256 Team All Time Basketball Tournament: Region 7 Round 1: Series 3 and 4

 1 and 2

5. 1990 NBA CHAMPION DETROIT PISTONS v. 12. 2013 MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES

Pistons: 59-23, 1st Cent Div, 11th Off, 2nd Def

              d. Pacers East 1st Rnd 3-0

              d. Knicks East Semis 4-1

              d. Bulls East Finals 4-3

              d. Blazers NBA Finals 4-1

              #71 overall seed

Coach: Chuck Daly

Starters

C Bill Laimbeer             32-Notre Dame    12.1 PPG   15.8 PER  10.1 WS

F Dennis Rodman          28-SE OK St        8.8             15.4           9.3

F Mark Aguirre              30-Depaul            14.1           15.8           5.7

G Isiah Thomas              28-Indiana           18.4           17.3           6.7

G Joe Dumars                26-McNeese St    17.8           17.2           8.7

Rotation Reserves

C James Edwards           34-Washington   14.5            13.3           5.6

F John Salley                  25-Geo Tech       7.2             13.5           6.1

F David Greenwood       32-UCLA            1.6             10.9             .4

G Gerald Henderson       34-VCU              2.3             13.6           1.1

G Vinnie Johnson           33-Baylor            9.8             12.9           3.2

Leaders: Rodman: 3rd Off Reb, 3rd Off Rtng, 3rd Reb %

               Isiah 5th Assists, 

               Dumars 4th FT %

               Laimbeer 3rd Def WS, 5th Def +/-, 4th Def Rtng, 3rd Def Reb %

               Salley 2nd Def +/-, 3rd Def Rtng, 5th Block %

The 5th seed in the region - the World Champion Pistons.  You don't get the top end performances with Detroit; Laimbeer is the only 10+ WS. They rely on depth.

Grizzlies: 56-26, 2nd SW Div, 17th Off, 2nd Def

                d. Clips West 1st Rnd 4-2

                d. Thunder West Semis 4-1

                Lost Spurs West Finals 4-0

                #186 overall seed

Coach: Lionel Hollins

Starters

C Marc Gasol               28                       14.1 PPG   19.5 PER  11.5 WS

F Zach Randolph          31-Michigan St  15.4           17.9           7.9

F Rudy Gay                  26-UConn          17.2            14.1          2.4

G Mike Conley             25-Ohio St         14.6            18.3          9.9

G Tony Allen                31-Ok St            8.9              13.2          5.1

Rotation Reserves

C Mo Speights              25-Florida         6.6               16.1         1.4

F Ed Davis                    23-UNC            5.1               17.2         2.1

F Quincy Pondexter      24-Washington 6.4                11            3.2

G Jerryd Bayless           24-Arizona       8.7                13.5         4

G Tayshaun Prince        32-Kentucky    8.8                10.2         1.8

Leaders: Randolph: 4th Reb/Gm, 1st Off Reb, 5th Reb %

               Conley: 1st Steals, 3rd Steals/Gm, 4th Steal %

               Gasol: 2nd Def WS, 1st Def +/-, 5th Def Rtng

               Allen: 4th Def Rtng

Really similar teams here; high level defenses, middling offenses, no one hits 20 PER and it's just the big man, Gasol, with double digit WS.

Lineup Matchup

C Gasol (Grizzlies)

F Push

F Aguirre (Pistons)

G Conley (Grizzlies)

G Dumars (Pistons)

Bench: Pistons

Game One

1st

9 Pistons 6 Grizzlies 4

Pistons Isiah, Isiah, Rodman

Grizzlies Gasol, Randolph

6 Grizzlies 12 Pistons 10

Pistons Laimbeer, Aguirre

Grizzlies Randolph, Randolph, Gasol, Gasol

Underway - Grizzlies are heavy dogs as the 12th seed in the region, but these teams sure look like mirror images and it's Memphis up early.

3 Pistons 17 Grizzlies 12

Pistons Isiah, Isiah, Rodman, Isiah(1)

Grizzlies

Score Grizzlies 18 Pistons 17

Pistons 

Grizzlies Conley, Gay, Gay

Zeke's got 9, but it's Memphis with the lead in this, predictably, defensive struggle.

2nd

9 Grizzlies 23 Pistons 22

Pistons Isiah(3) Rodman

Grizzlies Randolph, Prince

6 Grizzlies 30 Pistons 29

Pistons Rodman(3) Aguirre, Dumars

Grizzlies Prince, Gasol(1) Randolph, Conley

Rodman adds 5 - but it's still Memphis, up 1.

3 Grizzlies 42 Pistons 36

Pistons Salley, Edwards, Edwards(3)

Grizzlies Conley(3) Randolph, Gasol(3) Gasol, Davis

Score Grizzlies 49 Pistons 42

Pistons Rodman, Laimbeer, Laimbeer

Grizzlies Conley(3) Gasol, Bayless

7 for Gasol and 6 for Conley to close the half; Grizz extend the lead.

3rd

9 Grizzlies 53 Pistons 45

Pistons Isiah(1) Aguirre

Grizzlies Conley, Randolph

6 Grizzlies 59 Pistons 53

Pistons Salley, Salley, Dumars, Laimbeer

Grizzlies Randolph, Bayless, Randolph

4 fouls for Mark Aguirre; Randolph gets 6 to open the half, Memphis has been leading the entire day.

3 Grizzlies 71 Pistons 59

Pistons Rodman, Dumars, Aguirre

Grizzlies Randolph, Gay, Randolph, Randolph, Gasol, Gasol

Score Grizzlies 77 Pistons 67

Pistons Aguirre, Isiah, Laimbeer, Rodman

Grizzlies Conley, Gay, Gay

A half dozen each for Gay and Randolph - Memphis up double digits.

4th

9 Grizzlies 84 Pistons 69

Pistons Aguirre

Grizzlies Pondexter(3) Gay, Randolph

6 Grizzlies 88 Pistons 73

Pistons Rodman, Aguirre

Grizzlies Gasol, Gay

Memphis is taking it to the Pistons in game one.

3 Grizzlies 96 Pistons 80

Pistons Rodman, Dumars, Dumars(3)

Grizzlies Bayless, Davis, Allen, Allen

Final Score Grizzlies 102 Pistons 87

Pistons Laimbeer(3) Bedford, Bedford

Grizzlies Arthur(1) Daye(3) Arthur

The Bad Boy Pistons just get whipped by Memphis; they got out Pistoned by a team nearly a quarter century down the road and are now a game from elimination.

Randolph: 26 pts/16 boards-Player of the Game

Gasol: 20 pts/6 boards

Gay: 14 pts/9 boards

Conley: 14 pts/7 assists

Rodman: 19 pts/14 boards

Laimbeer: 13 pts/ 11 boards

Game Two

1st

9 Pistons 4 Grizzlies 4

Pistons  Dumars, Laimbeer

Grizzlies Randolph, Gasol

6 Grizzlies 16 Pistons 12

Pistons Isiah, Rodman, Laimbeer, Isiah

Grizzlies Conley, Allen, Conley, Allen, Allen, Conley(3)

Conley scores 7 in 3 minutes and the Grizz are up early.

3 Grizzlies 24 Pistons 20

Pistons Laimbeer(3) Laimbeer, Laimbeer(3)

Grizzlies Gasol, Gay, Gay, Conley

Score Grizzlies 26 Pistons 25

Pistons Laimbeer, Isiah, Greenwood(1)

Grizzlies Prince

It's Laimbeer who gets it going for Detroit; he scores 10 straight Pistons points and cuts the deficit to 1.

2nd

9 Grizzlies 34 Pistons 29

Pistons Isiah, Salley

Grizzlies Prince, Prince(3) Pondexter(3)

6 Pistons 42 Grizzlies 40

Pistons Salley, Laimbeer(3) Salley, Laimbeer, Isiah, Laimbeer

Grizzlies Davis, Allen, Randolph

Rare Pistons lead in the series so far; Laimbeer with 7 in 3 minutes

3 Pistons 50 Grizzlies 44

Pistons Rodman, Isiah, Salley, Dumars

Grizzlies Randolph, Davis

Score Pistons 57 Grizzlies 44

Pistons Aguirre, Isiah, Rodman, Isiah

Grizzlies

It took almost 6 quarters but the Pistons have revved up the engines, Isiah with 6 to close the half.

3rd

9 Pistons 67 Grizzlies 48

Pistons Isiah, Dumars, Rodman, Edwards, Edwards

Grizzlies Allen, Gasol

6 Pistons 77 Grizzlies 52

Pistons Johnson, Aguirre(3) Greenwood, Dumars(3)

Grizzlies Bayless, Speights, 

Time to raise the white flag - Detroit will even the series.

3 Pistons 83 Grizzlies 63

Pistons Johnson, Dumars, Salley

Grizzlies Allen, Davis, Davis, Randolph, Randolph(1)

Score Pistons 95 Grizzlies 69

Pistons Dumars, Dumars, Dumars, Aguirre, Isiah, Dumars

Grizzlies Bayless, Bayless, Gasol

15 for Dumars in the third - we'll see what Lionel Hollins can put together for his Grizzlies in game 3.

4th

9 Pistons 98 Grizzlies 71

Pistons  Edwards(1) Isiah

Grizzlies Gasol, 

6 Pistons 102 Grizzlies 77

Pistons Aguirre, Isiah

Grizzlies Randolph, Gay, Gay

3 Pistons 106 Grizzlies 92

Pistons Isiah, Aguirre, Dumars

Grizzlies Gay(3) Randolph, Conley(3) Gay(3) Randolph, Prince

Score Pistons 113 Grizzlies 98

Pistons Greenwood, Lewis(3) Henderson

Gizzlies Dooling(3) Ellington(3)

Detroit overwhelms Memphis to force the decisive game 3.

Isiah: 23 pts/14 assists/5 boards - Player of the Game

Laimbeer: 21 pts/10 boards

Dumars: 21 pts/7 boards/6 assists

Aguirre: 11 pts

Rodman: 8 pts/11 boards

Salley: 10 pts/6 boards

Randolph: 15 pts/10 assists

Gasol: 10 pts/4 blocks

Conley: 13 pts/7 assists

Gay 14 pts

Davis: 10 pts

Game Three

1st Grizzlies 5 Pistons 4

Pistons Rodman, Aguirre

Grizzlies Gasol, Conley(3)

9 Grizzlies 14 Pistons 8

Pistons Aguirre, Aguirre

Grizzlies Gay, Gay, Gasol(1) Allen, Randolph

One game for all the money - Grizz get off early.  

6 Grizzlies 24 Pistons 16

Pistons Rodman, Rodman, Laimbeer, Dumars

Grizzlies Allen, Conley (3) Gay, Randolph(1) Gay

3 Grizzlies 26 Pistons 20

Pistons Dumars, Dumars

Grizzlies Gasol

Dumars scores the last 6 Pistons points, Memphis up 6.

Score

9 Grizzlies 36 Pistons 26

Pistons Edwards(3) Salley(3)

Grizzlies Randolph, Randolph(1) Davis, Conley (3) Speights

6 Grizzlies 40 Pistons 30

Pistons Isiah, Aguirre

Grizzlies Allen, Randolph

5 more for Randolph - Memphis taking it right at the Pistons. 

3 Grizzlies 48 Pistons 37

Pistons Aguirre(3) Isiah, Johnson

Grizzlies Speights, Speights, Bayless, Allen

Halftime Score Grizzlies 52 Pistons 42

Pistons Laimbeer, Edwards, Isiah(1)

Grizzlies Speights, Gay

Mo Speights gets 6 to close the half and it's a ten point Memphis lead.

3rd

9 Grizzlies 63 Pistons 53

Pistons Rodman, Rodman, Rodman, Rodman, Isiah(3)

Grizzlies Prince, Gasol, Gasol, Randolph, Gasol(3)

6 Grizzlies 70 Pistons 59

Pistons Edwards, Laimbeer, Dumars

Grizzlies Conley, Gay(3) Conley

Rodman looks to take over to start the half - but despite his 8, Memphis extends the lead and now this Pistons crowd is starting to look at the clock.

3 Grizzlies 76 Pistons 65

Pistons Laimbeer, Laimbeer, Aguirre

Grizzlies Gay, Randolph, Gasol(1) Allen(1)

Score Grizzlies 83 Pistons 72

Pistons Isiah(1) Isiah, Dumars, Johnson

Grizzlies Randolph, Gasol(1) Gay, Gasol

Isiah's got 4 fouls - Memphis is 12 minutes from the upset.

4th

9 Grizzlies 88 Pistons 77

Pistons Isiah, Henderson(3)

Grizzlies Allen, Pondexter(1) Gasol

6 Grizzlies 96 Pistons 77

Pistons 

Grizzlies Allen(1) Speights Randolph(3) Randolph

The celebration is underway on the Memphis bench - the Grizzlies will advance to the rnd of 128.

3 Grizzlies 102 Pistons 83

Pistons Laimbeer(1) Isiah(3) Laimbeer

Grizzlies Gay, Gasol, Haddadi

Final Score Grizzlies 111 Pistons 88

Pistons Hastings, Bedford

Grizzlies Wroten, Daye(3) Wroten, Wroten

Memphis just blows Detroit out in game 3 and the last Grizzlies team standing will keep doing so.

Gasol: 20 pts/10 boards-Player of the Game

Randolph: 19 pts/19 boards

Conley: 12 pts/13 assists

Allen: 12 pts/7 boards

Gay: 19 pts

Speights: 10 pts/7 boards

4. 1965 NBA CHAMPION BOSTON CELTICS v.  13. 1976 DENVER NUGGETS

Celtics: 62-18, 1st East Div, 7th Off, 1st Def

              d. Sixers East Finals 4-3

              d. Lakers NBA Finals 4-1

              #58 overall seed

Coach: Red Auerbach

Starters

C Bill Russell          30-USF              14.1 PPG  19.5 PER  16.9 WS

F Satch Sanders       26-NYU            11.8           12.2          7.5

F John Havlicek      24-Ohio St         18.3           16.3          4.5

G KC Jones             32-USF              8.3             11             6.7

G Sam Jones           31-NC Central    25.9           20.7         12.8

Rotation Reserves

C John Thompson   23-Providence    3.6            9.8            1.8

F Tom Heinsohn      30-Holy Cross   13.6          14.3           3.6

F Willie Naulls        30-UCLA           10.5          12.4          2.6

G Larry Siegfried    25Ohio St           6.3            14             3.2

G Ron Bonham       22-Cincinnati     7.4             21.6          1.8

Leaders: SJones 5th PPG, 5th WS, 5th WS/48

               Russell 1st Reb, 1st Reb/Gm, 5th Assists, 5th Asst/Gm, 2nd WS, 3rd WS/48, 2nd Trip-Doub

               KCJones 3rd Assists, 3rd Asst/Gm, 2nd Def WS, 3rd Def WS, 4th Asst%

Here's another Celtics title team; strong defense, shaky offense.  Russell and Sam Jones both have double digit WS. 

Nuggets: 60-24, 1st in ABA, 2nd Off, 4th Def

                d. Colonels ABA Semis 4-3

                Lost Nets ABA Finals 4-2

                # 199 overall seed 

Coach: Larry Brown

Starters

C Dan Issel                27-Kentucky        23 PPG   21.8 PER 12.5 WS

F Bobby Jones           24-UNC               14.9        18.9          10.2

F David Thompson    21-NC St             26            21.1          12.4

G Chuck Williams     29-Colorado        11            11.4           4.7

G Ralph Simpson      26-Michigan St    18            15.7          6.3

Rotation Reserves

C Marvin Webster     23-Morgan St       4.3           18.1          1.3

F Roger Brown         25-Kansas             2              9.9            .6

F Byron Beck            31-Denver            9.6            14.9         4.4

G Claude Terry         26-Stanford          7.1             10.9         1.8

G Gus Gerard            22-UVA                9.9            13            1.1

Leaders: Thompson: 3rd PPG, 4th TS, 5th WS, 5th WS/48, 2nd Off +/- 5th VORP, 4th Off Rtng

               Issel 4th Reb, 3rd PER, 4th WS, 3rd WS/48, 3rd Off Rtng, 4th Off Reb % 2nd TO%

               Simpson: 2nd Asst, 2nd Asst/Gm, 3rd Asst %

               Jones: 4th Steals, 5th Steals/Gm, 4th Blocks, 5th Blocks/Gm, 1st FG%, 1st Eff FG% 1st TS, 2nd +/- 4th VORP, 5th Def Rtng, 5th Block %

               Beck: 5th FG%, 4th Eff FG% 

We get an ABA team in the region; Issel, Jones, Thompson all had big years.

Lineup Matchup:

C Push

F Jones (Nuggets)

F Thompson (Nuggets)

G Push

G SJones (Celtics)

Bench: Celtics

Game One

1st

9 Celtics 5 Nuggets 3

Celtics Russell(3) Sanders

Nuggets Jones(1) Jones

6 Celtics 18 Nuggets 6

Celtics Russell, Sanders(1) Havlicek, KC Jones, Sam Jones(3) Sam Jones(3)

Nuggets Williams(1) Issel

Sam Jones bombs a couple of triples; David Thompson has early foul trouble - look out, Denver.

3 Celtics 20 Nuggets 15

Celtics Havlicek

Nuggets Issel, Issel, Terry, Jones(1) Terry

1st Qtr Celtics 26 Nuggets 22

Celtics Russell, Naulls, Thompson

Nuggets Terry, Webster, Gerard(1) Gerard

John Thompson has more points than David Thompson but the Nuggets hold firm, trailing only by 2.

2nd

9 Celtics 32 Nuggets 29

Celtics Bonham. Russell, Havlicek

Nuggets Beck, Beck(3) Jones

6 Nuggets 37 Celtics 36

Celtics Russell, Russell

Nuggets Simpson, Beck, Issel, Thompson

David Thompson's first bucket is an absolute rim rocker that gives Denver its first lead.

3 Nuggets 45 Celtics 42

Celtics Siegfried, Heinsohn, Havlicek

Nuggets Thompson, Thompson, Simpson

Score Nuggets 48 Celtics 44

Celtics KC Jones

Nuggets Webster(1) Issel

Denver goes into the locker room up two buckets.  Winner of this series to meet the Grizzlies.

3rd

9 Nuggets 52 Celtics 52

Celtics Havlicek, Havlicek, Havlicek, Naulls

Nuggets Jones, Thompson

6 Celtics 61 Nuggets 60

Celtics Heinsohn, Heinsohn, KC Jones(3) Havlicek

Nuggets Simpson, Issel, Jones, Simpson

Hondo comes out with 8 to open the 3rd and Boston regains the lead.  We might have a good one here in Boston Garden.

3 Celtics 73 Nuggets 68

Celtics Thompson(3) Sam Jones, Havlicek

Nuggets Webster, Webster, Thompson, Thompson, Chuck Williams(3) Issel

Score Nuggets 82 Celtics 78

Celtics Siegfried(3) Bonham(1) Sam Jones, Sam Jones, Sanders

Nuggets Thompson, Jones, Thompson(1) Simpson, Issel

David Thompson scores 7 to close the half; Nuggets by 4 and we head down the stretch, 12 minutes left in game one.

4th

11:53: Den: Claude Terry blows right by KC Jones and gets the lay in.  Nuggets by 6

11:30: Den: Havlicek misses, Terry again drives and scores - Nuggets by 8.

11:05: Den: Heinsohn misses and the Nuggets are on a run - Ralph Simpson hits a 10 footer.

10:31: Den: Russell misses, Terry hits a floater and the Nuggets are rolling.

9:34: BOS: Both sides miss Siegfried stops the bleeding with a turnaround in the paint.

8:49: BOS: Simpson throws one away, Havlicek hits from the foul line. 

8:41: DEN: Heinsohn picks up his 5th foul, Williams hits both 92-82

8:10: BOS: Sam Jones misses, but Russell is there for the board and Havlicek hits the triple from the wing.  

7:58: DEN: David Thompson hammers home a dunk.

7:43: DEN: Bonham misses - Williams hits a 12 footer.  

7:21: BOS: The bank is open for Bonham.

6:14: DEN: Gus Gerard scores after empty trips both ways.  98-87.

3 Nuggets 110 Celtics 94

Celtics Havlicek(1) Russell, Russell, Heinsohn

Nuggets Webster(3) Jones, Williams, Beck, Foster(1) Towe

Score Nuggets 120 Celtics 104

Celtics Ward(3) Ward, Counts(3) KC Jones

Nuggets Irvine(1) Irvine(1) Foster, Bradley, Bradley, Issel

Denver just turns on the jets in the 4th quarter; scoring 38 points and pulling away to the game one win.

Issel: 18 pts/15 boards - Player of the Game

Jones: 14 pts/12 boards

Thompson: 19 pts/6 boards

Simpson: 12 pts/9 boards/7 assists

Williams: 10 pts

Terry: 12 pts

Webster: 10 pts/7 boards

Havlicek: 24 pts/7 boards

Russell: 17 pts/19 boards/8 blocks

Sam Jones: 12 pts/5 boards

Game Two

1st Celtics 7 Nuggets 4

Celtics Havlicek, Havlicek(3) KCJones

Nuggets Jones, Jones

9 Celtics 13 Nuggets 8

Celtics Sam Jones, Sam Jones, Sam Jones

Nuggets Jones, Simpson

Bobby Jones has 6 for Denver, Sam and KC combine for 8 for Boston it's Jones 14 Everyone Else 7.  

6 Celtics 25 Nuggets 10

Celtics Russell, Sam Jones, Havlicek, Sanders, Havlicek, Russell

Nuggets Simpson

3 Celtics 34 Nuggets 18

Celtics Sanders, Havlicek(3) Thompson, Bonham

Nuggets Issel, Jones, Issel, Webster

7 more for Hondo - Boston blitzing Denver here in game 2.  

Score

2nd

9 Celtics 41 Nuggets 24

Celtics Thompson, Heinsohn(3) Sam Jones

Nuggets Beck, Webster, Webster

6 Celtics 52 Nuggets 37

Celtics Havlicek, KC Jones, Russell, Bonham(3) Siegfried

Nuggets Webster, Williams, Beck(3) Beck, Beck, Thompson, Thompson

Boston's offense really in high gear; still 6 minutes left in the half.

3 Celtics 56 Nuggets 49

Celtics Sam Jones, Russell

Nuggets Williams, Simpson, Jones, Jones, Thompson

Halftime Score Celtics 62 Nuggets 53

Celtics Thompson, KC Jones, Sam Jones

Nuggets Gerard, Issel

Boston's lead sliced to 9, Denver showing some offensive flurry.

3rd

9 Celtics 68 Nuggets 67

Celtics Russell, Havlicek, KC Jones

Nuggets Thompson, Simpson, Issel(3) Jones, Gerard(3) Williams

6 Celtics 75 Nuggets 74

Celtics Bonham, Havlicek(3) Russell

Nuggets Thompson(3) Thompson, Thompson

Denver's come all the way back; 9 points for David Thompson to open the quarter.

3 Nuggets 86 Celtics 83

Celtics Sanders, Havlicek, Havlicek, Siegfried

Nuggets Williams, Williams, Jones, Beck, Terry, Issel

3rd Qtr Score Celtics 92 Nuggets 92

Celtics KC Jones, Sam Jones, Havlicek(3) Sam Jones

Nuggets Gerard, Issel, Thompson

Whew.  What a game.  7 more for Havlicek and we are in a flat footed tie.

4th

11:50 BOS: Set play for Russell, who scores from the paint.

11:00: BOS: The Nuggets get multiple shots - missing them all, Bonham hits a FT.

9:52: DEN: Both sides miss, Bobby Jones gets a putback.

9:39: BOS: Hondo with the floater.

9:32: DEN: David Thompson hits a midrange.

9:26: BOS: Bonham, in for Sam Jones, hits a long 2.

9:19: DEN: John Thompson, giving Russell a blow, fouls Issel, who hits 1.  Celts by 2.

9:15: BOS: Satch Sanders from the foul line.

8:57: DEN: Chuck Williams from the top of the key.

8:31: DEN: Bobby Jones gets a steal, Gus Gerard hits a 12 footer and it's 101-101

8:17: BOS: John Thompson muscles up and scores.  Russell checks back in. Celtic starters on the floor.

7:52: DEN: The bank is open for Ralph Simpson.  Tied.

7:30: BOS: As the shot clock nears expiration, Havlicek comes through with the contested 2.

7:17: DEN: Marvin Webster's in for Issel and he drills the jump hook.  Tied.

6:40: BOS: Boston misses twice, but Russell comes through with big offensive rebounds and Sam Jones converts.  Heinsohn for Sanders. Nuggets 5 starters now all check in.

6:33: DEN: Bobby Jones high off glass.

5:37: BOS: Empty trips both ways leads to a deep 3 from KC Jones. 

5:20 DEN: Bobby Jones from the paint.

4:59: DEN: Simpson strips Sam Jones, Chuck Williams hits the midrange and Denver goes up.

4:48: BOS: Russell powers one home.

4:33: DEN: Bobby Jones in traffic.  

4:02: DEN: Heinsohn misses and Issel doesn't - Denver by 3.

3:28: BOS: Sam Jones fadeaway.

3:20: DEN: Issel down low.

2:28: DEN: Boston can't find the basket - but David Thompson can and it's 119-114.

2:02: DEN: Issel blocks Russel and Thompson dunks one home and that might do it.

1:48: BOS: Issel fouls Russell, who hits 1.

1:01: BOS: Denver misses, Havlicek converts the other way, 121-117.

:45 DEN: The Celts decide not to foul - and Issel makes them pay, Chuck Williams misses, but it's Issel who gets the putback and that will do it - Denver will eliminate the Celts.

:17: DEN Issel 2 FT

:08 DEN: Issel 1 FT

Final: Denver 126 Boston 117

The upsets keep coming in Region 7, the 13 knocking off the 4 in two straight.  The legendary Celtics title teams continue to fall.  Bill Russell had 27 boards in the loss.  

Jones: 24 pts/15 boards/5 blocks - Player of the Game

Issel: 23 pts/16 boards 

Thompson: 23 pts/8 boards/8 assists

Simpson: 10 pts/7 assists

Williams: 14 pts/5 assists

Webster: 10 pts/7 boards

Beck: 11 pts

All Region Team

C Walton ('77 Blazers)

F Lucas ('77 Blazers)

F Jones ('76 Nuggets)

G Curry ('16 Warriors)

G Thompson ('16 Warriors)

2021 MLB All-Stars (Through 40 Games)

 40 games down; here's the new projection:

NL East

1. Mets 87

2. Phillies 83

3. Braves 81

4. Nats

5. Marlins

NL Central

1. Cards 85

2. Brewers 84-WC2

3. Reds 81

4. Cubs 

5. Pirates

NL West

1. Dodgers 98

2. Padres 94-WC1

3. Giants 84-WC2

4. DBacks

5. Rockies

AL East

1. Yankees 93

2. Rays 89-WC1

3. Jays 88-WC2

4. Sox 84

5. Orioles

AL Central

1. WSox 90

2. Indians 84

3. Twins 

4. Royals 

5. Tigers 

AL West

1. Astros 91

2. A's 86

3. Angels 81

4. Mariners 

5. Rangers 

All Star Rosters. I won't worry about getting each team a representative for this build; I'll do this again at 60 games and then at 80 games and fulfill those requirements.  For now - 32 man rosters, 20 position players, 9 starting pitchers, 3 relievers

NL

C B.Posey SFG 

    C.Kelly Ari 

    O.Navarez Mil 

1B M.Muncy LA   NL MVP

      J.Aguilar Mia 

2B J.Cronenworth SD 

      R.McMahon Col 

      T.Edman StL 

SS T.Turner Wash 

     B.Crawford SFG 

3B K.Bryant Chi 

     N.Arenado StL 

     J.Turner LAD 

LF   D.Peralta Ari 

      

CF T.Grisham SD  

 

RF N.Castellanos Cin 

OF C.Taylor LAD 

      B.Reynolds Pit 

      R.Acuna Atl 

      B.Harper Phi  

SP J.DeGrom NYM - NL Cy Young

   T.Bauer LAD 

   C.Burnes Mil 

   Z.Wheeler Phi 

   K.Gausman SFG

   B.Woodruff Mil 

   F.Peralta Mil 

   Y.Darvish SD 

   M.Scherzer Wash 

 RP A.Reyes StL 

       J.Hader Mil 

       R.Rodriguez Pitt

      

       

AL

C S.Perez KC 

    C.Vazquez Bos 

     

1B Y.Gurriel Hou 

      V.Guerrero Tor 

      C.Santana KC 

      

2B M.Semien Tor 

     W.Merrifield KC 

SS X.Bogaerts Bos 

      I. Kiner-Falefa Tex 

      B.Bichette Tor

3B J.Ramirez Cle 

     R.Devers Bos 

     K.Seager Sea 

LF M.Canha Oak 

      

CF B.Buxton Min  - AL MVP

  

RF A.Judge NYY 

OF     C.Mullins Bal 

          M.Trout LAA 

          R.Laureano Oak 

    

DH JD Martinez Bos 

P  G.Cole NYY - AL Cy Young

    J.Means Balt 

    C.Rodon CWS 

    T.Glasnow TB 

    K.Gibson Tex 

    S.Bieber Cle 

    D.Cease CWS

    D.Duffy KC

    S.Ohtani LAA

RP A.Chapman NYY

      K.Graveman Sea

      Y.Petit Oak

    

  

    

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

 Region 6

1. 2016 WEST CHAMP GOLDEN ST WARRIORS v. 16. 2020 EAST CHAMP MIAMI HEAT

Warriors: 73-9, Pac Div Champs, 1st Off, 5th Def

                  d. Rockets West 1st Rnd, 4-1

                  d. Blazers West Semis 4-1

                  d. Thunder West Finals 4-3

                  Lost Cavs NBA Finals 4-3

                  #7 overall seed

Coach: Steve Kerr

Starters

C Andrew Bogut          31-Utah             5.4 PPG    15.9 PER  5.4 WS

F Draymond Green      25-Michigan St 14             19.3           11.1

F Harrison Barnes        23-UNC           11.7           12.3           4.9

G Steph Curry             27-Davidson      30.1          31.5           17.9

G Klay Thompson       25-Wash St        22.1          18.6           8

Rotation Reserves

C Festus Ezeli              26-Vandy          7               17.7           2.7

F Mo Speights              28-Florida        7.1            17.1           1.8

F Andre Iguodala         32-Arizona        7               12.2           4.4

G Shawn Livingston    30                     6.3             13.8           4.6

G Leandro Barbosa      33                     6.4             11.7           2.1

Leaders: Curry: 1st PPG, 1st Steals, 1st Steals/Gm, 1st FT%, 2nd Eff FG% 1st TS%, 1st PER, 1st WS, 1st WS/48, 1st +/-, 1st VORP, 2nd Off Rtng, 4th Steal %, 2nd Trip-Doub

               Dray: 5th Def Reb, 3rd +/-

It's Steph Curry and the 73 win Warriors. 1st in Win Shares, 1st in VORP, 1st in PER. Draymond also has double digit WS.

Heat: 44-29, 1st SE Div, 7th Off, 11th Def

           d. Pacers East 1st Rnd 4-0

           d. Bucks East Semis 4-1

           d. Celtics East Finals 4-2

            Lost Lakers NBA Finals 4-2

            #250 overall seed

Coach: Erik Spoelstra, GM Pat Riley

Starters

C Kelly Olynyk             28-Gonzaga        8.2 PPG   14.6 PER  3.7 WS

F Bam Adebayo             22-Kentucky      15.9          20.3          8.5

F Jimmy Butler              30-Marquette     19.9          23.6          9

G Goran Dragic             33                       16.2          16.3          3.5

G Duncan Robinson      25-Michigan      13.5          13.1           5.3

Rotation Reserves

C Meyers Leonard         27-Illinois          6.1            10.6          2.1

F Jae Crowder                29-Marquette    11.9           16.3         1.9

F Derrick Jones              22-UNLV          8.5             14.9         4.4

G Kendrick Nunn           24-Oakland       15.3           12.9         2

G Tyler Herro                 20-Kentucky     13.5           12.5         1.6

Leaders: Robinson 3rd Eff FG%, 3rd TS%, 

               Adebayo 5th Def WS

               Jones: 4th TO%

It's the Covid Heat; they're climbing uphill in this one, but a top seeded Warriors team has already dropped.  Iguodala is on this Heat squad, but not in the rotation and we may not get the Iguodala v Iguodala matchup.

Matchup:

C Bogut (Warriors)

F Push

F Butler (Heat)

G Curry (Warriors)

G Thompson (Warriors)

Bench: Warriors

Game One

1st

9 Heat 12 Warriors 3

Warriors Steph (3)

Heat Butler, Olynyk(3) Dragic(1) Olynyk, Butler, Dragic

6 Heat 16 Warriors 11

Warriors Klay(3) Klay, Klay(3)

Heat Olynyk, Adebayo

Kelly Olynyk has 7 to open the series; Heat up 5.

3 Heat 24 Warriors 16

Warriors Klay, Barnes(3)

Heat Butler(3) Adebayo, Butler(3)

1st Qtr Score Heat 27 Warriors 19

Warriors Speights(3)

Heat Leonard(1) Crowder

Jimmy Butler's got 10; the Heat up 8 through 1.

2nd

9 Heat 33 Warriors 25

Warriors Klay  Livingston, Livingston

Heat Leonard, Nunn(3)

6 Heat 39 Warriors 34

Warriors Ezeli, Klay(3) Bogut, Iguodala

Heat Jones, Butler, Dragic

Klay Thompson's got 15, Warriors still trail.  

3 Heat 41 Warriors 40

Warriors Steph, Klay, Iguodala

Heat Robinson

Halftime Score Heat 46 Warriors 45

Warriors Klay, Bogut(1) Speights

Heat Butler, Robinson(3)

19 points for Klay; Heat still with that lead.  

3rd

9 Heat 53 Warriors 47

Warriors Barnes

Heat Butler(1) Nunn, Adebayo, Dragic

6 Heat 61 Warriors 61

Warriors Steph, Speights, Bogut(1) Barbosa, Dray, Klay, Ezeli

Heat Herro, Butler, Olynyk, Butler

18 minutes left in game one and we are all tied in Oakland; Bogut has 4 fouls.  

3 Heat 70 Warriors 64

Warriors Klay(3)

Heat Butler(1) Nunn, Robinson(3) Robinson(3)

3rd Qtr Score Heat 82 Warriors 75

Warriors Barnes, Steph(3) Dray(3) Dray(3)

Heat Adebayo, Dragic, Dragic, Jones(3) Leonard(3)

The two teams combine for 5 three pointers in the last 55 seconds of the quarter - the 16th seeded Heat are up 7 on the top overall seed in the Region, the 73 win Dubs.  

4th

9 Heat 86 Warriors 83

Warriors Steph(3) Steph(3) Steph

Heat Olynyk, Dragic

6 Heat 96 Warriors 92

Warriors Dray, Steph(3) Steph, Dray

Heat Adebayo, Butler, Olynyk(3), Dragic(3)

Steph opens the 4th with 13 in the first 6, but the Heat are up 4.

5:55: MIA: Robinson scores from the wing.  

4:56: MIA: 2 empty Warrior trips when they can't afford it - Butler hits a floater and it's 100-92

4:23: MIA: Warrior turnover, Crowder J - it's a double digit Miami lead.

3:34: GSW: Both sides turn it over - Klay hits the corner 3.

3:18: MIA: Butler in the lane.

3:02: GSW: Dray hits a triple from the top.  104-98.

2:07: GSW: Nunn misses for Miami - the Warriors miss a couple of threes, but pick up offensive boards, Bogut gets the layin.  104-100.

1:44: MIA: Butler flies in for the hard dunk.  

1:04: MIA: Steph misses - and Duncan Robinson hits the dagger 3.  Miami is about to take game one.

:49: MIA: Warriors can't get a bucket.  Adebayo gets a FT. 

:38: GSW: Klay hits a triple from the wing.

:38: MIA: 2 Dragic FT

Final: Heat 112 Warriors 103

A game one stunner; Miami leads almost the whole way and wins by 9.  The 73-9 Warriors are a game from elimination. 

Butler: 28 pts/12 boards/9 assists-Player of the Game

Adebayo: 11 pts/16 boards/5 assists

Dragic: 18 pts/6 assists

Olynyk: 14 pts/6 boards/5 assists

Robinson: 16 pts

Thompson: 30 pts

Curry: 23 pts/7 assists

Green: 15 pts/12 boards/8 assists

Barnes: 7 pts/11 boards

Game Two

1st

9 Warriors 9 Heat 2

Warriors Klay, Dray, Steph(3) Dray

Heat Adebayo

6 Warriors 14 Heat 10

Warriors Klay(3) Steph

Heat Butler, Olynyk(3) Dragic(3)

Golden St is a game away from elimination; they score the first 7 and lead by 4.

3 Warriors 16 Heat 14

Warriors Speights

Heat Adebayo, Nunn

1st Qtr Score Warriors 21 Heat 16

Warriors Steph(3) Iguodala

Heat Nunn

Slow pace, Heat looking to grind it out in game 2, Pat Riley from the exective suite dialing up that Knicks playbook.  

2nd

9 Warriors 25 Heat 20

Warriors Barbosa, Speights

Heat Crowder, Jones

6 Warriors 34 Heat 22

Warriors Klay, Iguodala(3) Bogut, Livingston

Heat Adebayo

Double digit lead, maybe Warriors re-assert themselves today.

3 Warriors 42 Heat 24

Warriors Iguodala(1) Iguodala(1) Klay(3) Steph(3)

Heat Nunn

Halftime Score Warriors 51 Heat 37

Warriors Iguodala (3) Klay (3) Ezeli(3)

Heat Adebayo, Butler, Butler, Leonard(3) Crowder, Jones(3)

Warriors look like they're rolling through game 2; headed to the showdown game. 

3rd

9 Warriors 53 Heat 42

Warriors Livingston

Heat Jones, Crowder(3)

6 Warriors 59 Heat 50

Warriors Livingston, Livingston. Curry

Heat Nunn(3) Herro(3) Adebayo

The Heat trailed by 19 and have sliced that in half.

3 Warriors 66 Heat 55

Warriors Steph, Bogut, Klay(3)

Heat Butler, Nunn(3)

3rd Qtr Score Warriors 75 Heat 61

Warriors Steph, Klay, Steph(3) Dray

Heat Adebayo, Dragic, Olynyk

7 more for Curry and the Warriors are up 14.

4th

9 Warriors 85 Heat 73

Warriors Curry, Klay, Klay, Ezeli, Steph

Heat Robinson(3) Dragic, Dragic(3) Adebayo, Nunn

6 Warriors 90 Heat 80

Warriors Klay(1) Steph, Bogut

Heat Jones, Robinson(3) Olynyk

Double digit Warrior lead; 6 minutes left

3 Warriors 98 Heat 88

Warriors Bogut, Steph, Dray, Speights

Heat Dragic, Olynyk(3) Robinson(3)

Final Score Warriors 108 Heat 94

Warriors Barnes(3) Klay(3) Thompson, McAdoo

Heat Vincent, Haslem(3)

Miami never really able to make a run; Warriors even it up.

Curry: 28 pts/10 boards/6 assists-Player of the Game

Thompson: 26 pts/7 boards

Bogut: 8 pts/13 boards

Iguodala: 10 pts/5 boards

Olynyk: 10 pts/9 boards/6 assists

Adebayo: 14 pts/6 assists

Dragic: 12 pts/6 boards

Nunn: 14 pts

Game Three

1st

9 Warriors 13 Heat 5

Warriors Steph, Dray, Steph(3) Klay(3) Steph(3)

Heat Dragic, Adebayo, Adebayo(1)

6 Warriors 22 Heat 11

Warriors Dray(3) Klay(3) Klay(3)

Heat Dragic (3) Robinson(3)

6 Warriors 3s to open up the decisive game 3; Thompson with 9, Curry with 8.

3 Warriors 26 Heat 17

Warriors Dray, Steph

Heat Robinson(3) Robinson(3) 

1st Qtr Score Warriors 26 Heat 22

Warriors

Heat Crowder(3) Jones

Miami rips a half dozen threes of their own and cut the deficit to 4.  

2nd

9 Warriors 34 Heat 27

Warriors Speights, Klay, Klay, Livingston

Heat Crowder(3) Herro

6 Warriors 36 Heat 31

Warriors Livingston

Heat Adebayo, Adebayo

Defense starts to assert a little bit, Thompson's got 13.  

3 Warriors 44 Heat 35

Warriors Steph, Bogut, Barnes, Ezeli

Heat Butler, Butler

Halftime Score Warriors 50 Heat 43

Warriors Dray(3) Dray(3)

Heat Adebayo, Adebayo, Dragic, Dragic

13 first half points for Draymond Green - Warriors up 7.

3rd

9 Warriors 60 Heat 49

Warriors Steph, Steph(3) Barnes(3) Dray

Heat Adebayo, Adebayo, Butler

6 Warriors 69 Heat 60

Warriors Steph(3) Klay, Klay, Speights

Heat Adebayo, Olynyk(3) Nunn, Leonard, Adebayo

Steph Curry with 20 - Warriors up 9. 

3 Warriors 71 Heat 64

Warriors Dray

Heat Adebayo, Dragic

3rd Qtr Score Warriors 82 Heat 74

Warriors Barnes(3) Livingston, Curry(3) Klay, Klay(1)

Heat Olynyk, Crowder(3) Robinson(3) Butler

Miami continues to hang around - can they make a 4th quarter run?

4th

9 Warriors 89 Heat 84

Warriors Dray(3) Steph, Klay

Heat Butler, Olynyk(3) Adebayo, Olynyk(3)

Miami makes a run - a couple of Kelly Olynyk triples cuts the deficit to 5, the closest they've come for nearly the entire game.

8:36: MIA: Butler hits a midrange 2 and it's a 3 point game.

7:47: GSW: Barnes misses a triple, but Green gets the board and Barnes comes through with a bucket.

7:39: MIA: Adebayo from the paint.

6:59: GSW: Klay misses, but Barnes gets the board and Steph comes through from the paint. 93-88

6:18: GSW Olynyk misses, Draymond goes off glass the other way.

5:24: MIA: Both sides miss; Adebayo gets a dunk and a foul to cut the deficit to 4.

5:13: GSW: Draymond 3 from the wing.  

3:46: MIA: After empty trips, Nunn dunk cuts it to 5.

3:14: GSW: Steph misses the 3 - but Harrison Barnes hits the triple from the top after a Draymond board and it's an 8 pt game.

2:56: MIA: Olynyk tip in. 

2:49: GSW: Bogut in the paint.

2:22: GSW: Bogut does it on the other end, gets a block on Adebayo - Draymond hits the dagger 3 - it's an 11 point Warrior lead and that wraps it up.

2:12: MIA: Robinson 3.

1:24: MIA: Warrior turnover, Adebayo from the block. 106-100.

1:10: GSW: Green 2 FT

:50: MIA: Dragic underneath.

:19: GSW: Steph 2 FT

:11: MIA: Olynyk 3

:05: GSW: Steph 1 FT

:03: MIA: Robinson 3

:00: GSW: Steph 2 FT

Final: Warriors 113 Heat 108

Golden St loses game one - but shows that 73 win mettle, coming back to take the series.  Triple-double from Butler; 30 from Adebayo.

Green: 30 pts/11 boards/5 assists-Player of the Game

Curry: 32 pts/7 boards/7 assists

Thompson: 22 pts/6 boards

Barnes: 13 pts/5 boards

8. 1968 EAST DIV CHAMP PHIL 76ERS v. 9. 1977 NBA CHAMP PORT TRAILBLAZERS

76ers: 62-20, 1st East Div, 4th Off, 1st Def

           d. Knicks East Semis 4-2

           Lost Celtics East Finals 4-3

           # 122 overall seed

Coach: Alex Hannum, GM Dr Jack Ramsey

Starters

C Wilt Chamberlain    31-Kansas      24.3 PPG   24.7 PER 20.4 WS

F Chet Walker             27-Bradley     17.9           15.9          8.2

F Billy Cunningham   24-UNC         18.9            18.6          6.4

G Larry Costello         36-Niagara     7.2              12.8         1.5

G Hal Greer                31-Marshall    24.1            17.1         11.2

Rotation Reserves

C Luke Jackson          26-UT-Pan Am 11.8          12.4         5.1

F Johnny Green          34-Mich St       5.1             13.7        .8

F Matt Guokas           23-St Joes         6.1            10.4         4.2

G Bill Melchionni      23-Villanova    4.6            11.9         1.1

G Wali Jones              25-Villanova   12.8           10.9         1.3

Leaders: Wilt: 4th PPG, 1st Reb, 1st Reb/Gm, 1st Assists, 2nd Asst/Gm, 1st FG%, 1st Eff FG%, 1st PER, 1st WS, 1st WS/48, 1st Trip-Doub

               Greer: 4th WS

Here's Wilt; nearly 25 PER, 20 WS, 1st in both categories.  Hal Greer also has double digit WS.  Note, Dr Jack is the GM.  

Blazers: 49-33, 2nd Pac Div, 2nd Off, 5th Def

               d. Bulls West 1st 2-1

               d. Nuggets West Semis 4-2

               d. Lakers West Finals 4-0

               d. Sixers NBA Finals 4-2

               #135 overall seed

Coach: Dr Jack Ramsey, 

Starters

C Bill Walton           24-UCLA                    18.6 PPG  22.9 PER 10.2

F Maurice Lucas      24-Marquette               20.2          18.3         8.7

F Bob Gross             23-Cal St Long Beach 11.4          16.2         7.4

G Dave Twardzik    26-Old Dominion         10.3           16.3        7.5

G Larry Steele         27-Kentucky                10.3           16.3         5.2

Rotation Reserves

C Robin Jones         22-St Louis                   5.5            13.1         2.2

F Lloyd Neal           26-Tenn St                    6.8             13.1        1.8      

F Herm Gilliam       30-Purdue                     9.3            12.7         2.5

G Lionel Hollins      23-Ariz St                    14.7          15.6         4

G Johnny Davis       21-Dayton                    8               12.8         2.5

Leaders: Walton: 5th Reb, 1st Reb/Gm, 3rd Blocks, 1st Blocks/Gm, 3rd PER, 3rd WS/48, 3rd +/- 3rd VORP, 2nd Def Rtng, 3rd Reb%, 2nd Block %

               Twardzik: 1st TS%,

Walton against Wilt - Walton's got double digit WS and 20+ PER; and it's Dr Jack v. Dr Jack, Ramsey's coaching the Blazers and running the Sixers front office.  

Matchup: 

C Wilt (Sixers)

F Lucas (Blazers)

F Cunningham (Sixers)

G Twardzik (Blazers)

G Greer (Sixers)

Bench: Push

Game One

1st

9 Blazers 12 Sixers 6

Sixers Walker, Cunningham, Greer

Blazers Steele(3) Lucas(3) Twardzik, Gross, Walton

6 Blazers 26 Sixers 16

Sixers Walker, Melchionni, Wilt, Melchionni, Jackson

Blazers Walton, Walton, Steele, Gross, Lucas, Lucas, Gross

Maurice Lucas leads the way with 7 and the Blazers get off to the roaring start.  

3 Blazers 28 Sixers 27

Sixers Walker, Cunningham, Melchionni(3) Greer, Cunningham

Blazers Steele

1st Qtr Score Sixers 34 Blazers 30

Sixers Jackson, Greer(3) Greer

Blazers Gilliam

Wilt and Walton playing each other to a stalemate; Hal Greer pops for 7 in the back 6 and Philly's up 4.

2nd

9 Sixers 40 Blazers 38

Sixers Walker, Cunningham, Jones

Blazers Steele, Hollins(3) Twardzik(3)

6 Sixers 46 Blazers 46

Sixers Costello, Jackson, Greer

Blazers Lucas, Hollins(3) Neal (3)

Only 2 points for Chamberlain, but the Sixers are even-Steven halfway through the quarter.

3 Sixers 57 Blazers 55

Sixers Wilt, Walker, Walker, Jackson, Wilt

Blazers Walton, Hollins, Steele, Gilliam(3)

Halftime Score Sixers 67 Blazers 57

Sixers Cunningham, Jones, Wilt, Cunningham(3) Greer(1)

Blazers Jones

Wilt gets it going - the Sixers up double digits.

3rd

9 Sixers 75 Blazers 67

Sixers Walker, Greer, Wilt(1) Wilt(1) Wilt

Blazers Walton, Gross, Walton, Steele, Gilliam

6 Sixers 91 Blazers 69

Sixers Wilt, Wilt, Greer(3) Walker, Walter, Guokas(3) Cunningham

Blazers Neal

Wilt gets it going; he scores 8 to open the half and now Philly is rolling over the Blazers

3 Sixers 102 Blazers 77

Sixers Walker(3) Jackson(3) Greer(3) Melchionni

Blazers Lucas, Gross, Lucas, Gross

3rd Qtr Score Sixers 110 Blazers 85

Sixers Walker, Cunningham, Costello, Cunningham

Blazers Walton, Twardzik, Jones, Gross

The Sixers just pouring it on - an enormous game one lead.  

4th

9 Sixers 112 Blazers 92

Sixers Jackson

Blazers Walton, Lucas(1) Lucas, Lucas

6 Sixers 115 Blazers 97

Sixers Costello(3)

Blazers Steele, Gilliam, Walton

3 Sixers 118 Blazers 107

Sixers Jackson(1) Walker

Blazers Lucas, Neal, Steele, Gilliam, Walton

Final Score Sixers 128 Blazers 113

Sixers Costello, Wilt, Costello, Costello, Filipek

Blazers Neal, Gross, Mayes

The Sixers score and keep scoring; taking it to the Blazers.  Walton does set the new block record.  

Walker: 25 pts/7 boards - Player of the Game

Wilt: 19 pts/15 boards/7 assists

Greer: 20 pts/7 boards

Cunningham: 19 pts/9 boards

Costello: 13 pts

Jackson: 14 pts/10 boards

Walton: 20 pts/22 boards/8 blocks

Lucas: 20 pts/5 assists

Steele: 17 pts

Gross: 16 pts

Gilliam: 10 pts

Game Two

1st 

9 Sixers 6 Blazers 6

Sixers Costello(3) Costello(3)

Blazers Walton, Lucas, Lucas

6 Blazers 14 Sixers 12

Sixers Cunningham, Greer, Wilt

Blazers Lucas, Gross, Gross, Lucas

8 for Lucas, he starts hot again.

3 Blazers 18 Sixers 18

Sixers Cunningham, Melchionni, Guokas

Blazers Lucas, Gross

1st Qtr Score Sixers 26 Blazers 24

Sixers Guokas, Wilt, Guokas, Jones

Blazers Neal, Gilliam, Neal

Just 2 for Walton and 4 for Wilt - tight through one.  

2nd

9 Sixers 27 Blazers 26

Sixers Greer

Blazers Lucas

6 Sixers 37 Blazers 32

Sixers Jackson, Costello, Greer, Costello, Costello(3)

Blazers Hollins, Walton, Steele

Larry Costello scores more in the last 3 minutes than Wilt/Walton combined all game.

3 Sixers 46 Blazers 40

Sixers Wilt, Cunningham(1) Guokas, Wilt, Walker

Blazers Walton, Steele, Hollins, Walton

Halftime Score Blazers 50 Sixers 48

Sixers Wilt

Blazers Gilliam, Jones, Gilliam, Jones, Davis

The Blazer bench goes on a nice run in the last 3 and Portland takes the halftime lead.

3rd

9 Blazers 62 Sixers 57

Sixers Wilt, Green, Green, Walker, Costello

Blazers Neal, Steele(3) Twardzik, Lucas, Walton

6 Blazers 72 Sixers 68

Sixers Greer, Costello, Cunningham(1) Walker, Cunningham, Walker

Blazers Gross, Twardzik, Steele, Walton, Walton

Both squads shooting the lights out to open the half.

3 Sixers 76 Blazers 72

Sixers Greer, Cunningham, Jones, Walker

Blazers

Score Sixers 82 Blazers 80

Sixers Walker, Costello(3) Costello(1) Cunningham

Blazers Lucas, Lucas, Walton, Walton

Maurice Lucas has 5 fouls - will that be a factor down the stretch?

4th:

11:27: POR: Chet Walker picks up his 4th foul, Walton hits 1 FT

11:00: POR: Lionel Hollins strips Billy Cunningham; Bob Gross hits a triple from the wing and the Blazers are back on top.

10:41: POR: Walton steals a Hal Greer pass and cruises home for a layup.

10:32: PHI: Greer drills a midrange J.

10:17: PHI: Walton's blocked by Wilt - a pure stuff that elevates this Philly crowd and Melchionni converts the other way.

9:49: POR: Gross misses a triple, but Walton outfights Wilt for the board - kicks it to Hollins for the J.

9:40: PHI: Hal Greer from the foul line.  88-88

9:20: PHI: Lucas misses - Wilt doesn't.

8:49: POR: Lucas misses, but Gross comes up with the board and the bucket.

8:40: PHI: Greer drives and scores.  92-90 Sixers

8:06: PHI: Twardzik misses a 3 -- Melchionni comes back with a 3 of his own and the lead is 5.

7:58: POR: Robin Jones down low.

7:41: POR: Philly turnover - Steele bank shot.

7:22: PHI: Greer 1 FT.  96-94

6:43: POR: It takes a couple of attempts, but Gross is there to scoop and score.

6:15: PHI: Costello misses, Luke Jackson gets the board - finds Costello again.

5:42: POR: It takes a couple of attempts, but Twardzik gets it home. 98-98

5:10: POR: Sixers miss - Steele midrange.

4:54: PHI: Melchionni floater

4:46: POR: Steele midrange  Blazers up 2.

4:37: PHI: Twardzik picks up his 5th, Walker hits both.

4:27: POR: Hollins checks in for Twardzik, he pulls up and gives Portland the lead.

4:20: PHI: Greer drives and scores

3:51: PHI: Greer steals the ball and drives hard for the breakaway dunk.

3:00: POR: Both sides miss, Walton scores from the block.  106-106

2:48: PHI: Luke Jackson down low.

2:42: POR: Herm Gilliam midrange.  Tied.

2:35: PHI: Jackson again from the paint.

1:55: POR: Lucas is blocked by Jackson, but the Blazers keep - reset - and Lucas hits from the paint to tie it again.

1:00: POR: Empty Philly trip - they miss 3 times and then Hollins is fouled the other way, hitting one.  111-110 Blazers

:53: PHI: They go to Wilt, he banks it off glass.  Sixers by a point.

:43: POR: The Blazers go to Walton - he's fouled by Walker, his 5th, Walton hits one and it is tied.

Greer takes it to the rack - Walton swats it away.  Lucas comes up with it.  

:19: POR: Twardzik finds Walton - he dunks right over Wilt - that's a poster - Blazers by a bucket.

Sixers call time - the ball swings around to Billy C with two seconds left - Walton comes out -- and blocks the shot with 2 seconds left and it is done.

Final: Blazers 114 Sixers 112

Portland evens up the series - Walton has two huge blocks and a game winning dunk.

Walton: 26 pts/22 boards/5 blocks - Player of the Game

Lucas: 20 pts/9 boards

Gross: 15 pts/7 boards

Steele: 15 pts/7 assists

Wilt: 16 pts/20 boards/10 assists

Greer: 20 pts/7 assists

Costello: 21 pts

Walker: 12 pts/5 assists

Cunningham: 12 pts/6 boards/6 assists

Game 3

1st

9 Sixers 4 Blazers 2

Sixers Walker, Wilt

Blazers Lucas

6 Blazers 10 Sixers 8

Sixers Cunningham, Greer

Blazers Lucas, Walton, Steele, Twardzik

Ferocious defensive intensity from both sides to open game 3. 

3 Blazers 17 Sixers 17

Sixers Wilt(1) Melchionni, Cunningham(1) Melchionni, Walker(3)

Blazers Steele, Gross(3) Davis

1st Qtr Score Sixers 31 Blazers 25

Sixers Wilt, Wilt, Cunningham, Wilt(1) Jones, Melchionni(3) Guokas

Blazers Walton, Neal, Hollins, Hollins

Offenses take over in the back 6 of the first quarter; Bill Melchionni pumping home 7.

2nd

9 Sixers 35 Blazers 31

Sixers Costello, Walker

Blazers Neal, Neal, Neal

6 Sixers 46 Blazers 41

Sixers Walker, Walker, Walker, Cunningham, Wilt

Blazers Lucas, Lucas, Gross, Walton, Steele(1)

Chet Walker scores 8 straight - the Sixers up 5.

3 Blazers 55 Sixers 48

Sixers Jackson

Blazers Steele, Walton, Gross, Walton, Gilliam(3) Twardzik(3)

Halftime Blazers 64 Sixers 55

Sixers Walker, Greer, Costello(3)

Blazers Steele, Steele(3) Hollins, Hollins

Hottest offensive stretch of the series for Portland; Larry Steele hits for 7 and the Blazers go to the locker room up 9.

3rd

9 Blazers 76 Sixers 67

Sixers Costello, Guokas, Guokas, Melchionni, Wilt, Greer(3)

Blazers Gross, Twardzik, Walton, Lucas, Lucas, Walton

6 Blazers 86 Sixers 63

Sixers Melchionni, Melchionni, Melchionni

Blazers Walton, Gross, Lucas(1) Lucas(3) Walton

8 for Lucas to open the half - the Blazers are pulling away.

3 Blazers 93 Sixers 81

Sixers Greer, Jackson, Greer, Wilt

Blazers Gross, Hollins(3) Lucas

3rd Qtr Score Blazers 98 Sixers 87

Sixers Greer, Cunningham, Cunningham

Blazers Lucas(1) Davis, Walton

12 minutes left in the series; Portland by 11.

4th

9 Blazers 104 Sixers 92

Sixers Greer(1) Greer, Melchionni

Blazers Lucas, Neal, Walton

6 Blazers 112 Sixers 105

Sixers Jones(1) Green, Wilt, Cunningham, Costello, Walker

Blazers Jones, Lucas, Hollins, Lucas

Philly cuts it to 7.  Can they keep closing?

3 Blazers 120 Sixers 110

Sixers Greer, Costello(3)

Blazers Gross, Gross, Steele, Steele

Final: Blazers 131 Sixers 120

Sixers Walker, Reid(3) Costello (3) Greer

Blazers Walton, Gross, Walton, Neal, Gross(1) Twardzik

The Blazers take games 2 and 3 and will move on to face the Warriors.

It's evident to me that what I should have done was combine these rounds and move right now to play the next series.  Once I work through round one I'll do that.

Lucas: 26 pts/16 boards - Player of the Game

Walton: 26 pts/15 boards

Gross: 20 pts/6 boards/6 assists

Steele: 16 pts

Hollins: 13 

Neal: 12 pts

All Region Team

C Walton ('77 Blazers)

F Lucas ('77 Blazers)

F Green ('16 Warriors)

G Curry ('16 Warriors)

G Thompson ('16 Warriors)