This past weekend we saw a little bit of everything. The Knicks swept their way into the conference championship for the first time in twenty five years. The Lakers all but received a death sentence going down three games to none. The Cavaliers avoid the same fate as the Lakers winning game three. Wemby lost his temper and didn't get to play much of game four. Let's talk about it all!
New York Knicks Eliminate the Philadelphia 76ers
Friday night in game three the 76ers knew their season was essentially on the line. Going down three games in a best of seven all but guarantees your season will be over within a few games, maybe even the next game. That is the exact fate of the 76ers. On Friday night the 76ers started game three on the right track. Embiid made his presence felt in the first quarter. He scored or assisted on eleven of the thirty one points scored. That was the best quarter the 76ers played, the only quarter they won in the game. After scoring thirty one points in the first quarter the 76ers failed to score twenty five or more points in any of the other three quarters. The Knicks on the other hand only scored under twenty five points in one of the quarters, the fourth, in which they scored twenty three and still won the quarter by five points. Leaving the court on Friday the 76ers had the toughest task in sports, one that has never been done in the history of the NBA. They were down three games to none. A comeback is all but impossible.
That improbable comeback proved to be too much. The Knicks scored forty three points in the first quarter of game four. This is the second time this playoffs that the Knicks score forty or more points in the first quarter of a close out game. When it comes time to move onto the next round the Knicks have proved they are not to be taken lightly. Whoever wins the series between the Pistons and the Cavaliers better get to three wins first or they could experience the same beat down to end their season. Losing a game that ends your season is never easy, and even more brutal when you get blown out at home. The Hawks and 76ers suffered that same blowout loss on their home court. After a longer than two decade drought the Knicks are back in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Oklahoma City Thunder Lead Los Angeles Lakers 3-0
Just like the 76ers, the Lakers have to do something that has never been done in the history of the league. As if coming back from a three game deficit isn't hard enough, the task gets taller when you have to do it against the defending champion with out one of your best scorers. Luka Doncic was looking to be back for game three or game four but has since experienced a set back. His return is now set for game five on Wednesday. Unfortunately for Luka he has already played his last game of the season. The Thunder won game three by twenty three points in Los Angeles and they look to repeat that tonight in game four. I don't think game four stays competitive for very long. They have yet to win a game this series by less than eighteen points and they have given people no reason to believe that changes tonight.
Detroit Pistons Lead Cleveland Cavaliers 2-1
The Pistons threw many punches in game three but none strong enough to knock out the Cavaliers. The Cavs survived a triple double from Cade Cunningham scoring twenty seven points, pulled down ten rebounds, assisting on ten baskets. Donovan Mitchell went toe to toe with Cade in game four. He logged a double double scoring thirty five points and snagging ten rebounds. The Cavaliers avoided the same deficit the Lakers and 76ers suffered turning a potential three game to none disadvantage to a one game disadvantage.
Tonight in Cleveland the Cavaliers will need to do it again to knot the series at two games a piece. It will take another complete team effort to steal another game from the top seeded Pistons. In game three the Cavs had four of their starters scoring double digits. That will be asked of them again tonight as they look to avoid going down three games to one. In my series prediction I had the Cavaliers and Pistons splitting the first four games. I am sticking to that prediction tonight. Give me the Cavaliers over the Pistons 102-96. A game that is back and forth , both teams trying to pull away from the other, with the Cavs ultimately throwing the knock out blow late.
San Antonio Spurs v Minnesota Timberwolves Tied 2-2
As predicted this is the best semifinal series of the four. Both teams losing their first home game of the series but answering back in the next to even the series. As back and forth as it gets. Victor Wembanyama and Anthony Edwards are living up to their potential. In game three Wemby scored thirty nine points, grabbing fifteen rebounds. Anthony Edwards wasn't about to lose game three without a fight. He scored thirty two points and snagged fourteen boards. A double double from both team stars. The Spurs stole game three from under the Timberwolves winning 115-108 taking the series lead 2-1.
Last night in game four we saw much of the same. A back and forth dog fight that came down to the final few possessions. Edwards continued his hot streak scoring thirty six points. Wemby was unable to repeat his game three dominance as he was ejected just fifteen minutes into game four. After a physical rebound and a whistle Wemby threw an elbow that landed. The refs charged Wemby with a flagrant two foul leading to his ejection. There was a fear among the Spurs faithful that he would also be held out of game five to serve a suspension. Around noon today it was announced that he would not be suspended for game five and will suit up. I think that is the right move. Like targeting in college football, if you are ejected in the first half your 'suspension' is served in the second half. Had this ejection come later in the second half I believe Adam Silver would have suspended Wemby for game five. Nonetheless, no suspension and both teams full go for game five.
Check back tomorrow for the recap of tonight's games!
As always Who Dey & Go Redlegs!
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