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Super Bowl 55 Pick

Friday, February 5, 2021

 Chiefs over Bucs

Chiefs -3

Mahomes under 333.5 yards

I can't claim I've thought about this game a ton beyond the basic analytics, which favor Kansas City by between 1 and 5 points.  I'm nominally rooting for the Chiefs because I'm rooting against Brady but don't have overwhelming interest.  I don't love the condition of the Chiefs OL, but Steve Spagnuolo against Brady in another Super Bowl is a fun wrinkle on the other side of the ball, Brady struggles against a pass rush and I'll assume Jones/Clark can get home enough to make the game uncomfortable for him. Mahomes beat my squad last year; I'll say they go back to back.  

256 Team All Time Basketball Tournament: Region 2 Round 1: Series 3 and 4

Thursday, February 4, 2021

 1 and 2




5. 1973 MW DIV CHAMP MILWAUKEE BUCKS V. 12. 1999 UTAH JAZZ

Bucks: 60-22, 1st MW Div, 5th Off, 2nd Def
             Lost West Semis Warriors 4-2
             #66 overall seed

Coach - Larry Costello, Hubie Brown is an 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)

Oscar's not Oscar anymore, he's 34, but Kareem is very much Kareem, 30 PPG, 28 PER, 21 Win Shares and he leads this squad.

Jazz: 37-13, 2nd MW Div, 3rd Off, 7th Def
                    d Kings West 1st Round 3-2
                    Lost West Semis Blazers 4-2
                    #191 Overall seed

Coach: Jerry Sloan

Starters
C Greg Ostertag (25, Kansas)                    5.7 PPG  12.8 PER  3.8 Win Shares
F Karl Malone (35, LA Tech)                    23.8         25.6          9.6
F Bryon Russell (28, Cal St Long Beach) 12.8         14.1          5.6
G John Stockton (36, Gonzaga)                 11.1         21.9          6.4
G Jeff Hornacek (35, Iowa St)                   12.2         17.8          5.3

Rotation Reserves
C Todd Fuller (24, NC St)                          3.4           9.1           .6
F Thurl Bailey (37, NC St)                         4.2           11.5         .9
F Adam Keefe (28, Stanford)                     4              12.2         1.7
G Howard Eisley (26, Boston College)     7.4            11.7         1.3
G Shandon Anderson (25, Georgia)          8.5             12.8         2

Leaders: Ostertag (5th Blocks, 5th Blocks/Gm, 3rd Block %)
               Malone (3rd Pts, 3rd Triple Doubles, 3rd PPG, 2nd PER, 1st Win Shares, 1st Win Shares/48, 2nd +/-, 1st VORP)
               Stockton (1st Assist %, 4th Win Shares/48)

Stockton and Malone are old men but still deliver; both with PER over 20, the Win Share numbers are low because it's a short season.

Roster Matchup:
C Kareem (Bucks)
F Malone (Jazz)
F Dandridge (Bucks)
G Stockton (Jazz)
G Hornacek (Jazz)
Bench: Bucks

It's young Kareem against old Stockton and Malone.  

GAME ONE

1ST QTR

9 MIN BUCKS 7 JAZZ 5
BUCKS Kareem(3) Kareem
JAZZ Malone(3) Malone, McGlocklin

6 MIN BUCKS 11 JAZZ 9
BUCKS Kareem, Kareem
JAZZ Stockton, Malone

Kareem's got 9, Malone 7 through a close 6 minutes.  

3 MIN BUCKS 21 JAZZ 18
BUCKS McGlocklin, Lee, Dandridge, Allen, Kareem
JAZZ Malone, Hornacek(1) Malone, Stockton, Malone

1ST QTR SCORE BUCKS 30 JAZZ 20
BUCKS Allen, Kareem, Dandridge, Allen
JAZZ Anderson

The Bucks open it up in the last 3 minutes of the quarter; Kareem and Malone both have 13.

2ND QTR

9 MIN BUCKS 39 JAZZ 26
BUCKS Lee(3) Driscoll, Kareem, Lee
JAZZ Ostertag, Ostertag, Eisley

6 MIN BUCKS 43 JAZZ 31
BUCKS Robertson, Allen
JAZZ Bailey, Russell

Bucks up a dozen; Kareem has 15.

3 MIN BUCKS 51 JAZZ 40
BUCKS Allen, Lee, Driscoll, Dandridge
JAZZ Russell, Fuller, Eisley, Russell

HALFTIME SCORE BUCKS 51 JAZZ 42
BUCKS
JAZZ Stockton

Just 3 total points scored in the last 3 minutes, Bucks up 9. 

3RD QTR

9 MIN BUCKS 60 JAZZ 42
BUCKS McGlocklin, Oscar, Dandridge, Davis
JAZZ 

6 MIN BUCKS 66 JAZZ 46
BUCKS Dandridge, Perry, Dandridge
JAZZ Malone, Hornacek

The Bucks were 2nd in defense in '73 and that's really become clear; Utah has just 6 points in the last 9 minutes of play and the Bucks are up 20.  

3 MIN BUCKS 72 JAZZ 58
BUCKS Kareem, Allen, Kareem
JAZZ Fuller, Hornacek, Russell, Ostertag(1) Malone, Hornacek(3)

3RD QTR SCORE BUCKS 78 JAZZ 62
BUCKS Allen, Perry, Allen
JAZZ Hornacek

Dandridge and Allen each playing nice complimentary games to Kareem; the Bucks head to the 4th up 16.

4TH QTR

9 MIN BUCKS 85 JAZZ 68
BUCKS Oscar, Kareem(3), Kareem
JAZZ Hornacek, Anderson, Malone

6 MIN BUCKS 89 JAZZ 75
BUCKS Allen, Kareem
JAZZ Eisley(3) Eisley, Hornacek

Kareem's got 7 in the quarter; the Bucks defense is a problem for this Jazz squad.

3 MIN BUCKS 89 JAZZ 80
BUCKS Kareem, Allen
JAZZ Keefe, Stockton

FINAL SCORE BUCKS 99 JAZZ 83
BUCKS Davis, Lee (3) Lee(1)
JAZZ Vaughn

The Bucks defense is too much for Utah here in game one.  

Kareem - 28 pts, 11 boards - Player of the Game
Allen - 20 pts
Dandridge - 14 pts
Perry - 4 pts, 11 boards
Lee - 13 pts

Malone - 19 pts, 5 boards
Hornacek - 16 pts, 5 boards, 6 assists
Russell - 10 pts, 5 boards
Ostertag - 5 pts, 11 boards, 6 blocks

GAME TWO

1ST QTR

9 MIN JAZZ 9 LAKERS 2
BUCKS McGlocklin
JAZZ Hornacek, Stockton, Malone(3) Stockton

6 MIN JAZZ 15 LAKERS 10
BUCKS McGlocklin, Kareem, Oscar, McGlocklin
JAZZ Malone, Malone, Malone

Jazz come out swinging after their got clamped down in game one; Malone's got 9.

3 MIN JAZZ 21 BUCKS 20
BUCKS Kareem, Oscar, Allen, Allen, Dandridge
JAZZ Stockton, Malone, Malone

1ST QTR SCORE BUCKS 30 JAZZ 29
BUCKS Kareem, Allen, Dandridge, Allen, Cunningham
JAZZ Ostertag(1) Malone, Malone(1) Bailey, Eisley

Milwaukee closes hard; Malone's got 16.

2ND QTR

9 MIN BUCKS 38 JAZZ 33
BUCKS Allen, Davis, Lee, Oscar
JAZZ Keefe, Fuller

6 MIN BUCKS 45 JAZZ 37
BUCKS Allen, Lee, Kareem, Allen(1)
JAZZ Malone, Eisley

Bucks have a little bit of a lead now; Lucius Allen had 20 off the bench in game one and has 13 today.

3 MIN BUCKS 51 JAZZ 41
BUCKS Kareem, Kareem, Dandridge
JAZZ Hornacek, Anderson

HALFTIME SCORE BUCKS 51 JAZZ 46
BUCKS
JAZZ Hornacek, Ostertag, Eisley(1)

Utah cuts a ten point deficit in half and trails by 5 after a half.  A dozen for Kareem.

3RD QTR

9 MIN BUCKS 61 JAZZ 46
BUCKS Kareem, McGlocklin, McGlocklin, Kareem, Kareem
JAZZ

6 MIN BUCKS 64 JAZZ 40
BUCKS Lee(1) Dandridge
JAZZ Anderson, Stockton

Milwaukee scores the first 10 of the half and that might be it; the Bucks just too much for Utah.  18 now for Kareem.

3 MIN BUCKS 74 JAZZ 53
BUCKS Kareem, Allen, Davis(3) Kareem(1) Dandridge
JAZZ Ostertag(1) Stockton

3RD QTR SCORE BUCKS 78 JAZZ 60
BUCKS Davis, Kareem
JAZZ Hornacek, Malone, Eisley(3- buzzer)

This turned out to be a replay of game one; Utah just unable to score against these Bucks; Milwaukee will move on. 

4TH QTR

9 MIN BUCKS 87 JAZZ 72
BUCKS Allen, Kareem, Dandridge(3) Perry
JAZZ Anderson, Eisley, Malone, Hornacek, Anderson, Malone

6 MIN BUCKS 99 JAZZ 78
BUCKS Kareem(3) Dandridge, Kareem, Perry(3) Allen
JAZZ Anderson, Anderson, Anderson

Shandon Anderson has 10 in the first 6 minutes of the quarter for the Jazz, they are going to lose.

3 MIN BUCKS 101 JAZZ 84
BUCKS Kareem
JAZZ Anderson, Eisley, Malone

FINAL SCORE  BUCKS 112 JAZZ 94
BUCKS Dandridge, Driscoll, Lee, Driscoll(3) Driscoll(1) Terry (1)
JAZZ Vaughn(1) Vaughn, Foster(1) Vaughn (3) Vaughn(3)

The 5th seed in Region 2, the '73 Bucks, don't have to sweat too hard in bouncing the '99 Jazz.

Kareem - 32 pts, 13 boards, 5 assists - Player of the Game
Dandridge - 17 pts, 7 boards
Allen - 19 points - 5 assists
McGlocklin - 10 pts, 6 assists
Robertson - 6 pts, 10 assists, 8 boards

4. 2001 MW DIV CHAMP SAN ANTONIO SPURS V. 2010 EAST CONF CHAMP BOSTON CELTICS



The Bucks advance - they'll face the winner of this one; the '01 Spurs against the '10 Celtics.

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

Coach: Gregg Popovich

Starters
C David Robinson (35, Navy)               14.4 PPG  23.7 PER  12.1 Win Shares
F Tim Duncan (24, Wake Forest)          22.2           23.8          13.2
F Sean Elliott (32, Arizona)                  7.9             12.4          3
G Terry Porter (37, Wisc Stevens Pt)    7.2             15.5          5.4
G Derek Anderson (26, Kentucky)        15.5           17.1          9.9

Rotation Reserves
C Samaki Walker (24, Louisville)          5.3            12.2          1.9
F Malik Rose (26, Drexel)                      7.7            14.8          3.3
F Danny Ferry (34, Duke)                      5.6             10.1         4.1
G Antonio Daniels (25, Bowling Green) 9.4           15.5          6.6
G Steve Kerr (35, Arizona)                     3.3            10.6          1.5

Leaders: Duncan (3rd Rebounds, 4th Win Shares)
               Robinson (2nd Def Rating, 4th Def Win Shares)
               Ferry (5th 3pt %)

It's 35 year old David Robinson; still with a 23 PER and 12 Win Shares; it's 24 year old Tim Duncan, 23 PER and 13 Win Shares, taking their twin tower action into this tournament.  Derek Anderson has almost 10 Win Shares from the wing.  Steve Kerr's already advanced as a player and coach and comes off the bench.

Celtics: 50-32, 1st Atl Div, 15th Off, 5th Def
             d. Heat East 1st Round 4-1
             d. Cavs East Semis 4-2
             d. Magic East Finals 4-2
             Lost NBA Finals Lakers 4-3
             #194 Overall Seed

Coach: Doc Rivers, Rivers finished his career with the Spurs in '96.  

Starters
C Kendrick Perkins (25)                       10.1 PPG         15  PER      5.2 Win Shares                                
F Kevin Garnett (33)                            14.3                  19.4            7.3
F Paul Pierce (32, Kansas)                   18.3                  18.2            8.3
G Rajon Rondo (23, Kentucky)            13.7                 19.1            9.6
G Ray Allen (34, UConn)                    16.3                   15.2            7.9

Rotation Reserves
C Rasheed Wallace (35, North Carolina)   9                 13.1             3.6
F Shelden Williams (26, Duke)             3.7                   14.1             2
F Marquis Daniels (29, Auburn)           5.6                    9.6              1.3
G Eddie House (31, Arizona St)            7.2                   11.9             1.4
G Tony Allen (28, Okla St)                    6.1                   14.2             1.9

Leaders: Rondo (3rd Assists, 1st Steals, 2nd Triple Doubles, 4th Assists/Gm, 1st Steals/Gm, 4th Asst%, 1st Steal %, 
               Perkins (2nd FG%, 2nd Eff FG%, 
               Allen (3rd FT%)
               Wallace (5th Def Rating)

The Hall of Famers are aging, KG, Pierce, Allen; it's Rajon Rondo who leads the team in Win Shares. Another aging vet, Rasheed Wallace, comes off the bench.

Lineup Battle:
C Robinson (Spurs)
F Duncan (Spurs)
F Pierce (Celtics)
G Rondo (Celtics)
G Anderson (Spurs)
Bench: Celtics


GAME ONE

1ST QTR

9 MIN SPURS 6 CELTICS 6
SPURS Porter, Anderson, Duncan
CELTICS Perkins, Garnett(1), Pierce(3)

6 MIN SPURS 12 CELTICS 12
SPURS Duncan, Duncan, Anderson
CELTICS Pierce, Rondo, Perkins

Bunch of Hall of Famers here, the one on the front end of his career is Duncan and he's got 6.

3 MIN SPURS 19 CELTICS 19
SPURS Duncan, Walker, Anderson(3) 
CELTICS Pierce(1) Pierce (3) Garnett Perkins (1)

1ST QTR SCORE CELTICS 25 SPURS 23
SPURS Ferry, Elliott
CELTICS Pierce(1) Tony Allen, Tony Allen(1) Williams

We've yet to see ties at each 3 minute mark of the quarter; a Shelden Williams dunk with 1 second left prevented that and the Celts take the lead. Paul Pierce has 10 for Boston.

2ND QTR

9 MIN SPURS 31 CELTICS 29
SPURS Walker, Rose, Robinson, Rose
CELTICS Wallace, Rondo

6 MIN SPURS 33 CELTICS 31
SPURS Rose
CELTICS Rondo

Something to watch; David Robinson now has 3 fouls (only 2 pts) so the Spurs are up a bucket but facing possible foul trouble.

3 MIN SPURS 41 CELTICS 35
SPURS Daniels, Anderson, Anderson(1) Porter(3)
CELTICS Rondo, Perkins

HALFTIME SCORE SPURS 45 CELTICS 41
SPURS Robinson, Duncan
CELTICS Perkins, Garnett, Garnett

Boston scores the last 6 to cut the deficit to 4.  Duncan's got 10 for the Spurs.

3RD QTR

9 MIN SPURS 53 CELTICS 43
SPURS Elliott, Robinson, Duncan, Anderson
CELTICS Rondo

6 MIN SPURS 57 CELTICS 50
SPURS Duncan, Duncan
CELTICS Garnett, Garnett, Garnett, Pierce(1)

Robinson and Malik Rose both have four fouls; Duncan's got 16.  13 for KG

3 MIN SPURS 59 CELTICS 55
SPURS Porter
CELTICS Pierce, Garnett(1) Pierce

3RD QTR SCORE SPURS 66 CELTICS 61
SPURS Duncan, Anderson(3), Daniels
CELTICS Pierce, Tony Allen, Pierce (buzzer)

Defensive battle in game one; Spurs number one in defense, Celtics number 5.  Paul Pierce now with 19.  

4TH QTR

11:31 BOS: The Spurs miss to open the quarter and Ray Allen hits a long two to cut the Spurs lead to 3.  66-63

9:47: BOS: Missed shots back and forth when Shelden Williams hits one from the paint and now it's 66-65.

9:34: SA: Terry Porter finds Malik Rose for a short hook shot and he gets fouled.  69-65

8:06: BOS: Multiple misses for both teams and KG hits a bank from the line. 69-67

7:15: SA: Both sides miss, Duncan's fouled by Garnett and makes 1.  70-67

6:50 SA: Ray Allen misses a 3, Robinson scores from the paint the other way.  72-67

6:40: BOS: Allen hits a 12 footer, 72-69

6:24: BOS: Antonio Daniels misses, Paul Pierce scores the other way on a pull up and it's 72-71 Spurs

6:01: SA: Garnett fouls Sean Elliott on a drive to the bucket, he makes both.  74-71
5:49: BOS: Marquis Daniels dunk.  74-73
5:22: SA: Elliott misses, but Robinson is there with the putback.  76-73
5:07: BOS: KG takes the feed from Rondo and goes hard to the rack.  76-75

4:44: BOS: After a Spurs turnover Tony Allen hits from midrange and Boston takes the lead. 77-76.

4:29: SA: Pierce fouls Anderson, he makes 1 and it's tied.  77-77
4:21: BOS: Duncan fouls Perkins, he makes 1  78-77.

Duncan misses.  Garnett gets the board.  Boston turnover.  Spurs turnover.  Rondo misses.

3:26 SA: Duncan gets the board, Eliott finds Terry Porter who hits a short turnaround.  79-78 Spurs

3:09: BOS: Ray Allen hits a 3 from the wing.  81-79 Celtics. 

Spurs turn it over.  Allen misses a 3.  Duncan gets fouled on the other end - but misses both.  Huge missed free throws.  

Boston turns it over.  Both teams miss shots and we're under 2 min.  

Both teams miss again.  

1:02: SA: Robinson is fouled. Hits them both.  Game is tied.  

Pierce misses.  Duncan misses the other way.  Derek Anderson gets the offensive board with 27 seconds left.  

:17: SA: Duncan hits a floater from the paint and the Spurs take the lead.  

After a time out, Garnett has an 18 footer - but Duncan tips it away - Perkins comes up with it and puts one up from the lane.....misses.  

FINAL: SPURS 83 CELTICS 81

Tough game; really strong defense especially down the stretch - Duncan hits the game winner with 17 seconds to go and the Spurs take game one.

Duncan - 21 pts, 18 boards, 4 blocks
Robinson - 12 pts, 11 boards, 4 blocks
Anderson - 16 pts, 6 boards, 6 assists

Pierce - 21 pts
Perkins  - 10 pts, 12 boards
Garnett - 18 pts, 7 boards
Rondo - 10 pts, 5 boards, 7 assists


GAME TWO

1ST QTR

9 MIN SPURS 8 CELTICS 5
SPURS Robinson, Elliott, Robinson, Anderson
CELTICS Garnett, Perkins(3)

6 MIN SPURS 15 CELTICS 9
SPURS Duncan, Rose, Porter(3)
CELTICS Garnett, Rondo

The Spurs get out front here in game 2; we'll see if we get another defensive struggle

3 MIN SPURS 24 CELTICS 14
SPURS Robinson, Ferry(3) Daniels, Anderson
CELTICS Perkins, Allen, Pierce(1)

1ST QTR SCORE SPURS 26 CELTICS 18
SPURS Ferry
CELTICS Williams, Wallace

Just hard for the Celtics to find the basket; the veteran Danny Ferry picks up 5 points in the last 6 minutes.  

2ND QTR

9 MIN SPURS 30 CELTICS 22
SPURS Ferry, Duncan
CELTICS Tony Allen, Rondo

6 MIN SPURS 34 CELTICS 28
SPURS Ferry, Anderson
CELTICS Perkins, Garnett, Pierce

In a series filled with veterans, how about 34 year old Danny Ferry with 9 points off the Spurs bench?

3 MIN SPURS 44 CELTICS 32
SPURS Anderson, Anderson(3) Robinson, Anderson(3)
CELTICS Pierce, Rondo

HALFTIME SCORE SPURS 48 CELTICS 36
SPURS Robinson, Anderson
CELTICS Garnett(1) Rondo(3)

Double digit Spur lead at the half; Derek Anderson has 16.  

3RD QTR

9 MIN SPURS 54 CELTICS 40
SPURS Walker, Anderson, Daniels
CELTICS Williams, Allen

6 MIN SPURS 61 CELTICS 50
SPURS Elliott, Rose, Porter
CELTICS Ray Allen, Garnett, Allen(3) Pierce(3)

A couple if 3s narrow the gap from 16 to 11, but it sure looks like the Spurs are about to move on.

3 MIN SPURS 67 CELTICS 55
SPURS Duncan, Duncan, Porter
CELTICS Perkins, Garnett, Tony Allen(1)

3RD QTR SCORE SPURS 72 CELTICS 63
SPURS Anderson, Porter(1) Porter
CELTICS Ray Allen, Allen, Tony Allen, Perkins

Boston continues to narrow the gap, but KG has 5 fouls.  Terry Porter scores 7 in the third.  Derek Anderson has 20

4TH QTR

9 MIN SPURS 77 CELTICS 67
SPURS Anderson(3) Elliott
CELTICS Garnett, Rondo

6 MIN SPURS 79 CELTICS 75
SPURS Anderson
CELTICS Garnett, Rondo, Rondo, Allen

This veteran Celtics squad is hard to kill; they've cut the deficit to four with 6 minutes left; Rondo's got six in the quarter. 

5:41: SA: David Robinson hits a contested midrange jumper, Daniels assist.  81-75
5:03: SA: The Celtics miss two threes and then Duncan scores on a putback and gets fouled.  84-75

Both sides miss.  Then the Celtics miss again.

4:12: SA: Duncan hits a 6 footer and that might do it.  Spurs 86-75
3:18: SA: Porter 2 FT
3:11 BOS: Garnett turnaround. 88-77
2:48: SA: Sean Elliott with the dagger, a 3 from the wing. 91-77
2:11: BOS: Allen 3.
2:00 SA: Porter 2 FT 93-80
1:31: BOS: House 3.
1:06: BOS: Allen 3.  93-86
:55: SA: Robinson 1 FT
:44 BOS: Garnett putback  94-88 Spurs

Duncan's fouled - but misses both.

:21: BOS: Pierce hits a 3 from the top.  And the Celtics haved cut it to 3.  94-91
:17: SA: Duncan's fouled again, this time he converts.  96-91
:13: BOS: Rondo throws deep to Perkins for the layup. 96-93
:12: SA: Duncan's fouled again.  That's 6 for KG. Duncan hits both.  98-93

Rondo misses a 3.  Elliott gets the rebound and is fouled. He hits them both and it's over.

FINAL SPURS 100 CELTICS 93

The Spurs advance; they'll face the '73 Bucks in the next round.

Anderson - 25 pts, 4 assists - Player of the Game
Duncan - 17 pts, 9 boards, 5 assists
Robinson - 13 pts, 9 boards
Elliott - 12 pts, 6 boards
Porter 14 pts, 4 assists

Halfway through, here's the All Region 2 team.

C: Abdul-Jabbar ('73 Bucks)
F: Pippen ('96 Bulls)
F: Baylor ('62 Lakers)
G Harden ('19 Rockets)
G Jordan ('96 Bulls)






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

Wednesday, February 3, 2021

 Region 1




1. 1996 NBA CHAMPION CHICAGO BULLS V. 16. 2017 LA CLIPPERS

We move to Region 2 - and see the second overall seed, the '96 Bulls.

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

Coach: Phil Jackson

Starters
C Bill Wennington (32 St Johns)                 5.3 PPG  11 PER  2.8 Win Shares
F Toni Kukoc (27)                                       13.1         20.4       10.1
F Scottie Pippen (30, Cen Arkansas)          19.4          21          12.3
G Ron Harper (32, Miami Oh)                    7.4           14.4       6.3
G Michael Jordan (32, UNC)                      30.4         29.4        20.4

Rotation Reserves
C Luc Longley (27, New Mexico)              9.1           11.9        3.5
F Dennis Rodman (34, SE Oklahoma St)   5.5           13.6       6.2
F Jud Buechler (27, Arizona)                      3.8           14.1       2.3
G Randy Brown (27, N Mexico St)            2.7            11.2       1.5
G Steve Kerr (30, Arizona)                         8.4            15.2       8.3

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)
               Kerr (2nd True Shooting, 1st TO %, 
               Harper (4th Def +/-)
               
Kukoc and Pippen are over 20 PER with double digit WS and Jordan's near 30 PER and over 20 WS. Rodman's coming off the bench for this tournament.  

Clippers: 51-31, 4th in West Conf, 5th in Off, 12th in Def
                            lost first round, Jazz 4-3
                            d. 1966 Sixers
                            #255 overall seed

Coach: Doc Rivers

Starters
C DeAndre Jordan (28 Texas A&M)          12.7 PPG   21.8 PER 11.8 Win Shares
F Blake Griffin (27 Oklahoma)                  21.6            22.6          7.7 
F L.Mbah a Moute (30 UCLA)                  6.1              10.2          3.1
G Chris Paul (31 Wake Forest)                  18.1           26.2           10.6 
G JJ Redick (32 Duke)                               15              14.8           4.8

Reserve Rotation
C Marreese Speights (29 Florida)              8.7              17.5          4.2
F Brandon Bass (31 LSU)                          5.6              19.7          2.2
F W.Johnson (29 Syracuse)                        2.7              8.4            .9
G R.Felton (32 UNC)                                6.7               10.9           1.9
G A.Rivers (24 Duke)                               12                 11.4           2.5

Leaders: Jordan (2nd Rebounds, 1st FG%, 3rd Reb/Gm, 1st Eff FG %, 2nd Reb %, 1st % Off %, 2nd True Shooting)
               Redick (5th 3pt %)
               Paul (4th Assists/Gm, 3rd Steals/Gm, 4th Asst %, 2nd Steal %, 2nd WS/48, 5th +/-)

Jordan/Griffin/CP3 all over 20 PER, Jordan/Paul double digit WS. 

Roster Matchup:
C Jordan (Clips)
F Push
F Pippen (Bulls)
G Paul (Clips)
G Jordan (Bulls)
Bench: Bulls

Clips "Big 3" match up as well as could be expected with the Bulls starters; Chicago's bench is much stronger.

Best Case for the Bulls: No one can guard Jordan; he goes for 30+ and Chicago wins going away.

Best Case for the Clips: The Clips are a late 2010s team, it's entirely possible they ride a three ball to a massive upset.

GAME ONE

1ST QTR

9 MIN BULLS 8 CLIPS 4
BULLS Kukoc, Jordan, Kukoc (1) Jordan (3)
CLIPS Mbah a Moute, Mbah a Moute

6 MIN BULLS 16 CLIPS 14
BULLS Kukoc, Harper, Jordan, Jordan
CLIPS Redick, Jordan, Griffin, Redick, Griffin

Both teams getting it going in the last 3 minutes; Jordan's got 9.

3 MIN CLIPS 24 BULLS 19
BULLS Kukoc(3)
CLIPS Jordan, Griffin, Griffin (3) Bass (3)

1ST QTR SCORE CLIPS 31 BULLS 25
BULLS Pippen, Kerr, Jordan
CLIPS Jordan, Rivers, Rivers (3)

Well, look what we have here?  The Clips up a half dozen after 1, Blake Griffin's got 9.

2ND QTR

9 MIN CLIPS 38 BULLS 34
BULLS Caffey, Wennington, Kerr (3) Caffey
CLIPS Bass, Rivers (3) Rivers

6 MIN CLIPS 46 BULLS 37
BULLS Pippen (3)
CLIPS Bass, Paul, Griffin, Jordan

Starting to get a little anxious in Chicago; can even an all time great 90s team compete with a pretty good team from two decades later?  Will the 3 ball teams just run wild in the tournament?  Austin Rivers has 10 points off the Clipper bench.  

3 MIN CLIPS 50 BULLS 42
BULLS Harper, Pippen(1) Rodman
CLIPS Paul, Felton

HALFTIME: CLIPS 55 BULLS 50
BULLS Buechler, Pippen, Kukoc, Jordan
CLIPS Bass, Jordan (1) Paul

Clips holding the lead at the half; DeAndre Jordan has 9, Blake's got 11. 13 for MJ. 8 for Pippen.

3RD QTR

9 MIN CLIPS 64 BULLS 52
BULLS Wennington
CLIPS Paul (3) Redick, Bass, Rivers

6 MIN CLIPS 72 BULLS 55
BULLS Jordan (3)
CLIPS Paul (3) Redick (3) Speights

The 2017 Clippes have come to Chicago to face the 72 win 1996 Bulls and they are throttling them.  A dozen for Chris Paul.  A dozen for Austin Rivers.  MJ has 16.

3 MIN CLIPS 81 BULLS 60
BULLS Kukoc, Jordan(3)
CLIPS Rivers (3) Rivers, Griffin, Griffin

3RD QTR SCORE CLIPS 89 BULLS 69
BULLS Longley(3) Brown, Jordan, Jordan
CLIPS Jordan (3) Jordan, Rivers (3)

Austin Rivers has come off the bench for 18 points and the Clips are rolling.  Up 20.  MJ has 23, it won't be enough in game one.  

4TH QTR

9 MIN CLIPS 95 BULLS 76
BULLS Jordan, Wennington, Jordan (3) 
CLIPS Jordan, Felton, Griffin, 

6 MIN CLIPS 97 BULLS 82
BULLS Kukoc, Pippen, Longley
CLIPS Griffin(1) Griffin

Jordan's got 28, the Bulls trail by 15 with 6 to go.  

3 MIN CLIPS 99 BULLS 88
BULLS Rodman(3) Kukoc(3)
CLIPS Paul

2:57: CHI: The Clips turn it over and Kukoc hits another triple, don't look now, but that 21 point lead is down to 8.  

2:07: LA: The Clips miss, but got the second chance and then Mbah a Moute hits a huge 3 from the wing, it's 102-91.  

2:02: CHI: Pippen goes down quickly and gets fouled, hits one.  102-92

1:39: LA: Both clubs miss, Mbah a Moute gets fouled and hits both, which should end this.

1:12: CHI: Kukoc layup.
:57 LA: Paul makes 2 FT
:52: CHI Pippen drives down and scores.
:49: LA: Paul Pierce comes on for the Clips, gets fouled, hits both.
:40: CHI: Jordan hits a long 3.  108-99
:24: CHI: The Clips miss both foul shots, Jordan comes right back and hits another long 3 to cut it to 6.  
:23: LA: Brice Johnson is quickly fouled, hits one.

Kukoc fires off a 3 -- misses.  Wennington gets the board and is fouled.

:16: CHI: Wennington hits both.  Clips up 5.  
:12: LA: Chris Paul is fouled, makes them both.  That makes it a 3 score game and that should wrap it up. 
:05: CHI: Pippen hits the long 3, it's 111-107
:04: LA: Griffin's fouled, that's Wennington's 6th.  He hits both.

FINAL: CLIPS 113 BULLS 107

A furious comeback for the Bulls, they trailed 21 and cut it to 4, but the definition of too little, too late and the Clippers are a game from eliminating the second overall seed.  

Jordan - 16 pts, 20 boards - Player of the Game
Paul - 18 pts, 10 assists, 7 boards
Griffin - 21 pts, 8 boards, 6 assists
Rivers - 20 pts
Bass - 11 pts, 6 boards

Jordan - 34 pts, 6 assists
Kukoc - 22 pts, 9 boards, 6 assists
Pippen - 16 pts, 12 boards, 5 assists

GAME TWO

1ST QTR 

9 MIN CLIPS 8 BULLS 0
BULLS
CLIPS Paul, Redick, Redick, Paul

6 MIN CLIPS 10 BULLS 4
BULLS Longley, Jordan
CLIPS Griffin

Whoa.  Bulls are down a game and have just 4 points in the first 6 minutes.  Whoa.

3 MIN CLIPS 15 BULLS 9
BULLS Pippen, Kukoc(3)
CLIPS Paul(3) Rivers

1ST QTR SCORE BULLS 18 CLIPS 17
BULLS Kerr(3) Kerr (3) Kukoc (3)
CLIPS Rivers

80 seconds ago the score was 17-9, the Bulls then rip 3 triples and take their first lead.  Kukoc has 9.

2ND QTR

9 MIN CLIPS 24 BULLS 23
BULLS Rodman(1) Rodman Harper
CLIPS Bass, Johnson(3) Bass

6 MIN CLIPS 31 BULLS 27
BULLS Pippen, Jordan
CLIPS Felton, Rivers (3) Rivers

Austin Rivers scored 20 in game one; he had 5 in the last 3 minutes 

3 MIN CLIPS 39 BULLS 30
BULLS Pippen, Rodman(1)
CLIPS Griffin, Griffin, Paul, Jordan

HALFTIME: CLIPS 43 BULLS 32
BULLS Harper
CLIPS Bass, Speights

Shocking.  The Bulls can't find the basket, they trail by 11 and are now 24 minutes from elimination.  Shocking.  

3RD QTR

9 MIN CLIPS 45 BULLS 41
BULLS Wennington, Jordan (3) Pippen, Pippen
CLIPS Griffin, 

6 MIN CLIPS 49 BULLS 48
BULLS Pippen(3)Wennington, Kukoc
CLIPS Rivers, Jordan

The Bulls battle back, shave ten points off the deficit in the first half of the third quarter.  Pippen now has 13.  

3 MIN BULLS 52 CLIPS 49
BULLS Kerr (3) Rodman (1)
CLIPS

The Bulls defense locks down, the Clips have just 4 points in 9 minutes in the quarter and the Bulls have their first lead of the game, one of the few leads they've had in the series.

3RD QTR SCORE BULLS 58 CLIPS 54
BULLS Kukoc, Jordan, Pippen
CLIPS Paul (3) Griffin

We're set up for a hot finish; Bulls down a game, up 4.  12 minutes left.

4TH QTR

11:52: LA: Clips inbound, Rivers finds Jordan who dunks it home.  58-56 Bulls
11:40: CHI: Wennington finds Jordan underneath the basket, lays it up and in.  60-56

Speights misses a 3 for the Clips; MJ turns it over the other way.

10:58: LA: CP3 hits a triple from the top and the Bulls lead is down to 1.

Kukoc misses a 3. Longley gets the board for Chicago. Dishes out to Jordan.

10:28: CHI: MJ hits a 3 from the wing.  63-59 Bulls

10:11 LA: Blake Griffin gets a feed from Paul and drives hard to the rack.  63-61

9:54: CHI: Kukoc hits a 14 foot bank, Harper assist.  65-61

Harper strips CP3; finds Jordan - who misses a 3.

DeAndre Jordan gets the board - finds Mbah a Moute, he misses a 3.

MJ rebound. Goes down the floor.  Finds Longley, midrange.

9:05: CHI: Longley hits a 14 footer.  67-61

8:51: LA: Blake hits a long 2, Paul assist, and he's fouled.  67-64.

Chicago turns it over; Clips follow with their own.

Both sides miss.

7:24: CHI: Jordan layup, Buecher assist.  69-64
7:09 LA: CP3 finds Bass for the hard dunk.  69-66
6:54: CHI: Jud Buechler hits a 3 from the wing.  72-66
6:19 LA: Rivers misses a 3, DeAndre gets the offensive board, over to Blake, back to Rivers for a driving layup.  72-68

Both sides miss, then there's an offensive foul on Wennington, his 4th.  

5:28: LA: Brandon Bass hits a floater from the left block.  72-70 Bulls.
5:14: CHI: Jordan drives, kicks out to Longley for the J.  74-70.

Harper steals a pass, gets to Jordan, who is fouled.  

4:45: CHI.  MJ hits both.  76-70
4:34: LA: Mo Speights drills a 3 from the wing.  76-73
4:17: CHI: MJ hits from the top of the key 78-73
4:03 LA: DeAndre Jordan hits a baseline J.  78-75

Kukoc misses a 3.  DeAndre Jordan gets the board and he'll be fouled on a shot.

3:37: LA: Jordan hits both.  78-77

Pippen misses. DeAndre Jordan board.

3:04: LA: 6 straight for DeAndre Jordan and the Clips take the lead.

2:51: CHI: Pippen takes the ball down the floor, finds Jordan for the long 2.  80-79 Bulls
2:37: LA: CP3 runs the offense, finds Blake for the midrange.  81-80 Clips

MJ misses. Pippen is there - but he misses the tip in - MJ is there to gather the board.  But he misses and DeAndre gets it for the Clips.  They have the ball and the lead.  

At the 2:00 mark, Redick misses a 3.  

Harper rebound - but Wennington misses a short J at 1:45.  Redick rebound.

Redick misses another 3.  Kukoc rebound.  1:33 left.  

1:20: CHI: Wennington hits the short J, Pippen assist.  Bulls lead.  82-81

Redick misses a short one.  Wennington rebound.  

:59: CHI: Kukoc banks one home, Harper assist.  84-81
:47 LA: CP3 pushes, dishes off to Blake who rams it home.  84-83 Bulls 

Kukoc is fouled on the floor at :33 -- at :15, MJ....misses.  DeAndre Jordan rebound.

14 seconds left.  Clips call timeout.  They trail by a point.  CP3 runs the offense.  Gets it to DeAndre - DeAndre has a baseline J - contested by Rodman - if it goes - the Clips eliminate the Bulls ---

He misses.  Bulls win.

FINAL: BULLS 84 CLIPS 83

A great one in game 2; the Bulls play a defensive lockdown game, stave off elimination and force a deciding game 3.

Jordan  - 22 pts, 5 boards, 5 assists. - Player of the Game
Kukoc - 14 pts, 8 boards
Pippen - 15 pts, 5 boards, 5 assists
Rodman - 5 pts, 10 boards

Paul - 15 pts, 13 assists, 6 boards
Jordan - 12 pts, 20 boards
Griffin - 19 pts
Bass - 10 pts
Rivers - 13 pts.

One more for all of it.  Clips/Bulls.  Winner moves on.  

GAME THREE

1ST QTR

9 MIN CLIPS 8 BULLS 2
BULLS Wennington
CLIPS Griffin, Paul, Jordan, Redick

6 MIN CLIPS 17 BULLS 10
BULLS Jordan, Kukoc, Pippen, Pippen
CLIPS Paul(3) Jordan(1) Jordan, Mbah a Moute

Clips come out strong, shaking off that game 2 loss and going up 7 on the Bulls. DeAndre Jordan and Chris Paul both with 5.

3 MIN CLIPS 21 BULLS 19
BULLS Pippen, Brown, Kukoc(3) Jordan
CLIPS Redick(3) Paul(1)

1ST QTR SCORE CLIPS 31 BULLS 27
BULLS Rodman, Longley, Jordan (3) Buechler
CLIPS Griffin, Bass, Paul, Griffin, Bass

Clips up 4; they've led the whole way.  


2ND QTR

9 MIN CLIPS 37 BULLS 29
BULLS Wennington
CLIPS Bass, Paul, Bass

6 MIN CLIPS 39 BULLS 37
BULLS Kerr, Pippen(3) Buechler(3)
CLIPS Jordan

Tight halfway through the second; 9 for Pippen

3 MIN BULLS 42 CLIPS 41
BULLS Kerr(3) Rodman
CLIPS Paul, 

HALFTIME: CLIPS 47 BULLS 46
BULLS Kukoc, Wennington
CLIPS Jordan, Mbah a Moute, Paul

Couldn't be much tighter; only 7 for MJ in the first half; we'll see if he comes out looking to take over in the third.

3RD QTR

9 MIN CLIPS 57 BULLS 53
BULLS Pippen(3) Pippen, Kukoc
CLIPS Paul, Mbah a Moute, Jordan, Paul, Johnson

6 MIN BULLS 64 CLIPS 61
BULLS Jordan, Jordan (3) Kukoc(1) Harper(3) Wennington
CLIPS Rivers, Bass

Jordan and Pippen each score 5 in the first 6 minutes of the quarter and Chicago slides back in front.  Such a good series.  

3 MIN BULLS 68 CLIPS 63
BULLS Jordan, Jordan
CLIPS Jordan

3RD QTR SCORE BULLS 71 CLIPS 69
BULLS Pippen(3)
CLIPS Griffin, Griffin, Jordan

As we hit the 4th quarter, the big story is fouls, Pippen has 5, Griffin has 4 - could be that whichever avoids fouling out wins this game.  Scottie has 17, MJ 16.  12 minutes left.  Who advances?

4TH QTR

The Clips open with the ball, Bass misses.  Rodman rebound, Kukoc misses. 

Both teams miss -

11:01: CHI: Jordan puts back a Pippen miss.  73-69
10:54: LA: CP3 barrels down the floor - kicks to Bass.  73-71
10:44: CHI: Pippen takes the ball down, finds Jordan for the long 2.  75-71
10:32: LA: Paul goes to Bass again, hits a midrange J and the foul.  75-74
10:22 CHI: Jordan takes it down the floor, fouled on the pull up, hits 1.  76-74
10:10: LA: Paul finds Jordan underneath.  Fouled.  Makes both and it's tied.

Jordan brings it up, zips it to Wennington who misses.  Mbah a Moute rebound.

Both teams turn it over.

9:22: LA: Jordan fouled again.  Makes both again.  Clips go up. 78-76
9:05: CHI: Clear out for Jordan, he's fouled.  Makes 1.  78-77

Blake misses.  Rodman rebound.  

8:43: CHI: Wennington from the paint, Bulls retake the lead.  79-78
8:29: LA: DeAndre Jordan drives hard to the tin.  80-79 Clips
8:18: CHI: Pippen in traffic.  81-80 Bulls

Clips turn it over.  Bulls miss.  DeAndre Jordan gets fouled the other way; Rodman's 4th.

7:49: LA: Jordan makes 1. Tied.  
7:41: CHI: Longley's fouled, Jordan's 4th.  Makes both.  83-81

Griffin misses, but DeAndre gets the board. He misses. Pippen board, he takes it down and misses.  Longley board - dishes to Kukoc - fouled by DeAndre Jordan and that's his 5th.

6:54: CHI: Kukoc makes both, Bulls by 4, big spot here as Griffin/Jordan/Paul all check out for the Clips.  

Speighrs misses, Pippen rebound.  

6:26: CHI: Longley rocks home a dunk.  87-81
6:19: LA: Bass is fouled. Makes 1.  87-82 Griffin/Paul back on.

Speights rejects Wennington.  Wennington regains control, finds Jordan who is fouled by Griffin and that's 5 on Blake.

5:54: CHI: Jordan makes 1.  88-82
5:46: LA: Austin Rivers hits a corner 3.  88-85
5:38: CHI: Kerr hits 2 FT 90-85
5:30: LA: CP3 pull up J from the foul line.  90-87
5:13: CHI: Jordan drives - kicks to an open Kukoc in the corner.  3 ball.  93-87

Griffin misses. Gets his own board - kicks out to Paul, misses.  Rodman board.

Bulls turn it over, Clip breakaway.  

4:23: LA: Griffin dunk and the foul.  93-90

MJ checks out.  

4:15: CHI: Ron Harper from midrange. 95-90
4:07: LA: Mo Speights from the paint - and the foul - that's 5 on Rodman.  95-93

MJ checks back in.  

3:51: CHI: Wennington midrange. 97-93

Speights misses. Rodman rebound.

3:28: CHI: Pippen the runner from the lane. 99-93
3:12: LA: Rivers hits the corner 3.  99-96

Wennington misses.  Gets his own board - finds Pippen.

2:42: CHI: Pippen layup.  101-96.  
2:34: LA: Rivers again with the 3!  101-99

Jordan misses.  DeAndre rebound. Clips can tie this up.  Bass misses.  MJ rebound.

2:14: CHI: Jordan brings it up - finds Harper midrange 2.  103-99
1:56 LA: Rivers the 2 - he's scored the last 8 for the Clips.  103-101
1:44: CHI: Pippen is fouled.  Hits them both.  Starters all in now, both sides.  105-101
1:27: LA: Redick is fouled. Hits them both.  105-103.
1:08: CHI: Harper finds Kukoc for the dunk.  107-103. Great game.  Great series. 

Paul misses a 3.  Pippen rebound.  Harper misses the other way.  Mbah a Moute rebound.

Blake misses. Pippen rebound.  24 seconds left, Bulls up 4 and they have the ball.

:21: CHI: Pippen's fouled. Makes 1.  108-103

Redick misses the 3.  Kukoc rebound and that will do it. Jordan gets fouled.

:12: CHI: MJ makes 1.  109-103

Redick misses the 3.  Wennington gets the board.  Gets fouled - makes both - its done.

FINAL; BULLS 111 CLIPS 103

The Clippers had a 21 point lead through the first 3 quarters of game 1 - the Bulls furious comeback fell just short.  The Clippers had the ball, down 1, for the last shot in game 2 - but couldn't close the Bulls out - and today, back and forth for 46:30 minutes, but the Clips don't score in the last 90 seconds and go home.  Can a 3 ball team lose to an earlier generation?  Yes - but it took the second overall seed to do it.

Pippen - 26 pts, 9 boards, 6 assists - Player of the Game
Jordan - 24 pts, 6 boards, 7 assists
Kukoc - 17 pts, 7 boards, 5 assists
Wennington - 14 pts
Rodman -  4 pts, 18 boards

8. 2019 HOUSTON ROCKETS V. 9. 1962 WEST CONF CHAMP LOS ANGELES LAKERS

The 9th seed in Region 2 was the '49 Lakers, but has already been shown the simulation starts with 1952; so, we looked for the next Lakers Champion not in the tournament - and there isn't one, there's one eliminated in the Play in Round, but from 1951-52 forward, every other Laker champion is still alive.  So, then we looked for the first Laker team that lost in the finals (with a minor qualifier) and that led us to the 1962 team.  Winner of this one faces the Bulls in the next round.

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

Coach - Mike D'Antoni

Starters
C Clint Capela  (24)                          16.6 PPG   23.8 PER  10.8 WShares                              
F PJ Tucker (33, Texas)                          7.2             9.2            5
F Danuel House (25, Texas A&M)        9.4             12.2           2.3
G Chris Paul (33, Wake Forest)             15.6           19.7           6.6
G James Harden (29, Arizona St)          36.1           30.6           15.2

Rotation Reserves
C Kenneth Faried (29, Morehead St)     12.9           21.8           2.5
F Nene Hilario (36)                                3.6             11.9           1.4
F James Ennis (28, Cal St Long Beach) 7.4             11.3           2.2
G Austin Rivers (26, Duke)                    8.7             8.2             1.4
G Eric Gordon (30, Indiana)                  16.2            12.2           2.6

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)
               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%,)

James Harden takes his 36 PPG, 30 PER, 15 Win Shares into the tournament. Clint Capela's got a 20 PER and 10 Win Shares. We just saw CP3 and Austin Rivers with the '17 Clips, here they are with the '19 Rockets. 

Lakers: 54-26, 1st West Div 3rd in Off, 4th in Def
             d. Pistons 4-2 West Finals
             Lost NBA Finals Celtics 4-3
             #130 overall seed

Coach: Fred Schaus

Starters
C Jim Krebs (26, SMU)                       10 PPG     12.3 PER  4.2 Win Shares
F Rudy LaRusso (24, Dartmouth)        17.2          16.6          8.8
F Elgin Baylor (27, Seattle)                 38.3           26.5          7.9
G Jerry West (23, West Virginia)         30.8           22.6          12.9
G Frank Selvy (29, Furman)                14.7           13.1          5.5

Rotation Reserves
C Ray Felix (31, Long Island)             5.4             9.1            2.3
F Howie Joliff (23, Ohio)                     3.9            9               1.2
F Tom Hawkins (25, Notre Dame)       9.1            10.5          2.1
G Bob McNeil (23, St Joes)                 1.8             7.8           .1
G Hot Rod Hundley (27, West Virginia) 5.5          9.5           .1

Leaders: West (5th Points, 3rd Triple Doubles, 4th PPG, 5th Win Shares, 5th WS/48)
                Baylor (4th Triple Doubles, 2nd PER)

West and Baylor lead the Lakers; both averaging over 30 PPG, both with PERs over 20, West has double digit WS; Baylor played fewer than 50 games.  

Lineup Matchup:
C Capela (Rockets)
F LaRusso (Lakers)
F Baylor (Lakers)
G West (Lakers)
G Harden (Rockets)
Bench: Rockets

It's Harden against West/Baylor; Houston's got home court and that 3 Ball advantage.

GAME ONE

1ST

9 MIN ROCKETS 9 LAKERS 6
ROCKETS House(3) Harden(3) Paul(3)
LAKERS LaRusso, West, Baylor

6 MIN ROCKETS 18 LAKERS 14
ROCKETS Paul, Harden, House, House, Paul(1)
LAKERS Baylor, Baylor, Selvy, Baylor

Rockets first 3 buckets are 3s just to set the tone for the series. Elgin Baylor has 8 for LA.

3 MIN ROCKETS 26 LAKERS 22
ROCKETS House, Paul(3) Harden(3)
LAKERS Selvy, LaRusso, West, LaRusso

1ST QTR SCORE: ROCKETS 38 LAKERS 25
ROCKETS Capela, Nene(3) Gordon, Tucker(3) Tucker
LAKERS Hawkins, Hawkins(1)

Just too many 3s; Rockets spreading it around, but up 13.  

2ND

9 MIN ROCKETS 38 LAKERS 32
ROCKETS
LAKERS McNeill, Jolliff, Baylor(1) West

6 MIN ROCKETS 41 LAKERS 35
ROCKETS Harden (3)
LAKERS West(1) Krebs

Rough stretch for the Rockets; they score 3 pts in the first 6 of the 2nd quarter and LA is back in it. 

3 MIN ROCKETS 49 LAKERS 40
ROCKETS Faried (1) Capela, Faried, Harden(3)
LAKERS Jolliff, Selvy(1) LaRusso

HALFTIME SCORE: ROCKETS 56 LAKERS 43
ROCKETS Harden(3) Nene(3) Harden(1)
LAKERS Baylor(1) LaRusso

The Lakers cannot keep up with the 3 ball; eventually, the numbers just get to them.  Harden's got 18.  That single game high is still 38.

3RD

9 MIN ROCKETS 62 LAKERS 51
ROCKETS Ennis, Harden, Ennis
LAKERS Baylor, Jolliff, Baylor, Baylor, 

6 MIN ROCKETS 70 LAKERS 58
ROCKETS Faried, Capela(1) Capela House(3)
LAKERS Felix, Larusso, LaRusso, LaRusso(1)

20 for Harden; Rockets up a dozen.

3 MIN ROCKETS 79 LAKERS 64
ROCKETS Nene, Harden, Gordon(3) Capela
LAKERS West, Baylor, Hundley

3RD QTR SCORE: ROCKETS 86 LAKERS 77
ROCKETS Faried(1) Capela Harden, Capela
LAKERS West, West, Selvy, Hawkins, Larusso(3) West (buzzer)

At 2:47 the Rockets were up 16, the Lakers cut that to 9. Harden has 24.

4TH

9 MIN ROCKETS 96 LAKERS 85
ROCKETS House(3) Faried, Faried, House(3)
LAKERS Baylor, Baylor, Larusso, Selvy

6 MIN ROCKETS 106 LAKERS 92
ROCKETS Capela, Capela, Paul(3), House(1) Harden
LAKERS Krebs(3) Krebs, Larusso,

Danuel House has 7 in the first 6 minutes of the quarter; Rockets are going to take game 1.

3 MIN ROCKETS 112 LAKERS 98
ROCKETS Nene, Nene, Paul
LAKERS Selvy, Selvy, Yates

FINAL SCORE: ROCKETS 118 LAKERS 108
ROCKETS Harden, Harden(1) Harden(1) Harden
LAKERS McNeill(3) West(3) West, West

When a 3 ball team meets a 2 ball team, eventually the math just gets you.  The Lakers made 4 threes in this one and the Rockets made 14.  One could say it's a weakness in the simulation - or one could say the 3 ball teams are just better and the simulation reflects that.  

Harden - 32 pts, 7 boards, 6 assists - Player of the Game
Capela - 17 pts, 17 boards
Paul - 14 pts, 9 assists
House - 19 pts
Faried - 10 pts, 9 boards
Nene - 12 pts, 5 boards

Baylor - 22 pts, 17 boards, 5 assists
Larusso-22 pts, 10 boards
West - 22 pts, 5 boards
Selvy - 13 pts, 5 assists

GAME TWO

1ST

9 MIN ROCKETS 12 LAKERS 8
ROCKETS House, Capela, House(3) Paul(3) Capela
LAKERS West, LaRusso, West(1) Selvy(3)

6 MIN ROCKETS 20 LAKERS 13
ROCKETS Harden(3) Paul(3) Paul
LAKERS LaRusso, LaRusso, Selvy(1)

8 points for CP3; the '62 Lakers just aren't ready for a 3 ball 2019 Rockets squad.

3 MIN ROCKETS 30 LAKERS 23
ROCKETS Paul, Harden(3) Nene, Harden(3)
LAKERS Selvy, Baylor, Krebs, Baylor, Selvy

1ST QTR SCORE: ROCKETS 36 LAKERS 29
ROCKETS Faried, Harden, Nene
LAKERS West(1) Hawkins, West(3)

Houston gets buckets.  10 for Harden.  

2ND

9 MIN ROCKETS 42 LAKERS 35
ROCKETS Faried, Gordon
LAKERS Baylor, Baylor, McNeill

6 MIN ROCKETS 59 LAKERS 41
ROCKETS Green(3) House, House(3) Capela, Nene, Capela, Ennis(3)
LAKERS Felix (1) West, Larusso(1) Larusso

This series is done; House has 10.

3 MIN ROCKETS 65 LAKERS 55
ROCKETS Capela, Capela, Paul
LAKERS Selvy, Larusso, West, Baylor, Baylor, Krebs, LaRusso

HALFTIME SCORE: ROCKETS 80 LAKERS 64
ROCKETS Harden(3) Tucker, Capela, Harden(3) Harden(3) Capela(buzzer)
LAKERS Hawkins, Selvy(3) Larusso, West

Highest scoring half of the tournament; the Rockets just eating buckets. 19 for Harden, a dozen for Capela

3RD

9 MIN ROCKETS 86 LAKERS 68
ROCKETS Harden, Tucker, Harden
LAKERS Baylor, Larusso

6 MIN ROCKETS 96 LAKERS 76
ROCKETS Paul, Nene(3) Capela, Tucker(3)
LAKERS Krebs, Selvy, Larusso, Krebs

Houston rolling on to the next round; Paul will get another shot at those '96 Bulls.  23 for Harden.

3 MIN ROCKETS 102 LAKERS 88
ROCKETS Capela, Tucker(1) Capela(3)
LAKERS Larusso, Felix, Baylor, Larusso, Baylor, West

3RD QTR SCORE: ROCKETS 112 LAKERS 92
ROCKETS Capela(3) House(3) Harden, Harden
LAKERS Baylor, Baylor

Rockets up 20 headed to the 4th; 27 for Harden, tournament high remains 38 from Durant/Curry.  

4TH

9 MIN ROCKETS 126 LAKERS 100
ROCKETS Faried, Ennis(3) Harden(3) Paul(3) Harden(3)
LAKERS Larusso, West, Krebs, Krebs

6 MIN ROCKETS 128 LAKERS 104
ROCKETS Harden
LAKERS West, Larusso

32 for Harden; Rockets 6 minutes from advancing.

3 MIN ROCKETS 134 LAKERS 108
ROCKETS Capela, Paul, Faried, 
LAKERS Selvy, West, Jolliff

FINAL SCORE: ROCKETS 143 LAKERS 112
ROCKETS Edwards(3) Chiozza(1) Chiozza(1) Hartenstein, Jones
LAKERS Hundley

The Lakers made two 3 pointers, the Rockets made 16.  Here we are.  

Harden - 36 pts, 11 assists, 7 boards - Player of the Game
Capela - 28 pts, 16 boards
Paul - 19 pts, 7 assists, 5 boards
House - 13 pts
Faried - 10 pts, 9 boards

ALL REGION 2 TEAM:

C: Capela ('19 Rockets)
F: Pippen ('96 Bulls)
F: Baylor ('62 Lakers)
G Harden ('19 Rockets)
G Jordan ('96 Bulls)



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

Tuesday, February 2, 2021

 5 and 6

We're finishing up Region 1; two more slots available for the next round.




7. 1973 WEST CONF CHAMP L.A. LAKERS v. 10. 2004 CEN DIV CHAMP INDIANA PACERS

Lakers: 60-22, 1st in Pac Div, 2nd in Off, 3rd in Def
                         d. Bulls West Semis 4-3
                         d. Warriors West Finals 4-1
                         Lost NBA Finals Knicks 4-1
                         #97 seed overall

Coach: Bill Sharman

Starters
C W.Chamberlain (36 Kansas)  13.2 PPG    19.1 PER  18.2 Win Shares
F B.Bridges (33 Kansas)            9.8              12.7          6.5
F J.McMillan (24 NYU)            18.9             14.8         6.4
G J.West (34 W Virginia)           22.8            23.2         12.6
G G.Goodrich (29 UCLA)         23.9            18.8          8.1

Rotation Reserves
C M.Counts (31 Oregon St)       5                 17.1          1.6
F H.Hairston (30 NYU)             6.3               20             4.2
F K.Erickson (28 UCLA)           9                 12             2.8
G J.Price (23 Louisville)            6.4               12.7          1.5
G P.Riley (27 Kentucky)           7.3                11.3          1

Leaders: Chamberlain (1st Rebounds, 5th Triple Doubles, 1st FG%, 1st Reb/Game, 1st True Shooting %, 1st Eff FG %, 2nd Reb %, 2nd Win Shares)
               West (4th Assists, 3rd PER, 2nd Asst %)
                
Wilt and West, both in their mid 30s, still among the best players in the league here  Hairston has a PER of 20, coming off the bench because he played in fewer than 30 games.  Pat Riley's on the bench. 

Pacers: 61-21, 1st Cen Div, 9th in Off, 3rd in Def
                        d. Celtics East First Rnd 4-0
                        d. Heat East Semis 4-2
                        Lost East Finals Pistons 4-2
                        #160 overall seed

Coach: Rick Carlisle, Larry Bird GM

Starters
C J.Foster (27 Tex St)                  6.1 PPG   16.2 PER   8.3 Win Shares
F J.O'Neal (25)                            20.1          21.1           9
F M.World Peace (24 St Johns)  18.3           18.2           8
G J.Tinsley (25 Iowa St)             8.3             16.4           4.4
G R.Miller (38 UCLA)                10              16.1          8.9

Rotation Reserves
C. A.Harrington (23)                  13.3            14.9          5.9
F A.Croshere (28 Providence)    5                 14.4          3.4
F F.Jones (24 Oregon)                4.9               11.8          4
G K.Anderson (33 Geo Tech)     6                  11.1          1.5
G A.Johnson (29 Charleston)      6.2               11.6         3.6

Leaders: World Peace (3rd Steals, 3rd Steals/Gm)
                O'Neal (5th Blocks, 4th Def Win Shares)
                Miller (5th True Shooting, 3rd Off Rating)
                
Reggie Miller's 38; it's Jermaine O'Neal who leads the club in PER and Win Shares.

Roster Matchup:
C Wilt (Lakers)
F O'Neal (Pacers)
F World Peace (Pacers)
G West (Lakers)
G Goodrich (Lakers)
Bench: Pacers

Lakers have home court, the Pacers don't match up badly except at the top end, Wilt and West are easily the two best players on the floor and the Lakers are favored. 

GAME ONE

1ST QTR

9 MIN PACERS 10 LAKERS 4
LAKERS Wilt, West
PACERS O'Neal, Artest (3), O'Neal, Tinsley

6 MIN PACERS 19 LAKERS 12
LAKERS Goodrich (3) McMillan (3) Goodrich
PACERS Miller (3) O'Neal, Foster, Foster

Pacers couldn't have hoped for a better start; Jermaine O'Neal has 6, Wilt and West just have two each and Indiana's up 7 halfway through the first.  

3 MIN PACERS 26 LAKERS 16
LAKERS Goodrich, West
PACERS O'Neal, Miller (3) O'Neal

1ST QTR SCORE: PACERS 30 LAKERS 18
LAKERS Hairston
PACERS World Peace, Croshere

Indiana just comes out firing against the Lakers, O'Neal outscoring Wilt 10-2.

2ND QTR

9 MIN PACERS 35 LAKERS 26
LAKERS Counts, McMillan, McMillan, West
PACERS Foster, Croshere (3)

6 MIN PACERS 41 LAKERS 33
LAKERS Erickson, McMillan (3), Wilt
PACERS Foster, Anderson, Foster

Lakers cut the deficit to 8, McMillan has 7 this quarter.

3 MIN PACERS 45 LAKERS 39
LAKERS Hairston, Riley, Erickson
PACERS Foster, Artest

HALFTIME SCORE:  PACERS 52 LAKERS 46
LAKERS Counts, McMillan, Goodrich(3 buzzer beater)
PACERS O'Neal, O'Neal (1) Miller, O'Neal

Jermaine O'Neal's got 15, Wilt and West just 4 apiece and the Pacers lead by 6 at the Forum.

3RD QTR

9 MIN PACERS 61 LAKERS 53
LAKERS Goodrich, Wilt (1) West, O'Neal
PACERS Harrington, Miller (3) Hairston, World Peace

6 MIN PACERS 65 LAKERS 61
LAKERS McMillan, West, West, West
PACERS Johnson (3) Foster (1)

Best 3 minute stretch of the game for LA; West has 8 on the quarter and the Pacers lead is trimmed to 4.  

3 MIN LAKERS 71 PACERS 69
LAKERS Goodrich, Goodrich(1) Wilt, Wilt, Hairston (Lakers lead)
PACERS Tinsley, World Peace

3RD QTR SCORE:  LAKERS 73 PACERS 73
LAKERS McMillan
PACERS O'Neal, Croshere

Wilt now has 10, the Lakers even it up and we're set for a good stretch run here in game one.

4TH QTR

The Pacers miss, the Lakers turn it over.  

11:07 IND: Jamaal Tinsley hits a corner 3.  76-73
10:56 LA: Bill Bridges hits a short J 76-75

Both clubs miss, the Pacers miss again.  

9:51: LA: Bridges again from underneath and the foul.  78-76 Lakers
9:41: IND: Tinlsey misses a long two, but Al Harrington is there with the putback. 78-78
9:34: LA: West pushes it right to the goal for the layup.  80-78

The Lakers miss 3 times, the Pacers miss 4.

7:38: LA: Pat Riley gets the feed from Wilt and hits a two from the foul line. 82-78

The Pacers turn it over.

6:58: LA: Mel Counts with the short J. 84-78

The teams exchange possessions.

6:01: IND: Jermaine O'Neal hits a long 2.  84-80

The Pacers steal the ball, miss the shot, Goodrich finds an open West.

5:24: LA: West from the right wing.  86-80

Miller misses a 3, Wilt clears it, finds a streaking West.

5:01: LA: West layup.  88-80
4:38: IND: World Peace pull up J from 11.  88-82
4:26: IND: Jeff Foster steals the ball, dunks it home.  88-84
4:19: LA: Jim McMillan hits a right side J.  90-84
4:11: IND: Miller dishes to Foster for the dunk.  90-86
3:58: LA: West again, short J.  92-86, he's got 8 in the 4th.
3:47: IND: Kenny Anderson is fouled, hits 1.  92-87
3:32: LA: Wilt takes a dish from West and drives hard to the tin.  94-87

The Pacers miss.  West comes down and gets fouled.  

3:12: LA: West hits both.  96-87

The teams exchange possessions.

2:33: IND: Foster short J.  96-89
2:14: LA: Goodrich is fouled and makes 1.  97-89
2:01: IND: Miller finds O'Neal with the layup.  97-91

The teams exchange a couple of possessions, Pacers can't afford that.  

1:09: LA: Jim McMillan hits the 10 foot fadeaway.  99-91
:54: IND: World Peace is fouled, hits both  99-93
:47: LA: McMillan is quickly fouled, hits both and that might do it.  101-93

Wilt blocks O'Neal.  Goodrich is fouled.  

:13: LA: Goodrich htis both.  103-93

FINAL LAKERS 103 PACERS 93

The Lakers trailed 6 at the half, tied it after 3 and win going away to take game one.

West 24 pts, 6 boards, 7 assists - Player of the Game
McMillan 22 pts, 6 boards
Wilt - 11 pts, 17 boards
Goodrich - 18 pts, 5 boards, 5 assists
Bridges - 5 pts, 11 boards
Hairston 9 pts, 9 boards

O'Neal - 25 pts, 14 boards
Foster - 17 pts, 8 boards
World Peace - 15 pts, 5 boards, 6 assists
Miller - 11 pts, 7 assists

GAME TWO

1ST QTR

9 MIN LAKERS 8 PACERS 2
LAKERS Bridges(1) West, Goodrich (3) McMillan
PACERS O'Neal

6 MIN LAKERS 13 PACERS 6
LAKERS Goodrich(3) Goodrich
PACERS O'Neal, Foster

Slow start for the Pacers here in game 2 - outscored by Gail Goodrich, he's got 8.

3 MIN LAKERS 19 PACERS 16
LAKERS West, West, McMillan
PACERS Tinsley(3) Miller (3) World Peace, Miller

1ST QTR SCORE: LAKERS 23 PACERS 21
LAKERS Wilt (1) Riley (1) Erickson (buzzer beater)
PACERS Tinsley (3) Jones

Wilt's 36, he averaged just 13 PPG on the season, it was really rebounding/defense where he maintained all his value; but it's still a little startling to see he has just 1 point through the first. Pacers hit three triples in the back part of the quarter and trail by a bucket.  

2ND QTR

9 MIN LAKERS 29 PACERS 28
LAKERS Riley, Price, McMillan
PACERS O'Neal, Croshere (3) O'Neal (Pacers go up) 

6 MIN LAKERS 35 PACERS 33
LAKERS McMillan, West, Wilt
PACERS O'Neal (1) World Peace (3) World Peace (1)

Tight, tight, tight.

3 MIN LAKERS 45 PACERS 42
LAKERS West, Hairston, Goodrich, McMillan, McMillan
PACERS O'Neal, Harrington, Tinsley (3)World Peace

HALFTIME SCORE:  LAKERS 51 PACERS 47
LAKERS West (1) Wilt (3) Wilt
PACERS O'Neal, O'Neal (1) Tinsley

Jim McMillan's got a dozen for LA, Jermaine O'Neal 14 for Indiana.  Can the Pacers make a second half run?

3RD QTR

9 MIN LAKERS 55 PACERS 49
LAKERS Goodrich, Bridges
PACERS Anderson

6 MIN LAKERS 64 PACERS 53
LAKERS Riley, Wilt, McMillan (3) Wilt
PACERS Anderson, Foster

The Lakers now have a double digit lead and it looks like the end is drawing near.  15 for McMillan.

3 MIN LAKERS 70 PACERS 55
LAKERS Hairston, Price, Goodrich
PACERS Tinsley

3RD QTR SCORE:  LAKERS 80 PACERS 59
LAKERS West, West, West (1) West, Erickson
PACERS Foster, O'Neal

LA locks this one down; Jerry West scores 7 straight LA points, the lead is 21, LA will advance to the next round in 12 minutes.

4TH QTR

9 MIN LAKERS 84 PACERS 67
LAKERS McMillan, West
PACERS World Peace, O'Neal, Tinsley, World Peace

6 MIN LAKERS 95 PACERS 72
LAKERS West (1) West, Erickson, West, Bridges, Goodrich
PACERS Harrington, Harrington

West has 7 in the quarter and the Lakers are cruising home.

3 MIN LAKERS 97 PACERS 76
LAKERS McMillan
PACERS O'Neal, O'Neal

FINAL SCORE:  LAKERS 103 PACERS 82
LAKERS Goodrich, Trapp, Grant
PACERS Jones(3) Jones(3)

The 7th team to advance in Region 1 - the '73 Lakers, they battled through game one but today just dominated their way to advance. 

Wilt - 12 pts, 22 boards - Player of the Game
West - 25 pts, 6 boards, 7 assists
McMillan - 19 pts
Goodrich - 18 pts, 6 assists





2. 2004 SAN ANTONIO SPURS v. 15. 1997 HOUSTON ROCKETS

One spot in Region 1 remains; the second seed in the Region, the '04 Spurs meets their cross-state rival Rockets.  

Spurs: 57-25, 2nd in MW Div, 16th in Off, 1st in Def
                       d. Grizzlies, West First Rnd 4-0
                       Lost Lakers, West Semis 4-2
                       #32 Overall Seed

Coach: Greg Popovich, Mario Elie is an assistant coach for the Spurs and on the floor for the Rockets.

Starters:
C Rasho Nesterovic (27)                              8.7 PPG  15.3 PER  7.2 Win Shares
F Tim Duncan (27, Wake Forest)                 22.3        27.1           13.1
F Robert Horry (33, Alabama)                     4.8          14.5           4.6
G Tony Parker (21)                                      14.7         15.7           7.5
G Manu Ginobli (26)                                   12.8         18.5           9.1

Rotation Reserves
C Kevin Willis (41, Michigan St)                3.4           14.9          .9
F Malik Rose (29, Drexel)                           7.9           15             3.8
F Hedo Turkoglu (24)                                  9.2           14.1          6.7
G Jason Hart (25, Syracuse)                        3.3           12.3         1.9
G Bruce Bowen (32, Cal St Fullerton)        6.9           8.2           5.4 

Leaders: Duncan (4th Rebounds, 2nd Reb/Gm, 2nd PER, 2nd Def Reb %, 4th Reb %, 2nd Steal %, 2nd Def Rating, 3rd Win Shares, 2nd Win Shares/48, 2nd Box +/-, 3rd VORP)
               Ginobli (2nd Steal %, 4th Def Box +/1)
               Nesterovic (4th Def Rating, 5th Def Win Shares, 5th Def Win Shares)

Tim Duncan is in his prime, he's got a 27 PER and 13 Win Shares and he carries these Spurs; mediocre offensive club, best Def team in the NBA.  Kevin Willis will be playing against himself in this game; he's the backup center for both teams.

Rockets - 57-25, 2nd MW Div, 7th in Off, 10th in Def
                d. Sonics West Semis 4-3
                Lost West Finals Jazz 4-2
                #225 overall seed

Coach: Rudy Tomjanovich

Starters
C Hakeem Olajuwon (34, Houston)               23.2 PPG   22.7 PER  9.1 Win Shares
F Charles Barkley (33, Auburn)                     19.2           23              9.4
F Mario Elie (33, American Int)                     11.7           14.3           8.9
G Matt Maloney (25, Penn)                            9.4             12.3           5.3
G Clyde Drexler (34, Houston)                      18              19.9           8.1

Rotation Reserves
C Kevin Willis (34, Mich St)                          11.2           14.3           3.8
F Matt Bullard (29, Iowa)                               4.5             10.3           1.7
F Othella Harrington (23, Georgetown)          4.8             10.8          1.4
G Brent Price (28, Oklahoma)                        5                12              .7
G Eddie Johnson (37, Illinois)                        11.5            14.2          1.5

Leaders: Drexler (4th in Triple Doubles)
               Elie (5th in FT%, 1st True Shooting %, 1st Off Rating)
               Barkley (5th in PER, 2nd Reb %, 4th Win Shares/48)
               Olajuwon (5th in Def Win Shares)

We've got some big ticket Hall of Famers here, Olajuwon and Barkley are hitting their mid 30s, both still have PERs over 20. Drexler's similarly aged, just a tick below 20. Mario Elie, as mentioned, is an assistant with the Spurs and starting for the Rockets and Willis will be facing himself, coming off the bench for both sides.

Roster Matchup:
C Olajuwon (Rockets)
F Duncan (Spurs)
F Elie (Rockets)
G Parker (Spurs)
G Drexler (Rockets)
Bench: Spurs

Spurs have massive seed advantage, but it's closer on the floor - Duncan's in his prime and he's the best player, but Houston's got Olajuwon and Barkley and Drexler.  Let's head to Houston.

GAME ONE

1ST QTR

9 MIN SPURS 5 ROCKETS 4
SPURS Ginobli, Parker, Duncan (1)
ROCKETS Drexler, Olajuwon

6 MIN SPURS 17 ROCKETS 6
SPURS Duncan, Horry (3) Duncan (3) Parker, Nesterovic
ROCKETS Olajwuon

Spurs were the top defense in the NBA in 2004 and that shows up so far here, holding Houston to 6.  Duncan has 6 by himself.  

3 MIN SPURS 19 ROCKETS 11
SPURS Duncan
ROCKETS Maloney(3) Olajuwon

1ST QTR SCORE: SPURS 32 ROCKETS 15
SPURS Willis (3) Turkoglu, Willis, Duncan, Hart, Duncan
ROCKETS Willis, Price

Willis v Willis in the last 3 minutes, both versions scoring.  Duncan's got 12 and the Spurs are laying the Rockets out early on.  

2ND QTR

9 MIN SPURS 37 ROCKETS 17
SPURS Turkoglu (3) Bowen
ROCKETS Willis

6 MIN SPURS 43 ROCKETS 22
SPURS Rose, Nesterovic, Duncan
ROCKETS Johnson, Maloney (3)

Barkley's yet to score for the Rockets; Duncan's got 14, the Spurs are up 21.  

3 MIN SPURS 51 ROCKETS 22
SPURS Duncan, Ginobli, Rose, Rose
ROCKETS

HALFTIME SCORE:SPURS 59 ROCKETS 30
SPURS Duncan, Ginobli, Nesterovic, Parker (buzzer)
ROCKETS Drexler, Barkley, Barkley, Harrington

San Antonio just annhilating the Rockets in game one; 18 for Duncan, it's a 29 point San Antonio bulge.

3RD QTR

9 MIN SPURS 64 ROCKETS 39
SPURS Parker, Turkoglu (1) Duncan
ROCKETS Maloney, Olajuwon, Drexler, Drexler, Price

6 MIN SPURS 68 ROCKETS 47
SPURS Horry, Duncan
ROCKETS Olajuwon, Olajuwon, Barkley, Harrington

Good 6 minutes for Houston; it's too late, but they've closed the gap to 21, Olajuwon has 12; Duncan 22.

3 MIN SPURS 73 ROCKETS 53
SPURS Turkoglu(3) Duncan
ROCKETS Johnson(3) Maloney (3)

3RD QTR SCORE: SPURS 84 ROCKETS 61
SPURS Parker, Horry, Parker (3) Parker, Duncan (buzzer)
ROCKETS Maloney(3) Barkley (3) Olajuwon

7 points in the last 3 minutes for Tony Parker, Duncan's now got 26, the Spurs will win game one.

4TH QTR

9 MIN SPURS 90 ROCKETS 70
SPURS Horry (3) Duncan (3)
ROCKETS Drexler (3) Price Drexler, Barkley

6 MIN SPURS 95 ROCKETS 76
SPURS Ginobli, Willis, Parker (1)
ROCKETS Olajuwon, Johnson, Drexler, 

6 minutes left in game one.

3 MIN SPURS 104 ROCKETS 78
SPURS Nesterovic, Duncan, Parker (1) Parker
ROCKETS Elie

FINAL SCORE: SPURS 106 ROCKETS 83
SPURS Carroll
ROCKETS Stephens(3) Livingston

Game one was never competitive, the Rockets win by 23 and it just never got close.  Duncan was the best player over the course of the season and was the best player today.

Duncan-31 pts, 9 boards, 5 assists - Player of the Game
Parker - 21 pts, 6 boards
Nesterovic - 8 pts, 14 boards
Horry - 10 pts, 6 boards

Olaujwon - 16 pts, 12 boards
Barkley - 11 pts, 9 boards
Drexler - 15 pts, 5 boards, 5 assists
Maloney - 13 pts


GAME TWO

1ST QTR

9 MIN SPURS 6 ROCKETS 3
SPURS Parker, Horry, Duncan
ROCKETS Drexler, Olajuwon(1)

6 MIN SPURS 10 ROCKETS 9
SPURS Duncan, Parker
ROCKETS Barkley, Olajuwon Olajuwon

The Spurs locked Houston down in game one and that remains true here, but the Spurs also struggling to get points on the board early here.  

3 MIN SPURS 16 ROCKETS 14
SPURS Ginobli, Duncan, Parker
ROCKETS Drexler (3) Olajuwon

1ST QTR SCORE: ROCKETS 23 SPURS 20
SPURS Nesterovic, Turkoglu
ROCKETS Drexler, Drexler, Drexler, Bullard (3)

Clyde Drexler drops 11 in the first quarter and the Rockets take the lead.  

2ND QTR 

9 MIN SPURS 26 ROCKETS 23
SPURS Duncan, Willis, Ginobli
ROCKETS 

6 MIN SPURS 28 ROCKETS 28
SPURS Duncan
ROCKETS Olajuwon, Johnson, Olajuwon (1)

Dead even halfway through the second; Olajuwon has 10.

3 MIN ROCKETS 38 SPURS 34
SPURS Rose, Parker, Duncan, Maloney (3)
ROCKETS Price, Willis, Maloney (1) Olajwuon

HALFTIME SCORE: ROCKETS 46 SPURS 42
SPURS Duncan, Rose, Rose, Rose
ROCKETS Drexler(3) Bullard (3) Bullard

Matt Bullard scores the last 5 points of the half to give Houston a 4 point lead.  Can the Rockets even up this series?  

3RD QTR

9 MIN ROCKETS 50 SPURS 47
SPURS Nesterovic(1) Horry, Horry
ROCKETS Olajuwon, Barkley

6 MIN ROCKETS 57 SPURS 51
SPURS Willis, Turkoglu
ROCKETS Maloney, Elie, Drexler

Houston just got taken to the woodshed for 48 min in game one, but halfway through the third in game two they lead by 6. 16 for Clyde.

3 MIN SPURS 60 ROCKETS 59
SPURS Duncan, Nesterovic, Duncan, Horry (3, Spurs take lead)
ROCKETS Olajuwon, 

3RD QTR SCORE: SPURS 70 ROCKETS 62
SPURS Horry, Ginobli, Parker, Willis, Willis
ROCKETS Johnson(3)

That Spurs defense just locks Houston down in the final 6 minutes, giving up just 5 points and now San Antonio leads by 8 as we head to the 4th.

11:23 HOU: The Spurs missed, Houston comes down and Matt Maloney scores from the lane 70-64

10:43: HOU: The Spurs miss twice and then Charles Barkley hits a corner three, the Rockets cut it to 70-67

8:43: HOU: After multiple missed baskets both ways Mario Elie is fouled and hits 1 FT 70-68

7:58: HOU: It's the Spurs longest scoreless stretch of the series, they miss again, Drexler gets a layup to tie the score.  70-70

7:44: SA: Tony Parker's fouled on a shot, hits them both.  72-70 Spurs

7:36: HOU: Matt Bullard hits a 3 from the top and the Rockets retake the lead.  73-72

7:12: HOU: Clyde Drexler steals the ball and streaks home for a dunk.  75-72

6:51: HOU: After a Spurs turnover, Elie is fouled, hits them both.  Rockets 77-72

6:16: SA: Missed baskets both ways, Tony Parker gets a layup, 77-74

5:53: SA: After a Houston miss, Manu Ginobli is fouled, hits both.  77-76

5:45: HOU: Both Kevin Willis's are in the game, the younger is fouled, hits 1.  78-76

5:29: SA: Parker is fouled the other way, hits one.  78-77

5:09: HOU: Elie misses, but Barkley is there with the putback. 80-77

4:46: SA: Bruce Bowen hits a clutch 3 from the wing and we are tied.  80-80

4:48: HOU: Brent Price finds Barkley who hits a fadeaway from the right side. 82-80

3:55: SA: The Spurs miss, get it back on a turnover, and then the older Kevin Willis gets a one handed game tying dunk.

3:46: HOU: Clyde finds Mario Elie who whips home a dunk of his own.  84-82

3:29: SA: Old Kevin Willis again, foul line J to tie the score. 84-84

2:47: HOU: Both sides miss, Barkley finds Drexler underneath for the layup 86-84

2:20: HOU: After an offensive foul, Olajuwon finds Drexler for a dunk.  88-84

2:11: SA: Horry's fouled, makes 1.  88-85.

1:01: HOU: Both sides miss and then Barkley hits a J from the paint, 90-85

Horry misses a 3, the Spurs get the board, but Duncan throws a pass away at :27.

:26: HOU: Olajuwon is quickly fouled - hits both.  Rockets up 7. 92-85

:22: SA: Horry hits a quick 3.  92-88

:20: HOU: Another quick foul on Hakeem - again he hits both.  94-88

Duncan misses.  Barkley gets the board and Olajuwon is fouled.  

:10: HOU: Olajuwon hits both and Houston has forced game 3.

FINAL: ROCKETS 96 SPURS 88

Super impressive rally by Houston after that game one debacle and now we've got one game for all of it.  Can the #15th seeded Rockets knock out the #2nd seeded Spurs?

Drexler - 24 pts, 8 boards, 7 assists, 4 steals - Player of the Game
Olajwuon - 22 pts, 9 boards
Barkley - 13 pts, 26 boards
Bullard - 11 pts

Duncan - 18 pts, 15 boards
Horry - 15 pts, 11 boards
Parker - 15 pts
Willis - 12 pts


GAME THREE

Here we go - sold out crowd in San Antonio, winner moves on and we conclude Region 1, Round 1.

1ST QTR

9 MIN SPURS 9 ROCKETS 6
SPURS Parker, Parker, Duncan, Parker(3)
ROCKETS Maloney(3) Olajuwon(1) Barkley

6 MIN SPURS 15 ROCKETS 10
SPURS Ginobli, Parker, Ginobli
ROCKETS Olajuwon, Bullard

21 year old Tony Parker comes out firing, he's got 9 in the first 6 minutes.  

3 MIN SPURS 21 ROCKETS 18
SPURS Horry(1) Ginobli(3) Ginobli
ROCKETS Harrington, Johnson, Willis, Price

1ST QTR SCORE: SPURS 28 ROCKETS 27
SPURS Ginobli(3) Hart, Bowen
ROCKETS Willis, Moore(3), Harrington, Harrington(buzzer)

Rudy T goes to the bench in the last 6 minutes and Houston cuts the deficit to 1, the rookie Othella Harrington scoring 6.  Manu Ginobli has a dozen for the Spurs.  

2ND QTR 

9 MIN SPURS 35 ROCKETS 32
SPURS Duncan, Duncan, Bowen(3)
ROCKETS Harrington(1) Price, Harrington

6 MIN SPURS 42 ROCKETS 36
SPURS Horry(3) Turkoglu, Nesterovic
ROCKETS Elie, Olajuwon

Spurs get a little more daylight; how about a double digit half for Othella Harrington off the Rockets bench?

3 MIN SPURS 44 ROCKETS 42
SPURS Nesterovic, 
ROCKETS Barkley, Drexler, Olajuwon

HALFTIME SCORE:SPURS 53 ROCKETS 48
SPURS Willis(3) Nesterovic, Turkoglu, Bowen(buzzer)
ROCKETS Barkley, Willis, Willis

Kevin Willis scores for both teams; Olajuwon picks up his 4th foul and the Spurs lead by 5 at the half.

3RD QTR

9 MIN SPURS 61 ROCKETS 54
SPURS Duncan, Duncan, Hart, Duncan
ROCKETS Drexler, Drexler, Harrington

6 MIN SPURS 64 ROCKETS 54
SPURS Ginobli, Duncan
ROCKETS 

Duncan comes out with 8 in the first six minutes of the half and the Spurs lead balloons to 11.  Tough to take a series from these favorites, just like the Heat took game 2 from the Lakers but couldn't follow it up, maybe we're seeing that play out here.  

3 MIN SPURS 70 ROCKETS 65
SPURS Parker, Horry, Duncan(1)
ROCKETS Barkley, Price, Elie, Drexler(3) Elie

3RD QTR SCORE: SPURS 76 ROCKETS 72
SPURS Parker, Parker, Duncan
ROCKETS Olajuwon, Barkley, Johnson(3)

The Rockets close the gap in the last 6 minutes of the quarter and now trail by only 4 as we reach the decisive 12 minutes of this series.

4TH QTR

11:36: HOU: Olajuwon blocks Jason Hart and its turned into a fastbreak, Barkley converts the dunk to cut the deficit to 2.

10:58: HOU: The Spurs miss - that leads to another break and it's Olajuwon converting the dunk and the score is tied.  76-76.

10:39: SA: Horry hits a corner 3.  Spurs 79 Rockets 76

10:22: HOU: Barkley misses, but gets his own board, kicks to Drexler who scores from 10. 79-78

9:35: HOU: The Spurs miss, the Rockets miss, the Spurs miss again and Olajuwon hits the fadeaway to give the Rockets the lead.

9:13: SA: The Spurs miss, but get it back and Old Kevin Willis dunks it home. 81-80 Spurs

8:31: SA: Olajuwon picks up his 5th foul, Duncan layup, misses the FT.  83-80

8:17: HOU: Olajuwon misses but gets his own follow.  83-82

7:54: HOU: The Spurs miss, the Rockets miss - but again here's Hakeem, he gets the putback and gives Houston the lead.

7:00 SA: Both clubs miss and then Nesterovic is there for a short J.  85-84

6:42: HOU: Drexler feeds Olajuwon, here's the Dream Shake and the bucket.  86-85

6:34: SA: Barkley fouls Jason Hart, he and Olajuwon both have 5.  Hart hits both. 87-86

6:16: HOU: Eddie Johnson hits a corner 3.  89-87 Rockets

6:07: SA: Duncan rattles home a dunk.  89-89.

4:51: HOU: Both teams miss, Barkley then misses a 3, but Brent Price comes away with the board - feeds Barkley who elevates for his own dunk and Houston has the lead.  91-89

4:32: HOU: Price steals a Parker pass and streaks home for a layup.  93-89

4:02: HOU: Parker misses, and Olajuwon hits a floater from the wing and now the Rockets are up 6.  95-89.

3:48: SA: Duncan misses - but Horry gets the putback.  95-91

Houston gets two chances, they miss them both.

3:16: SA: Old Kevin Willis hits a short J.  95-93 Rockets

3:04: HOU: Drexler hits a 3 from the wing - big shot.  98-93

2:50: SA: Horry takes the ball to the hole - scores - and is fouled by Olajuwon and that ends the Dream's day.  Horry hits the FT.  Houston leads by 2, but they'll need to finish without Hakeem.

2:42: HOU: Barkley hits a long 2, 100-96
2:33: SA: Duncan from the foul line.  100-98
2:19: HOU: Olajuwon's out - that means Younger Kevin Willis is on and he lays it in.  102-98
2:10: SA: Ginobli gets the Parker dish and hits a midrange J.  102-100

Barkley misses.  
Duncan rebound. Nesterovic misses.
Younger Willis rebound.

1:22: HOU: Barkley from the lane - and the foul.  105-100
1:05: SA: Nesterovic feeds Duncan for the layup.  105-102

Barkley misses.
Parker rebound.  We're under a minute.  Spurs down 3.
Ginobli misses a 3 and Barkley gets the board.  47 seconds left.

Nesterovic blocks Barkley's short J.  33 seconds.  

Houston's Kevin Willis comes up with it.  

With 15 seconds left - a huge call - Barkley drives - scores -- but the bucket is waved off, Barkley's called with the charge - and that's his 6th foul.  What would have been a 5 point Rocket lead instead results in Barkley's leaving the game.

:11: SA: The Spurs get a quick Duncan dunk.  They trail by a point.  
:07: HOU: The Spurs quickly foul Younger Kevin Willis. He makes them both.  Huge.  Huge.

Rockets 107  Spurs 104  Seven seconds left.  Game 3.  

00: SA: MANU GINOBLI HITS A BUZZER BEATING 3 TO TIE THE GAME!

It's our first OT game of the tournament and it comes in a series deciding game 3 after a Ginobli 3 to tie the score.  Great game - best of the tournament.  

OVERTIME:

The teams exchange missed baskets.  

4:07: SA: Duncan hits a short one hander.  109-107 Spurs.
3:57: HOU: Younger Kevin Willis is fouled, makes both.
3:45: SA: Ginobli is fouled, makes one.  110-109
3:01: SA: Elie misses, it comes the other way and Parker hits Duncan for the midrange J.  112-109
1:50: SA: They exchanged missed baskets and here's Duncan again, he's got 6 in the OT, 114-109
1:14: SA: The Rockets miss again, there's Duncan again, scoring and is fouled and now it's almost over.  117-109
:51: SA: Duncan blocks Young Willis, he gets fouled and makes both.  119-109

FINAL: SPURS 119 ROCKETS 109

Ginobli hits a game tying buzzer beater to save the Spurs and send the game to OT where Duncan just takes over.  Houston lost both Olajuwon and Barkley to fouls and they just couldn't hold up to the Duncan and the Spurs.

Duncan - 36 pts, 17 boards, 4 blocks - Player of the Game
Parker - 17 pts, 10 assists
Horry - 14 pts, 13 boards
Ginobli - 20 pts, 6 boards

That ends Region 1, Round 1.  When we eventually make our way back around:

2017 Warriors v. 2005 Mavericks
2015 Clippers v. 1980 Lakers
1989 Hawks v. 1963 Celtics
1973 Lakers v. 2004 Spurs

The All Region 1 Round 1 Team:

Center - Kareem '80 Lakers
Forward - Durant '17 Warriors
Forward - Duncan '04 Spurs
Guard - Curry '17 Warriors
Guard - Paul '15 Clips














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