Region 2: Rounds 2/3, Series 3/4

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3. 2016 NW DIV CHAMP OKC THUNDER v. 11. 1992 MW DIV CHAMP UTAH JAZZ

Thunder: 55-27, NW Div Champ, 2nd Off, 13th Def

                d. Mavs West 1st Round 4-1

                d. Spurs West Semis 4-2

                Lost West Finals Warriors 4-3

                #34 overall seed 

                d. '56 Warriors (Durant-2 PotG)

Coach: Billy Donovan, Mo Cheeks is an assistant. 

Starters

C Enes Kanter (23)                                  12.7 PPG    24 PER   8.1 Win Shares  1.4 VORP

F Serge Ibaka (26)                                   12.6            13.9         5.5                     .8

F Kevin Durant (27, Texas)                     28.2            28.2        14.5                    7.8

G Russell Westbrook (27, UCLA)           23.5           27.6         14                      6.8

G Andre Roberson (24, Colorado)          4.8              10.2         3.4                     1

Rotation Reserves

C Steven Adams (22, Pitt)                       8                 15.5         6.5                    1.1

F Nick Collison (35, Kansas)                  2.1              7.7           .8                      -.2

F Dion Waiters (24, Syracuse)                9.8              9.4           2.1                     -.4

G Cameron Payne (21, Murray St)          5                12.9         1.4                     .2

G Anthony Morrow (30, Georgia Tech)  5.6              10.7        1.9                      .2

Leaders: Westbrook (2nd Assists, 2nd Steals, 2nd Asts/Gm, 5th Steals/Gm, 3rd PER, 2nd Asst %, 3rd Win Shares, 5th Win Shares/48, 4th VORP) 1st Team All NBA

               Ibaka (3rd Blocks

               Durant (3rd Pts, 3rd PPG, 2nd PER, 2nd True Shooting, 2nd Win Shares, 3rd Win Shares/48, 2nd +/-, 2nd VORP, 2nd Team All NBA

               Kanter (4th Reb %, 4th Off Rating

               Adams (3rd Off Rating

2nd best Offense in 2016; Durant and Westbrook are both 27, both top 5 players in the NBA. 23 year old Kanter adds 20+ PER. 

Jazz: 55-27, 1st MW Div, 4th Off, 7th Def

                     d. Clips West First Round 3-2

                     d. Sonics West Semis 4-1

                     Lost Blazers West Finals 4-2

                     #162 overall seed 

                     d. '73 Celtics (2-1, Malone 2 PotG)

Coach: Jerry Sloan

Starters

C Mark Eaton (35, UCLA)                       3.3              9.1           3.8                  .7

F Karl Malone (28, LA Tech)                    28             25.4          15.1                 5.9

F Tyrone Corbin (29, DePaul)                   9               13.6          5.4                   1.2

G John Stockton (29, Gonzaga)                15.8           22.8         13.4                  8.1 VORP

G Jeff Malone (30, Mississippi St)            20.2          15.1          6.6                   .3

Rotation Reserves

C Mike Brown (28, George Washington)  7.7PPG    12.3 PER  3.7 Win Shares  -.1

F Thurl Bailey 30-NC St                           9.4              12           .5                     0

F David Benoit (23, Alabama)                 5.6              12.1         2                     -.3

G Eric Mudock (23, Providence)             4.1               13.6        .6                     .2

G Blue Edwards (26, E.Carolina)            12.6             13.7        5.2                    1.1

Leaders: Malone (4th Def Rebounds, 2nd Pts, 2nd PPG, 3rd PER, 2nd Win Shares, 4th WS/48, 1st Team All NBA

               Stockton (1st Assists, 1st Steals, 1st Asst/Gm, 3rd Steals/Gm, 1st Asst%, 3rd Steal%, 3rd +/-, 2nd VORP, 2nd Team All NBA.

               JMalone (5th FT%)

               Eaton (3rd Block%)

29 year old Stockton and 28 year old Malone lead the Jazz; both with PER over 20 and double digit Win Shares; Malone's a top 5 player in the league. 

Matchup:

C Kanter (Jazz)

F Malone (Jazz)

F Durant (OKC)

G Westbrook (OKC)

G Malone (Jazz)

Bench: Thunder

Gm 1

1 Qtr

9 Thunder 6 Jazz 6

Thunder Roberson(3) Ibaka(3)

Jazz JMalone, JMalone, Corbin

6 Thunder 12 Jazz 8

Thunder Westbrook(3) Westbrook(1) Durant

Jazz Corbin

Bottom half of Region 2 is underway; 4 teams fighting for the spot in the regional final opposite the '19 Rockets.  

3 Thunder 21 Jazz 18

Thunder Westbrook, Kanter, Morrow(3) Morrow

Jazz JMalone Stockton, Malone, Malone, Stockton

1 Score Thunder 28 Jazz 25

Thunder Westbrook, Durant(3) Ibaka

Jazz Edwards, Edwards, Bailey(1) Brown

OKC's the top remaining seed in region 2 but they have to beat Stockton/Malone in their prime to advance.

2 Qtr

9 Thunder 40 Jazz 33

Thunder Adams, Waiters, Adams, Durant, Kanter, Durant

Jazz Benoit, Edwards, Brown, Stockton

6 Thunder 44 Jazz 38

Thunder Durant(3) Kanter(1)

Jazz JMalone(3) Malone

7 for KD to open the quarter he and Westbrook also in their primes.

3 Thunder 54 Jazz 44

Thunder Durant, Durant, Westbrook, Westbrook, Payne

Jazz Malone, Malone, Brown

H Score Thunder 62 Jazz 48

Thunder Ibaka, Kanter, Kanter, Kanter, 

Jazz Benoit, JMalone

OKC stretching it out now.

3Qtr

9 Thunder 72 Jazz 59

Thunder Durant(3) Durant, Durant, Durant(3)

Jazz Corbin, Stockton(3) Malone, Malone, JMalone

6 Thunder 77 Jazz 61

Thunder Westbrook, Waiters(3)

Jazz Corbin

16 point OKC lead; KD scores the first ten of the half for the Thunder.

3 Thunder 84 Jazz 67

Thunder Waiters, Durant(3) Durant

Jazz Malone, Edwards, Edwards

3 Score Thunder 93 Jazz 77

Thunder Durant, Westbrook, Westbrook, Durant(3)

Jazz Malone, Malone, Corbin, Edwards, Eaton

Kevin Durant with 20 third quarter points.  

4 Qtr

9 Thunder 102 Jazz 85

Thunder Westbrook, Morrow(3) Westbrook, Durant

Jazz Brown, Corbin, Edwards, Malone

6 Thunder 110 Jazz 93

Thunder Durant(3) Durant(3) Westbrook

Jazz JMalone, JMalone, Corbin, Malone

8 more for Durant.  28 second half points.  

3 Thunder 117 Jazz 97

Thunder Kanter, Ibaka, Ibaka, McGary(1)

Jazz Brown, JMalone

F Score Thunder 121 Jazz 103

Thunder McGary, Singler

Jazz Benoit, Rudd, Thornton

OKC just way too much for Utah in this one.

Durant: 44 pts/8 boards/8 assists-Player of the Game

Westbrook: 24 pts/11 assists/8 boards

Kanter: 13 pts/11 boards

Ibaka: 11 pts

Malone: 24 pts/11 boards

JMalone: 19 pts

Corbin: 14 pts

Stockton: 9 pts/11 assists

Edwards: 14 pts

Brown: 10 pts/6 boards

Gm 2

1 Qtr

9 Jazz 12 Thunder 7

Jazz JMalone, JMalone, Malone, Stockton, Stockton, Malone

Thunder Westbrook, Westbrook(3) Kanter

6 Jazz 22 Thunder 11

Jazz Malone, Eaton, JMalone, Malone, JMalone

Thunder Kanter, Westbrook

Utah needs a win at home to stay alive and they get off to a roaring start; 8 for both Malones.

3 Jazz 26 Thunder 20

Jazz Malone, Corbin

Thunder Durant, Kanter, Durant(3) Kanter

1 Score Jazz 36 Thunder 26

Jazz Malone, Corbin, JMalone, Malone, JMalone

Thunder Durant, ibaka, Kanter

16 first quarter points for the Mailman.

2 Qtr

9 Jazz 41 Thunder 30

Jazz Brown(1) Stockton, Edwards

Thunder Adams, Payne

6 Jazz 46 Thunder 35

Jazz Edwards(3) Edwards

Thunder Waiters, Payne(1) Ibaka

Blue Edwards with 7 to open the 2nd.

3 Jazz 60 Thunder 45

Jazz Malone, Corbin, JMalone, JMalone, JMalone, JMalone, JMalone

Thunder Westbrook, Durant(3) Durant(3) Durant

H Score Jazz 68 Thunder 52

Jazz Edwards, Brown, JMalone, Edwards

Thunder Adams, Durant(3) Durant

13 in the last 6 for KD - but the Jazz are blowing out OKC.

3Qtr

9 Jazz 76 Thunder 58

Jazz Corbin, Brown, Edwards, Malone

Thunder Westbrook, Westbrook, Kanter

6 Jazz 80 Thunder 63

Jazz Malone, Malone

Thunder Kanter, Durant(1) Westbrook

The Mailman with another half dozen, we are probably headed back to OKC for the showdown.

3 Jazz 89 Thunder 71

Jazz Stockton, Malone, Benoit, Benoit, JMalone

Thunder Kanter, Kanter, Adams, Adams

3 Score Jazz 99 Thunder 81

Jazz Malone, Malone, Malone, JMalone, JMalone

Thunder Westbrook, Ibaka, Ibaka, Adams, Kanter

14 for the Mailman in the third - we'll see you in game 3.

4 Qtr

9 Jazz 103 Thunder 86

Jazz Bailey, JMalone

Thunder Westbrook, Westbrook(3)

6 Jazz 107 Thunder 90

Jazz Stockton, Malone

Thunder Kanter, Kanter

Utah easy in this one.

3 Jazz 112 Thunder 99

Jazz Edwards, Adams

Thunder Ibaka, Westbrook, Stockton(3) Morrow, Ibaka(1)

F Score Jazz 124 Thunder 112

Jazz Thornton, Murdock, Murdock, Corbin, Corbin, Corbin

Thunder Foye(3) Foye(3) Westbrook, Huestis, Durant(1) Westbrook

Inverse of game one - both home teams win and we head to game 3..

Malone: 30 pts/13 boards - Player of the Game

JMalone: 34 pts

Stockton: 13 pts/18 assists/4 steals

Corbin: 14 pts/13 boards

Edwards: 15 pts

Westbrook: 28 pts/11 assists/5 boards

Kanter: 24 pts/11 boards

Durant: 22 pts/5 boards/6 blocks

Ibaka: 11 pts/7 boards

Adams: 12 pts/6 boards

Gm

1 Qtr

9 Thunder 2 Jazz 2

Thunder Ibaka

Jazz JMalone

6 Thunder 9 Jazz 4

Thunder Kanter(3) Durant, Westbrook

Jazz Stockton

Winner moves on, loser goes home.

3 Thunder 21 Jazz 12

Thunder Roberson, Durant, Morrow, Morrow, Westbrook

Jazz JMalone, JMalone, JMalone, JMalone

1 Score Thunder 30 Jazz 18

Thunder Westbrook, Westbrook, Morrow(3) Adams

Jazz Benoit, Brown, Bailey

Nothing but blowouts so far in this series - and we might be looking at a third.

2 Qtr

9 Thunder 42 Jazz 22

Thunder Payne(3) Waiters(3) Waiters, Waiters, Adams

Jazz Bailey, Brown

6 Thunder 50 Jazz 31

Thunder Durant, Morrow(3) Durant, Adams

Jazz Stockton, Edwards, Corbin, Brown

Well, this is done. 

3 Thunder 57 Jazz 40

Thunder Durant, Westbrook, Westbrook(3)

Jazz Corbin, Edwards, Edwards(3) Stockton

H Score Thunder 63 Jazz 48

Thunder Kanter, Kanter, Kanter

Jazz JMalone, JMalone, Eaton, Stockton

Jazz not able to get close.

3Qtr

9 Thunder 65 Jazz 50

Thunder  Kanter

Jazz Edwards

6 Thunder 74 Jazz 57

Thunder Durant, Durant(3) Kanter, Ibaka

Jazz Malone, Eaton, Stockton(3)

Seeming inexorable march.

3 Thunder 79 Jazz 69

Thunder Ibaka(3) Adams

Jazz Malone, Brown(3) Stockton, Malone(3) Malone

3 Score Thunder 87 Jazz 73

Thunder Durant, Adams, Ibaka, Ibaka

Jazz Corbin, JMalone

Double digits the whole way.

4 Qtr

9 Thunder 98 Jazz 80

Thunder Adams, Kanter, Durant(3) Kanter, Westbrook

Jazz Edwards, Edwards(3) JMalone

6 Thunder 100 Jazz 84

Thunder Westbrook

Jazz Corbin, Malone

3 Thunder 107 Jazz 92

Thunder Westbrook(3) Westbrook, McGary

Jazz Murdock, Stockton, Brown, Thornton

F Score Thunder 111 Jazz 95

Thunder Singler(1) McGary(1) Mohammed

Jazz Crowder(3)

Just 11 points for the Mailman, Utah is sent packing.

Westbrook: 21 pts/16 boards/10 assists-Player of the Game

Kanter: 17 pts/15 boards

Durant: 20 pts/9 boards/6 assists

Ibaka: 11 pts/6 blocks

Adams: 12 pts/9 boards

Morrow: 12 pts

7. 2017 SW DIV CHAMP SA SPURS v. 15. 1991 PHOENIX SUNS

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 

           d. '13 Nuggets (2-0, Kawhi 2 PotG)

Coach: Gregg Popovich

Starters

C Pau Gasol (36)                               12.4 PPG   20.2 PER  6.4 Win Shares 2.5 VORP

F LaMarcus Aldridge (31, Texas)     17.3            18.6          7.2                    1.7

F Kawhi Leonard (25, S Diego St)   25.5            27.6          13.6                  7.1      

G Patty Mills (28, St Marys)            9.5              15.2           5.1                    1.6

G Manu Ginobli (39)                       7.5                13.9        3                         1.1

Rotation Reserves

C Dewayne Dedmon (27, USC)       5.1              16             5.2                     .9

F David Lee (33, Florida)                7.3               18.5         5.7                      1.4

G Kyle Anderson (23, UCLA)         3.4              12.5           2.7                    1

G Tony Parker (34)                          10.1              13           3                         -.2

G Danny Green 29-UNC                 7.3                10.1          3.4                   1.3

Leaders: Leonard (3rd PER, 4th Win Shares, 3rd Win Shares/48, 2nd +/1, 3rd VORP, 1st Team All NBA

It's 25 year old Kawhi's Spurs; he's a top 5 player in the league, 36 year old Gasol also is 20+ PER, 

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

          Lost Jazz West 1st Rnd, 3-1

          #226 overall seed

          d. '00 Lakers (2-0, Chambers, KJ- PotG)

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  1.5

F Tom Chambers (31, Utah)                   19.9         16.2           5.4                     .7

F Dan Majerle (25, Cen Michigan)         13.6         16.9          7.2                    2.7

G Kevin Johnson (24, Cal)                     22.2          23.7         12.7                    6 VORP

G Jeff Hornacek (27, Iowa St)               16.9           17.8         9.7                     3.7

Rotation Reserves

C Andrew Lang (24, Arkansas)              4.9             13.6         3.7                     .9

F Kurt Rambis (32, Santa Clara)            3.6              11.4         2.2                    .4

F Xavier McDaniel (27, Wichita St)      15.8            14.7         4.2                    .6

G Negele Knight (23, Dayton)                5.3            12.1          .6                      -.1

G Cedric Ceballos (21, Cal St Fullerton)  8.2           17.8        1.3                     0

Leaders: KJ (4th Assists, 4th Assists/Gm, 5th Asst %, 2nd Team All NBA

              Hornacek (3rd 3s)

24 year old Kevin Johnson leads the Suns, 23 PER and a dozen Win Shares; this Suns team is the 15th seed in the Region, they shocked the '00 Lakers 2-0 in round 1 and try to keep that going here.

Matchup:

C Gasol (Spurs)

F Aldridge (Spurs)

F Kawhi (Spurs)

G KJ (Suns)

G Hornacek (Suns)

Bench: Spurs

Gm

1 Qtr

9 Suns 10 Spurs 7

Spurs Aldridge(3) Mills, Aldridge

Suns Chambers, Chambers, Majerle, Hornacek, Chambers

6 Suns 18 Spurs 12

Spurs Aldridge, Ginobli, Gasol(1)

Suns Chambers, Hornacek, West, Chambers

Tom Chambers with 10 to open the series.

3 Suns 26 Spurs 14

Spurs Parker

Suns Chambers, Chambers, Chambers, Ceballos

1 Score Suns 35 Spurs 20

Spurs Green, Kawhi, Aldridge

Suns Majerle, Rambis, Hornacek(3) Rambis

Region 1 had the Cinderella Hawks make their way to the Semi - here's the 15th seed in Region 2, the Suns, and they just go off to start this one.

2 Qtr

9 Suns 37 Spurs 29

Spurs Anderson(3) Anderson, Lee, Green

Suns Lang

6 Suns 42 Spurs 34

Spurs Ginobli(3) Kawhi

Suns McDaniel, Hornacek(3)

Spurs cut the deficit nearly in half.

3 Suns 44 Spurs 41

Spurs Ginobli, Kawhi(3) Gasol

Suns Majerle

H Score Suns 52 Spurs 48

Spurs Aldridge, Aldridge, Ginobli(3)

Suns Majerle, West, Chambers, Hornacek

San Antonio's back in the game.

3Qtr

9 Suns 60 Spurs 52

Spurs Lee, Lee

Suns Majerle, West, West, KJ

6 Suns 69 Spurs 61

Spurs Aldridge(1) Kawhi, Dedmon, Aldridge, Ginobli

Suns KJ(3) KJ, Ceballos, Chambers

KJ with 7 to open the quarter, Suns maintain the lead.

3 Suns 73 Spurs 65

Spurs Aldridge, Kawhi

Suns Ceballos, Majerle

3 Score Suns 77 Spurs 73

Spurs Aldridge, Green(3) Kawhi, Lee(1)

Suns Chambers, West

San Antonio's charging - deficit is down to 4.

4 Qtr

11:06: SA: Phoenix has led every second - but Aldridge floats one from 5 feet to cut it to two.

10:29: SA: The Suns don't score and Aldridge ties it with a dunk.  

8:04 PHO Baskets hard to come by here in the 4th, nearly 4 minutes in before the Suns score - it's the X man, fouled on a baseline drive - he drops in the shot and then hits the FT.  80-77

7:49: SA: Gasol hits a 10 footer. 

7:30: PHO: KJ drives and scores.  

6:59: PHO: The Spurs miss - KJ nails a 15 footer.  

6:37: SA: Kawhi, just outside the paint.

6:18: PHO: Kevin Johnson again - scores in traffic.

5:51: SA: Pau with a 3 from the top.  86-84.

5:24: PHO: Mark West dunk.

4:14: PHO: KJ one more time with a floater in the lane.  

3:36: PHO: The Suns lead is 7 when Chambers hits a FT

F Score Suns 102 Spurs 92

Spurs Gasol, Aldridge(3) Kawhi(3)

Suns KJ, Chambers(3) KJ, KJ, Chambers

San Antonio crawled out of a big early hole for an early 4th quarter tie - but they never led game one even for a second and now must win in Phoenix or the Suns will face OKC in the Region 2 Semi.

KJ: 21 pts/10 assists-Player of the Game

Chambers: 26 pts/9 boards

West: 12 pts/12 boards

Majerle: 14 pts/7 boards

Hornacek: 12 pts/8 assists/6 boards

Aldridge: 27 pts/8 boards

Kawhi: 18 pts/11 boards

Gasol: 10 pts/14 boards

Ginobli: 12 pts

Gm 2

1 Qtr

9 Spurs 5 Suns 4

Suns Chambers, KJ

Spurs Aldridge, Kawhi(3)

6 Spurs 19 Suns 15

Suns KJ, Chambers(3) Majerle, Chambers, KJ

Spurs Ginobli. Gasol(3) Kawhi, Gasol, Ginobli, Kawhi(3)

Game 2 in Phoenix - the Suns try to wear that Cinderella slipper all the way to the Region 2 Semis.  

3 Spurs 23 Suns 19

Suns Hornacek, Hornacek

Spurs Green, Aldridge

1 Score Spurs 31 Suns 26

Suns Ceballos, Knight(1) Ceballos, McDaniel

Spurs Parker, Kawhi, Parker, Parker

Tony Parker with a half dozen to end the quarter.

2 Qtr

9 Spurs 43 Suns 35

Suns KJ, McDaniel, Ceballos(3) Chambers

Spurs Anderson(1) Lee, Parker, Lee, Aldridge, Gasol(3)

6 Spurs 48 Suns 41

Suns Chambers, Hornacek, KJ

Spurs Gasol(1) Aldridge, Mills

Steady as she goes for the Spurs, who need to win to stay alive.

3 Spurs 55 Suns 45

Suns Majerle, Rambis

Spurs Kawhi(1) Dedmon, Lee, Kawhi

H Score Spurs 64 Suns 49

Suns Hornacek, Knight

Spurs Aldridge, Anderson, Aldridge, Mills(3)

San Antonio is rolling along; looks like we are headed for the showdown game.

3Qtr

9 Spurs 67 Suns 53

Suns West, Hornacek

Spurs Aldridge, 

6 Spurs 71 Suns 61

Suns KJ, Chambers(3) KJ(1) Majerle

Spurs Gasol, Mills

Suns inch a little closer.

3 Spurs 75 Suns 69

Suns Chambers, Hornacek, Rambis, Hornacek

Spurs Dedmon, Anderson

3 Score Spurs 77 Suns 71

Suns KJ

Spurs Chambers

Phoenix chips, chips, chips away - this is really the inverse of game one.  

4 Qtr

9 Spurs 84 Suns 75

Suns Chambers, Majerle

Spurs Dedmon, Kawhi, Aldridge(3)

6 Spurs 96 Suns 84

Suns KJ, West, Chambers, Majerle(3)

Spurs Gasol, Gasol, Lee, Gasol, Aldridge

The Majerle 3 got this as close as 6.

3 Spurs 105 Suns 92

Suns Hornacek(3) Hornacek, EJohnson(3)

Spurs Mills (3) Mills, Simmons, Bertans

F Score Spurs 113 Suns 97

Suns EJohnson,Perry(1) Nealy

Spurs Bertans, Simmons, Bertans, Murray

San Antonio wins pretty handily - road team take both games and we go back to San Antonio.

Aldridge: 20 pts/12 boards/5 blocks-Player of the Game

Gasol: 19 pts/14 boards

Kawhi: 15 pts/6 boards/5 assists

Mills: 12 pts/6 assists

Lee: 10 pts/7 boards

KJ: 17 pts/14 boards/5 assists

Chambers: 20 pts/8 boards

Majerle: 11 pts/5 boards

West: 4 pts/10 boards

Hornacek: 19 pts/5 boards

Gm 3

1 Qtr

9 Suns 6 Spurs 3

Spurs Mills(3)

Suns West, Chambers, West

6 Spurs 21 Suns 17

Spurs Aldridge, Gasol, Gasol(3) Aldridge, Kawhi(3) Gasol(3) Ginobli(3)

Suns Chambers, Hornacek(3) KJ, KJ, Majerle

8 for Gasol as we open the showdown game.

3 Spurs 25 Suns 21

Spurs Gasol, Kawhi

Suns Majerle, West, Chambers

1 Score Spurs 27 Suns 25

Spurs Parker

Suns Ceballos, Ceballos

We might get a competitive game here - will Phoenix reach the Region 2 Semi?

2 Qtr

9 Spurs 33 Suns 33

Spurs Parker, Dedmon, Anderson

Suns Lang, KJ, Lang, Lang

6 Spurs 38 Suns 37

Spurs Aldridge(3) Mills

Suns Chambers, Hornacek

Half dozen by Andrew Lang gets the quarter going - the Cinderalla Suns holding tight.

3 Spurs 48 Suns 39

Spurs Green, Lee(1) Gasol, Parker, Kawhi(3)

Suns Majerle

H Score Spurs 56 Suns 45

Spurs Kawhi(3) Parker(3) Kawhi

Suns Chambers, West, Majerle

And just like that - San Antonio opens it up - 3 triples and it's an 11 pt game.

3Qtr

9 Spurs 64 Suns 52

Spurs Kawhi, Kawhi, Aldridge Kawhi

Suns Majerle(3) McDaniel, KJ

6 Spurs 70 Suns 58

Spurs Mills(3) Aldridge(3)

Suns KJ, Hornacek, Majerle

Half dozen more for Kawhi - the Spurs look to advance to meet the Thunder.

3 Spurs 79 Suns 68

Spurs Aldridge(1) Kawhi, Gasol, Kawhi, Aldridge

Suns Chambers, Chambers, Majerle, Hornacek, KJ

3 Score Spurs 82 Suns 76

Spurs Gasolm Kawhi(1)

Suns Hornacek, McDaniel, Hornacek, Ceballos

God run by the Suns cuts the deficit in half.  12 minutes left.

4 Qtr

9 Spurs 88 Suns 83

Spurs Lee, Kawhi, Lee

Suns KJ, Majerle(3) Chambers

6 Spurs 91 Suns 91

Spurs Parker, Kawhi(1)

Suns West, West, Chambers, KJ

Phoenix ties it up - you might have thought the Suns would curl up and die after the big Spurs lead - but they fight back and here we go, 12 left.

5:37: SA: Kawhi - all by himself, step back 3.  

5:23: SA: Suns turnover - Aldridge from the paint.

4:28: SA: Suns don't score and Aldridge does.  98-91

4:19: PHO: Hornacek scores from the paint.

4:08: SA: Gasol dunk

3:12: PHO: West down low - Spurs up 5.  

2:35: PHO: Suns get a stop - Chambers is fouled and cuts it to 4.

1:50: SA: Gasol from the FT line.

1:37: PHO: West banks one home.

1:24: SA: It's Pau - J from the wing - Spurs by 6.

:39: PHO: This is probably too late, the Suns don't score for a minute - and it's a West 2.

:24: SA: Ginbobli 2 FT

Kawhi hits 3 FT down the stretch - Spurs win.  

It's the Spurs: 109-100

Lot of Suns double doubles here in game 3 - but none are enough, San Antonio advances to take on OKC.

Kawhi: 33 pts/8 boards-Player of the Game

Gasol: 22 pts/14 boards

Aldridge: 19 pts/10 boards

Parker: 11 pts

All Region Team:

C Kareem ('73 Bucks-3 PotG)

F Durant ('16 Thunder- 3 PotG)

F Kawhi ('17 Spurs-3 PotG)

G Harden ('19 Rockets-4 PotG)

G Jordan ('96 Bulls-2 PotG)

3. 2016 NW DIV CHAMP OKC THUNDER v.  7. 2017 SW DIV CHAMP SA SPURS

Matchup:

C Gasol (Spurs)

F Aldridge (Spurs)

F Durant (OKC)

G Westbrook (OKC)
G Ginobli (Spurs)

Bench: Spurs

Game 1

1 Q

9 Thunder 4 Spurs 3

OKC Kanter, Kanter

Spurs Ginobli(3)

6 Spurs 17 Thunder 8

OKC Ibaka, Durant

Spurs Mills(3) Aldridge, Aldridge, Aldridge, Gasol(3) Kawhi

Region 2 semi is underway; the '19 Rockets moved forward in the top half of the region - one of these teams will face them in the Round of 32.  

3 Spurs 21 Thunder 11

Thunder Durant(3)

Spurs Kawhi, Mills

1 q Score Spurs 28 Thunder 15

Thunder Payne, Durant, Parker

Spurs Dedmon, Kawhi(3)

Hot start for the Spurs.

2 q

9 Spurs 38 Thunder 24

Thunder Morrow, Adams, Ibaka(3) Ibaka

Spurs Dedmon, Dedmon, Dedmon, Kawhi, Gasol

6 Spurs 47 Thunder 26

Thunder Ibaka

Spurs Anderson, Dedmon, Ginobli, Gasol(3)

The Spurs are cooking the Thunder, we're gonna head to San Antonio with the Spurs looking to close out.

3 Spurs 51 Thunder 28

Thunder Westbrook

Spurs Kawhi, lee

H Score Spurs 58 Thunder 34

Thunder Ibaka, Adams, Westbrook

Spurs Kawhi(3) Kawhi(1) Kawhi(3)

9 in the last 6 for Kawhi - the Spurs are going to take game 1.

3 q

9 Spurs 68 Thunder 44

Thunder Kanter, Morrow(3) Durant, Durant(3)

Spurs Gasol(3) Ginobli(3) Gasol, Aldridge

6 Spurs 74 Thunder 55

Thunder Westbrook(3) Adams(1) Ibaka(3) Roberson, Kanter

Spurs Dedmon, Kawhi, Aldridge

Spurs cruising.  

3 Spurs 84 Thunder 63

Thunder Westbrook, Roberson, Durant, Durant

Spurs Ginobli(3) Kawhi, Gasol, Mills(3)

3q Score Spurs 87 Thunder 65

Thunder Westbrook

Spurs Mills(3)

OKC will need to regroup when they head to San Antonio.

4q

9 Spurs 95 Thunder 78

Thunder Adams(1) Durant(3) Adams, Durant, Durant(3)

Spurs Anderson, Kawhi, Gasol, Kawhi

6 Spurs 104 Thunder 84

Thunder Durant, Durant, Collison

Spurs Kawhi(3) Lee, Kawhi, Lee

KD adding a ton of 4th quarter pts.

3 Spurs 112 Thunder 93

Thunder Collison, Durant, Ibaka(3) Durant

Spurs Parker, Gasol, Parker

F Score Spurs 116 Thunder 98

Thunder Westbrook, Kanter(3)

Spurs Kawhi, Parker

San Antonio sends a message and now they are one game away from putting forth the second Spurs team into the Round of 32.  Westbrook had a quadruple double - for the 4th double was turnovers, he had 11, that's a tournament high.

Kawhi: 33 pts/6 assists/5 boards-Player of the Game

Gasol: 19 pts/19 boards 

Aldridge: 12 pts/7 boards

Ginobli: 11 pts/6 boards/6 assists

Mills: 11 pts/8 assists

Dedmon: 12 pts/7 boards

Durant: 32 pts/9 boards/6 assists

Kanter: 11 pts/10 boards

Westbrook: 13 pts/12 boards/11 assists 

Ibaka: 17 pts/5 boards

Adams: 10 pts

Game 2

1 Q

9 Thunder 10 Spurs 9

Spurs Kawhi, Aldridge, Kawhi, Mills(3)

Thunder Ibaka(3) Westbrook, Durant(3) Ibaka

6 Spurs 18 Thunder 18

Spurs Gasol(3) Kawhi(3) Kawhi(3)

Thunder Durant, Durant, Durant, Westbrook

4 Spurs triples to open the game.

3 Spurs 32 Thunder 21

Spurs Kawhi, Aldridge, Dedmon, Aldridge, Mills(3) Kawhi(3)

Thunder Morrow(3) 

1 q Score Spurs 34 Thunder 27

Spurs Lee

Thunder Morrow, Collison, Durant

15 first quarter points for Kawhi Leonard; he's looking for his 5th Player of the Game Award.

2 q

9 Spurs 44 Thunder 32

Spurs Parker(3) Parker, Parker, Mills(3)

Thunder Westbrook(3) Adams, Westbrook

6 Spurs 48 Thunder 38

Spurs Lee, Kawhi

Thunder Ibaka, Waiters

San Antonio is rolling; a win here and they reach the Region 2 Finals and send us to Region 3.

3 Spurs 54 Thunder 42

Spurs Gasol, Dedmon, Gasol

Thunder Roberson, Kanter

H Score Spurs 65 Thunder 46

Spurs Gasol(3) Ginobli, Kawhi, Lee, Gasol

Thunder Kanter, Westbrook

And just like that - it appears done.  9 for Pau to close the half; we are looking at an All-Texas Region 2 Final.

3 q

9 Spurs 69 Thunder 55

Spurs Gasol, Parker

Thunder Ibaka(3) Kanter, Westbrook, Westbrook

6 Spurs 71 Thunder 64

Spurs Kawhi

Thunder Westbrook, Durant, Morrow(3) Durant

Big run for OKC - they get back into the game.

3 Spurs 80 Thunder 70

Spurs Mills, Anderson, Parker(3) Ginobli

Thunder Morrow(3) Durant(3)

3q Score Spurs 85 Thunder 79

Spurs Gasol, Mills(3)

Thunder Ibaka, Kanter, Morrow(3) Kanter

Spurs 20 pt lead is down to 6.

4q

9 Spurs 94 Thunder 89

Spurs Gasol, Aldridge, Mills(3) Aldridge

Thunder Westbrook, Westbrook, Durant, Kanter, Westbrook

6 Spurs 96 Thunder 92

Spurs Dedmon

Thunder Payne(3)

OKC was dead and buried - but now they trail by just 4.

5:42: OKC: Kanter from the paint.  

5:29: SA: Gasol drills a 16 footer.

4:54: SA: Lee scores down low.  100-94

4:17: SA: Gasol turnaround in the paint.  

3:28: SA: That might be that - Aldridge hits a triple from the top.  It's an 11 point game

F Score Spurs 120 Thunder 114

SA Gasol, Kawhi, Aldridge, Kawhi, Gasol(3) Simmons(3) Murray(1)

OKC Durant(3) Durant, ibaka(3) McGary(3) Huestis(3) Huestis(3) Ibaka(3)

Massive celebration in San Antonio - the Spurs have reached the Round of 32. Westbrook an assist short of another triple double.

Gasol: 27 pts/11 boards-Player of the Game

Kawhi: 25 pts/4 steals

Mills: 17 pts/9 assists

Aldridge: 15 pts/5 boards

Parker: 12 pts

All Region Team:

C Kareem ('73 Bucks-3 PotG)

F Kawhi ('17 Spurs-4 PotG)

F Durant ('16 Thunder- 3 PotG)

G Harden ('19 Rockets-4 PotG)

G Jordan ('96 Bulls-2 PotG)

Region 1 Final: 2004 Spurs v. 1980 Lakers

Region 2 Final: 2017 Spurs v. 2019 Rockets

Region 2: Rounds 2/3, Series 1/2

 Region 1

1. 1996 NBA CHAMP CHICAGO BULLS v. 8. 2019 SW DIV CHAMP HOUSTON ROCKETS

Bulls: 72-10, 1st in Cen Div., 1st in Off, 1st in Def

           d. Heat East First Rnd 3-0

           d. Knicks East Semis 4-1

           d. Magic East Finals 4-0

           d. Sonics, NBA Finals 4-2

           #2 overall seed

           d. '17 Clips (2-1, Jordan/Pippen PotG)

Coach: Phil Jackson, Asst. John Paxson

Starters

C Luc Longley (27, New Mexico)              9.1           11.9        3.5         .2

F Toni Kukoc (27)                                       13.1         20.4       10.1        4

F Scottie Pippen (30, Cen Arkansas)          19.4          21          12.3     5.9

G Steve Kerr (30, Arizona)                         8.4            15.2       8.3       2.6

G Michael Jordan (32, UNC)                      30.4         29.4        20.4     9.8 VORP

Rotation Reserves

C Bill Wennington (32 St Johns)                 5.3 PPG  11 PER  2.8 Win Shares   -.3

F Dennis Rodman (34, SE Oklahoma St)   5.5           13.6       6.2        1.1

F Jud Buechler (27, Arizona)                      3.8           14.1       2.3         .7

G Randy Brown (27, N Mexico St)            2.7            11.2       1.5         .3

G Ron Harper (32, Miami Oh)                    7.4           14.4       6.3       2.3

Leaders: Rodman (2nd in Rebounds, 1st Reb/Gm, 1st Reb%)

               Jordan (3rd in Steals, 1st in Pts, 1st PPG, 3rd Steals/Gm, 2nd PER, 5th Steal %, 5th Off Rating, 1st Win Shares, 1st Win Shares/48, 1st +/1, 1st in VORP, 1st Team All NBA

               Kerr (2nd True Shooting, 1st TO %, 

               Harper (4th Def +/-)

               Pippen 1st Team All NBA

The '17 Warriors got bounced from Region 1 - meaning these Bulls are the top remaining overall seed; first in both offense and defense in '96.  They lost their first tournament game against the '17 Clips but came back to advance.  32 year old Jordan's first in Win Shares, WS/48, VORP, and second in PER.  He and 30 year old Pippen are first team All NBA. Add 27 year old Kukoc with 20 + PER and double digit WS. Terrific season for 30 year old Kerr, who is in the next series as a Spur

Rockets: 53-29, SW Div Champs, 2nd in Offense, 17th in Defense

               d. Jazz West First Rnd

               Lost Warriors West Semis 4-2

               #127 overall seed

               d. '62 Lakers (2-0, Harden 2 PotG)

Coach - Mike D'Antoni

Starters

C Clint Capela  (24)                          16.6 PPG   23.8 PER  10.8 WShares   2.8 VORP      

F Kenneth Faried (29, Morehead St)     12.9           21.8           2.5             .3                    

F PJ Tucker (33, Texas)                          7.2             9.2            5                     1

G Chris Paul (33, Wake Forest)             15.6           19.7           6.6                2.8

G James Harden (29, Arizona St)          36.1           30.6           15.2              9.3

Rotation Reserves

C Nene Hilario (36)                                3.6             11.9           1.4

F Carmelo Anthony 34-Syracuse           13.4           10.9            .3              -.1

F Danuel House (25, Texas A&M)        9.4             12.2           2.3                 .4

G Gerald Green 33                                  9.2             11.4           1.9              .1

G Eric Gordon (30, Indiana)                  16.2            12.2           2.6             .4

Leaders: Harden (1st in 3s, 5th in Assists, 2nd in Steals, 1st in Pts, 1st in PPG, 2nd Steals/Gm, 2nd PER, 4th Asst %, 5th Steal %, 1st Win Shares, 3rd Win Shares/48, 1st +/-, 1st VORP 1st Team All NBA

               Capela (2nd FG%, 5th Reb/Gm, 5th True Shooting, 3rd Eff FG%, 5th Off Reb %, 5th WS/48)

               Paul (3rd Assists/Gm, 3rd Steals/Gm, 2nd Steal%,)

The 2019 Rockets got bounced in the first round of the playoffs; they're here though, facing the Bulls; 28 year old Harden was 1st in WS, VORP, 2nd in PER and 3rd in WS/48. 24 year old Capela, 29 year old Faried cross 20 PER and Capela adds double digit WS

Matchup:

C Capela (Rockets)

F Kukoc( Bulls)

F Pippen (Bulls)

G Push

G Push

Bench: Bulls

Gm

1 Qtr

9 Bulls 4 Rockets 2

Bulls  Kukoc, Pippen, 

Rockets Faried

6 Bulls 8 Rockets 8

Bulls Pippen, Pippen

Rockets Paul, Paul, Harden

Both clubs feeling each other out as we begin.

3 Rockets 13 Bulls 12

Bulls Longley, Harper

Rockets Harden, Harden(3)

1 Q Score Bulls 18 Rockets 15

Bulls Kukoc, Wennington, Buechler

Rockets Carmelo

Defense in the first, no points for Jordan.  

2 Qtr

9 Rockets 23 Bulls 22

Bulls Kerr, Jordan

Rockets Faried, House(3) Gordon(3)

6 Bulls 29 Rockets 28

Bulls Jordan, Kukoc, Kerr(3)

Rockets Carmelo(3) Capela

Rockets hit a few triples to open the quarter.

3 Bulls 34 Rockets 33

Bulls Pippen, Kerr(3)

Rockets Carmelo(3) Faried

H Score Rockets 42 Bulls 42

Bulls Pippen(3) Pippen, Pippen

Rockets Gordon, Harden, Paul(3) Capela

Pippen with 9 to close the half, tight defensive battle

3 Qtr

9 Bulls 48 Rockets 45

Bulls Kukoc, Kukoc(3) Jordan

Rockets Harden(3)

6 Bulls 56 Rockets 51

Bulls Jordan, Jordan, Jordan, Pippen

Rockets Capela(1) Capela, Harden(3)

There's the Jordan run - 8 straight Chicago points.

3 Bulls 66 Rockets 56

Bulls Wennington(3) Kukoc, Jordan, Jordan

Rockets Capela(3) House

3Q Score Bulls 71 Rockets 62

Bulls Jordan(3) Jordan

Rockets Faried, Harden, Faried

Michael Jordan with 17 third quarter points.

4 Qtr

9 Bulls 76 Rockets 71

Bulls Rodman, Jordan(3)

Rockets Capela(3) Harden(3) Paul(3)

6 Bulls 90 Rockets 81

Bulls Harper, Harper, Harper, Jordan, Jordan(3) Kukoc(3)

Rockets Paul, Capela, Harden(3) Paul(3)

5 Rockets 3s keeping them alive.

3 Bulls 94 Rockets 81

Bulls Buechler, Jordan

Rockets

F Score Bulls 94 Rockets 85

Bulls

Rockets Nene, Tucker

Jordan's too much in this one.  

Jordan: 32 pts/8 boards-Player of the Game

Kukoc: 16 pts/9 boards/7 assists

Pippen: 17 pts/8 boards/6 assists

Rodman: 2 pts/13 boards

Harden: 23 pts/7 assists

Capela: 15 pts/15 boards

Faried: 10 pts/11 boards

Paul: 15 pts/8 boards/5 assists

Game 2

1 Qtr

9 Bulls 4 Rockets 2

Rockets Faried

Bulls Jordan, Longley

6 Bulls 12 Rockets 12

Rockets Capela, House, Faried, Capela, Capela

Bulls Pippen(3) Kukoc, Kukoc(3)

Game 2 underway in Houston; the Bulls looking to advance.

3 Rockets 21 Bulls 17

Rockets House(3) Harden(3) Capela(3)

Bulls Kerr(3) Jordan

1 Q Score Rockets 35 Bulls 24

Rockets Capela(1) Paul(3) Harden, Gordon(3) Carmelo, Green(3)

Bulls Jordan, Longley(3) Longley

Houston drops a half dozen threes in the last 6 minutes.

2 Qtr

9 Rockets 35 Bulls 28

Rockets

Bulls Kukoc, Wennington

6 Rockets 44 Bulls 32

Rockets Harden(3) Gordon(3) Harden(3)

Bulls Longley Kerr

A torrent of triples from Houston extends the lead.

3 Rockets 49 Bulls 36

Rockets Harden, Paul(3)

Bulls Wennington, Kerr

H Score Rockets 52 Bulls 41

Rockets Capela(3)

Bulls Longley(3) Jordan

Rockets offense the story here.  

3 Qtr

9 Rockets 58 Bulls 45

Rockets Paul, Capela, Faried

Bulls Jordan, Harper

6 Rockets 70 Bulls 57

Rockets Faried, House(3) Faried, Capela, House(3)

Bulls Pippen(3) Buechler, Jodan, Rodman, Buechler

Rockets undeniable offensively.

3 Rockets 75 Bulls 70

Rockets Harden, Paul(3)

Bulls Jordan(3) Kukoc(3) Kukoc, Kukoc(3) Pippen

3Q Score Rockets 79 Bulls 71

Rockets Faried, Faried

Bulls Kukoc(1)

9 from Kukoc draws the Bulls closer.

4 Qtr

9 Rockets 83 Bulls 73

Rockets Capela, Capela

Bulls Jordan

6 Rockets 91 Bulls 77

Rockets Faried, Paul, Capela, Harden

Bulls Kerr, Rodman

Looks like we are headed to game 3.

3 Rockets 95 Bulls 79

Rockets Nene, Capela

Bulls Jordan

F Score Rockets 107 Bulls 82

Rockets Shumpert(3) Shumpert, Hartenstein, Jones, Jones(3)

Bulls Simpkins(1) Edwards

Houston pulls away, game 2 is a blowout and we head to Chicago.

Capela: 25 pts/22 boards - Player of the Game

Harden: 17 pts/8 assists/5 boards

Paul: 13 pts/7 boards/7 assists

Faried: 16 pts/8 boards

House: 11 pts

Jordan: 19 pts/8 boards/4 steals

Kukoc: 16 pts

Longley: 12 pts/7 boards

Game 3

1 Qtr

9 Rockets 4 Bulls 3

Bulls Jordan (3) 

Rockets Capela, Faried

6 Bulls 8 Rockets 6

Bulls Pippen(3)  Longley

Rockets Faried

Game 3 - winner moves to the Round of 64.

3 Rockets 13 Bulls 12

Bulls Kukoc, Jordan

Rockets Paul(3) Tucker(3) Capela(1)

1 Q Score Bulls 19 Rockets 17

Bulls Kukoc(3) Kukoc, Kukoc

Rockets House, Green

Tight defense, Kukoc with 9.

2 Qtr

9 Bulls 25 Rockets 24

Bulls Longley, Kerr, Wennington

Rockets Tucker, Nene, Faried

6 Bulls 36 Rockets 33

Bulls Kukoc, Harper, Jordan, Rodman, Pippen(3)

Rockets Paul, Gordon(3) Paul Capela

Pippen drills a 3 from the top; Bulls are up in a tight one.

3 Rockets 40 Bulls 38

Bulls Jordan

Rockets Harden, Gordon, Harden(3)

H Score Rockets 49 Bulls 42

Bulls Jordan, Pippen

Rockets Harden, Harden, Harden(3) Carmelo

Harden busts out with a dozen in the last 6.  Is the second overall seed going home?

3 Qtr

9 Rockets 53 Bulls 48

Bulls Kukoc, Jordan, Jordan

Rockets Harden, Capela

6 Rockets 53 Bulls 51

Bulls Buechler

Rockets

Big defensive effort, Chicago clamping down.

3 Bulls 59 Rockets 58

Bulls Jordan, Jordan, Wennington, Kukoc

Rockets Paul, Capela(3)

3Q Score Rockets 71 Bulls 67

Bulls Jordan, Jordan, Jordan, Kukoc

Rockets Faried, Capela, Harden(1) Paul(3) Tucker(3) Capela

Triples put Houston back on top.  12 left.

4 Qtr

11:49: CHI: Kukoc pops off a screen, easy J.  

11:28: CHI: Rockets miss, Kukoc drives, pull up.  Tied.

10:05: HOU: Harden from the wing.

9:35: CHI: Wennington in the paint.  

9:21: HOU: Great pass from Paul to Faried underneath.  

9:11: CHI: Pippen turnaround.  Tied.

8:54: HOU: Capela's fouled, hits 1.

8:41: CHI: Longley misses a hook shot - Kukoc with the follow.  

8:34: HOU: Harden rips down a 3 from the wing.  

8:24: CHI:  Longley, layup.  Tied.  

7:51: CHI: Houston misses, Jordan hits an 18 footer and Chicago takes the lead.

7:34: CHI: Houston misses - Harper 12 footer.  

7:25: HOU: Capela 11 footer.  83-81 Bulls

6:13: HOU: A minute later Eric Gordon hits a corner 3 and Houston goes up.

6:05: CHI: Kerr hits the long 2.  Bulls lead.

5:58: HOU: Nene down low.  Rockets lead.

5:23: HOU: Capela from the line.  

5:15: CHI: Kukoc goes baseline.  

4:25: CHI: Rodman on both ends - he steals the ball and scores from the block, Bulls 89-88.

3:25: HOU: A minute later, Harden from the wing.

:48: HOU: Huge 2 and a half minute stretch where neither team scores - ended by PJ Tucker and Houston goes up by 3.  

:27: CHI: Jordan misses the game tying 3 - Pippen is there with the putback.  

One point Rocket lead.  

Harden takes the ball ---- Bulls force the misses shot - but Capela is there with the huge offensive board - he gives to Harden, fouled by Jordan, his 5th.  

Harden hits both.  94-91.  9 seconds left.  Bulls timeout.

It's Jordan - he draws the doubleteam - passes out to an open Kerr -

Harden intercepts the ball.  Kukoc grabs him, one second left - Harden hits both FT and Houston has upset the Bulls.

F Score: Rockets 96 Bulls 91 

Jordan scores 27 - but it's Harden who steals his pass at the end of the game and Chicago doesn't make it out of the second round.  

Harden: 26 pts/11 boards - Player of the Game

Capela: 19 pts/15 boards/7 blocks

Faried: 10 pts/16 boards

Paul: 12 pts/8 assists/5 boards

Tucker: 11 pts

4. 2001 MW DIV CHAMP SA SPURS v. 5. 1973 MW DIV CHAMP MILWAUKEE BUCKS

Spurs: 58-24, 1st MW Div, 6th in Off, 1st in Def

                        d. Wolves West First 3-1

                        d. Mavs West Semis 4-1

                        Lost Lakers West Finals 4-0

                        #63 overall seed

                        d. '10 Celtics (2-0, Duncan/Anderson PotG)

Coach: Gregg Popovich, Asst Mike Budenholzer

Starters

C David Robinson (35, Navy)               14.4 PPG  23.7 PER  12.1 Win Shares   4.3 VORP

F Tim Duncan (24, Wake Forest)          22.2           23.8          13.2                        5.4

F Sean Elliott (32, Arizona)                  7.9             12.4          3                             1.2

G Terry Porter (37, Wisc Stevens Pt)    7.2             15.5          5.4                         2

G Derek Anderson (26, Kentucky)        15.5           17.1          9.9                         3.2

Rotation Reserves

C Samaki Walker (24, Louisville)          5.3            12.2          1.9                      -.1

F Malik Rose (26, Drexel)                      7.7            14.8          3.3                       .8

F Danny Ferry (34, Duke)                      5.6             10.1         4.1                      .8

G Antonio Daniels (25, Bowling Green) 9.4           15.5          6.6                       1.9

G Steve Kerr (35, Arizona)                     3.3            10.6          1.5                      .3

Leaders: Duncan (3rd Rebounds, 4th Win Shares, 1st Team All NBA

               Robinson (2nd Def Rating, 4th Def Win Shares, 3rd Team All NBA

               Ferry (5th 3pt %)

The '04 Spurs are one of the final 32 teams in the field; three years prior, the '01 team needs two series wins to join them.  24 year old Duncan is first team All NBA, 35 year old Robinson third team.  

Bucks: 60-22, 1st MW Div, 5th Off, 2nd Def

             Lost West Semis Warriors 4-2

             #66 overall seed

             d. '99 Jazz (2-0, Kareem 2 PotG)

Coach - Larry Costello, Hubie Brown assistant.

Starters

C Kareem Abdul Jabbar (25, UCLA)       30.2PPG    28.5 PER  21.5 Win Shares

F Curtis Perry (24, Missouri St)               9.1             12              4.8

F Bobby Dandridge (25, Norfolk St)       20.2            16.2          8.1

G Oscar Robertson (34, Cincinnati)        15.5            17.2          8.4

G Jon McGlocklin (29, Indiana)              9.6             13.5           5.2

Rotation Reserves 

C Dick Cunningham (26, Murray St)      2.2              9.1            1

F Terry Driscoll (25, Boston College)     5.5              11.7          1.7

F Mickey Davis (22, Duquesne)              5.1              12.2          2.3

G Lucius Allen (25, UCLA)                    15.5             16             7.6

G Russ Lee (23, Marshall)                      2.8               13.6          .3

Leaders: Kareem (5th Rebounds, 2nd Pts, 5th Triple Doubles, 3rd FG%, 2nd PPG, 4th Reb/Gm, 1st PER, 3rd True Shooting, 3rd Eff FG%, 5th Reb %, 1st Win Shares, 1st Win Shares/48)

               Robertson (4th Assists/gm)

7 years subsequent, Kareem's '80 Lakers have reached the Round of 32 where they will take on Duncan and the Spurs; in '73 his Bucks are top 5 in offense and defense.  25 year old Kareem is a monster, nearly 30 PER and over 20 WS. 

Matchup:

C Kareem (Bucks)

F Duncan (Spurs)

F Dandridge (Bucks)

G Oscar (Bucks)

G Anderson (Spurs)

Bench: Spurs

1 Qtr

9 Spurs 4 Bucks 2

Spurs Robinson, Anderson

Bucks Kareem

6 Spurs 14 Bucks 12

Spurs Elliott(3) Robinson, Elliott, Porter(3)

Bucks McGlocklin, Dandridge, Kareem, Perry, Kareem

We're underway, the '19 Rockets await.  

3 Spurs 17 Bucks 17

Spurs Robinson(1) Duncan

Bucks Kareem, McGlocklin(3)

1 Q Score Spurs 23 Bucks 23

Spurs Duncan, Kerr, Robinson

Bucks Lee, Davis, Lee

Robinson with 7, Kareem 8.

2 Qtr

9 Spurs 29 Bucks 29

Spurs Rose, Ferry, Elliott

Bucks Allen(3) Oscar(3)

6 Bucks 34 Spurs 31

Spurs Robinson

Bucks Perry(1) Dandridge, Dandridge

It's Milwaukee with a couple of 3s to give them the lead.

3 Bucks 43 Spurs 35

Spurs Anderson, Daniels

Bucks Kareem, Allen(3) McGlocklin, Dandridge

H Score Bucks 45 Spurs 44

Spurs Robinson, Kerr, Elliott(3) Duncan

Bucks Allen

The teams exhange second quarter runs and we remain tight.

3 Qtr

9 Spurs 54 Bucks 49

Spurs Porter, Elliott, Duncan(3) Porter

Bucks McGlocklin, Perry

6 Spurs 59 Bucks 58

Spurs Anderson, Rose(3)

Bucks Cunningham, Allen, Dandridge(3)

Game 1 is all it could be.  Nip and tuck.

3 Spurs 69 Bucks 62

Spurs Robinson(3) Porter, Elliott(3) Duncan

Bucks Kareem, Kareem

3Q Score Spurs 73 Bucks 72

Spurs Anderson, Elliott

Bucks Dandridge, Allen, Lee, Dandridge, Oscar

Each time there's a spurt by one team, the other follows.  Game 1 is headed to the hot finish.

4 Qtr

11:28: SA: Derek Anderson hits a corner 3.

11:00: SA: Bucks miss - Robinson doesn't.  

10:14: SA: Real run here - Bucks turn it over and Antonio Daniels hits a 3 from the top, that's an 8 point Spurs run to open the 4th.

9:12: MIL: McGlocklin 12 footer.  81-74 Spurs

6 Spurs 89 Bucks 80

Spurs Kerr(3) Porter(3) Duncan

Bucks Oscar, Allen, Kareem

The Spurs rolling with triples in the 4th.

3 Spurs 98 Bucks 88

Spurs Elliott, Daniels, Robinson, Elliott(3)

Bucks Oscar, Oscar, Perry, Perry

F Score Spurs 107 Bucks 98

Spurs Robinson, Duncan(1) Robinson, Porter, Robinson

Bucks Oscar, Oscar(3) Kareem, McGlocklin(3)

San Antonio goes 3 heavy in the 4th to pull away.  

Robinson: 24 pts/16 boards-Player of the Game

Elliott: 23 pts

Duncan: 14 pts/12 boards

Anderson: 11 pts/9 boards

Porter: 14 pts/8 assists/4 steals

Kareem: 20 pts/17 boards/8 assists

Oscar: 16 pts/6 assists

Dandridge: 15 pts/8 boards/4 steals

Allen: 14 pts

Game 2

1 Qtr

9 Bucks 6 Spurs 2

Bucks Dandridge, Kareem, Dandridge

Spurs Duncan

6 Bucks 13 Spurs 4

Bucks Oscar, Dandridge(1) Kareem, Dandridge

Spurs Porter

7 for Dandridge - Bucks defense clamping down.

3 Bucks 13 Spurs 11

Bucks 

Spurs Walker, Anderson, Robinson(3)

1 Q Score Bucks 15 Spurs 15

Bucks Allen

Spurs Walker, Daniels

Defense.  Defense.  Defense.

2 Qtr

9 Bucks 25 Spurs 24

Bucks Lee, Davis, McGlocklin, Cunningham, Allen

Spurs Rose, Robinson(3) Rose, Robinson

6 Spurs 29 Bucks 26

Bucks Kareem(1)

Spurs Anderson, Walker(3)

It stays tight.

3 Spurs 37 Bucks 36

Bucks Oscar, Dandridge, Dandridge, Kareem, Dandridge

Spurs Robinson(3) Anderson(3) Daniels

H Score Bucks 47 Spurs 44

Bucks Kareem, Dandridge, Lee(3) Kareem, Kareem

Spurs Duncan, Porter(3) Robinson

8 for Dandridge in the last 6.

3 Qtr

9 Bucks 58 Spurs 49

Bucks McGlocklin, Kareem, Driscoll, Dandridge, Dandridge(3)

Spurs Anderson(3) Duncan

6 Bucks 63 Spurs 57

Bucks Allen, Dandridge(3)

Spurs Duncan(3) Duncan, Kerr(3)

8 more for Dandridge as he is taking the ball on every Milwaukee possession and looking to score.  

3 Spurs 66 Bucks 65

Bucks Oscar

Spurs Elliott(3) Anderson, Duncan, Duncan

3Q Score Spurs 74 Bucks 67

Bucks Dandridge

Spurs Walker, Anderson(3) Elliott(3)

The Spurs defense clamps down - San Antonio is now 12 minutes from advancing to meet the cross-state Rockets.  

4 Qtr

9 Spurs 80 Bucks 70

Bucks Perry(3)

Spurs Robinson, Robinson, Duncan

6 Spurs 86 Bucks 81

Bucks Kareem, Kareem, Dandridge, Oscar(3) Kareem

Spurs Duncan(1) Robinson, Porter(3)

A half dozen for Kareem slices the deficit in half.

5:50: MIL: Oscar drives, dishes to McGlocklin, layup.  86-83.

3:32: MIL: Two minutes later Lucius Allen hits  runner in the lane.  

3:04: MIL: The Spurs haven't scored in almost 4 minutes, Dick Cunningham low post.  Bucks lead.  

2:50: SA: Duncan in the lane.  

1:15: MIL: 90 seconds later McGlocklin triples from the corner.  Bucks by 2.

:58: SA: Oh - look at Duncan - he hits a triple from the top and now the Spurs go up.

:47: MIL: McGlocklin from 12 feet.  92-91 Bucks.

Elliott misses a 3 - Porter gets the huge offensive board - but its knocked away by Oscar, Kareem recovers - he's quickly fouled and with 6 seconds left hits both to make it 94-91.

Spurs looking for a game tying shot.

Elliott gets the ball - Elliott gets a step of space - fires --- Misses.

F Score: Bucks 94 Spurs 91

Milwaukee evens the series.  

Dandridge: 27 pts/14 boards - Player of the Game

Kareem: 23 pts/13 boards/5 assists

McGlocklin: 11 pts/6 boards

Perry: 3 pts/10 boards

Duncan: 23 pts/9 boards

Robinson: 19 pts/8 boards

Anderson: 15 pts/7 boards/7 assists

Game 3

1 Qtr

9 Spurs 8 Bucks 5

Spurs Anderson, Duncan, Anderson, Robinson

Bucks McGlocklin, McGlocklin(3)

6 Spurs 15 Bucks 14

Spurs Anderson, Robinson(3) Elliott

Bucks Dandridge, Dandridge(3) Dandridge, Perry

Game 3.  Winner moves on to face the Rockets.  Dandridge with 7 in the last 3.

3 Spurs 21 Bucks 16

Spurs Robinson, Duncan(1) Daniels(3)

Bucks Kareem

1 Q Score Spurs 25 Bucks 25

Spurs Duncan, Anderson, 

Bucks Kareem, Kareem, Kareem, Perry(3)

Kareem goes for 8 in the last 6 and we are tied.

2 Qtr

9 Bucks 37 Spurs 33

Spurs Walker, Ferry(3) Rose, Robinson(1)

Bucks Driscoll, Davis, Driscoll(1) Lee(3) Allen, Cunningham

6 Bucks 45 Spurs 37

Spurs Robinson, Robinson

Bucks Dandridge, Allen, Dandridge, Kareem

Biggest Bucks lead of the day and they are getting anxious in San Antonio.

3 Bucks 50 Spurs 41

Spurs Duncan, Robinson

Bucks Kareem, Dandridge(1) Oscar

H Score Bucks 58 Spurs 46

Spurs Robinson, Daniels

Bucks Dandridge, Kareem, Dandridge, Kareem

Kareem and Dandridge really asserting themselves for Milwaukee.

3 Qtr

9 Bucks 68 Spurs 48

Spurs Robinson

Bucks Allen, Perry, Kareem, Dandridge, Kareem

6 Bucks 70 Spurs 58

Spurs Daniels, Anderson(3) Elliott, Porter(3)

Bucks Allen

Double digit lead for the Bucks, they threaten to run away.

3 Bucks 78 Spurs 68

Spurs Porter(3) Rose, Elliott, Elliott(3)

Bucks Oscar, Dandridge, Perry, Perry

3Q Score Bucks 83 Spurs 70

Spurs Duncan

Bucks Kareem, Kareem, Davis(1)

Milwauke 12 minutes from advancing to the Region 2 Semis.  

4 Qtr

9 Bucks 91 Sours 77

Spurs Daniels, Robinson, Kerr(3)

Bucks McGlocklin, Kareem, Perry, Kareem

6 Bucks 97 Spurs 80

Spurs Ferry(3)

Bucks McGlocklin, Driscoll, Dandridge

It's done - Milwaukee will move on.

3 Bucks 99 Spurs 93

Spurs Ferry, Elliott(3) Robinson(3) Duncan, Daniels

Bucks Oscar

1:30  Bucks 101 Spurs 98

Spurs Duncan(1) Porter, Robinson

Bucks Kareem

Hold on.  The Bucks were up 17 with 6 minutes left there's now 90 seconds to go and Robinson's dunk has made it a 3 point game. 

1:19: SA: Dandridge misses, and Derek Anderson strokes a long 2 to make it a 1 point game!

:28: MIL: Both sides miss - Kareem scores from the paint and the lead is 3.

:25: SA: Off the time out, Derek Anderson breaks free under the bucket for a layup.  103-102 Bucks.

:15: MIL: It's Kareem - short J and again it's 3.

Spurs, like the Bulls, down to their final bullet - they need a 3 to force OT.

It's Duncan - contested 3.  Misses.

Kareem with the board, he's fouled, hits both and it's done.

Final: Bucks 107 Spurs 102

25/15 for the Admiral in the loss.  

Kareem: 36 pts/20 boards-Player of the Game

Dandridge: 22 pts/10 boards

Perry: 13 pts/11 boards

5. 1973 MW DIV CHAMP MIL BUCKS v. 8. 2019 SW DIV CHAMP HOUSTON ROCKETS

Gm 1

1 Qtr

9 Bucks 10 Rockets 6

Bucks Dandridge, Oscar, Dandridge, Kareem, Oscar

Rockets Harden, Capela, Capela

6 Bucks 17 Rockets 6

Bucks Perry(1) Dandridge, McGlocklin, Perry

Rockets 

Region 2 Semi - it's not Bulls/Spurs; it's Bucks/Rockets, winner to the Round of 32.  

3 Bucks 21 Rockets 14

Bucks McGlocklin, Kareem

Rockets Tucker, Paul(3) Gordon(3)

1 Score Bucks 25 Rockets 24

Bucks Kareem, Oscar

Rockets Paul(3) Gordon(3) Paul(3) Nene(1)

5 Rockets triples in the last 6 minutes - there's a half century between these two teams and a lot of 3s dropped over those years.  

2 Qtr

9 Bucks 34 Rockets 27

Bucks Lee, Allen(3) Driscoll, Kareem

Rockets Carmelo (3)

6 Bucks 36 Rockets 34

Bucks Lee

Rockets Tucker(3) Harden, Capela

Threes keep Houston in this.

3 Rockets 43 Bucks 39

Bucks Perry(3)

Rockets Paul, Capela, Harden(3) Harden

Half Score Rockets 53 Bucks 45

Bucks Allen, Perry, Allen

Rockets Paul, Capela, House, Capela, Capela

8 for Capela to close the half - Houston opening up some daylight.

3 Qtr

9 Rockets 62 Bucks 48

Bucks Perry, Cunningham(1)

Rockets Faried, Faried, Gordon, Gordon(3)

6 Rockets 70 Bucks 56

Bucks Allen, Kareem, Allen, Dandridge

Rockets Paul, Capela, Faried(1) Harden(3)

Game 1 looks like a wipeout. 

3 Rockets 79 Bucks 67

Bucks Perry, Kareem, Kareem, Dandridge(1) McGlocklin, Kareem

Rockets House, Harden(3) Harden(3)

3 Score Rockets 83 Bucks 70

Bucks Oscar(3)

Rockets Capela, House

Milwaukee cant overcome the 3 ball.  

4 Qtr

9 Rockets 93 Bucks 74

Bucks Driscoll, Kareem

Rockets Capela, Capela, Gordon, Harden, Faried

6 Rockets 100 Bucks 79

Bucks Kareem, Allen, Dandridge(1)

Rockets Carmelo(3) Capela, Capela

8 more for Clint Capela, a blowout in game one for the Rockets.

3 Rockets 108 Bucks 85

Bucks McGlocklin, Oscar, Perry

Rockets Gordon(3) Gordon, Harden(3)

F Score Rockets 110 Bucks 90

Bucks Driscoll, Jones(3)

Rockets Ennis

The 127 overall seeded Rockets are 48 minutes from the Round of 32.

Capela: 26 pts/19 boards/5 assists-Player of the Game

Harden: 23 pts/8 assists/5 boards

Paul: 15 pts/4 steals

Faried: 7 pts/10 boards

Gordon: 18 pts

Kareem: 20 pts/11 boards

Perry: 14 pts/8 boards

Oscar: 11 pts/6 boards/5 assists

Dandridge: 10 pts/7 boards

Allen: 13 pts

Gm 2

1 Qtr

9 Rockets 9 Bucks 2

Rockets Faried, Harden(3) Capela, Faried

Bucks Dandridge

6 Rockets 12 Bucks 5

Rockets Harden(3)

Bucks Dandridge, McGlocklin(1)

This Rockets team never made it to the NBA Finals and got busted up - but 42 minutes from now they may be in the round of 32 in the all time tourney.

3 Rockets 18 Bucks 9

Rockets Harden, Nene, Faried

Bucks Dandridge, Dandridge

1 Score Rockets 25 Bucks 19

Rockets Harden, Nene, Gordon(3)

Bucks Allen, Allen, Allen, Driscoll, Davis

The Bucks get a little closer

2 Qtr

9 Rockets 28 Bucks 26

Rockets Carmelo(3)

Bucks Perry, Jones(3) Perry

6 Rockets 36 Bucks 34

Rockets House, Harden(3) Paul(3)

Bucks Perry, Allen, Driscoll, Kareem

Houston keeps dropping 3s, but the Bucks get closer.

3 Rockets 44 Bucks 36

Rockets Capela, Paul, Tucker, Capela

Bucks Kareem

Half Score Rockets 53 Bucks 44

Rockets Faried, Faried, Faried, Paul(3)

Bucks Allen, Driscoll, Kareem, Dandridge

A half dozen for Faried and Houston's 24 minutes from advancing.

3 Qtr

9 Rockets 59 Bucks 54

Rockets Harden, Capela, Capela

Bucks Perry, McGlocklin, Allen. Allen, Oscar

6 Rockets 73 Bucks 60

Rockets Capela, Capela, Capela, Green, Green(3) Harden(3)

Bucks Perry, McGlocklin, Kareem

Clint Capela is dominant, ten to open the half might have ended the series.

3 Rockets 82 Bucks 68

Rockets Harden, Harden, Harden, Faried, Paul(1)

Bucks Oscar, McGlocklin, McGlocklin, Perry

3 Score Rockets 86 Bucks 68

Rockets Gordon, Harden

Bucks

It's done - the Rockets will advance through the top half of Region 2.

4 Qtr

9 Rockets 99 Bucks 72

Rockets Harden(3) Harden, Paul(3) Gordon(3)

Bucks Allen, Kareem,

6 Rockets 103 Bucks 74

Rockets Capela, Carmelo

Bucks Kareem

The Harden/Paul Rockets never made an NBA Finals - but they knock off Jordan and Kareem and are about to reach the Region 2 Finals.

3 Rockets 112 Bucks78

Rockets Carmelo, Capela, Harden, Harden(3)

Bucks Kareem, Kareem

F Score Rockets 117 Bucks 84

Rockets Rivers(3) Hartenstein

Bucks Lee(3) Davis, Lee(1)

Houston blows Milwaukee out and romps into the round of 32.

Harden: 36 pts/5 assists/5 steals-Player of the Game

Capela: 20 pts/10 boards

Faried: 14 pts/10 boards

Paul: 14 pts/7 assists

All Region Team:

C Kareem ('73 Bucks-3 PotG)

F Dandridge ('73 Bucks- 1PotG)

F Duncan ('01 Spurs-1 PotG)

G Harden ('19 Rockets-4 PotG)

G Jordan ('96 Bulls-2 PotG)

2021-22 NBA Predictions/Top 100 Players

 2021-22 Projections.

East:

1. Bucks 60

2. Sixers 52

3. Nets 52

4. Hawks 51

5. Celtics 48

6. Heat 44

7. Knicks 44

8. Pacers 43

9. Raptors 41

10. Wizards 38

11. Bulls 37

12. Hornets 31

13. Cavs 26

14. Pistons 25

15. Magic 21

West:

1. Jazz 55

2. Suns 53

3. Mavs 50

4. Nuggets 50

5. Blazers 47

6. Lakers 46

7. Pelicans 46

8. Grizzlies 43

9. Clips 41

10. Warriors 41

11. Wolves 38

12. Spurs 35

13. Kings 34

14. Rockets 22

15. Thunder 16

NBA Finals: Bucks v. Jazz

Top 100 (Projected) NBA Players (regular season) 2021-22

1. Giannis Antetokounmpo F Bucks

2. Nikola Jokic C Nuggets 

3. Luka Doncic G Mavs 

4. James Harden G Nets 

5. Joel Embiid C Sixers 

6. LeBron James F Lakers 

7. Jayson Tatum F Celtics 

8. Anthony Davis C Lakers 

9. Damian Lillard G Blazers 

10. Paul George F Clips 

11. Jimmy Butler F Heat 

12. Rudy Gobert C Jazz 

13. Steph Curry G Warriors 

14. Trae Young G Hawks 

15. Karl Anthony Towns C Wolves 

16. Zion Williamson F Pelicans 

17. Jrue Holiday G Bucks 

18. Michael Porter F Nuggets 

19. Kevin Durant F Nets 

20. Donovan Mitchell G Jazz 

21. Kyrie Irving G Nets 

22. Devin Booker G Suns 

23. Chris Paul G Suns 

24. Fred Van Vleet G Raptors 

25. Clint Capela C Hawks 

26. Ben Simmons G Sixers 

27. Khris Middleton F Bucks 

28. Bradley Beal G Wizards 

29. Jaylen Brown F Celtics 

30. LaMelo Ball G Hornets 

31. Kemba Walker G Knicks 

32. Mike Conley G Grizzlies 

33. Mikal Bridges F Suns 

34. De’Aron Fox G Kings 

35. CJ McCollum G Blazers 

36. DeAndre Ayton C Suns 

37. Pascal Siakam F Raptors 

38. Bam Adebayo C Heat 

39. John Collins F Hawks 

40. Robert Covington F Blazers 

41. Kyle Lowry G Heat 

42. Lonzo Ball G Bulls 

43. Derrick White G Spurs 

44. Jakob Poetl C Spurs 

45. Draymond Green F Warriors 

46. Zach LaVine G Bulls 

47. Brandon Ingram F Pelicans 

48. Domantas Sabonis F Raptors 

49. Kristaps Porzingis F Mavs 

50. Dejounte Murray G Spurs 

51. Marcus Smart G Celtics 

52. OG Anunoby F Raptors 

53. Danny Green F Sixers 

54. Julius Randle F Knicks 

55. Shai Gilgeous Alexander G Thunder 

56. Nikola Vucevic C Magic 

57. Donte DiVincenzo G Bucks 

58. Bogdan Bogdanovic G Hawks 

59. Duncan Robinson G Heat

60. Tobias Harris F Sixers 

61. Jonas Valanciunas C Pelicans 

62. Kyle Anderson F Grizzlies 

63. Ja Morant G Grizzlies 

64. Myles Turner C Pacers 

65. Malcolm Brogdon G Pacers 

66. Christian Wood C Rockets 

67. Devonte Graham G Pelicans 

68. Royce O’Neale F Jazz 

69. Dorian Finney Smith F Mavs 

70. De’Anthony Melton G Grizzlies 

71. Russell Westbrook G Lakers 

72. RJ Barrett F Knicks 

73. Joe Ingles F Jazz 

74. Dillon Brooks G Grizzlies 

75. Buddy Hield G Kings 

76. Brook Lopez C Bucks

77. Richaun Holmes C Kings 

78. Ivica Zubac C Clips 

79. Jonathan Isaac F Magic 

80. Andre Drummond C Sixers 

81. Ricky Rubio G Cavs 

82. Alex Caruso G Bulls 

83. Jalen Brunson G Mavs 

84. Immanuel Quickly G Knicks 

85. Davis Bertans F Wizards 

86. Aaron Gordon F Nuggets 

87. Jarrett Allen C Cavs 

88. Joe Harris F Nets 

89. Gordon Hayward F Hornets 

90. Steven Adams C Grizzlies 

91. Tim Hardaway G Mavs 

92. Jae Crowder F Suns 

93. Danilo Gallinari F Hawks 

94. Matisse Thybulle F Sixers 

95. Kelly Olynyk C Pistons 

96. Nicolas Batum F Clips 

97. Kevin Huerter F Hawks 

98. Bruce Brown F Nets 

99. Jordan Clarkson G Jazz 

100. Delon Wright G Hawks