Ok, so on Tuesday, I reviewed where we were in the NBA Conference series, and of course, my predictions couldn’t have been more wrong. One thing about the NBA playoffs you can count on is uncertainty and how each game changes the narrative for the following game. Let’s recap what’s happened this week:
Eastern Conference Finals
Celtics and Cavs were tied 2-2 going into the Game 5 match up on Wednesday. Now, Lebron has gone to 7 straight NBA Finals representing the East on 2 different teams. This team he has this year is clearly the worst roster he would take to the Finals since his 1st trip in 2007. Regardless, the Cavs looked solid at home winning handily in both Game 3 and 4 to tie the series up. The Celtics entered Game 5 undefeated at home in these playoffs. Well, the Celtics did what they have done all year so for and won fairly easily over the Cavs in Game 5 96-83. Now, the narrative is that Lebron looked “tired” and the Cavs lacked energy against the younger Celtics. The Celtics now lead 3-2 and need just one more game to eliminate Lebron and Cavs.
Game 6 is tonight in Cleveland. Lebron faces elimination for only the 5th in the past 8 years in the Eastern Conference and 2nd time this year – the other time was in Game 7 of the 1st round against the Indiana Pacers. Look, I believe in players winning games, and Lebron is the best. I’d be shocked if the Cavs lose tonight given that the role players like JR Smith, Jordan Clarkson, and Kyle Korver do play better at home. Now, one adjustment Brad Stevens, the Celtics coach, made in Game 5 was to leave Semi Ojeleye on the bench most of the game. The reason this was impactful was that Kyle Korver typically plays when Ojeleye is on the floor, since Ojeleye is less of an offensive threat and Korver is not a great defender (Ojeleye being his assignment). So, with Ojeleye on the bench, Korver did not get on the floor his usual minutes and did not provide the floor spacing he did in Games 3 & 4. Can Cavs’ coach, Tye Lue, make an adjustment to get Korver enough minutes to help Lebron and Kevin Love out? That will be a big storyline in tonight game.
If the Cavs can survive the game, then Game 7 will be played in Boston on Sunday night. That will be an epic game. I still expect Lebron to bail his team out, but the Celtics did make it to the Conference Finals last year and won a Game 7 at home against the Milwaukee Bucks in the 1st round. Definitely some high drama.
Game 6: May 25th at 8:30 PM Eastern/7:30 PM Central in Cleveland, OH
Game 7: May 27th at 8:30 PM Eastern/7:30 PM Central in Boston, MA (if necessary)
Western Conference Finals
Now, this one just got really interesting. Golden State was up 2-1 on their home floor where they had won their last 16 straight home playoff games. In Game 4, the Warriors led by 12 going into the 4th Quarter. Inexplicably, the Rockets started playing real defense. The Warriors shot a terrible percentage and only scored 12 points in the 4th. Still after a rebound with under 8 seconds trailing by 2, the Warriors advanced the ball up the court without calling a timeout. Kevin Durant opted to pass the ball late in the clock to Klay Thompson in the corner who was covered and going away from the basket. Klay made a move and attempted a fade away jumper from like 19 feet, which fell short. The clock expired, but under review there was a foul under the basket giving Chris Paul 2 free throws. Paul missed the 1st, but made the 2nd, giving the Warriors 0.5 seconds for a final shot. Steph Curry missed the game tying 3 as time expired, and the Rockets took home court advantage back.
In Game 5 in Houston, the formula for slowing down the Warriors continued. The 1st Quarter, Houston mucked up the game, and despite James Harden being completely off (he’s missed his last 20 three point attempts), the Rockets entered the 4th Quarter down just one point. Chris Paul started the quarter on fire making an array of contested shots giving Houston a slight advantage. Golden State would rally and get close, but late in the game, Houston led by 1 point 95-94 with under 50 seconds to play. On the Houston possession, Chris Paul went to the ground with a hamstring injury. The Warriors got a wide open 3 pointer for Quinn Cook, but he missed it. Houston got another empty trip on their possession. Then, with under 20 seconds, the Warriors put the ball in Steph Curry’s hands, but he got a weak looking floater off the back board, and Draymond Green’s tap out went to Trevor Ariza. Ariza would split his free throws giving Houston a 2 point lead with 6.7 seconds. The Warriors, like Game 4, had the ball down 2, but had to go the length of the court after the timeout. Curry drove near half court up to Green, who just took his eyes off the ball and kicked the ball to the Rockets. Eric Gordon iced the game with 2 free throws, and just like that Houston is 1 game away from their 1st NBA Finals since the 1995 Championship team with Hakeem Olajuwon. In 2 straight games, the Rockets have found a way to limit Golden State to under 95 points. That is a Herculian feat for sure. The change in style by the Rockets has really been evident in the last 5 quarters of play. Rockets have the series lead at 3-2 and need just one more to knock off the Champs.
Going into Game 6, the Warriors will face their first elimination game with Kevin Durant. Plus, the last time they faced elimination, Game 7 in the 2016 Finals did not end well, as Lebron and Kyrie Irving took home the title on the Warriors’ home floor. Kevin Durant has disappeared in the last 2 games late. In fact, he did not take a shot in Game 5 over the final 3 minutes and 48 seconds. The one bright light is Chris Paul will likely miss Game 6 with the hamstring injury. He may play, but he has been so effective on both ends that I can’t imagine he will be at his same level in Game 6. Rockets’ Coach Mike D’Antoni probably should hold him out Game 6 and get him healthy for a potential Game 7 at home. This just got real.
Game 6: May 26th at 9 PM Eastern/8 PM Central in Oakland, CA
Game 7: May 28th at 9 PM Eastern/8 PM Central in Houston, TX
Time for more action.
Wegs