Time for the conference finals:
EAST:
(3) New York Knickerbockers (53-29) v. (4) Cleveland Cavaliers (52-30)
WEST:
(1) Oklahoma City Thunder (64-18) v. (2) San Antonio Spurs (62-20)
Here are the odds to win the NBA Championship:
Oklahoma City: -165
San Antonio: +310
New York: +550
Cleveland: +2200
Last ten winners of the Eastern Conference (NBA Champs in bold):
2016: Cleveland
2017: Cleveland
2018: Cleveland
2018: Cleveland
2019: Toronto
2020: Miami
2021: Milwaukee
2022: Boston
2023: Miami
2024: Boston
2025: Indiana
Last ten winners of the Western Conference (NBA Champs in bold):
2016: Golden St.
2017: Golden St.
2018: Golden St.
2019: Golden St.
2020: L.A. Lakers
2021: Phoenix
2022: Golden St.
2023: Denver
2024: Dallas
2025: Oklahoma City
San Antonio hasn't reached the final since 2014, when they beat LeBron and Miami.
New York hasn't reached the final since 1999. The Knicks haven't won the title since 1973, which is amazing to me.
At the end of regulation in Game One, Oklahoma City and San Antonio are tied at 101. Very exciting stuff.
ReplyDeleteAt the end of the first overtime, Oklahoma City and San Antonio are tied at 108, thanks to a long three-pointer from Victor Wembanyama. Even more exciting stuff.
ReplyDeleteSan Antonio wins 122 to 115 in double overtime. Victor Wembanyama finishes with 41 points and 24 rebounds. This was the most dominant performance in a late-round NBA game since the glory days of LeBron James and Stephen Curry.
ReplyDeleteThe Knicks storm from behind, outscoring the Cavs 30-8 down the stretch and sending Game One of the Eastern Conference Finals into OVERTIME. Unbelievable -- Game One overtimes on back-to-back nights!
ReplyDeleteIn OT, Cleveland keeps getting guys wide open for three-point shots -- and then they miss the shot. Meanwhile, the Knicks are just attacking on all fronts at the other end. With 1:48 left, New York leads 110-101, and the Cavs are going to suffer a painful loss.
ReplyDeleteI still wouldn't rule out the Cavs. They're pretty good. But when Jalen Brunson plays like this (38 points, 6 assists), the Knicks are hard to beat.
ReplyDeleteWhen an NBA Game is played at the intensity level of a college game, it's honestly one of the best events in sports. These last two nights have been spectacular.
ReplyDeleteIn the fourth quarter, the Knicks were down 93 to 71. From that point onward, they outscored Cleveland 44-11, and they win 115-104 in overtime. Huge win for New York.
ReplyDeleteThese NBA games have been so good that I have brought out the flip scoreboard, which usually stays in retirement between the NCAA men's basketball final and the beginning of college football season.
ReplyDeleteAt the half of Game Two, OKC leads 62 to 51. Wemby has 7 points, 5 boards, and 2 fouls in 15 minutes.
ReplyDeleteOKC 77 - 73 SA (4:50 left in 3d)
ReplyDeleteWemby is rolling now. 17 points and 11 rebounds in 22 minutes. He is spectacular.
OKC 87 - 77 SA (2:56 left in 3d)
ReplyDeleteWemby goes to the bench for a rest, and OKC immediately goes on a run.
OKC 96 - 88 SA (end of 3d)
ReplyDeleteOKC 99 - 97 SA (9:05 left in 4th)
ReplyDeleteI'm calling it now: unless Wemby gets hurt, the Spurs are going to win the NBA Championship this year.
After 40 minutes, OKC leads 105-97. Imagine that score in a college game -- that's how good these guys are.
ReplyDeleteWemby does something I've never seen before -- he gets to within about four feet of the rim and just throws the ball toward the basket. If he misses, he just reaches in and jams his own rebound.
ReplyDeleteOKC 112 - 103 SA (5:32 left in 4th)
ReplyDeleteWemby: 19 points and 14 rebounds in 32 minutes (+1)
SGA: 24 points and 9 assists in 33 minutes (+14)
OKC 114 - 108 SA (3:19 left in 4th)
ReplyDeleteOKC trying too hard to run clock -- they need to keep scoring.
OKC 118 - 113 SA (1:01 left in 4th)
ReplyDeleteWemby: 21 points and 17 rebounds in 36 minutes (+5)
SGA: 28 points and 9 assists in 37 minutes (+10)
With 42.6 seconds left, SGA makes a huge pull-up jumper to put the Thunder up by 7. That should, finally, do it.
ReplyDeleteI'm still picking the Spurs and Wemby -- unless he gets hurt.
ReplyDeleteNBA Coaches seem to be a lot more anonymous than they used to be. I literally have no idea who coaches these two teams -- and in fact, when they show the coaches, I have a hard time remembering which guy goes with which team. I can only tell by looking at the logo on their sweatshirt -- or whatever that stupid shirt that is they make the coaches wear these days.
ReplyDeleteOKC 122 - 113 SA (Final) (Series tied 1-1)
ReplyDeleteWemby: 21 points and 17 rebounds in 37 minutes (+1)
SGA: 30 points and 9 assists (+14)
Next two games will be in SA.