup Matchup:

C Gasol (Spurs)

F Aldridge (Spurs)

F Leonard (Spurs)

G Lawson (Nuggets)

G Iguodala (Nuggets)

Bench: Spurs

GAME ONE

1ST

9 MIN SPURS 6 NUGGETS 3

SPURS Mills, Aldridge, Leonard

NUGGETS Koufos(3)

6 MIN NUGGETS 9 SPURS 8

SPURS Aldridge

NUGGETS Koufos, Faried, Lawson

Just getting started in this one; Kosta Koufos has 5.  

3 MIN NUGGETS 15 SPURS 11

SPURS Leonard(3)

NUGGETS Faried, Faried, Iguodala

1ST QTR SCORE: SPURS 23 NUGGETS 21

SPURS Ginobli(3) Leonard(1) Leonard(3) Leonard, Ginobli (3-buzzer)

NUGGETS Chandler, Miller, McGee

Kawhi scores 9 in the last 6; Manu hits from halfcourt at the buzzer and the Spurs go up a bucket.

2ND

9 MIN SPURS 27 NUGGETS 26

SPURS Dedmon, Ginobli

NUGGETS Miller, Iguodala(3)

6 MIN SPURS 35 NUGGETS 32

SPURS Lee, Anderson, Gasol, Aldridge

NUGGETS Chandler, Miller, McGee

Halfway through the 2nd, super tight game.

3 MIN SPURS 44 NUGGETS 37

SPURS Mills(3) Gasol, Lee, Leonard

NUGGETS Brewer(3) McGee

HALFTIME SCORE: SPURS 47 NUGGETS 39

SPURS Leonard(3)

NUGGETS Koufos (buzzer)

The Spurs had the best defense in '17 and they get stingy here, holding Denver to 39 in the first half and they lead by 8.  5 more for Leonard in the last 6.  

3RD

9 MIN SPURS 51 NUGGETS 47

SPURS Dedmon, Lee

NUGGETS Koufos, Koufos, Iguodala, Faried

Nuggets cut the deficit in half in the first 3 minutes of the quarter.

6 MIN SPURS 58 NUGGETS 56

SPURS Leonard(3) Leonard, Aldridge

NUGGETS Fournier, Gallinari, Faried, Faried(3)

Faried's got 7 in the first 6 minutes and the Spurs lead is down to 2.  

3 MIN SPURS 65 NUGGETS 63

SPURS Aldridge(3) Dedmon, Parker

NUGGETS Lawson, Faried, Iguodala

3RD QTR SCORE: SPURS 69 NUGGETS 67

SPURS Aldridge, Gasol

NUGGETS Koufos, Chandler

Dead even the last 6 and the Spurs are up 2 as we hit the final quarter of game one.  Aldridge adds 5 more in the last 6.

4TH

11:43: DEN: Javale McGee gets the dish from Miller and hits a jumper from the line to tie the score.

11:30: SA: LaMarcus Aldridge hits a fadeaway from the right wing off the Mills assist.  71-69

11:22 DEN: Wilson Chandler drills a 3 from the wing and Denver takes the lead.

10:42: SA: The Spurs miss twice, but Aldridge comes away with the board, kicks out to Mills who swings to Manu Ginobli who buries a 3 from the ring wing and the Spurs lead 74-72

10:11: DEN: Denver misses, but Lawson comes away with it and Javale gets fouled.  Hits 1.

9:57: SA: David Lee finds Kawhi for a short turnaround.  76-73

9:14: DEN: Both teams miss and Chandler hits a floater from the block.  76-75

9:01: SA: Mills lobs it to Lee for the slam.  78-75

8:50: DEN: In between 2013 and 2017 David Lee and Andre Iguodala were Warrior teammates, but now they trade baskets - Iguodala hits a high arching J from the corner to tie the score.

8:38: SA: Lee muscles his way into the lane, gets fouled, makes 1. 79-78

8:18: DEN: Another future Warrior - Javale McGee, drives from the baseline for the dunk that gives Denver the lead.  80-79

7:56: SA: Tony Parker finds Kyle Anderson for the turnaround from the block.  81-80

7:48: DEN: Koufos is fouled in the lane.  Hits 1.  Tied.  

6:48: DEN: A couple unsuccessful trips leads to Ty Lawson scoring from the paint.  83-81

6:18: DEN: Quick turnover leads to a Koufos bucket and the foul.  86-81

5:49: SA: Parker from 3 feet.  86-83

5:41: DEN: Iguodala from the foul line.  88-83

5:17: DEN: The Spurs miss, Chandler gets fouled the other way and makes both.  90-83

4:40: SA: Dewayne Dedmon short J.  90-85

4:32: DEN: JaVale from 7 feet.  92-85

4:24: SA: Davis Bertans hits a big corner 3.  92-88

3:40: SA: Denver comes up short and Dedmon hits from short range.  92-90

3:28: DEN: Lawson's fouled, makes 1.  93-90

3:08: SA: Here's Kawhi from the wing - it's a triple and it's tied.  93-93

2:40 SA: Denver turns it over and Aldridge hits from the wing.  95-93

1:57: DEN: Both sides miss and then Faried hits from the wing.  95-95

1:42: SA: Kawhi from 17.

1:09: SA: Denver misses and Kawhi hits a huge 3 to bulge the lead to 5.  100-95

:46: DEN: Clutch 3 from Iguodala from the top.  100-98

:34: SA: Gasol from the paint.  102-98

Iguodala misses.  Faried gets the board for Denver. 

:13: DEN: Ty Lawson from 12.  102-100

:09: SA: Kawhi is fouled.  Hits both. 104-100

Gallinari misses. Faried misses.  It's over.

FINAL: SPURS 104 NUGGETS 100

Super competitive game one.  Kawhi scores 7 in the last 2 minutes.

Leonard - 33 pts, 9 boards - Player of the Game

Aldridge - 17 pts, 8 boards

Gasol - 8 pts, 14 boards

Dedmon - 10 pts 6 boards

Ginobli - 11 pts

Koufos - 17 pts, 12 boards

Faried - 17 pts, 10 boards

McGee - 13 pts 9 boards

Chandler - 13 pts, 6 boards

GAME TWO

1ST

9 MIN SPURS 6 NUGGETS 5

SPURS Aldridge, Gasol, Aldridge

NUGGETS Gallinari(3) Gallinari

6 MIN SPURS 13 NUGGETS 9

SPURS Mills(3) Mills, Anderson

NUGGETS Iguodala, Koufos

Patty Mills gets 5 in the last 3 and the Spurs are up 4.

3 MIN SPURS 19 NUGGETS 17

SPURS Aldridge, Parker(1), Leonard(3)

NUGGETS Koufos(3) Lawson, Fournier(3)

1ST QTR SCORE: SPURS 30 NUGGETS 19

SPURS Dedmon, Leonard, Leonard, Bertans(3) Dedmon

NUGGETS McGee

San Antonio has a big 3 minutes and now lead by 11.  7 points in the last 6 for Kawhi.

2ND

9 MIN SPURS 32 NUGGETS 28

SPURS Anderson

NUGGETS Chandler, McGee, Gallinari(3) Gallinari

5 for Danillo and the Nuggets slice 7 from the lead.  

6 MIN SPURS 42 NUGGETS 32

SPURS Leonard(3) Parker, Lee, Gasol

NUGGETS McGee, Koufos

Double digit lead again for the Spurs, 3 more for Kawhi.

3 MIN SPURS 49 NUGGETS 38

SPURS Parker, Ginobli, Leonard(3)

NUGGETS Brewer, McGee, Lawson

HALFTIME SCORE: SPURS 54 NUGGETS 42

SPURS Ginobli, Gasol(3)

NUGGETS Gallinari, McGee

It's a dozen now; the Spurs moving closer to locking down this series.  

3RD

9 MIN SPURS 58 NUGGETS 46

SPURS Parker, Leonard

NUGGETS Gallinari, Lawson

6 MIN SPURS 68 NUGGETS 53

SPURS Mills(3) Mills, Leonard(3) Gasol

NUGGETS Chandler, Lawson(3), Fournier

5 more for Kawhi, it's a 15 point lead.  

3 MIN SPURS 72 NUGGETS 55

SPURS Gasol, Lee

NUGGETS Koufos

3RD QTR SCORE: SPURS 81 NUGGETS 61

SPURS Leonard, Leonard, Gasol(3) Aldridge

NUGGETS McGee, McGee, Faried

Pau pumps in 5 in the last 6, the Spurs are about to advance.

4TH

9 MIN SPURS 88 NUGGETS 66

SPURS Lee, Leonard(3) Parker

NUGGETS Chandler, Miller, Miller(1)

6 MIN SPURS 95 NUGGETS 69

SPURS Ginobli(3) Leonard, Leonard

NUGGETS Iguodala(1) Iguodala

Great defensive effort by the Spurs.  

3 MIN SPURS 100 NUGGETS 75

SPURS Leonard, Murray (3)

NUGGETS Gallinari, Gallinari(1) Koufos

FINAL SCORE: SPURS 102 NUGGETS 80

SPURS Green

NUGGETS Randolph(1) Miller(1) Hamilton(3)

After a tight game one, the Spurs kick their defense into another gear and cruise to a series sweep.

Leonard - 31 pts, 5 assists - Player of the Game

Gasol - 15 pts, 6 boards

Mills - 10 pts

One spot remains....

2. 2000 NBA CHAMPION LA LAKERS V. 15. 1991 PHOENIX SUNS

The number 2 seed in Region 2 - Shaq, Kobe and the World Champion Lakers.  They look to advance here.  

Lakers: 67-15, 1st Pac Div, 5th Off, 1st Def

             d. Kings West First Round 3-2

             d. Suns West Semis 4-1

             d. Blazers West Finals 4-3

             d. Pacers NBA Finals 4-2

             #31 overall seed

Coach: Phil Jackson, Jerry West is the GM

Starters

C Shaquille O'Neal (27, LSU)              29.7 PPG    30.6 PER  18.6 Win Shares

F Robert Horry (29, Alabama)             5.7               14.3          5.7

F Glen Rice (32, Michigan)                 15.9             16.2          9

G Ron Harper (36, Miami Oh)             7                  12            4

G Kobe Bryant (21)                             22.5              21.7         10.6

Rotation Reserves

C John Salley (35, Georgia Tech)       1.6                 8.3           .5

F AC Green (36, Oregon St)               5                    11.2         5

F Rick Fox (30, North Carolina)        6.5                  11.7        3.2

G Derek Fisher (25, Little Rock)        6.3                 9.6          3.1

G Brian Shaw (33, UC Santa Barbara)  4.1              10.9        2.1

Leaders: Shaq (2nd Rebounds, 3rd Blocks, 1st Pts, 1st FG%, 1st PPG, 2nd Reb/Gm, 3rd Blocks/Gm, 1st PER, 2nd Eff FG%, 2nd Def Rating, 1st Win Shares, 1st WS/48, 1st +/1, 1st VORP)

               Horry (2nd Def Rating)

This is Shaq's year, 30 PER, 18 Win Shares; Kobe is 21/10 and everyone else are guys you know.  

Suns: 55-27, 3rd Pac Div, 3rd Off, 8th Def

          Lost Jazz West 1st Rnd, 3-1

          #226 overall seed

Coach: Cotton Fitzsimmons, Paul Westphal is an assistant

Starters

C Mark West (30, Old Dominion)          7.7 PPG   14.6 PER  6.5 Win Shares

F Tom Chambers (31, Utah)                   19.9         16.2           5.4

F Dan Majerle (25, Cen Michigan)         13.6         16.9          7.2

G Kevin Johnson (24, Cal)                     22.2          23.7         12.7

G Jeff Hornacek (27, Iowa St)               16.9           17.8         9.7

Rotation Reserves

C Andrew Lang (24, Arkansas)              4.9             13.6         3.7

F Kurt Rambis (32, Santa Clara)            3.6              11.4         2.2

F Xavier McDaniel (27, Wichita St)      15.8            14.7         4.2

G Negele Knight (23, Dayton)                5.3            12.1          .6

G Cedric Ceballos (21, Cal St Fullerton)  8.2           17.8        1.3

Leaders: KJ (4th Assists, 4th Assists/Gm, 5th Asst %)

              Hornacek (3rd 3s)

Kevin Johnson leads the Suns, 23 PER and a dozen Win Shares; longtime Laker Kurt Rambis coming off the bench.

Lineup Matchup:

C Shaq (Lakers)

F Chambers (Suns)

F Rice (Lakers)

G Johnson (Suns)

G Bryant (Lakers)

Bench: Lakers

GAME ONE

1ST

9 MIN SUNS 8 LAKERS 6

LAKERS Shaq, Kobe, Shaq

SUNS Chambers, KJ, Chambers, Chambers

6 MIN SUNS 16 LAKERS 15

LAKERS Harper, Rice(3) Horry, Kobe

SUNS Hornacek, Chambers, West, Chambers

Chambers bangs out 10 points in the first 6 minutes and the Suns hold the lead.

3 MIN LAKERS 24 SUNS 20

LAKERS Rice, Rice(3) Rice, Fox

SUNS Chambers, Chambers

1ST QTR SCORE: LAKERS 30 SUNS 28

LAKERS Shaq, Shaq, Fisher

SUNS Lang, Knight, Chambers, Knight (buzzer)

Tom Chambers has 16 in the first, but it's the Lakers who lead by a bucket.

2ND

9 MIN LAKERS 37 SUNS 34

LAKERS Fox(3) Green, Kobe

SUNS Lang, Ceballos, Majerle

6 MIN LAKERS 40 SUNS 40

LAKERS Salley, Shaw(1)

SUNS Ceballos, Ceballos, West

Suns are heavy dogs but putting up a big fight here; 6 for young Ceballos in the quarter. 

3 MIN SUNS 46 LAKERS 45

LAKERS Horry, Shaw, Harper(1)

SUNS McDaniel, Hornacek, West

HALFTIME SCORE: SUNS 52 LAKERS 51

LAKERS Shaq, Green, Kobe, 

SUNS Knight (1) McDaniel, Rambis(1) Hornacek (buzzer)

Well, look what we've got here - heavy underdogs Phoenix with a 1 point halftime lead after Hornacek hits an 18 footer at the buzzer. 

3RD

9 MIN LAKERS 57 SUNS 57

LAKERS Shaq(1) Fisher, Shaw

SUNS Knight, Rambis (1) Hornacek

6 MIN SUNS 64 LAKERS 59

LAKERS Rice

SUNS KJ, Hornacek(3) Chambers

The 15th seeded Suns are up 5.  Hornacek has 5 so far in the 3rd.

3 MIN SUNS 71 LAKERS 64

LAKERS Shaq, Kobe, Kobe(1)

SUNS KJ, West(1) West, Majerle (3)

3RD QTR SCORE: SUNS 81 LAKERS 71

LAKERS Kobe, Fox(3) Kobe

SUNS Hornacek, Chambers, KJ, Chambers, KJ

A real stunner through 3 in LA; the Suns are up 10 on the Lakers.  

4TH

9 MIN SUNS 87 LAKERS 77

LAKERS Salley, Kobe, Kobe

SUNS West, KJ, Ceballos

6 MIN SUNS 95 LAKERS 86

LAKERS Kobe, Horry(3), Shaq, Kobe

SUNS Ceballos, Ceballos, Chambers, KJ

Kobe's got 8 in the first 6 minutes of the quarter, Lakers still trail bt 9 and Robert Horry has fouled out.  

3 MIN SUNS 99 LAKERS 90

LAKERS Kobe, Fisher

SUNS KJ, West

Lakers haven't been able to make any kind of a run; a real stunner - 3 minutes left, can they get something going?

2:45: LA: Rice hits a midrange. 99-92

2:30: PHO: Hornacek midrange and the foul.  102-92

2:21: LA: Harper hits a 3 from the top,  102-95

1:44: LA: After a Suns miss, Rice hits a deep 3 and cuts the deficit to 4.  102-98

1:19: PHO: Turnovers, then Majerle is fouled.  104-98

1:08: LA: The Lakers go down low to Shaq, he powers his way home and draws the foul.  104-101

Lakers have cut it from 11 to 3.  

Majerle misses.  Harper rebound.

:49: LA: Shaq again, just bullying his way to the goal.  104-103

:42: PHO: KJ takes control, pulls up at the foul line and drills it.  106-103

One possession game.  

They go down to Shaq again - but he misses.  

Chambers gets the rebound.

:10: PHO: Chambers scoops it home - and that will do it.  

:04 PHO: The Lakers miss, KJ is fouled and hits both.

FINAL: SUNS 110 LAKERS 103

The Suns go into heavily favored LA and they handle the Lakers. Now one game from an enormous upset.

Chambers - 26 pts, 13 boards - Player of the Game

Johnson - 20 pts, 6 assists

Hornacek - 16 pts, 5 assists, 5 boards

West - 13 pts, 8 boards

Ceballos - 12 pts

Shaq - 20 pts, 17 boards, 7 assists

Bryant - 25 pts, 8 boards, 8 assists

Rice - 17 pts

Green - 4 pts, 10 boards

GAME TWO

1ST

9 MIN LAKERS 6 SUNS 6

LAKERS Rice, Rice, Shaq

SUNS West, Hornacek, Hornacek

6 MIN SUNS 16 LAKERS 13

LAKERS Shaq(3) Shaq, Kobe

SUNS KJ, Majerle(3) Hornacek, West(3)

Some nervous stomachs at the Forum; Suns up early in a close out game. Hornacek has 6, Shaq 7.

3 MIN SUNS 22 LAKERS 21

LAKERS Shaq, Rice(3) Rice(3)

SUNS West, Lang, Majerle

1ST QTR SCORE: SUNS 30 LAKERS 26

LAKERS Fox(3) Green

SUNS Lang, Ceballos, Ceballos, Chambers

If you expected the World Champion Lakers to just come out and beat the brakes off of the Suns in game 2 - you aren't getting that; it's the Suns with the 4 point lead.

2ND

9 MIN SUNS 33 LAKERS 32

LAKERS Fisher, Shaw, Rice

SUNS Knight, Lang

6 MIN SUNS 36 LAKERS 36

LAKERS Kobe, Kobe

SUNS McDaniel, Ceballos(1)

Defenses settling in here in the second, every possesion a grind.  

3 MIN SUNS 45 LAKERS 38

LAKERS Fisher

SUNS Ceballos, McDaniel, KJ(3) Majerle

HALFTIME SCORE:  SUNS 53 LAKERS 44

LAKERS Kobe, Kobe, Shaq

SUNS Hornacek, McDaniel, Hornacek, McDaniel

Stunning - the Suns take game one and lead game 2 by 9; 15th seeds in Region 2 are 24 minutes from knocking off the 31st overall seed. 

3RD

9 MIN SUNS 61 LAKERS 52

LAKERS Harper, Kobe, Shaq, Rice

SUNS KJ, McDaniel, Chambers, Hornacek, 

6 MIN SUNS 71 LAKERS 61

LAKERS Kobe, Fisher, Shaq, Shaw

SUNS Chambers, Hornacek, Majerle, KJ, KJ

The lead has reached 13, it's now 10 - the Suns 18 minutes from advancing.  

3 MIN SUNS 78 LAKERS 68

LAKERS Harper, Green (1) Fisher, Shaq

SUNS Hornacek, Lang, Chambers (3)

3RD QTR SCORE: SUNS 82 LAKERS 76

LAKERS Rice(3) Fox (3) Horry

SUNS Ceballos, West

Rice and Fox hit a couple 3s and the Lakers trail by 6 as we head to the 4th.  

4TH

11:39: PHO: Hornacek opens with a 3 from the wing and the lead is 9.

11:16: LA: Rick Fox from the lane.

10:15: LA: The Suns turn it over - the Lakers miss, but Horry gets the rebound and is fouled, he hits them both and now its 85-80.

9:32: LA: Both sides miss, the Suns turn it over and it's Ron Harper, the veteran, scoring from the lane to cut it to 3.

9:19: PHO: Ceballos is fouled, makes both.

9:09: LA: Fisher misses but Shaq rams down the putback.

8:28: PHO: Both sides miss, Ceballos gets fouled and makes 1.  88-84

8:01: LA: Rice finds Fisher underneath, he loops it up and in.

7:12: PHO: Couple of failed possessions and Hornacek hits from the midrange 

6:23: PHO: The Lakers miss on a couple of chances and Mark West hits a driving layup.  92-86

6:05: LA: Kobe iso ball - takes his man off the dribble and drops one.  

5:51: PHO: KJ goes inside to West who puts it off glass.  94-88

5:27: PHO: Rice misses, KJ hits a long two the other way and now it's 8.

5:17: LA: Fisher from 14.  

3:57: LA: Couple unsuccesful trips leads to Harper hitting a FT. 96-91 

3:20: LA: Harper steals it, Kobe misses, but Shaq is there with the huge putback. 96-93

3:08: PHO: KJ baseline J.

2:29: LA: Both teams miss, then its Kobe, taking his man on one one and driving right by him for the layup. 98-95

2:19: PHO: Chambers midrange.

2:12: LA: Kobe pull up J.

1:58: PHO: Chambers midrange - Chambers and Kobe exchanging blows.

Kobe misses.  

1:26: PHO: Hornacek hits the other way and now it's 7!

Harper misses.  Rice misses.

:46: PHO: KJ makes 2 foul shots.  it's 9.  

:39: LA: Shaq.

:38: PHO: Chambers 2 FT.

:29 LA: Shaq

:25: PHO: KJ 2 FT

Hornacek steals the ball.  And it's all over.  Pandemonium on the floor - the Suns have knocked out the Lakers.

Johnson - 19 pts, 11 assists, 6 boards - Player of the Game

Hornacek 23 pts

Chambers  - 15 pts, 8 boards

West 13 pts, 8 boards

McDaniel 10 pts, 9 boards

Ceballos 12 pts

The Region 2 All Star Team doesn't change, Kawhi takes the tough beat.

C: Abdul-Jabbar ('73 Bucks)

F: Durant ('16 Thunder)

F: Malone ('92 Jazz)

G Harden ('19 Rockets)

G Jordan ('96 Bulls)