American Top 40: June 28, 1980

I'm in the mood for another AT 40, and I wanted one from late June.  So I found the countdown for June 28, 1980 on YouTube, and I'm going to work through it.

By this point, AT 40 was so successful that it ran for four hours (with commercials).  To fill the extra time, Casey Kasem had added various features, such as the Long Distance Dedications.  But he also started the countdown by giving us the top three from last week's countdown.  Here are the top three from last week's countdown:

3.  Ambrosia, "Biggest Part of Me"

2.  Paul McCartney, "Coming Up"

1.  Lipps Inc., "Funkytown"

By the way, this week in 1980 the Gallup poll showed Reagan leading Carter 47 to 41.  When John Anderson was included, Reagan had 37 percent, Carter had 32 percent, and Anderson had 22 percent.  These data marked a shift -- up until June, Carter led Reagan in most of the polls during 1980, as the country had rallied to Carter during the hostage crisis.

At the close of play on June 28, 1980, the Expos led the NL East by 2 1/2 games over the Pirates and 3 games over the Phillies.  The Astros led the NL West by 2 games over the Dodgers.  The Yankees led the AL East by 5 1/2 games over the Brewers.  The Royals led the AL West by 9 games over the White Sox.

Game Over

So now all the pennants, mini-helmets, and other paraphernalia are packed away until the end of August -- except for the retro MLB pennants, which we can still use from time to time.

Game Seven: Fourth Quarter

OKC outscores Indy 34-20 in the third quarter, and the Thunder lead 81 to 68 with one quarter left in the season.

Game Seven: Third Quarter

Here are the key halftime stats:

Indiana:

8-16 from 3-point range (50.0 percent)

8-22 from 2-point range (36.4 percent)

8-13 from the line (61.5 percent)

48 points, 20 rebounds, 9 assists, 8 turnovers

Oklahoma City:

4-18 from 3-point range (22.2 percent)

13-24 from 2-point range (54.2 percent)

9-13 from the line (69.2 percent)

47 points, 22 rebounds, 11 assists, 4 turnovers

As these facts make clear, OKC's inability to make three-point shots -- and the Pacers' red hot outside shooting -- are keeping the Pacers in the game.

Whoever wins this championship will have really earned it.

Game Seven: Second Quarter

After one quarter, OKC leads 25 to 22.  In the first quarter, Tyrese Haliburton led all scorers with nine points -- he was 3/4 from three-point range.

Dean Smith always claimed that an injury doesn't hurt a team in the game where the injury takes place -- it only hurts the team in later games as their opponents adjust.  We'll see what happens tonight.