256 Team All Time Basketball Tournament: Region 15 Round 1: Series 5 and 6

 3/4

3. 2008 WEST CHAMP LA LAKERS v. 14. 2009 NW CHAMP DENVER NUGGETS

Lakers: 57-25, 1st Pac Div, 3rd Off/5th Def

              d. Nuggets West 1st Rnd 4-0

              d. Jazz West Semis 4-2

              d. Spurs West Finals 4-1

              Lost NBA Finals Celtics 4-2

              #47 overall seed

Coach: Phil Jackson, Asst Kurt Rambis, Brian Shaw, GM Mitch Kupchak

Starters

C Andrew Bynum              20                13.1 PPG   22.6 PER  4.8  WS

F Pau Gasol                       27                 18.8           24             4.6

F Lamar Odom                  28-R Island  14.2           16.9          9.7

G Derek Fisher                  33-L Rock    11.7           13.8          5.7

G Kobe Bryant                  29                  28.3          24.2          13.8

Rotation Reserves

C Ronny Turiaf                 25-Gonzaga   6.6            15             4.2

F Vladimir Radmanovic   27                   8.4            12.6          3.5

F Luke Walton                  27-Arizona     7.2            12.3          3.2

G Jordan Farmar               21-UCLA       9.1            15.4          3.9

G Sasha Vujacic               23                    8.8            15.1          3.6

Leaders Kobe 2nd PPG, 5th Stls, 4th WS, 3rd VORP

               Odom 5th Def Reb

The 2008 Lakers are top 5 in offense and defense and are the 3rd seeds in the region; Kobe's 29, over 20 in PER and Win Shares; 20 year old Bynum, 27 year old Gasol also cross 20 PER.  Lakers going big - with those two and Odom all in the starting lineup.  

Nuggets: 54-28, 1st NW Div, 7th Off/8th Def

                d. Hornets West 1st Rnd 4-1

                d. Mavs West Semis 4-1

                Lost Lakers West Finals 4-2

                #210 overall seed

Coach: George Karl, Asst: Stacey Augmon, Adrian Dantley

Starters

C Nene                               26                    14.6 PPG   18.8 PER  9.3 WS

F Chris Andersen               30-Blinn          6.4              18.1         5.4

F Carmello Anthony          24-Syracuse     22.8            19            5

G Chauncey Billups          32-Colorado     17.9            18.8         9.9

G JR Smith                        23                     15.2            16.8         5.8

Rotation Reserves

C Kenyon Martin               31-Cincinnati   11.7           13.6          4

F Renaldo Balkman           24-S Carolina   5                16.8         2.6

F Linas Kleiza                   24-Missouri      9.9             13.2         3.6

G Allen Iverson                 33-Georgetown  18.7          15.2         .2

G Dahntay Jones               28-Duke             5.4            9              2

Leaders: Andersen 2nd Blocks, 2nd Blocks/Gm

                Nene 2nd FG%, 2nd Eff FG%, 1st TS%

                Billups 4th FT%

Denver's top 8 in both offense and defense; they're a year ahead of LA and would lose in the playoffs to that future Lakers team.  No one hits either 20 PER or double digit WS; 33 year old Iverson played in just a few games, but he's Allen Iverson, so he makes the rotation for a handful of minutes.  

Matchup

C Push

F Gasol (Lakers)

F Anthony (Nuggets)

G Billups (Nuggets)

G Kobe (Lakers)

Bench: Nuggets

Game 1

1 Qtr

9 Lakers 4 Nuggets 3

Lakers Gasol, Gasol

Nuggets Nene(1) Andersen

6 Lakers 12 Nuggets 12

Lakers Fisher, Kobe, Bynum, Kobe

Nuggets Anthony, Nene, Smith(3) Anthony

Lakers/Nuggets underway.

3 Lakers 19 Nuggets 17

Lakers Bynum, Gasol, Farmar(3)

Nuggets Billups, Smith(3)

1 q Score Nuggets 24 Lakers 23

Lakers Kobe(3) Turiaf(1)

Nuggets Iverson, Kleiza, Nene

Good start to this series, Kobe's got 7.

2 Qtr

9 Nuggets 30 Lakers 28

Lakers Radmanovic(3) Farmar

Nuggets Billups(3) Jones(3)

6 Nuggets 41 Lakers 39

Lakers Kobe, Fisher, Bynum(3) Farmar, Bynum

Nuggets Nene, Billups, Martin, Andersen, Anthony(3)

Buckets, buckets, buckets.  

3 Lakers 46 Nuggets 45

Lakers Kobe(3) Odom, Kobe

Nuggets Anthony, Martin

Half Score Lakers 58 Nuggets 47

Lakers Farmar, Odom, Odom, Kobe(3) Kobe(3)

Nuggets Nene

Kobe scores 11 in the last 8 minutes of the half.

3 Qtr

9 Lakers 66 Nuggets 56

Lakers Gasol, Bynum, Bynum, Kobe

Nuggets Anthony, Andersen, Nene(3) Nene

6 Lakers 66 Nuggets 60

Lakers

Nuggets  Balkman, Balkman

Gasol picks up his 4th, Nuggets close the gap.

3 Lakers 76 Nuggets 64

Lakers Fisher(3) Gasol, Kobe, Fisher(3)

Nuggets Andersen(3) Nene(1)

3 q Score Lakers 84 Nuggets 69

Lakers Gasol, Odom, Gasol, Bynum

Nuggets Andersen, Billups(3)

Couple of 3s by DFish probably ends this one.

4 Qtr

9 Lakers 91 Nuggets 77

Lakers Kobe, Odom(3) Odom

Nuggets Martin, Martin, Anthony, Andersen

6 Lakers 99 Nuggets 80

Lakers Odom, Vujacic, Vujacic, Fisher

Nuggets Iverson, Anthony(1)

3 Lakers 106 Nuggets 86

Lakers Odom(3) Vujacic, Newble

Nuggets Andersen, Nene, Andersen

Final Score Lakers 118 Nuggets 87

Lakers Ariza, Ariza, Mihm, Evans(3) Newble(3)

Nuggets Andersen(1)

Lakers outscore Denver by 16 in the 4th and pull away.

Kobe: 26 pts/6 boards-Player of the Game

Odom: 18 pts/6 boards/6 assists

Gasol: 14 pts/9 boards

Bynum: 15 pts/7 boards

Fisher 12 pts

Andersen: 18 pts/6 boards/4 blocks

Nene: 17 pts/8 boards

Anthony: 14 pts/5 boards

Billips: 10 pts/7 assists

Game 2

1 Qtr

9 Nuggets 7 Lakers 6

Lakers Fisher, Odom, Gasol

Nuggets Nene(3) Smith, Anthony

6 Lakers 10 Nuggets 7

Lakers Fisher, Bynum

Nuggets

Defense first in game 2.

3 Lakers 18 Nuggets 12

Lakers Gasol, Kobe(3) Radmanovic(3)

Nuggets Andersen(3) Smith

1 q Score Lakers 19 Nuggets 16

Lakers Radmanovic(1)

Nuggets Jones, Balkman

Strong defensive effort continues.

2 Qtr

9 Lakers 23 Nuggets 19

Lakers Gasol, Farmar

Nuggets Martin(3)

6 Lakers 29 Nuggets 22

Lakers Fisher(3) Fisher(3)

Nuggets Smith(3)

DFish hits a couple triples and this might be about to get away.

3 Lakers 34 Nuggets 32

Lakers Farmar(3) Walton

Nuggets Billups(3) Billups, Smith(3) Martin

Half Score Nuggets 43 Lakers 43

Lakers Kobe

Nuggets Smith, Smith, Nene, Anthony, Andersen(3)

It's Denver that goes on the run; 7 for JR Smith to close the half; still a defensive game.

3 Qtr

9 Nuggets 51 Lakers 43

Lakers Kobe, Kobe(3) Farmar

Nuggets Anthony(3) Iverson(1) Iverson, Iverson

6 Nuggets 59 Lakers 50

Lakers Bryant(3) Fisher, Farmar

Nuggets Martin(1) Nene, Martin, Andersen(3)

AI scores 5 straight for Denver and they lead by 9.

3 Nuggets 66 Lakers 60

Lakers Turiaf, Farmar(3) Turiaf, Odom(3)

Nuggets Andersen, Smith(3) Billups

3 q Score Nuggets 76 Lakers 69

Lakers Kobe(3) Kobe, Walton, Bynum

Nuggets Anthony, Balkman, Martin, Anthony, Balkman

12 mintues left - Nuggets trying to force game 3.

4 Qtr

9 Nuggets 82 Lakers 73

Lakers Odom, Gasol

Nuggets Billups, Anthony, Nene

6 Nuggets 91 Lakers 77

Lakers Gasol, Bynum

Nuggets Smith(3) Billups, Billups, Billups

Game 2 is Denver's, Billups with 8 to start the 4th.

3 Nuggets 98 Lakers 81

Lakers Odom, Bynum

Nuggets Nene, Balkman(1) Nene, Smith

Final Score Nuggets 107 Lakers 86

Lakers Kobe, Cook(3)

Nuggets Smith, Samb(3) Carter, Weems

Denver matches LAs game one blowout with one of its own and we head to the showdown.

Smith: 24 pts/5 boards-Player of the Game

Anthony: 13 pts/11 boards/5 assists

Andersen: 11 pts/12 boards/5 blocks

Nene: 13 pts/6 boards

Billups: 15 pts/8 assists

Martin: 10 pts/7 boards

Kobe: 20 pts/10 assists/5 boards

Gasol: 10 pts/6 boards/5 assists

Fisher: 12 pts

Odom: 9 pts/14 boards

Farmar: 12 pts/5 assists

Game 3

1 Qtr

9 Lakers 6 Nuggets 2

Lakers Odom, Bynum, Kobe

Nuggets Andersen

6 Lakers 16 Nuggets 4

Lakers Kobe, Fisher, Bryant, Bynum, Gasol

Nuggets Smith

Not the start Denver wanted as the LA defense locks them down.

3 Lakers 23 Nuggets 13

Lakers Fisher, Farmar, Farmar(3)

Nuggets Anthony, Balkman, Billups, Balkman(3)

 

1 q Score Lakers 25 Nuggets 17

Lakers Radmanovic

Nuggets Kleiza, Kleiza

Denver gets a little closer as the first wraps.

2 Qtr

9 Lakers 31 Nuggets 19

Lakers Turiaf, Turiaf, Farmar

Nuggets Martin

6 Lakers 34 Nuggets 23

Lakers Fisher(3)

Nuggets Nene, Anthony

Defense, defense, defense here in game 3.  Winner advances..

3 Lakers 43 Nuggets 29

Lakers Odom(3) Kobe, Bynum, Kobe

Nuggets Anthony(3) Martin(3)

Half Score Lakers 52 Nuggets 40

Lakers Kobe(3) Odom, Kobe, Bynum

Nuggets Anthony, Billups, Iverson, Iverson, Anthony(3)

Carmello goes for 8 as the half ends, Lakers still up a dozen.

3 Qtr

9 Lakers 61 Nuggets 46

Lakers Fisher, Odom, Gasol, Farmar(3)

Nuggets Smith, Smith, Martin

6 Lakers 64 Nuggets 53

Lakers Farmar, Bynum(1)

Nuggets Andersen, Iverson(3) Nene

Denver warming up a little, still a double digit deficit.

3 Lakers 69 Nuggets 63

Lakers Gasol, Odom(3)

Nuggets Anthony(3) Iverson, Smith(1) Smith, Billups

3 q Score Lakers 74 Nuggets 66

Lakers Kobe, Bynum(3)

Nuggets Smith, Nene(1)

Denver gets as close as 5 - they're within shouting distance.

4 Qtr

9 Lakers 84 Nuggets 70

Lakers Gasol(1) Bynum, Gasol(3) Gasol, Gasol

Nuggets Billups, Andersen

6 Lakers 87 Nuggets 76

Lakers Fisher, Gasol(1)

Nuggets Nene, Andersen, Martin

10 for Pau as the 4th opens.

3 Lakers 91 Nuggets 81

Lakers Odom, Odom

Nuggets Balkman, Anthony, Anthony

Final Score Lakers 99 Nuggets 94

Lakers Kobe(3) Kobe(1) Kobe, Kobe

Nuggets Anthony, Smith(3) Billups, Smith, Billups

Denver got as close as 4 - but Kobe hits foul shots down the stretch and it's over.  21/10 for Carmello in the loss.

Kobe: 25 pts/5 boards/4 steals- Player of the Game

Odom: 16 pts/17 boards/5 assists/4 steals

Gasol: 15 pts/6 boards

Bynum: 14 pts/16 boards/4 blocks

Fisher: 11 pts

Farmar: 12 pts

ALL REGION TEAM

C Robinson ('98 Spurs-1 PotG)

F Bird ('82 Celtics-2 PotG

F Issel ('72 Colonels-1 PotG)

G Kobe ('08 Lakers-2 PotG)

G Magic ('87 Lakers-1 PotG)

6. 2009 EAST CHAMP ORLANDO MAGIC v. 11. 2000 SAN ANTONIO SPURS

Magic: 59-23, 1st SE Div, 11th Off/1st Def

             d. Sixers East 1st Rnd 4-2

             d. Celtics East Semis 4-3

             d. Cavs East Finals 4-2

             Lost Lakers NBA Finals 4-1

             #82 overall seed

Coach: Stan Van Gundy, Asst Patrick Ewing

Starters

C Dwight Howard            23                    20.6 PPG   25.4 PER  13.8 WS

F Marcin Gortat                24                   3.8              17              3.3

F Rashard Lewis              29                     17.7           16.8           9.5

G Jameer Nelson              26-St Joes        16.7           20.6           6

G Hedo Turkoglu             29                     16.8           14.8           7.3

Rotation Reserves

C Tony Battie                    32-T Tech           4.8          11.9           2.8

F Mickael Pietrus              26                        9.4          11.6          3

F Courtney Lee                  23-W Kentucky  8.4          10.4          4.4

G Anthony Johnson           34-Charleston     5.3           10.3         2.8

G Rafer Alston                   32-Fresno St       12            15.6         2.4

Leaders Howard 1st Reb, 1st Reb/Gm, 1st Blocks, 1st Blocks/Gm, 4th FG%, 4th PER, 5th WS, 3rd WS/48, 5th Def +/-, 1st Def Rtng, 2nd Reb%, 2nd Block %

               Nelson 2nd 3 Pt %

The best defense in 2009 belonged to the Magic, led by 23 year old Dwight Howard, top 5 in the league in Win Shares, WS/48 and PER.  26 year old Jameer Nelson also hits 20 PER

Spurs: 53-29, 2nd MW Div, 12th Off/2nd Def

            Lost Suns West 1st Rnd 3-1

            #175 overall seed

Coach: Gregg Popovich, Asst Mike Budenholzer

Starters

C David Robinson            34-Navy                17.8 PPG     24.6 PER  12.7 WS

F Tim Duncan                  23-Wake                 23.2             24.8          13

F Antonio Daniels            24-BGSU                6.2              15.2          3.6

G Terry Porter                  36-UW Stevens Pt  9.4               16.6          5.6

G Avery Johnson              34-Southern           11.2              14.8          6.3

Rotation Reserves

C Samaki Walker              23-Louisville         5.1                13.1           2

F Malik Rose                    25-Drexel              6.7                 13.2          3.4

F Sean Elliott                    31-Arizona             6                  8.8           .5

G Steve Kerr                    34-Arizona            2.8                 10.6         .6

G Mario Elie                    36-AIC                  7.5                 10.4         4.6

Leaders Duncan 4th Reb, 3rd Reb/Gm, 4th PER, 4th WS, 3rd Def Rtng

               Robinson 5th Blocks, 5th PER, 2nd Def WS, 3rd WS/48, 3rd Def+/-, 1st Def Rtng

               Porter 5th TS%

Similar profiles for these clubs; middling offense, high level defense, the Spurs were #2 in defense in 2000. You know who leads them - Duncan's 23 and Robinson's 34. 

Matchup: 

C Howard (Magic)

F Duncan (Spurs)

F Lewis (Magic)

G Nelson (Magic)

G Turkoglu (Magic)

Bench: Magic

Game 1

1 Qtr

9 Magic 6 Spurs 6

Magic Gortat, Nelson, Howard

Spurs Robinson, Duncan, Daniels

6 Magic 15 Spurs 10

Magic Howard, Turkoglu, Nelson(3) Lewis

Spurs Johnson, Daniels

You'd expect a defense first series; winner meets LA.

3 Magic 21 Spurs 14

Magic Howard, Turkoglu, Gortat

Spurs Spencer, Duncan

1 q Score Magic 28 Spurs 18

Magic Nelson(3) Nelson, Battie

Spurs Kersey, Spencer

10 for Jameer Nelson, Magic up.

2 Qtr

9 Magic 30 Spurs 21

Magic Johnson

Spurs Johnson(1) Rose

6 Magic 35 Spurs 25

Magic Johnson(3) Battie

Spurs Daniels, Robinson

You want defense?  Welcome to this series.

3 Magic 42 Spurs 34

Magic Battie, Alson, Lee(3)

Spurs Porter(3) Robinson, Elie, Rose

Half Score Magic 46 Spurs 41

Magic Howard, Alston

Spurs Elie(3) Robinson, Johnson

Duncan doesn't score in the second quarter, but the Spurs cut the deficit in half.

3 Qtr

9 Magic 55 Spurs 45

Magic Howard, Howard, Nelson(3) Howard

Spurs Robinson, Daniels

6 Magic 61 Spurs 45

Magic Nelson, Howard, Lewis

Spurs 

8 for Dwight Howard to open the half as the Magic pull away.

3 Magic 70 Spurs 53

Magic Howard, Lewis(3) Nelson, Nelson

Spurs Johnson, Duncan, Duncan, Robinson

3 q Score Magic 77 Spurs 58

Magic Nelson, Nelson(3) Nelson

Spurs Robinson, Elliott

Jameer Nelson scores the last 11 Magic points; the Spurs getting blown out.

4 Qtr

9 Magic 82 Spurs 60

Magic Howard(3) Howard

Spurs Porter(3)

6 Magic 87 Spurs 65

Magic Gortat, Lewis(3)

Spurs Robinson, Kerr(3)

3 Magic 92 Spurs 74

Magic Turkoglu, Pietrus(3)

Spurs Duncan, Elie, Dial, Jackson(3)

Final Score Magic 96 Spurs 86

Magic Cook(3) Foyle(1)

Spurs Jackson(3) Jackson(3) Kersey(3) Jackson(3)

Easy one for the Magic, just this close with the Jaren Jackson garbage time triples.

Howard: 23 pts/12 boards - Player of the Game

Nelson: 26 pts/6 assists

Lewis: 10 pts

Gortat: 6 pts/17 boards

Robinson: 16 pts/11 boards

Duncan: 10 pts/12 boards

Jackson: 12 pts

Game 2

1 Qtr

9 Magic 10 Spurs 4

Magic Lewis, Gortat, Turkoglu, Howard, Lewis

Spurs Porter, Johnson

6 Magic 15 Spurs 10

Magic Nelson, Turkoglu(3)

Spurs Robinson, Duncan(3)

The Spurs couldn't solve Orlando's defense in game one; same early here.

3 Magic 20 Spurs 13

Magic Gortat, Turkoglu, Howard(1)

Spurs Robinson(1) Daniels

1 q Score Magic 26 Spurs 19

Magic Pietrus, Pietrus, Alston

Spurs Elie, Duncan, Elliott

Sure looks like it's happening again; Orlando defense the story here.

2 Qtr

9 Magic 33 Spurs 27

Magic Johnson(3) Howard, Battie

Spurs Walker, Porter(3) Elie(3)

6 Magic 38 Spurs 29

Magic Howard(3) Turkoglu

Spurs Duncan

If the Spurs have the ability to make a run, they haven't shown it yet.

3 Magic 48 Spurs 32

Magic Lewis, Howard, Gortat(3) Howard(3)

Spurs Johnson, Robinson(1)

Half Score Magic 52 Spurs 35

Magic Lee, Nelson

Spurs Porter(1) Rose

This series is over; Orlando will face LA.

3 Qtr

9 Magic 63 Spurs 49

Magic Turkoglu(3) Lewis, Alston, Lewis, Howard

Spurs Kerr(3), Kerr(3) Rose, Robinson, Duncan, Duncan

6 Magic 67 Spurs 56

Magic Howard, Turkoglu

Spurs Robinson, Duncan, Duncan(3)

Duncan has his best stretch, 9 pts to open the quarter.

3 Magic 74 Spurs 63

Magic Lewis, Lewis, Nelson(3)

Spurs Robinson(3) Robinson, Robinson

3 q Score Spurs 77 Magic 74

Magic

Spurs Daniels (3) Elie, Porter, Johnson(1) Robinson, Duncan

There's the run - 12-0 Spurs sprint to finish the quarter and San Antonio takes the lead.

4 Qtr

9 Magic 82 Spurs 81

Magic Howard, Howard, Howard, Battie

Spurs Daniels, Johnson

6 Magic 88 Spurs 81

Magic Lewis, Turkoglu, Howard

Spurs

8 for Howard to open the 4th as Orlando re-asserts.

3 Magic 92 Spurs 85

Magic Howard, Nelson

Spurs Duncan, Duncan

Final Score Magic 99 Spurs 88

Magic Lewis(1) Turkoglu, Johnson, Howard

Spurs Duncan(1) Daniels

Orlando locks down the 4th quarter and they move on.  23/10 for Duncan

Howard: 29 pts/12 boards/4 blocks - Player of the Game

Lewis: 17 pts/10 boards/6 assists

Turkoglu: 18 pts/5 assists

ALL REGION TEAM

C Howard ('09 Magic-2 PotG)

F Bird ('82 Celtics-2 PotG

F Issel ('72 Colonels-1 PotG)

G Kobe ('08 Lakers-2 PotG)

G Magic ('87 Lakers-1 PotG)

256 Team All Time Basketball Tournament: Region 15 Round 1: Series 3 and 4

 1/2

5. 1982 ATL DIV CHAMP BOSTON CELTICS v. 12. 1972 ABA EAST CHAMP KENT COLS

Celtics: 63-19, 1st Atl Div, 4th Off/6th Def

              d. Bullets 4-1 East Semis

              Lost Sixers 4-3 East Finals

              #79 overall

Coach: Bill Fitch, Asst KC Jones, GM Red Auerbach

Starters

C Robert Parish               28-Centenary         19.9 PPG        22.6 PER  10 WS

F Cedric Maxwell           26-UNCC               14.8                16             9.1

F Larry Bird                    25-Indiana St         22.9                 22.6          12.5

G Tiny Archibald            33-UTEP                12.6                 14.3          5.2

G Gerald Henderson       26-VCU                 10.2                 13.2          3.6

Rotation Reserves

C Rick Robey                  26-Kentucky          5.7                   11             1.9

F Kevin McHale             24-Minnesota         13.6                  16.9          7.5

F ML Carr                       31- Guliford           8.1                    11.9          2.8

G Chris Ford                   33-Villanova          5.7                     7.8           2.1

G Danny Ainge                22-BYU                4.1                     10.1         .5

Leaders: Parish 3rd Off Reb, 5th Blocks, 5th Blocks/Gm, 3rd Def Rtng, 5th Reb%

                Bird 4th Def Reb, 5th FT%, 2nd Def WS, 3rd +/-, 3rd VORP, 3rd Trip Doub

                Archibald 4th Asst/Gm

The '82 Celtics are the 5th seed in Region 15; top 6 in both offense and defense in '82. 25 year old Bird and 28 year old Parish both hit 20 PER with double digit WS.

Colonels: 68-16, 1st ABA East, 2nd Off/1st Def

                 Lost Nets East Semis 4-2

                 #178 overall seed

Coach: Joe Mullaney

Starters

C Artis Gilmore                22-Jacksonville       23.8 PPG     26.6 PER  19.8 WS

F Dan Issel                       23-Kentucky            30.6             23.3          13.5

F Cincinnatus Powell       29-Portland              16.1             14.7           5.4

G Louis Dampier             27-Kentucky            15.9             13.4            8.1

G Walter Simon               32-Benedict              8.9               18.4           4.1

Rotation Reserves

C Les Hunter                    29- Loyola (IL)         6.7             13.6           2.7

F Goose Ligon                  27                              5.9             10.7          1

F Darrel Carrier                31-WKentucky         14.2            12.1          .9

G Jimmy O'Brien              21-B College            5.1              8.4           1.5

G Mike Gale                     21-Eliz City St         6.4               9.1           2.6

Leaders Issel 3rd PPG, 3rd WS, 4th WS/48, 3rd TO%

               Gilmore 9th Reb, 1st Reb/Gm, 1st Blocks, 1st FG%, 1st Eff FG%, 1st TS% 1st PER, 1st WS, 1st WS/48, 2nd Reb%

               Dampier 3rd Assts, 4th Assts/Gm, 4th 3 Pt%

               O'Brien 4th Asst%

The best defense in the ABA in '72 (and the 2nd best offense) belongs to the Colonels. 12th seed in Region 15. 22 year old Artis Gilmore is the ABAs best player, first in Win Shares, Win Shares/48 and PER.  23 year old Dan Issel also breaks 20 PER with double digit WS. 

Matchup

C Gilmore (Colonels)

F Issel (Colonels)

F Bird (Celtics)

G Dampier (Colonels)

G Simon (Colonels)

Bench: Celtics

Game 1

1 Qtr

9 Celtics 7 Colonels 2

Celtics  Bird, Parish, Parish(1) Arichibald

Colonels Gilmore

6 Celtics 15 Colonels 12

Celtics Archibald, Parish, Maxwell, Bird 

Colonels Simon, Issel, Gilmore, Powell, Simon

Probably the last ABA team we'll see in the first round (I don't feel like checking); Kentucky down early.

3 Celtics 21 Colonels 20

Celtics Henderson, Bird, Bird

Colonels Issel, Simon, Simon, Powell

1 q Score Colonels 29 Celtics 21

Celtics

Colonels Gilmore, Ligon(1) Gale, O'Brien, Gale

Kentucky goes on a 9-0 run to end the quarter and takes the lead.  

2 Qtr

9 Colonels 35 Celtics 23

Celtics Henderson

Colonels Carrier, Issel, Issel

6 Colonels 44 Celtics 36

Celtics Ainge, McHale(3), Bird, Ainge, Bird, Maxwell

Colonels Powell, O'Brien(1) Gilmore, Carrier, Dampier

Good pace the last 3 minutes; Colonels with the solid lead.

3 Colonels 52 Celtics 42

Celtics McHale, Henderson, Bird

Colonels Carrier, Dampier, Issel, Gilmore

Half Score Colonels 58 Celtics 46

Celtics Bird, McHale

Colonels Gilmore, Simon, Issel

Always interesting when an ABA team competes with an NBA team - Boston's the solid favorite by seed, but Kentucky's offense is rolling so far.  

3 Qtr

9 Colonels 58 Celtics 57

Celtics Archibald, Henderson, Parish, Ainge, Carr(3)

Colonels 

6 Colonels 66 Celtics 61

Celtics McHale, Maxwell

Colonels Hunter, Issel, Issel, Issel

Boston scores the first 13 of the half, taking the lead - Issel gets it back.  Colonels by 5.

3 Colonels 76 Celtics 67

Celtics Bird, McHale, Ford

Colonels Dampier(3) Issel, Dampier, Gale

3 q Score Colonels 88 Celtics 81

Celtics Archibald, Ford(3) Archibald(3) Parish, Henderson, Henderson

Colonels Simon, Simon, Simon, Issel, O'Brien, Carrier

It's the Colonels with a 7 point lead as we hit the 4th.  McHale has 4 fouls.

4 Qtr

9 Colonels 92 Celtics 88

Celtics Maxwell, Maxwell, Bird(3)

Colonels Dampier, Simon

Bird's triple cuts the deficit to 4.

6 Celtics 99 Colonels 98

Celtics McHale, Robey, Maxwell, Robey, Maxwell(3)

Colonels Powell, Simon, Issel

9 points in the first half of the 4th for Cornbread - and we have a good stretch run coming.

4:58: KY: A minute later, Walt Simon scores from the paint.  

4:29: KY: Celtics turnover leads to a Gilmore drive and score.  Colonels up 3.

4:17: BOS: McHale in the post.  

3:40: BOS: The Colonels miss, Bird's fouled and hits 1 to tie it at 102.

3:15: KY: Couple of shots at it for Kentucky ends in Simon's dunk.  

3:02: BOS: Bird, sweet 2.  

2:49: KY: The Colonels go to Issel, he's fouled by the Chief - hits the shot and the FT.  107-104.  5 on Parish.  

2:02: KY: Boston doesn't score, Cincy Powell goes backdoor the other way and the lead is 5.

1:45: BOS:  Bird, setting it down, scoring from the paint.  

1:00: BOS: Boston stiffens on defense, Parish scores the other way and Kentucky leads by 1.

Maxwell steals the ball 

:41: BOS: Gerland Henderson hits an ice cold triple from the corner - the Celtics are up 2.

Boston never gets the ball back - the Colonels miss 3 times, including Powell at the buzzer and Boston takes it.

Final Score Celtics 111 Colonels 109

Bird: 28 pts/18 boards/7 assists - Player of the Game

Maxwell: 15 pts/13 boards

Parish: 11 pts/11 boards/7 blocks

Henderson: 15 pts/6 assists

Archibald: 11 pts/5 assists

McHale: 15 pts/8 boards

Issel: 28 pts/12 boards

Gilmore: 14 pts/15 boards

Simon: 24 pts/9 boards/6 assists

Powell: 10 pts/8 assists/7 boards

Dampier 11 pts

Game 2

1 Qtr

9 Colonels 12 Celtics 8

Celtics Bird, Maxwell, Bird, Parish

Colonels Powell, Dampier, Issel, Simon, Simon, Issel

6 Colonels 21 Celtics 16

Celtics Parish, Parish, Maxwell, Archibald

Colonels Dampier, Simon, Powell, Dampier(3)

Kentucky shooting the lights out to open game 2.  Louie Dampier with 7.

3 Colonels 32 Celtics 21

Celtics Archibald(3) McHale

Colonels Powell, Simon, Gilmore(3) Simon, Issel

1 q Score Colonels 36 Celtics 27

Celtics Parish, Archibald, Maxwell

Colonels Gilmore, Carrier

8 for Simon - the Colonels with a terrific quarter.  

2 Qtr

9 Colonels 40 Celtics 36

Celtics Archibald(3) Henderson, Archibald, Parish

Colonels Hunter, Gale

6 Colonels 44 Celtics 39

Celtics Parish(1) Bird

Colonels Powell, Issel

Tiny Archibald with 5 in 3 minutes and the Celtics trail by 5.

3 Colonels 53 Celtics 44

Celtics Ford(1) Henderson, Henderson

Colonels Gilmore, Gilmore, Gilmore(3) Gale

Half Score Colonels 59 Celtics 50

Celtics Maxwell, Henderson, Maxwell

Colonels Carrier, Dampier, Simon

7 for Gilmore in that 3 minute stretch and the Colonels are solidly up.

3 Qtr

9 Colonels 66 Celtics 56

Celtics Parish, Henderson, Archibald

Colonels Issel, Gilmore(1) Issel, Powell

6 Colonels 71 Celtics 67

Celtics Bird(3) Bird, McHale, Bird, Parish

Colonels Dampier, Issel(3)

Bird and Issel each put up 7 to open the half; we got a good one here in Boston.

3 Colonels 78 Celtics 73

Celtics Archibald, Maxwell, Bird

Colonels Powell, Ligon(3) Dampier

3 q Score Colonels 85 Celtics 81

Celtics McHale, Parish, McHale, Ainge

Colonels Dampier, Issel(3) 

Another good one, Boston looks to advance; Colonels to stay alive.

4 Qtr

11:41: BOS: Bird opens the quarter with a 13 footer.  

11:14: KY: Walt Simon drives and scores.

11:03: BOS: Bird again, baseline J.

10:56: KY: The bank's open for Cincy Powell.

10:29: KY: Powell steals the ball - Les Hunter hook shot the other eay.  6 point lead.

9:09: BOS: A minute passes, Ainge scores in traffic.

8:29: KY: Gilmore from the block.

8:22: BOS: Bird again, long 2.

8:08: KY: Issel floater.

7:56: BOS: McHale layup.

7:46: KY: Simon from the foul line.

7:17: KY: Boston misses and a Dampier layup gives the Colonels the 8 point lead.

6:59: BOS:  Bird.  Colonels 99 Celtics 93

3 Colonels 109 Celtics 99

Celtics McHale, Parish, Henderson

Colonels Simon, Gale, Issel, Carrier, Carrier

Final Score Colonels 119 Celtics 106

Celtics Archibald, Bradley, Robey(3)

Colonels  Gilmore, Carrier, Pratt, Russell, Russell

It's Kentucky in game 2 - the Colonels pull away down the stretch to force the decisive game 3.

Issel: 22 pts/9 boards - Player of the Game

Powell: 16 pts/10 boards

Simon: 18 pts/7 boards/6 assists

Gilmore: 17 pts/9 boards/5 assists/4 blocks

Dampier: 17 pts/5 assists

Carrier: 10 pts

Bird: 23 pts/13 boards

Parish: 19 pts/14 boards/6 blocks

Maxwell: 12 pts/8 boards/5 assists

Archibald: 18 pts

Henderson: 12 pts

McHale: 12 pts/9 boards

Game 3

1 Qtr

9 Colonels 12 Celtics 6

Celtics Henderson, Parish, Archibald

Colonels Issel(3) Gilmore(3) Gilmore, Gilmore, Simon

6 Colonels 18 Celtics 12

Celtics Archibald, Bird, Bird

Colonels Issel, Gilmore, Gilmore

Artis Gilmore comes out fast in game 3 with 11 points.  

3 Colonels 30 Celtics 20

Celtics Henderson, Ainge, Bird, Parish

Colonels Gilmore, Dampier(3) Issel(1) Gilmore, Simon, Issel

1 q Score Colonels 41 Celtics 32

Celtics Parish, Parish, Robey, Bird, Bird, Carr

Colonels Dampier, Gale, Issel, O'Brien(3) Carrier

Just an offensive onslaught by the Colonels, Gilmore has 15 first qtr pts.

2 Qtr

9 Colonels 43 Celtics 42

Celtics Robey, Robey, Bird, Ford, Ford

Colonels O'Brien(1) Gale(1)

6 Colonels 47 Celtics 44

Celtics McHale

Colonels Carrier, Powell

The Chief's got 3 - will that be the story in this one?

3 Celtics 55 Colonels 53

Celtics Ainge, Bird(3) McHale, Ainge, Ainge

Colonels Issel, Issel, Simon

Half Score Celtics 68 Colonels 61

Celtics Bird, Bird(3), Henderson, Bird, Maxwell, Henderson

Colonels Gilmore, Issel, Simon, Issel

10 for Bird in the last 6 and Boston has its biggest lead of the series.  

3 Qtr

9 Celtics 72 Colonels 63

Celtics Bird, Parish

Colonels Hunter

6 Celtics 81 Colonels 69

Celtics Bird(3) Maxwell, Parish, Parish

Colonels Dampier, Gilmore, Powell

The Chief with a half dozen to open the half; Boston has been climbing uphill all series but has seized control here in game 3.

3 Celtics 90 Colonels 78

Celtics Parish(1) Maxwell, Bird, Ainge, Bird

Colonels Simon, Carrier(3) Issel, Carrier

3 q Score Celtics 96 Colonels 88

Celtics Bird, Parish, Carr

Colonels Ligon, Dampier, Dampier, Issel, Powell

Kentucky's within shouting distance.

4 Qtr

9 Celtics 99 Colonels 99

Celtics Archibald(1) McHale

Colonels Simon(3) Issel, Issel, Issel, Powell

And there you go.  Dan Issel scores 6 in the first 3 minutes of the 4th and this game is all tied up.

8:50: BOS: Chris Ford gets the open J.  

8:25: KY: Gilmore layup.  

8:18: BOS: Bird's fouled, hits 1.  102-101.

7:42: KY: Issel from the foul line.  Colonels lead.

7:35: BOS: Ainge - step back 3 - Bang.  Celtics by 2.

7:22: KY: Issel, again scoring in the paint.  

6:49: KY: Boston misses and Cincy Powell drives and scores.  Colonels by 2.

5:31: BOS: A minute later, Maxwell dunk ties it.

5:19: KY: Louie Dampier hitd a triple from the top.  Colonels by 3.

5:08: BOS: Parish hook shot.

4:43: KY: Simon, bank.

4:19: BOS: McHale, deft post moves.  112-111 Colonels

3:57: BOS: Bird steals one - The Chief gets a dunk.  Celtics by 1.

3:02: BOS: The Colonels miss - Cornbread goes baseline.

2:50: KY: Dampier hits another triple - this game is all tied up.  Great series.  Great, great series.

2:40: BOS: Maxwell, 14 feet.

2:14: BOS: After a miss, Tiny Archibald banks one home.  Celtics by 4

1:30: KY: Issel from the wing.  2 point game.

1:08: BOS: Bird misses - but gets his own follow and again it's a 4 point game.

:23: BOS: Boston stops Kentucky, they take over, The Chief is fouled and hits 1 and that should do it.

Parish will hit another FT.  Dampier hits a triple with 5 seconds left, cutting the deficit to 3.

Bird is fouled.  Hits both.  Done.  

Final Score: Celtics 125 Colonels 120

Issel had 34; Gilmore 21 points and 22 boards.  

Bird: 38 pts/14 boards/8 assists/6 steals - Player of the Game

Parish: 23 pts/14 boards

Maxwell: 12 pts/8 boards

Ainge: 13 pts/6 assists

ALL REGION TEAM

C Robinson ('98 Spurs-1 PotG)

F Bird ('82 Celtics-2 PotG

F Issel ('72 Colonels-1 PotG)

G Magic ('87 Lakers-1 PotG)

G Stockton ('95 Jazz)

4. 2016 NBA CHAMPION CLEVELAND CAVALIERS v. 13. 1994 PHOENIX SUNS

Cavs: 57-25, 1st Cent Div, 3rd Off/10th Def

          d. Pistons East 1st Rnd 4-0

          d. Hawks East Semis 4-0

          d. Raptors East Finals 4-2

          d. Warriors NBA Finals 4-3

          #50 overall seed

Coach Tyronn Lue

Starters

C Tristan Thompson                  24-Texas         7.8 PPG      15.9 PER  8.7 WS

F Kevin Love                             27-UCLA       16               19              8.5

F LeBron James                         31                   25.3            27.5           13.6

G Kyrie Irving                           23-Duke         19.6             19.9          5

G JR Smith                                 30                   12.4            12.4           5.5

Rotation Reserves

C Timofey Mozgov                   29                    6.3              14.6          3.7

F Channing Frye                        32-Arizona     7.5               14.9          1.5

F James Jones                            35-Miami        3.7               11.6         1.2

G Matthew Dellavedova           25-St Marys     7.5              11.3          3.8

G Mo Williams                         33- Alabama     8.2               12.4         1.1

Leaders LeBron: 5th PPG, 4th PER, 5th WS, 4th +/-,  3rd VORP

               Thompson 2nd Off Reb, 1st Off Rtng

                Smith 1st TO%

LeBron's World Champion Cavs are the 50th overall seed; 3rd best offensive team in the league in 2016. The King is 31; top 5 player in the NBA; 3rd in VORP, 4th PER, 5th Win Shares.

Suns: 56-26, 2nd Pac Div, 1st Off/16th Def

           d. Warriors West 1st Rnd 3-0

           Lost Rockets West Semis 4-3

           #207 overall seed

Coach: Paul Westphal, Asst Lionel Hollins

Starters

C Oliver Miller            23-Arkansas           9.2 PPG       18.2 PER  5.3 WS

F AC Green                 30-Oregon St          14.7              17             9.3

F Charles Barkley       30-Auburn              21.6               22.8         8.8

G Kevin Johnson         27-Cal                    20                  20.6         8.7

G Dan Majerle             28-C Michigan          16.5            13.7         7.3

Rotation Reserves

C Joe Klein                  32-Arkansas             3.9               11.2         1.6

F Mark West                33-ODU                   4.7               12.3         2.4

F Cedric Ceballos       24-Cal St Fullerton   19.1            20.9         5.9

G Frank Johnson          35-Wake                   4.6               11.6        1.2

G Danny Ainge            34-BYU                    8.9              11.8         2.8

Leaders  Miller 2nd TS%, 2nd Def +/-, 4th Block %

                Barkley 4th Def Reb%

The '94 Suns are the 13th seed in the Region; top offense in the league, middling defense.  30 year old Charles Barkley leads the way, sliding down to play the 3, he's over 20 PER, right behind is 27 year old KJ and, coming off the bench, 24 year old Ceballos.  Ainge comes off the bench here - as he did a dozen years before in the prior series as a Celtic. 

Matchup

C Push

F Push

F LeBron (Cavs)

G KJ (Suns)

G Majerle (Suns)

Bench: Suns

Game

1 Qtr

9 Cavs 5 Suns 0

Cavs Love, Love(3) 

Suns

6 Cavs 8 Suns 7

Cavs Love(1) Irving

Suns Barkley, KJ, Green(1) KJ

These are two teams that score, but the series does not start out like that.

3 Cavs 17 Suns 11

Cavs Smith, LeBron, LeBron, Irving(3)

Suns Barkley, Miller

1 q Score Cavs 23 Suns 15

Cavs Mozgov, LeBron, LeBron

Suns Barkley, Barkley

8 for LeBron in the last 6, this Suns team not on track yet.

2 Qtr

9 Cavs 27 Suns 21

Cavs Dellavedova, Frye

Suns Ceballos, Miller, Ceballos

6 Cavs 33 Suns 26

Cavs Smith(3) Smith(1) Mozgov

Suns Barkley(3) Green

Phoenix was the best scoring team in the league, but not so far today.

3 Cavs 43 Suns 33

Cavs Mozgov, Thompson, Dellavedova, Dellavedova, Frye

Suns KJ, Green, Ainge(3)

Half Score Cavs 52 Suns 38

Cavs Irving, Smith(3) Love, Thompson

Suns Green(3) Green

Cleveland's defense just stomping out the Suns.

3 Qtr

9 Cavs 68 Suns 44

Cavs Thompson, Williams, Irving(3) Irving, Dellavedova, Mozgov(3)

Suns Green, FJohnson, Miller

6 Cavs 72 Suns 53

Cavs Mozgov, Thompson

Suns Miller(3) KJ, Ceballos, Ceballos

The Cavs are demolishing the Suns.  

3 Cavs 79 Suns 62

Cavs LeBron, Williams, Thompson

Suns Ainge(3) KJ, Green, Miller

3 q Score Cavs 86 Suns 64

Cavs Frye(3) Jones, Mozgov

Suns Majerle

Cleveland cruising to the easy game one win.

4 Qtr

9 Cavs 90 Suns 70

Cavs Thompson, Love

Suns Ceballos, KJ, Ceballos

6 Cavs 96 Suns 76

Cavs Irving, Love, Williams

Suns Barkley, Green, Miller

3 Cavs 106 Suns 86

Cavs LeBron, Williams, LeBron, Williams, Kaun

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

Final Score Cavs 113 Suns 88

Cavs Varejao, Kaun, Varejao, McRae(1)

Suns Henry

Cleveland wins game one w/o breathing hard.

LeBron: 14 pts/10 assists/8 boards-Player of the Game

Love: 12 pts/13 boards/7 assists

Thompson: 12 pts/15 boards

Irving: 14 pts

Mozgov: 13 pts

Williams 12 pts

Miller: 14 pts/14 boards/4 blocks

Barkley: 13 pts/8 boards

Green: 16 pts/9 boards

KJ: 16 pts/5 boards

Ceballos: 12 pts/5 boards

Game 2

1 Qtr

9 Cavs 7 Suns 2

Cavs Irving, LeBron, Love(3)

Suns Barkley

6 Suns 13 Cavs 11

Cavs LeBron, Smith

Suns Majerle(3) Green, Majerle(1) Miller, Majerle(3)

Dan Majerle with 7 in the last 3, Suns with their first lead in the series.

3 Suns 22 Cavs 20

Cavs LeBron, LeBron, Thompson, Thompson(3)

Suns KJ, KJ, Barkley, Barkley(3)

1 q Score Cavs 34 Suns 32

Cavs Williams(3) Williams, Dellavedova(3) Frye, Frye, Williams

Suns Green, Kleine, Ainge, West, Ceballos

Mo Williams with 7 to close and the Cavs are up.

2 Qtr

9 Cavs 39 Suns 39

Cavs Dellavedova, Thompson(3)

Suns Kleine(3) Green, Barkley

6 Suns 47 Cavs 45

Cavs Love, Love, Mozgov

Suns Ceballos, FJohnson, Ceballos, Ceballos

 A half dozen for Ceballos; we got a good one here in game 2.

3 Suns 56 Cavs 51

Cavs LeBron(1) Mozgov, Frye, Smith(1)

Suns KJ, Ceballos(1) Barkley, Barkley, Miller

Half Score Suns 62 Cavs 60

Cavs Irving(3) Smith, Love, LeBron

Suns Green, Miller, Miller

A half dozen for Oliver Miller in the last 6; much more competitive here in game 2.

3 Qtr

9 Cavs 72 Suns 68

Cavs Smith(3) Mozgov, Jones(3) Irving, Smith

Suns Miller, Green(1) Barkley, Majerle(1)

6 Cavs 79 Suns 75

Cavs Williams, LeBron, Love(3)

Suns Majerle, Ceballos, Green

Triples give the Cavs the lead.

3 Cavs 90 Suns 77

Cavs Irving, LeBron, LeBron(3) LeBron, LeBron

Suns West

3 q Score Cavs 96 Suns 81

Cavs Dellavedova (3) Love (3)

Suns Miller, KJ

And just like that Cleveland ends the series; 9 for LeBron in a 3 minute stretch and the Cavs will play the Celtics in the next round.  LeBron taking on Larry.

4 Qtr

9 Cavs 97 Suns 81

Cavs Williams(1)

Suns

6 Cavs 105 Suns 90

Cavs Irving, Mozgob, Irving, Irving

Suns Ceballos, Miller(3) KJ, Green

3 Cavs 107 Suns 94

Cavs LeBron

Suns Ceballos, Green

Final Score Cavs 113 Suns 96

Cavs Mozgov, Shumpert(3) Cunningham(1)

Suns Mackey

Cleveland really way too much for the Suns in this series.  Both Barkley and AC Green go 15/12 in the loss.

LeBron: 24 pts/6 boards - Player of the Game

Love: 15 pts/9 boards

Irving: 15 pts/6 assists/5 boards

Smith: 10 pts/5 steals

Thompson: 8 pts/10 boards

Mozgov: 10 pts/5 boards

Williams: 10 pts

ALL REGION TEAM

C Robinson ('98 Spurs-1 PotG)

F Bird ('82 Celtics-2 PotG

F Issel ('72 Colonels-1 PotG)

G Magic ('87 Lakers-1 PotG)

G Stockton ('95 Jazz)

2021 NFL Predictions

AFC East 

1. Buffalo 12-5

2. Miami   9-8

3. N.England 9-8

4. NY Jets 4-13

AFC North

1. Baltimore 11-6

2. Cleveland 10-7

3. Pittsburgh 9-8

4. Cincinnati 6-11

AFC South

1. Tennessee 10-7

2. Indianapolis 9-8

3. Jacksonville 6-11

4. Houston    3-14

AFC West

1. K City 13-4

2. Denver 9-8

3. LA Chargers 8-9

4. L.Vegas 8-9

Playoffs:

Buffalo over Denver

Baltimore over Miami

Cleveland over Tennessee

KCity over Cleveland

Baltimore over Buffalo

AFC Championship: KC over Baltimore

NFC East

1. Dallas 10-7

2. Washington 8-9

3. NY Giants 7-10

4. Philadelphia 6-11

NFC North

1. G Bay 12-5

2. Minnesota 9-8

3. Chicago 7-10

4. Detroit 4-13

NFC South 

1. Tampa 13-4

2. N Orleans 9-8

3. Atlanta 8-9

4. Carolina 5-12

NFC West

1. Seattle 11-6

2. S Francisco 10-7

3. LA Rams 9-8

4. Arizona 7-10

Playoffs

G Bay d. Minnesota

Seattle d. LA Rams

S Francisco d. Dallas

Tampa d. S Francisco

G Bay d. Seattle

NFC Title: Tampa d. G Bay

256 Team All Time Basketball Tournament: Region 15 Round 1: Series 1 and 2

 Region 14

1. 1987 NBA CHAMPION LOS ANGELES LAKERS  v. 16. 1998 SAN ANTONIO SPURS

Lakers: 65-17, 1st Pac Div, 1st Off/7th Def

              d. Nuggets West 1st Rnd 3-0

              d. Warriors West Semis 4-1

              d. Sonics West Finals 4-0

              d. Celtics NBA Finals 4-2

              #15 overall seed

Coach: Pat Riley, GM Jerry West

Starters

C Kareem Abdul Jabbar       39-UCLA          17.5 PPG    17.9 PER  7.5 WS

F AC Green                          23-Ore St          10.8             15.7          7.6

F James Worthy                   25-UNC             19.4            18.4           9.3

G Magic Johnson                 27-Mich St        23.9             27             15.9

G Byron Scott                      25-Ariz St         17                16             7.7

Rotation Reserves

C Mychal Thompson            32-Minn            10.1            12.6            1

F Kurt Rambis                     28- S Clara          5.7             12.6           3.9

F Billy Thompson                23-Louisville      5.6             12.8           1.6

G Michael Cooper                30-N Mexico     2.5              14              6.1

G Adrian Branch                  23-Maryland      4.3              18.8           .7

Leaders Magic 1st Assts, 1st Assts/Gm, 2nd PER, 2nd WS, 1st WS/48, 3rd +/-, 3rd VORP, 3rd Off Rtng, 2nd Asst%, 2nd Trip Doub

               Kareem 5th FG%, 5th Eff FG%, 

               Scott 4th FT%, 4th 3pt%, 

We kick off Region 15 with the World Champion Lakers the best offense in '87. Magic's 27 - 1st in Win Shares, 1st in WS/48, 2nd in PER and 3rd in VORP.  

Spurs: 56-26, 2nd MW Div, 17th Off/2nd Def

            d. Suns West 1st Rnd 3-1

            Lost Jazz West Semis 4-1

            d. '68 Celtics

            #242 overall seed

Coach: Gregg Popovich, Asst Mike Budenholzer

Starters

C David Robinson              32-Navy                21.6 PPG      27.8 PER  13.8 WS

F Tim Duncan                    21-Wake                21.1               22.6          12.8

F Monty Williams              26-N Dame           6.3                 11.3          2.3

G Avery Johnson                32-Southern          10.2              14.1          6.7

G Vinny Del Negro            31-NC St              9.5                  11.1          3.7

Rotation Reserves

C Will Perdue                    32-Vandy               5                     14.8          4.7

F Chuck Person                  33-Auburn            6.7                  8.3            2.1

F Sean Elliott                     29-Arizona            9.3                  9.5            1.4

G Cory Alexander              24-UVA                4.5                  11.1           .7

G Jaren Jackson                 30-Georgetown    8.8                   9.7             4.1

Leaders Duncan 2nd Reb, 3rd Reb/Gm, 5th Blocks, 4th FG%, 5th PER, 4th WS, 2nd Def Rtng

               Robinson 5th Reb/Gm, 5th Blocks/Gm, 3rd PER, 3rd WS, 1st WS/48, 1st +/1, 3rd VORP, 1st Def Rtng

The '98 Spurs are the 16th seed in Region 15; The Admiral is 32, 3rd in PER, VORP and Win Shares in 1998. Duncan is 21, top 5 in both PER and Win Shares.

Matchup

C Robinson (Spurs)

F Duncan (Spurs)

F Worthy (Lakers)

G Magic (Lakers)

G Scott (Lakers)

Bench: Push

Game 1

1 Qtr

9 Spurs 6 Lakers 6

Lakers Magic, Green, Magic

Spurs Robinson, Johnson, Duncan

6 Spurs 12 Lakers 10

Lakers Worthy, Worthy

Spurs Robinson, Robinson, Williams

Region 15 kicks off with the top seeded Lakers trailing early.

3 Spurs 21 Lakers 14

Lakers Green, Magic

Spurs Robinson, Duncan, Williams, Alexander(3)

1 q Score Spurs 23 Lakers 16

Lakers Branch

Spurs Perdue

LA can't get on track at all; down early.

2 q Qtr

9 Spurs 26 Lakers 17

Lakers Magic(1)

Spurs Elliott (3)

6 Spurs 34 Lakers 17

Lakers

Spurs Robinson, Elliott, Johnson, Robinson

A stunner in LA; the top seed in Region 15 has just 17 points midway through the 2nd.  

3 Spurs 36 Lakers 21

Lakers Thompson, Worthy

Spurs Robinson

Half Score Spurs 43 Lakers 35

Lakers Kareem, Scott(3) Magic(3) Magic, Magic, Green

Spurs Duncan(1) Robinson, Johnson, Del Negro

Lakers slice the deficit in half; defensive battle so far.

3 Qtr

9 Spurs 47 Lakers 40

Lakers Worthy(1) Branch, Worthy

Spurs Robinson, Del Negro

6 Spurs 53 Lakers 46

Lakers Scott, Green, Kareem

Spurs Perdue, Duncan, Duncan

Spurs holding to the 7 pt lead, AC Green with 4 fouls.

3 Spurs 59 Lakers 52

Lakers Worthy, Worthy, Worthy

Spurs Elliott, Del Negro, Elliott

3rd q Score Spurs 69 Lakers 54

Lakers Thompson

Spurs Robinson, Robinson(3) Williams, Duncan, Robinson(1)

The Spurs defense just throttling Showtime in game 1.

4 Qtr

9 Lakers 78 Spurs 62

Lakers Green, Green, Worthy, Kareem

Spurs Wiliams, Duncan, Robinson, Jackson(3)

6 Spurs 83 Spurs 64

Lakers Worthy

Spurs Robinson(3) Duncan

The Spurs whipping the Lakers.

3  Spurs 86 Lakers 75

Lakers Scott, Thompson(3) Thompson, Green, Matthews

Spurs Elliott(1) Duncan

Final Score Spurs 100 Lakers 88

Lakers Magic, Matthews, Branch(3) Smrek(1) Brickowski, Scott

Spurs Johnson, Rose, Burton(3) Rose, Williams, Duncan(1) Robinson

The Spurs dominate this one.  

Robinson: 31 pts/19 boards/5 blocks - Player of the Game

Duncan: 18 pts/16 boards/6 blocks

Williams: 10 pts

Elliott: 10 pts

Worthy: 19 pts/10 boards/5 assists

Green: 14 pts/13 boards

Magic: 18 pts/9 boards/8 assists

Game 2

1 Qtr

9 Lakers 10 Spurs 8

Lakers Kareem, Green, Magic, Magic, Magic

Spurs Duncan, Duncan, Williams, Duncan

6 Lakers 14 Spurs 14

Lakers Worthy, Green

Spurs Johnson, Duncan, Robinson

15th overall seed in the tournament, the Lakers got whipped in game one. They need a win here.

3 Lakers 19 Spurs 19

Lakers Magic, Scott(3)

Spurs Elliott(3) Johnson

1 q Score Lakers 31 Spurs 21

Lakers Worthy, Green, Scott, Kareem, Scott, Scott

Spurs Perdue

Very different here in game 2, Byron Scott scores 9 in the last 6 minutes and LA is rolling.

2 q Qtr

9 Lakers 39 Spurs 27

Lakers Thompson, Branch, Magic, Magic

Spurs Alexander, Del Negro, Alexander

6 Lakers 45 Spurs 36

Lakers Cooper, Worthy(1) Kareem, Scott(1)

Spurs Jackson, Duncan, Williams(3) Robinson

Lakers maintain that solid lead.

3 Lakers 57 Spurs 46

Lakers Worthy, Scott, Green, Kareem, Worthy, Thompson

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

Half Score Lakers 63 Spurs 52

Lakers Green, Kareem, Worthy

Spurs Johnson(1) Robinson, Person(3)

LA didn't ever get it going in game one, but this is more like it.  Showtime rollin'.

3 Qtr

9 Lakers 73 Spurs 61

Lakers Magic, Green, Scott, Scott, Kareem

Spurs Person(3) Alexander, Elliott, Robinson

6 Lakers 79 Spurs 69

Lakers Thompson, Scott, Thompson

Spurs Robinson(1) Jackson, Jackson(3) Williams

LA maintains.

3 Lakers 83 Spurs 75

Lakers Cooper, Worthy

Spurs Del Negro, Williams, Robinson

3rd q Score Lakers 84 Spurs 81

Lakers Kareem(1)

Spurs Robinson, Jackson(3) Robinson(1)

The Spurs tighten, holding LA to 5 in the last 6 and as we hit the 4th, they trail by 3.

4 Qtr

11:50: LA: AC Green turnaround J.  

11:40: SA: Duncan from the paint.

11:07: LA: Byron from the wing.

10:46: LA: The Spurs miss and Byron dunks one home.

9:34: LA: A minute later it's LA again, Magic flipping one up and in.  92-83.

6 Lakers 102 Spurs 86

Lakers Scott, Branch, Rambis, Branch, Thompson

Spurs Jackson(3)

The Lakers go on a monster run to start the 4th and we'll see you in game 3.

3 Lakers 108 Spurs 93

Lakers Green, Branch, Matthews

Spurs Jackson(3) Robinson, Jackson

Final Score Lakers 119 Spurs 99

Lakers Brickowski, Thompson(1) Smrek, Branch, Branch, Thompson

Spurs Lohaus(3) Burton(3)

One more for all of it.

Magic: 16 pts/15 assists-Player of the Game

Green: 16 pts/10 boards

Scott: 24 pts

Kareem 13 pts/8 boards

Worthy: 13 pts

Branch: 12 pts

Duncan: 15 pts/10 boards

Robinson: 18 pts/5 boards

Williams: 11 pts

Jackson: 18 pts

Game 3

1 Qtr

9 Spurs 8 Lakers 6

Lakers Magic, Kareem, Magic

Spurs Duncan, Robinson, Robinson, Duncan

6 Spurs 17 Lakers 14

Lakers Kareem, MThompson, Magic, Worthy

Spurs Robinson, Del Negro, Williams(1) Williams, Robinson

One game for everything - the Admiral gets off with 8.

3 Spurs 24 Lakers 16

Lakers Worthy

Spurs Robinson, Duncan, Johnson, Robinson(1)

1 q Score Spurs 29 Lakers 20

Lakers Cooper, BThompson

Spurs Robinson, Robinson(3)

16 first quarter points for Robinson - the Admiral willing this 16/1 upset.

2 q Qtr

9 Spurs 34 Lakers 24

Lakers Rambis, BThompson

Spurs Alexander(3) Duncan

6 Spurs 43 Lakers 35

Lakers Kareem(3) Kareem, Worthy, Kareem, Magic

Spurs Duncan, Elliott(3) Duncan, Robinson

Kareem scores 7 in the last 3 to keep LA in the game.

3 Spurs 47 Lakers 37

Lakers Worthy

Spurs Duncan, Williams

Half Score Spurs 50 Lakers 42

Lakers Cooper, Green, Scott(1)

Spurs Jackson(3)

The Spurs who had to win a play in game to get here - are now 24 minutes away from knocking the Lakers out.

3 Qtr

9 Spurs 51 Lakers 48

Lakers Worthy, Scott, Kareem

Spurs Williams(1)

6 Spurs 57 Lakers 54

Lakers Kareem, Worthy, Kareem

Spurs Elliott, del Negro, Duncan

Kareem having his best performance of the series, he adds 6 more as the Lakers close the gap.

3 Spurs 66 Lakers 64

Lakers Magic, Magic, Magic, Worthy, Green

Spurs Del Negro, Elliott(3) Robinson, Robinson

3rd q Score Spurs 68 Lakers 68

Lakers Branch, Scott

Spurs Duncan

You get the finish you want.  12 minutes left.

4 Qtr

11:48: SA: The Spurs go to Duncan, floats one home.

11:17: LA: Kareem.  Sky hook.

10:46: SA: Duncan hits a triple from the top - Spurs up 3.

10:18: LA: Worthy, just outside the paint.

10:04: SA: Robinson dunk.

9:04: LA: Kareem's got 4 fouls, he dunks one home here.  75-74 Spurs

8:54: SA: Duncan, soft touch.  The Hall of Famers getting it done in the 4th.

8:43: LA: Byron Scott long 2.

8:20: SA: The Admiral, beautiful fadeaway.

8:13: LA: Kareem, one handed slam.  

7:55: SA: The Admiral just owning the post.  

7:17: LA: Such a great game - it's Kareem again, in traffic.

5:52: SA: Duncan again, turnaround J.

5:40: LA: Pull up 2 for Scott.

5:17: SA: Jaren Jackson hits a corner 3 - and the Spurs go up 4.

4:59: LA: Michael Cooper comes right back with a 3 from the wing.

4:37: SA: It's Duncan again, drilling an 8 footer.  

4:25: LA: Back and forth all game - all quarter - the tension so thick at the Forum, Worthy goes baseline.

3:51: LA: The Spurs miss - AC Green scores from 18 and LA has taken the lead.  Timeout Spurs.

For the Spurs - Robinson/Duncan/Williams/Johnson/Del Negro

For the Lakers - Kareem/Green/Worthy/Magic/Scott.

89-88.

2:53: LA: The first score after the 3 minute mark is Scott, layup.

2:35: SA: The Admiral goes down low.  

2:04: LA: Magic, from the foul line.  93-90 LA

:35: SA: Defensive stops for 90 seconds until Robinson gets a dunk.  Lakers by 1.

Spurs don't foul - Robinson blocks Magic and Duncan gets the board.  

Spurs ball.  18 seconds left.

The ball goes to Duncan - Duncan finds an opening - Duncan floater ----

Rims out.  Ballgame.

Final Score: Lakers 93 Spurs 92

A classic in LA; 32 and 10 for Robinson; 29 and 16 for Duncan - but he misses the game winner at the buzzer and the Spurs go home.

Kareem: 25 pts/12 boards/5 assists-Player of the Game

Magic: 16 pts/12 assists/8 boards

Worthy: 18 pts/8 boards

Scott: 11 pts/5 boards/5 assists

8. 1995 UTAH JAZZ v. 9. 2020 LA CLIPPERS

Jazz: 60-22, 2nd MW Div, 4th Off/8th Def

          Lost Rockets West 1st Rnd 3-2

          #114 overall seed

Coach Jerry Sloan

Starters

C Antoine Carr                33-Wich St               9.6 PPG      13.9 PER  4.3 WS

F Karl Malone                 31-LA Tech              26.7             25.1         13.8

F Adam Keefe                 24-Stanford              6.1               15.1          4.1

G John Stockton             32-Gonzaga              14.7              23.3         13.9

G Jeff Hornacek              31-Iowa St                16.5             18.6         10.1

Rotation Reserves

C Felton Spencer             27-Louisville            9.3               12.3          2

F Tom Chambers             35-Utah                    6.2                12.5         2.5

F Bryon Russell               24-C St LBeach       4.5                11            1.4

G John Crotty                  25-UVA                    3.7                12.2         2.1

G David Benoit               26-Alabama              10.4              13.9        4.6

Leaders Malone 4th PPG, 5th Reb, 5th PER, 4th WS, 4th VORP, 3rd Def Reb %

               Stockton 1st Assts, 1st Asst/Gm, 4th Stls, 4th Stls/Gm, 5th FG%, 3rd WS, 2nd WS/48, 2nd +/-, 2nd VORP, 4th Off Rtng, 1st Asst%, 4th Stl%

The 8th seed in the Region is the '95 Jazz, 4th best offense in the league in '95. 31 year old Malone, 32 year old Stockton both rolling along, over 20 PER with double digit WS.  31 year old Hornacek follows with double digit WS.

Clips: 49-23, 2nd West Conf, 2nd Off/5th Def

           d. Mavs West 1st Rnd 4-2

           Lost Nuggets West Semis 4-3

           #143 overall seed

Coach Doc Rivers

Starters

C Ivica Zubac                    22                    8.3 PPG   21.7 PER  6.6 WS

F Montrez Harrell             26-Louisville   18.6          23.2          7

F Kawhi Leonard              28-S Diego St  27.1          26.9         8.7

G Lou Williams                  33                     18.2          17.3        4.1

G Paul George                   29-Fresno St    21.5          21.1         4.8

Rotation Reserves

C Mo Harkless                   26-St Johns      5.5            9.7           2.3

F JaMychal Green              29-Alabama     6.8            11.1         3.1

F Patrick Peterson              30-Kentucky    4.9            11.5         1.9

G Patrick Beverley            31-Arkansas    7.9            12.5          3.6

G Landry Shamet               22-Wichita St   9.3           8.5           2.6

Leaders Zubac 4th WS/48, 1st Of Rtng, 1st Off Reb%

               Kawhi 3rd +/-

               Beverley 4th Def +/-

The Covid Clips are seeded 9th in the Region, top 5 in 2020 in both offense and defense.  I'm not sure we've seen 4 starters with PER 20+ prior to now. 28 year old Kawhi leads the way.

Matchup

C Zubac (Clips)

F Malone (Jazz)

F Kawhi (Clips)

G Stockton (Jazz)

G Push

Bench: Push

Game 1

1 Qtr

9 Jazz 6 Clips 4

Jazz Carr, Malone(3) Stockton(1)

Clippers George, Williams

6 Clips 17 Jazz 13

Jazz Hornacek(3) Malone, Stockton

Clips Harrell(3) Williams, Kawhi(3) Zubac(3) George

The '87 Lakers advanced and will meet the winners of this one.

3 Clips 24 Jazz 19

Jazz Spencer, Stockton, Keefe

Clips Williams, George(1) Kawhi, George

1 q Score Clips 28 Jazz 26

Jazz Malone(3) Chambers, Malone

Clips Zubac, Green

10 for the Mailman - Clips up 2.

2 q Qtr

9 Jazz 30 Clips 28

Jazz Russell, Carr

Clips

6 Clips 36 Jazz 34

Jazz Malone, Russell

Clips Williams, Williams(3) George(3)

Lou Williams has 11; Clips up 2.

3 Clips 46 Jazz 41

Jazz Benoit(3) Malone, Stockton

Clips Harrell, Harrell, Williams (3) Green(3)

Half Score Clips 57 Jazz 50

Jazz Malone, Carr, Chambers, Stockton(1) Hornacek

Clips Kawhi, Harrell, Beverley, Zubac, George(3)

A half dozen for Montrez Harrell in the last 6, Clips up 7.

3 Qtr

9 Clips 64 Jazz 57

Jazz Russell(3) Benoit, Malone

Clips George(3) Williams, Zubac

6 Clips 66 Jazz 61

Jazz Hornacek, Keefe

Clips Williams

4 fouls for Antoine Carr.  18 points for Williams.

3 Clips 72 Jazz 69

Jazz Malone, Malone, Malone, Malone

Clips  Zubac, Kawhi, Kawhi

3rd q Score Clips 79 Jazz 77

Jazz Hornacek, Spencer, Spencer, Russell

Clips Williams, Zubac(3) Zubac

The Mailman pumps in 8 in that 3 min stretch and we got a game.

4 Qtr

11:51: LA: Patrick Patterson corner 3.  Clips by 5.

11:29: UT: 2 more for the Mailman

11:05: UT: The Clips miss - and you know who scores the other way; Clips by 1.

10:42: LA: Landry Shamet hits a 3 from the wing.

10:22: UT: Stockton step back J.  85-83.

10:07 LA: Zubac down low.  

9:41: LA: Jazz turnover, Harrell from 12.  6 point game.

6 Clips 93 Jazz 87

Jazz Keefe, Hornacek

Clips Harrell, Harrell

Clips up a half dozen.  Down the stretch.

3 Clips 98 Jazz 92

Jazz Malone(1) Stockton(3) Russell(1)

Clips Williams(3) Kawhi

Final Score Clips 112 Jazz 99

Jazz Malone, Stockton, Stockton(3)

Clips Beverley(3) Kawhi, Zubac, George, George, Kawhi(3)

Clips pull away in the 4th and take game one.

Zubac: 20 pts/17 boards/5 assists-Player of the Game

Kawhi: 18 pts/12 boards/6 assists/4 steals

Williams: 23 pts

George: 20 pts

Harrell: 15 pts/7 boards

Malone: 33 pts/14 boards

Stockton: 18 pts/16 assists

Hornacek: 11 pts

Keefe: 10 pts/6 boards

Russell: 10 pts/7 boards

Game 2

1 Qtr

9 Jazz 12 Clips 11

Jazz Malone, Keefe, Stockton, Stockton, Keefe, Malone

Clips Harrell, George, Zubac, Kawhi, Kawhi(3)

6 Jazz 18 Clips 18

Jazz Carr, Carr, Hornacek

Clips George, Harrell, George(3)

7 for Paul George, Clips looking to move on.

3 Clips 26 Jazz 24

Jazz Malone(1) Hornacek, Stockton(1) Hornacek

Clips Kawhi, Harrell, Harrell, Kawhi

1 q Score Clips 34 Jazz 30

Jazz Malone, Malone, Spencer

Clips Kawhi, Green(3) Beverley(3)

11 first quarter points for Kawhi Leonard.  

2 q Qtr

9 Clips 39 Jazz 36

Jazz Spencer, Chambers, Russell

Clips Shamet(3) Patterson

6 Clips 51 Jazz 41

Jazz Keefe, Hornacek(3)

Clips Zubac, Harrell, Patterson(3) Zubac, Zubac(3)

Ivica Zubac with 7 points in the last 3 minutes and the Clips are rolling.

3 Clips 58 Jazz 46

Jazz Malone(1) Malone, Keefe

Clips Kawhi(3) Kawhi, Kawhi

Half Score Clips 66 Jazz 50

Jazz Malone, Carr

Clips  George(1) Zubac, Williams, Patterson(3)

7 more for Kawhi - the Clips are steaming to round 2.

3 Qtr

9 Clips 70 Jazz 56

Jazz Malone(1) Keefe, Hornacek(3)

Clips George, Harrell

6 Clips 74 Jazz 63

Jazz Chambers, Carr(3) Keefe

Clips Kawhi, George

Double digit Clipper lead.

3 Clips 76 Jazz 67

Jazz Carr, Carr

Clips Beverley

3rd q Score Clips 80 Jazz 77

Jazz Keefe, Malone, Malone, Stockton(3) Keefe(1)

Clips Kawhi, Harrell

Utah goes on a run.  

4 Qtr

9 Clips 86 Jazz 83

Jazz Carr, Malone, Carr

Clips George, Kawhi, Kawhi

6 Jazz 89 Clips 86

Jazz Malone, Spencer, Malone

Clips 

6 for the Mailman and Utah is up 3.

5:47: UT: Stockton drives and scores.  5 point Jazz lead.

5:40: LA: Paul George bombs a 3 from the wing.  

5:14: LA: After a Utah turnover, Kawhi hits a fadeaway from the block to tie this game.

4:10: UT: A minute later, Hornacek scores in the paint.

3:57: LA: Zubac from short range.

3:46: UT: The Mailman from 8 feet.

2:07: LA: A minute and a half later Zubac lays it in.  95-95

1:46: LA: Russell misses - and Paul George hits another triple.  Clips by 3.

1:15: UT: Zubac's 5th foul, Malone hits 1.  

1:04: LA: Lou Williams drills a 2 - Clips by 4.

:36: LA: Utah misses, Zubac dunk.  That's it.  Clips move on.  

Harrell and George each get 2 FT, Stockton hits a 3.

Final Score Clips 106 Jazz 99

Utah was up 5 with less than 6 to play - but the Clips take them out and move on.  

28/15 for Malone; 13 pts/17 assists for Stockton.

Kawhi: 28 pts/11 boards/5 assists-Player of the Game

George: 22 pts/8 boards

Zubac: 17 pts/11 boards

Harrell: 16 pts/8 boards/5 blocks

ALL REGION TEAM

C Robinson ('98 Spurs-1 PotG)

F Leonard ('20 Clips-1 PotG)

F Malone ('95 Jazz)

G Magic ('87 Lakers-1 PotG)

G Stockton ('95 Jazz)