(All Box Scores to be added after the end of the season)
Game 1 - #8 Salt Lake Stallions at #1 Dallas Mavericks
In the aftermath of Game 1, mixed feelings swept through the Dallas Mavericks' camp as they secured a victory but suffered a major blow. The team's jubilation at triumphing was tinged with worry as their star center,
Ralph Sampson, sustained a serious foot injury late in the first quarter, fracturing a bone that could see him sidelined for a month.
Despite the loss of Sampson, the Mavericks demonstrated their resilience and depth, cruising to a win backed by stellar performances from their key players.
James Worthy led the charge, delivering an impressive stat line of 28 points, 13 rebounds, and 6 assists.
Gerald Henderson and
Jerome Kersey stepped up in Sampson's absence, each contributing over 20 points to the team's total.
Isiah Thomas added to the mix with a double-double of 19 points and 15 assists, along with 4 steals, further cementing the Mavericks' dominance in Game 1.
However, the looming absence of Sampson could potentially pose a significant threat to Dallas's playoff run. His projected recovery time of about a month raises questions about the team's ability to maintain their winning momentum in the face of such adversity.
On the other side, despite suffering a loss in Game 1, the Salt Lake Stallions saw a glimmer of hope.
Adrian Dantley led the team with a strong 27-point performance. While the Stallions fell short in this match, the unfortunate injury to Sampson potentially swings the door wide open for them to seize control and advance in the series.
MAVERICKS 130, Stallions 106 (Mavericks lead 1-0)
Stallions Stats
Adrian Dantley: 27 PTS, 4 REB, 12/17 FG
Reggie Theus: 16 PTS, 4 REB, 5 AST
Mavericks Stats
Isiah Thomas: 19 PTS, 15 AST, 4 STL
James Worthy: 28 PTS, 13 REB, 6 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK, 14/24 FG
Gerald Henderson: 24 PTS, 5 REB, 4 AST, 3 STL
Jerome Kersey: 22 PTS, 4 REB, 11/16 FG
***
Game 1 - #5 Portland Trail Blazers at #4 St. Louis Spirits
Despite a valiant effort from the youthful Trail Blazers, the St. Louis Spirits emerged victorious in Game 1, largely thanks to a stellar performance from
Buck Williams. Williams dominated the court, putting up a double-double with a whopping 23 points and 20 rebounds.
Dale Ellis, despite a less than impressive shooting performance, managed to contribute significantly to the Spirits' victory, ending the game with a solid double-double of 19 points and 10 rebounds. Ellis' ability to contribute despite his shooting struggles is a testament to his overall game and the depth of the Spirits' roster.
For the Trail Blazers, the game was marked by disappointment as rookie
Chris Mullin, making his NBA playoff debut, struggled to find his shooting rhythm. Mullin managed to score only 10 points on 14 attempts, a far cry from the performances that have made him one of the Trail Blazers' key players.
Otis Thorpe led Portland with 20 points along with seven rebounds. Despite Thorpe's efforts, the Trail Blazers were unable to keep pace with the Spirits, signaling a need for improvement and consistency as the series progresses.
There was excitement all over the city of St. Louis as this was their first basketball playoff victory in 35 years.
SPIRITS 99, Trail Blazers 90 (Spirits lead 1-0)
Trail Blazers Stats
Otis Thorpe: 20 PTS, 7 REB, 4 BLK
Spirits Stats
Buck Williams: 23 PTS, 20 REB, 1 STL, 1 BLK
Dale Ellis: 19 PTS, 10 REB
***
Game 1 - #7 Houston Rockets at #2 Sacramento Kings
In an emphatic display of skill and dominance,
Hakeem Olajuwon led the Kings to a crushing victory over the Rockets. His overwhelming presence on both ends of the court was a sight to behold, as he concluded the night with a sterling stat line of 25 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, and a staggering 6 blocks.
From the outset, the Kings were in full control, racing to a 35-13 lead in the first quarter and maintaining their dominance throughout the game. Olajuwon's performance was complemented by
Patrick Ewing, who chipped in with an impressive 24 points, further solidifying the Kings' command over the game.
On the other side of the court, the Rockets appeared disoriented and struggled to find their footing.
Kelly Tripucka emerged as their leading scorer with 26 points, but it required him 25 attempts - a clear indication of the Rockets' offensive struggles.
KINGS 116, Rockets 83 (Kings lead 1-0)
Rockets Stats
Kelly Tripucka: 26 PTS, 9 REB, 3 AST, 2 STL, 1 BLK
Darrell Griffith: 18 PTS, 5 REB, 1 STL
Kings Stats
Hakeem Olajuwon: 25 PTS, 10 REB, 3 AST, 3 STL, 6 BLK, 10.13 FG
Patrick Ewing: 24 PTS, 9 REB, 3 BLK, 10/16 FG
Danny Ainge: 18 PTS, 5 AST
***
Game 1 - #6 Golden State Warriors at #3 Los Angeles Lakers
Lakers-Warriors kicked off with a commanding Lakers victory, led by a big performance from
Bernard King and an exemplary showing by
Magic Johnson. Despite a strong offensive effort from Golden State's trio of
Darryl Dawkins,
Kiki Vandeweghe, and
Andrew Toney, the Warriors were unable to match the Lakers' intensity and fell behind considerably, resulting in a 127-103 loss.
King put on a scoring clinic, dropping a whopping 42 points and dishing out six assists. Magic added a triple-double of 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 13 assists, demonstrating once again his crucial role in the Lakers' offensive machinery.
The Warriors witnessed 20+ point performances from Dawkins, Vandeweghe, and Toney, but the offensive firepower was insufficient to counter the Lakers' onslaught. Vandeweghe had an efficient shooting night, making 10 of 13 attempts, yet it was not enough to bridge the gap.
Robert Parish played a pivotal role for the Lakers, contributing a 17-12 double-double along with 2 steals and 2 blocks. His presence on both ends of the court further solidified the Lakers' dominance, proving that even without a high scoring night, his defensive efforts could make a significant impact.
LAKERS 127, Warriors 103 (Lakers lead 1-0)
Warriors Stats
Andrew Toney: 23 PTS, 3 REB
Darryl Dawkins: 22 PTS, 4 REB
Kiki Vandeweghe: 21 PTS, 10/13 FG
Lakers Stats
Bernard King: 42 PTS, 6 AST
Magic Johnson: 18 PTS, 10 REB, 13 AST, 7/12 FG
Robert Parish: 17 PTS, 12 REB, 2 STL, 2 BLK
***
Game 1 - #8 Baltimore Bullets at #1 Cleveland Cavaliers
Game 1 of the playoff series between the Baltimore Bullets and the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers saw
Kevin McHale take charge, steering the Cavs to a decisive victory. McHale's 32-point performance underpinned Cleveland's dominance, leaving the Bullets scrambling for answers.
Baltimore's
Sam Bowie attempted to slow down the potent frontcourt of McHale and
Orlando Woolridge with his shot-blocking prowess, managing to swat away 6 shots. However, the Cavaliers' dynamic duo still shot a combined 22-39, a testament to their efficiency and scoring ability.
The Bullets were not without their standout performers.
Alex English put up a strong double-double of 21 points and 13 rebounds, while
Eddie Johnson led Baltimore's scoring with 26 points and added 10 rebounds. Despite these commendable individual performances, the Bullets fell short of the mark, losing the game 100-86.
Woolridge complemented McHale's performance with a solid 23-point, 11-rebound double-double, while
Rolando Blackman chipped in with 15 points and 8 rebounds, highlighting the depth of the Cavaliers' roster.
With the Cavaliers leading the series 1-0, the Bullets will need to regroup and find a way to neutralize the threat posed by McHale and Woolridge. As for the Cavaliers, they will aim to maintain their momentum and extend their series lead in the upcoming games.
CAVALIERS 100, Bullets 86 (Cavaliers lead 1-0)
Bullets Stats
Alex English: 21 PTS, 13 REB, 5 AST, 2 BLK
Eddie Johnson: 26 PTS, 10 REB, 3 STL
Cavaliers Stats
Kevin McHale: 32 PTS, 9 REB, 4 AST, 3 STL, 1 BLK, 13/23 FG
Orlando Woolridge: 23 PTS, 11 REB, 9/16 FG
Rolando Blackman: 15 PTS, 8 REB, 3 STL
***
Game 1 - #5 Chicago Bulls at #4 New Jersey Nets
When the playoff lights come on,
Dominique Wilkins shines brightest. This held true as 'Nique unleashed a dazzling 45-point performance against the New Jersey Nets in Game 1, helping the Chicago Bulls to seize the home court advantage with an impressive victory.
In what was a fiercely contested game, the Bulls kept their noses ahead, managing to hold on for a five-point victory.
Terry Cummings made a significant impact for Chicago, racking up 14 points and a whopping 17 rebounds, effectively neutralizing the threat of New Jersey's
Moses Malone, who could only muster 10 points and 6 rebounds.
The Nets found their leading scorer in
Cliff Robinson, who dropped 22 points and secured 10 rebounds. Despite the loss, his performance gives the Nets a glimmer of hope as they seek to find a solution to the 'Nique conundrum.
The stakes are high for the Nets now, who not only need to figure out how to halt Wilkins' scoring onslaught but also secure at least one road win to prevent a third consecutive playoff disappointment.
The Bulls, leading the series 1-0, will be looking to continue their momentum into the next game, with Wilkins undoubtedly set to continue his scoring spree.
Bulls 122, NETS 117 (Bulls lead 1-0)
Bulls Stats
Dominique Wilkins: 45 PTS, 4 REB, 4 STL
Terry Cummings: 14 PTS, 17 REB, 3 AST, 3 STL
Alton Lister: 15 PTS, 7 REB, 3 BLK
Nets Stats
Cliff Robinson: 22 PTS, 10 REB, 3 AST, 3 STL, 2 BLK
Sidney Moncrief: 19 PTS, 3 Reb, 3 AST
Dudley Bradley: 17 PTS, 8 REB
***
Game 1 - #7 Atlanta Hawks at #2 Boston Celtics
Larry Bird started off the 1986 playoffs in a blaze of glory, scorching the Atlanta Hawks with an exquisite 40-point performance in the Boston Celtics' Game 1 victory. Bird added 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 6 steals to his tally, a feat made all the more remarkable by the fact that he only attempted 22 field goals and drained 4 shots from beyond the arc. The Hawks could find no response to Bird's mesmerizing play.
The Hawks' offense was spearheaded by
Eddie Johnson, who posted 19 points. However, his solo efforts could not match the Celtics' dominant performance.
The Celtics clinched the victory with a 14-point margin, securing the lead in the series. Alongside Bird,
Purvis Short and
Larry Nance made notable contributions. Short provided 21 points, 4 rebounds, and 6 assists, while Nance added 16 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 4 blocks to the Celtics' tally.
The Hawks will need to regroup and find a way to counter Bird's scoring prowess if they want to bounce back in the series.
CELTICS 112, Hawks 98 (Celtics lead 1-0)
Hawks Stats
Bill Laimbeer: 18 PTS, 8 REB
Karl Malone: 14 PTS, 10 REB
Eddie Johnson: 19 PTS, 3 REB, 3 AST
Celtics Stats
Larry Bird: 40 PTS, 8 REB, 5 AST, 6 STL, 15/22 FG, 4/7 3P
Purvis Short: 21 PTS, 4 REB, 6 AST
Larry Nance: 16 PTS, 8 REB, 3 AST, 4 BLK
***
Game 1 - #6 Miami Heat at #3 Detroit Pistons
In a clash that demanded exceptional performances from all team members, the Detroit Pistons managed to stifle
Michael Jordan and the Miami Heat in the opening game of the series.
Michael Cooper emerged as a key contributor for Detroit, notching 26 points, a major boost especially as
Tom Chambers struggled to find his rhythm, amassing only 11 points (1/3rd of his regular season average).
While Cooper shone on offense, he also proved his worth on the defensive end, combining forces with
Dennis Johnson to contain Jordan. Although MJ managed to score 36 points, his shooting was less efficient than usual, making only 15 of his 33 attempts.
Despite Jordan's herculean effort - 36 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 8 steals - the Heat couldn't overcome the Pistons' well-rounded performance.
Fat Lever also had an outstanding game for the Pistons, registering a triple-double with 19 points, 11 rebounds, and 13 assists.
As the Pistons take the lead in the series, the Heat will need to find ways to outmaneuver Detroit's tight defense and share the load more evenly in the upcoming games.
PISTONS 113, Heat 105 (Pistons lead 1-0)
Heat Stats
Michael Jordan: 36 PTS, 8 REB, 6 AST, 8 STL
Xavier McDaniel: 25 PTS, 9 REB, 2 STL
Pistons Stats
Michael Cooper: 26 PTS, 9 REB, 11/18 FG, 4/7 3P
Fat Lever: 19 PTS, 11 REB, 13 AST, 4/5 3P
Dennis Johnson: 15 PTS, 5 REB, 3 AST, 3 STL
***
Game 2 - #8 Salt Lake Stallions at #1 Dallas Mavericks (Mavericks lead 1-0)
Even with
Ralph Sampson on the sidelines, the Dallas Mavericks stepped up their game, managing to match the Salt Lake Stallions stride for stride through the first three quarters of Game 2. The real difference-maker was the Mavericks' explosive 41-point 4th quarter, which ultimately clinched their victory and extended their series lead to 2-0.
Isiah Thomas put on a spectacular performance for the Mavericks, tallying 26 points, 7 rebounds, and 17 assists, while
James Worthy contributed a solid 28 points.
Thurl Bailey, filling in for the injured Sampson, also made a considerable impact in his 35-minute playtime, delivering a commendable 19-point, 12-rebound performance.
The Stallions once again found their top performers in
Adrian Dantley and
Reggie Theus. However, with Sampson's absence from the Mavericks' lineup, the Stallions need more from
Tree Rollins,
Herb Williams, and
Dan Roundfield if they hope to compete in this series. Of the three, only Williams showed some spark with a 15-point contribution.
MAVERICKS 121, Stallions 112 (Mavericks lead 2-0)
Stallions Stats
Adrian Dantley: 23 PTS, 8 REB, 6 AST
Reggie Theus: 21 PTS, 8/14 FG
Mavericks Stats
Isiah Thomas: 26 PTS, 7 REB, 17 AST
James Worthy: 28 PTS, 10 REB
Thurl Bailey: 19 PTS, 12 REB
***
Game 2 - #5 Portland Trail Blazers at #4 St. Louis Spirits (Spirits lead 1-0)
In a dominant display of teamwork,
Buck Williams and
Dale Ellis made a formidable combo for the St. Louis Spirits in Game 2, amassing a staggering 64 points between them from 26/34 FGs. Their relentless attack left the Portland Trail Blazers reeling, unable to respond effectively despite
Oscar Schmidt's team-leading 19 points.
Mark Eaton's towering presence was another standout for the Spirits, adding an impressive 7 blocks to the scorecard. His defensive prowess undoubtedly played a significant role in stifling the Trail Blazers' offensive attempts.
With the Spirits now leading the series 2-0, the pressure is on the Trail Blazers to recalibrate and strike back in their home court at Portland.
SPIRITS 111, Trail Blazers 92 (Spirits lead 2-0)
Trail Blazers Stats
Oscar Schmidt: 19 PTS, 6/12 FG, 6/6 FT
Chris Mullin: 16 PTS
Spirits Stats
Buck Williams: 32 PTS, 8 REB, 14/19 FG
Dale Ellis: 32 PTS, 8 REB, 5 AST, 12/15 FG, 2/4 3P
Mark Eaton: 9 REB, 7 BLK
Phil Ford: 20 PTS, 6 AST
***
Game 2 - #7 Houston Rockets at #2 Sacramento Kings (Kings lead 1-0)
The spotlight was firmly on rookie
Patrick Ewing as he led the Sacramento Kings to victory in a tight defensive encounter against the Houston Rockets. Ewing's impressive 26-point, 20-rebound performance highlighted the game, showcasing his formidable talent on both ends of the court.
The Rockets adopted a strategy focusing on three-point attempts, a relatively unconventional approach in 1986. However, their long-range game failed to deliver, with only 3 successful attempts out of 20.
Kelly Tripucka gave a spirited performance for the Rockets, scoring 34 points, but the lack of substantial contributions from the rest of the team (totaling 53 points) proved to be their downfall.
As the series shifts to Houston, the Rockets now face the daunting task of climbing out of a 0-2 series deficit.
KINGS 96, Rockets 87 (Kings lead 2-0)
Rockets Stats
Kelly Tripucka: 34 PTS, 14/26 FG, 3 STL
Kings Stats
Patrick Ewing: 26 PTS, 20 REB, 2 STL, 2 BLK
Hakeem Olajuwon: 13 PTS, 7 REB, 1 BLK
***
Game 2 - #6 Golden State Warriors at #3 Los Angeles Lakers (Lakers lead 1-0)
This isn’t looking like much of a rivalry. The Lakers lead at the end of each quarter: 46-21, 87-50, 118-62 and ultimately 126-83.
Magic Johnson orchestrated the game with masterful control, dishing out 24 assists, primarily to
Bernard King and
Robert Parish who amassed 37 and 26 points respectively. The Warriors, who were led by
Andrew Toney's 21 points, need to re-strategize and adjust their game plan if they aim to make this series competitive.
As the series stands, the Lakers have taken a commanding 2-0 lead. The Warriors face an uphill battle moving forward, with the need for drastic improvements in their gameplay to keep their playoff hopes alive.
LAKERS 126, Warriors 83 (Lakers lead 2-0)
Warriors Stats
Andrew Toney: 21 PTS, 4 REB, 3 AST, 1 STL
Lakers Stats
Bernard King: 37 PTS, 8 REB, 5 AST, 3 STL
Robert Parish: 26 PTS, 7 REB, 12/19 FG
Magic Johnson: 19 PTS, 9 REB, 24 AST, 2 STL
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: 13 PTS, 11 REB
***
Game 2 - #8 Baltimore Bullets at #1 Cleveland Cavaliers (Cavaliers lead 1-0)
The Baltimore Bullets managed to pull off a surprise upset against the Cleveland Cavaliers on their home turf in Game 2, leveling the series at 1-1. The Bullets were propelled to their 94-83 victory by impressive performances from
Alex English and
Eddie Johnson, who scored 36 and 30 points respectively.
Kevin McHale, while displaying all-around prowess for the Cavs with 15 rebounds, 3 assists, and 5 blocks, struggled in scoring, managing only 11 points.
Orlando Woolridge contributed with 19 points for the Cavs. As the series heads to Baltimore, the Cavaliers will likely be expecting a more substantial scoring contribution from Rolando Blackman, who has totaled just 31 points in the playoffs thus far.
Bullets 94, CAVALIERS 83 (Series tied 1-1)
Bullets Stats
Alex English: 36 PTS, 7 REB, 6 AST
Eddie Johnson: 30 PTS, 13 REB
Cavaliers Stats
Kevin McHale: 11 PTS, 15 REB, 3 AST, 1 STL, 5 BLK
Orlando Woolridge: 19 PTS, 9 REB, 3 BLK
Rolando Blackman: 16 PTS, 7 REB
Jim Paxson: 15 PTS, 6 REB, 2 STL
***
Game 2 - #5 Chicago Bulls at #4 New Jersey Nets (Bulls lead 1-0)
Dominique went off once again, but the Nets wouldn’t give up and we had a game go down to the wire.
The Nets took the lead off a
Cliff Robinson layup, 93-92, with 7:40 left. Chicago and New Jersey would trade buckets for the next few minutes, with
Terry Cummings scoring with 4:12 left to put the Bulls up 98-97.
Terry Catledge responds from NJ’s bench to score and give the Nets back a one point lead.
Vinnie Johnson hit a free throw to tie it at 99.
Calvin Natt scores, and
Marc Iavorini gets a steal to give the Nets their biggest lead since the first quarter, 103-99. Johnson hits another basket, but Iavorini continues to play huge minutes as he ends up on the receiving end of an alley-oop!
‘Nique has had enough and hits a jumper from the free throw line to cut the lead to two with 2:55 left. The Bulls fail to take advantage of a turnover caused by
Andre Wakefield, and Marc Iavaroni ends up getting a huge offensive rebound into a dunk! Nets lead 107-103 with 1:27 left. The Bulls eventually make it 107-15 due to a Terry Cummings jumper…and ‘Nique silences the New Jersey crowd with a huge jam to tie the game at 107 with 34 seconds left!
Sidney Moncrief breaks a Bulls full court press and gets a quick dunk of his own! Cummings quickly scores again, making it 109-109 with just 25 seconds left. Moncrief tries to find a way to finish off the game, and he gets fouled by Wilkins with just 7 seconds left! Moncrief then makes a great play as he steals a pass from ‘Nique, and one more free throw finishes off the Bulls.
‘Nique had another 45, but the balanced Nets attack was too much for the Bulls to handle. Chicago still has home court as the series is tied 1-1 heading to Chicago.
NETS 112, Bulls 109 (Series tied 1-1)
Bulls Stats
Dominique Wilkins: 45 PTS, 8 REB, 16/29 FG, 13/15 FT
Terry Cummings: 21 PTS, 8 REB
Nets Stats
Sidney Moncrief: 20 PTS, 5 REB, 5 AST, 3 STL
Moses Malone: 15 PTS, 6 REB
Calvin Natt: 14 PTS, 6 REB, 3 AST
Dudley Bradley: 15 PTS, 4 REB, 3 STL
Cliff Robinson: 13 PTS, 4 REB, 4 AST
***
Game 2 - #7 Atlanta Hawks at #2 Boston Celtics (Celtics lead 1-0)
In a thrilling, down-to-the-wire showdown, the Hawks staged a massive late-game surge, blasting through with a 7-0 run to snatch a 122-121 lead with just over two minutes remaining, capped by a thunderous dunk from
Karl Malone. However, the Celtics, led by the ever-reliable
Larry Bird, were not to be denied. Bird, showcasing his impeccable court vision, found
Larry Nance for a critical layup, thrusting the Celtics back into the lead, a lead they would stubbornly cling to, securing their victory in Game 2.
Malone had a golden opportunity to turn the tide in favor of the Hawks, but
Larry Smith emerged at the crucial moment, executing a pivotal block that kept the Celtics in the driver's seat. The final nail in the Hawks' coffin was a swift steal by
Gus Williams, sealing the deal for the Celtics.
Larry Bird was once again the star of the show, delivering a sensational performance, pouring in 44 points, pulling down 8 rebounds, dishing out 10 assists, and swiping 3 steals, proving once again why he's one of the game's greats. The Celtics' firepower was further bolstered by
Purvis Short and Larry Nance, who added 28 and 26 points respectively.
Despite
Bill Laimbeer's career-defining game that featured a staggering 27 points and a monstrous 23 rebounds, it proved insufficient to tip the balance in the Hawks' favor. As the dust settled, the Hawks were left facing a daunting 0-2 deficit as they head back to their home court in Atlanta.
CELTICS 125, Hawks 122 (Celtics lead 2-0)
Hawks Stats
Bill Laimbeer: 27 PTS, 23 REB, 2 BLK
Karl Malone: 18 PTS, 6 REB, 6 AST, 2 STL
Eddie Johnson: 18 PTS, 3 REB, 3 AST, 2 STL
Celtics Stats
Larry Bird: 44 PTS, 8 REB, 10 AST, 3 STL, 18/22 FG, 1/1 3P
Purvis Short: 28 PTS, 12 REB
Larry Nance: 26 PTS, 11 REB, 6 AST, 12/14 FG
***
Game 2 - #6 Miami Heat at #3 Detroit Pistons (Pistons lead 1-0)
In Game 2, the Detroit Pistons unleashed an offensive onslaught, racking up a staggering 144 points. The driving forces behind this onslaught were
Tom Chambers, who erupted for an incredible 51 points, and
Fat Lever, who put on a masterful all-round performance with 17 points, 13 rebounds, 20 assists, and 7 steals. This formidable display handed the Pistons a commanding 2-0 series lead against
Michael Jordan and the Miami Heat.
Not to be overshadowed, Jordan, the embodiment of relentless drive, kept the Heat firmly in contention for the Game 2 victory, producing a dazzling display of his own. He racked up 41 points, yanked down 13 rebounds, dished out 4 assists, and added 3 steals and 3 blocks to his tally. Despite his best efforts, however, the Heat fell short of clinching the victory.
As the buzzer sounded, the reality of a daunting 0-2 deficit settled over Miami. Heading back home, the Heat now face the challenge of turning the tide in their favor as the series continues. Jordan, ever the competitor, would surely have preferred a victory to his impressive stats. The stage is set for a potentially epic comeback as the series moves to Miami.
PISTONS 144, Heat 124 (Pistons lead 2-0)
Heat Stats
Michael Jordan: 41 PTS, 13 REB, 4 AST, 3 STL, 3 BLK, 13/27 FG
Xavier McDaniel: 20 PTS, 9 REB
Clark Kellogg: 21 PTS, 7 REB, 9/12 FG, 1/2 3P
Pistons Stats
Tom Chambers; 51 PTS, 9 REB, 18/31 FG
Fat Lever: 17 PTS, 13 REB, 20 AST, 7 STL
***
Game 3 - #1 Dallas Mavericks at #8 Salt Lake Stallions (Mavericks lead 2-0)
The Stallions refused to give up in Game 3. With
James Worthy going off, the Stallions found a way to take a lead into the 4th quarter. Still, the Mavericks managed to take a five-point lead after a
Thurl Bailey hook with 28 seconds left. Salt Lake’s
Danny Young gets a quick lay-up to cut the lead to 113-110.
Isiah Thomas shockingly misses two free throws.
Reggie Theus finds Young, who
hits the game-tying three as time expires to take the game to overtime!
The Stallions would score five points in the first 1:15 of overtime…and that would be enough! The Mavericks would run out of gas and only manage four points themselves. The game was 118-117 with 1:15 left, and each team would fail to score. Isiah had a chance to win it with a three himself, but it missed. There will be a Game 4. Dallas wasted a 48-point
James Worthy and a 22-20 game from Isiah. Danny Young had the biggest game of his young career, scoring 27 to lead the Stallions, including the final five clutch points in regulation.
STALLIONS 118, Mavericks 117 (Mavericks lead 2-1)
Stallions Stats
Danny Young: 27 PTS, 5 AST, 9/16 FG, 3/4 3P
Reggie Theus: 25 PTS, 6 REB, 9 AST, 5 STL
Adrian Dantley: 22 PTS, 7 REB, 5 AST
Mavericks Stats
James Worthy: 48 PTS, 11 REB, 3 BLK, 23/33 FG
Isiah Thomas: 22 PTS, 20 AST, 3 STL
***
Game 3 - #4 St. Louis Spirits at #5 Portland Trail Blazers (Spirits lead 2-0)
The Spirits grab the lead on a lay-up from
Buck Williams, going up 107-106 with 3:05 left.
Darrell Walker, having an excellent game as he tries to keep Portland alive, finds
Chris Mullin to give Portland back the lead. Rookie
Joe Dumars misses, but makes up for that with a steal off a pass from
Oscar Schmidt. Each team locks the other up until 1:46 left when St. Louis’
Derek Smith gives St. Louis a 109-108 lead with 1:46 left.
Portland gets a few chances, but fail to convert.
Otis Thorpe misses a bunny. Thorpe misses another jumper with 26 seconds left.
Jon Koncak gets the last chance for Portland, but the Trail Blazers fail to score since 2:55 left in the 4th, and the Spirits complete the sweep.
While making the playoffs at all had to be considered a victory for the Trail Blazers, there has to be some disappointment as the Spirits were missing
Alvin Robertson for the series. Still, things are looking up for Portland. On the other hand St. Louis, in only their third season, advance to the Western Conference Semi-Finals to face the Stallions-Mavericks winner.
For prediction purposes,
Dale Ellis led the series in scoring with 80 points.
Spirits 109, TRAIL BLAZERS 108 (Spirits win 3-0)
Spirits Stats
Dale Ellis: 25 PTS, 4 REB, 4 STL
Buck Williams: 24 PTS, 10 REB, 2 STL, 1 BLK
Joe Dumars: 15 PTS, 8 AST, 2 STL
Trail Blazers Stats
Darrell Walker: 20 PTS, 12 REB, 7 AST, 3 STL, 5/9 FG
Mike Gminski: 19 PTS, 7 REB
Otis Thorpe: 17 PTS, 12 REB
***
Game 3 - #2 Sacramento Kings at #7 Houston Rockets (Kings lead 2-0)
In a thrilling duel of wills, the Houston Rockets dominated the offensive boards and managed 15 more shots than the Sacramento Kings, but that wasn't enough to fend off the sweep. The Kings proved too powerful, completing a clean sweep and eliminating the Rockets from contention.
Leading the charge for the Kings, Sedale Threatt emerged from the bench like a man possessed, dropping a colossal 26 points. Patrick Ewing added a solid 23 points, while Hakeem Olajuwon crafted yet another all-around masterclass, tallying 10 points, pulling down 17 rebounds, dishing out 4 assists, swiping 2 steals, and swatting away 6 shots. The Kings will face the Lakers-Warriors victor.
Despite the Rockets' valiant efforts, led by Ricky Pierce and Jack Sikma who poured in 28 and 25 points respectively, they grappled with the issues heels that plagued them throughout the season: defense and inconsistency. Rarely did all their scorers fire on all cylinders simultaneously, a stark issue they'll need to address in the coming year.
For prediction purposes:
Kelly Tripucka led the series in scoring with 79 points.
Kings 124, ROCKETS 112 (Kings win 3-0)
Kings Stats
Patrick Ewing: 23 PTS, 6 REB, 10/14 FG
Hakeem Olajuwon: 10 PTS, 17 REB, 4 AST, 2 STL, 6 BLK
Danny Ainge: 22 PTS, 4 REB, 6 AST
Sedale Threatt: 26 PTS, 5 AST, 5 STL, 11/15 FG
Rockets Stats
Kelly Tripucka: 19 PTS, 5 REB
Jack Sikma: 25 PTS, 15 REB, 3 BLK
Ricky Pierce: 28 PTS, 4 REB, 4 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK
***
Game 3 - #3 Los Angeles Lakers at #6 Golden State Warriors (Lakers lead 2-0)
Game 3 of the series between the Lakers and Warriors was a momentous battle that saw the Warriors refusing to go down without a fight. They roared out of the gate, amassing a commanding 62-47 lead by halftime and never loosening their grip on the game.
Andrew Toney emerged as a game-changer from the Warriors' bench, raining down 26 points. Not far behind,
Kiki Vandeweghe contributed a robust 25 points to the winning effort, while
Darryl Dawkins displayed versatility with 15 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists.
Despite a valiant 35-point performance from
Bernard King, who hit an impressive 15 of 25 shots, the Lakers' overall output lagged, with the rest of the team managing only 27 out of 63.
Magic Johnson had a respectable game with a 14-12 double-double, but Golden State's
John Stockton proved a worthy adversary, tallying 15 points, 8 assists, and 3 steals, proving instrumental in keeping the Lakers at bay.
The final buzzer saw the Warriors victorious with a final score of 108-95, narrowing the Lakers' series lead to 2-1. The Warriors will aim to harness this winning momentum on home turf in the hope of leveling the series and forcing a decisive Game 5.
WARRIORS 108, Lakers 95 (Lakers lead 2-1)
Lakers Stats
Bernard King: 35 PTS, 7 REB, 15/25 FG
Magic Johnson: 14 PTS, 6 REB, 12 AST
Warriors Stats
Andrew Toney: 26 PTS, 12/17 FG
Kiki Vandeweghe 25 PTS, 4 REB, 4 AST, 9/18 FG
Darryl Dawkins: 15 PTS, 9 REB, 5 AST
***
Game 3 - #1 Cleveland Cavaliers at #8 Baltimore Bullets (Series tied 1-1)
In Game 3 of the series between the Cavs and Bullets, the Cavs made a strong statement, re-establishing their dominance and regaining control of the series.
The Cavaliers' impeccable defense effectively neutralized the Bullets' offense. Baltimore's
Alex English had to take 26 shots just to score his 28 points, and the rest of the team struggled to provide substantial support.
On the Cavaliers' side, the balance of power was far more evenly distributed. Four players -
Jim Paxson, Orlando Woolridge, Rolando Blackman, and
Kevin McHale - all managed to put up at least 17 points each. This collective effort paved the way for the Cavaliers' decisive victory, ending the game at 104-86 in their favor and taking a 2-1 lead in the series.
Cavaliers 104, BULLETS 86 (Cavaliers lead 2-1)
Cavaliers Stats
Kevin McHale: 17 PTS, 12 REB, 3 BLK
Orlando Woolridge: 18 PTS, 17 REB, 4 AST
Rolando Blackman: 18 PTS, 7 REB, 7 AST
Jim Paxson: 20 PTS, 6 REB
Bullets Stats
Alex English: 28 PTS, 9 REB
Terry Furlow: 10 PTS, 8 REB, 4 AST, 6 STL
Sam Bowie: 13 PTS, 8 REB, 4 BLK
***
Game 3 - #4 New Jersey Nets at #5 Chicago Bulls (Series tied 1-1)
In a stunning display of defensive prowess, the Nets brought silence to the usually raucous Chicago Stadium. They held the Bulls to a meager 84 points, snatching back control of the series in an emphatic fashion.
Dominique Wilkins, a usual powerhouse for the Bulls, was kept to a relatively subdued 29 points. In contrast, the Nets saw formidable performances from their key players.
Moses Malone reminded fans of his legendary status with an impressive 24-point, 16-rebound outing, shooting an efficient 8 for 11 from the field.
Sidney "The Squid" Moncrief delivered a stellar all-around performance, putting up 25 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals.
The final score stood at 92-84 in favor of the Nets, who took a 2-1 lead in the series. The defending Eastern Conference Champion Bulls find themselves in a precarious position, but they will at least have the comfort of home court for Game 4.
Nets 92, BULLS 84 (Nets lead 2-1)
Nets Stats
Moses Malone: 24 PTS, 16 REB, 2 BLK, 8/11 FG
Sidney Moncrief: 25 PTS, 7 REB, 4 AST, 4 STL
Bulls Stats
Dominique Wilkins: 29 PTS, 10 REB, 3 STL, 3 BLK
Terry Cummings: 19 PTS, 10 REB, 3 STL
***
Game 3 - #2 Boston Celtics at #7 Atlanta Hawks (Celtics lead 2-0)
Game 3 in the series between the Celtics and the Hawks was a battle of resilience that pushed both teams to their limits. The Hawks held a 16-point lead in the fourth quarter, seemingly steering the game towards an easy victory. However, the Celtics, led by MVP
Larry Bird, had other plans.
The Hawks stumbled midway through the fourth quarter, and the Celtics seized the opportunity to stage an impressive comeback. The turning point came with 1:15 left on the clock, when
Purvis Short nailed a jumper to tie the game at 112, capping a 16-6 run by Boston.
Larry Bird, who had been delivering stellar performances throughout the series, came up clutch yet again, sinking two free throws to give the Celtics a 114-112 lead with just over a minute remaining.
Mark Aguirre, Atlanta's notable trade acquisition, quickly responded with a jumper to level the score once more. But a subsequent foul sent Bird back to the free-throw line, where he was flawless, giving Boston a 116-114 lead.
With the game hanging in the balance,
Eddie Johnson of the Hawks missed a potential game-tying shot and never got another opportunity. The Celtics held on to their lead, winning the game 116-114 and sweeping the series 3-0. They now advance to face the winner of the Pistons-Heat series.
Despite their loss, the Hawks displayed significant progress this season, with rookie Karl Malone showing promise as a rising star. Their return to the playoffs, though ending prematurely, offers hope for a bright future.
For prediction purposes:
Larry Bird led the series in scoring with 119 points.
Celtics 116, HAWKS 114 (Celtics win 3-0)
Celtics Stats
Larry Bird: 35 PTS, 6 REB, 8 AST, 14/25 FG, 7/7 FT
Purvis Short: 26 PTS, 5 AST, 3 STL
Larry Nance: 19 PTS, 13 REB, 8 AST, 4 BLK, 7/12 FG
Hawks Stats
Bill Laimbeer: 22 PTS, 11 REB, 4 AST
Karl Malone: 21 PTS, 9/11 FG
***
Game 3 - #6 Miami Heat at #3 Detroit Pistons (Pistons lead 2-0)
In an electrifying Game 3, the Detroit Pistons started strong but ultimately fell to the Miami Heat led by
Michael Jordan. Despite
Tom Chambers trying to replicate his Game 2 performance, he struggled from the field, managing only 23 points on a cold 10/31 shooting. The Pistons had no real offensive rhythm, their 22 offensive rebounds being the lifeline that kept them competitive.
However, they could not contain Michael Jordan. The Heat's iconic star dished out a masterful performance, posting 28 points, 7 rebounds, and 10 assists on a highly efficient 12/19 shooting. His commitment to involving his teammates helped the Heat to an impressive 50.5% shooting from the field.
The Heat's concerted team effort was evident in the contributions from
Xavier McDaniel, who added 21 points and 8 rebounds, and
Sam Perkins, who chipped in with 17 points and 8 rebounds. Their collective performance was enough to secure a much-needed victory, the final score being 119-110 in their favor.
With this win, the Heat have extended the series and will aim to replicate this form in Game 4 to force a deciding Game 5 in Detroit.
HEAT 119, Pistons 110 (Pistons lead 2-1)
Pistons Stats
Tom Chambers: 23 PTS, 8 REB
Michael Cooper: 18 PTS, 4 REB, 4 AST
Dennis Johnson: 18 PTS, 6 REB, 4 AST, 2 STL
Fat Lever: 5 PTS, 10 REB, 7 AST, 2 STL
Heat Stats
Michael Jordan: 28 PTS, 7 REB, 10 AST, 4 STL, 12/19 FG
Xavier McDaniel: 21 PTS, 8 REB, 9/17 FG
Sam Perkins: 17 PTS, 8 REB
***
Game 4 - #1 Dallas Mavericks at #8 Salt Lake Stallions (Mavericks lead 2-1)
Dallas got off to a hot start and the Stallions just ran out of gas in Game 4. The Mavericks caused turnover after turnover, coming up with 19 steals, and put away the Stallions in Salt Lake.
Isiah Thomas was great as normal with a 22-point, 11-assist, 4-steal performance.
Adrian Dantley led the Stallions with 19 points.
The Mavericks will face the red-hot Spirits in the Western Conference Finals.
Ralph Sampson will not be available for the series, which will be tough for the Mavericks to handle.
The Stallions are left asking themselves the same question they’ve asked for the entire decade: how far can they go with
Adrian Dantley as their guy? They’ll likely take one more shot with him as that’s all he’s under contract for.
For prediction purposes:
James Worthy led the series in scoring with 121 points.
Mavericks 99, STALLIONS 79 (Mavericks win 3-1)
Stallions Stats
Adrian Dantley: 23 PTS, 8 REB, 6 AST
Reggie Theus: 21 PTS, 8/14 FG
Mavericks Stats
Isiah Thomas: 26 PTS, 7 REB, 17 AST
James Worthy: 28 PTS, 10 REB
Thurl Bailey: 19 PTS, 12 REB
***
Game 4 - #3 Los Angeles Lakers at #6 Golden State Warriors (Lakers lead 2-1)
The Warriors battled all game, coming back when it looked like it was over for them. They followed up a 14-point second quarter with a 42-point third quarter. The Warriors brought a small lead into the fourth as a result.
The Lakers and Warriors battled throughout the fourth.
John Stockton hit a dagger of a three for the Warriors with 2:56 left to make it 108-107 Lakers.
Magic drives by Stockton on the next play but blows the layup! Both teams fail to convert until Stockton hits a layup with 1:28 left, putting the Warriors back on top 109-108. The Lakers wind down the clock and the Warriors end up committing a foul, allowing
Robert Parish to get to the line. He only makes one-of-two, still tying the game. But Parish gets his own rebound and kicks the ball out. LA looks for the very best shot, and they find it, as
Bernard King hits a jumper from the free throw line to make it 111-109!
Darryl Dawkins responds quickly to tie the game with 36 seconds left.
The game would end in controversy. Magic missed a shot but grabbed his own rebound, allowing the Lakers the last possession of regulation. Robert Parish looked to win the game, but he missed…
and was bumped by Stockton! Oakland Arena is completely stunned with that call, and Golden State Head Coach
George Karl was irate. With no time left on the clock, Parish drains the free throws, and the Lakers won the series.
The Lakers move on to play the Kings in the Western Conference Semi-Finals. The Warriors season ends in disappointment as it was thought they would perhaps make the leap this year. To have their season end for the third straight year at the hands of the Lakers only fuels that disappointment.
For prediction purposes:
Bernard King led the series in scoring with 153 points.
Lakers 113, WARRIORS 111 (Lakers win 3-1)
Lakers Stats
Bernard King: 39 PTS, 6 REB, 4 AST, 16/28 FG
Robert Parish: 28 PTS, 10 REB
Magic Johnson: 13 PTS, 12 REB, 17 AST
Warriors Stats
Andrew Toney: 22 PTS
John Stockton: 21 PTS, 13 AST, 4 STL, 8/12 FG, 1/2 3P
Kiki Vandeweghe: 22 PTS
***
Game 4 - Cleveland Cavaliers at #8 Baltimore Bullets (Cavaliers lead 2-1)
In Game 4, the Cavaliers showed their might, overpowering the Bullets and securing their ticket to the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals. After a quiet series,
Rolando Blackman emerged with an exceptional performance, pouring in a game-high 35 points.
Kevin McHale continued his impressive run, contributing a significant 32 points.
While
Alex English once again led the Bullets in scoring, he unfortunately needed more shots than the points he amassed. The Bullets showed promise, even managing a lead at halftime, but a staggering 63-38 second half run by the Cavaliers snuffed out their hopes of a comeback.
The Bullets will get a full season with English next year to see if they can get back to +.500 basketball. The Cavs look to win their first NBA Title in a few weeks and will meet the Nets-Bulls winner.
For prediction purposes:
Alex English led the series in scoring with 105 points.
Cavaliers 106, BULLETS 89 (Cavaliers win 3-1)
Cavaliers Stats
Kevin McHale: 32 PTS, 11 REB, 3 BLK
Rolando Blackman: 35 PTS, 13 REB, 15/23 FG, 2/4 3P
Orlando Woolridge: 17 PTS, 6 REB, 8/13 FG
Bullets Stats
Alex English: 20 PTS
Sam Bowie: 14 PTS, 12 REB
Eddie Johnson: 18 PTS, 7 REB
***
Game 4 - #4 New Jersey Nets at #5 Chicago Bulls (Nets lead 2-1)
In arguably a shocking result, the Nets once again beat the Bulls in Chicago Stadium, winning the series 3-1. The Nets dominated the boards, resulting in 18 more field goal attempts.
Moses Malone once again looked like the old Moses with another 20-16.
Calvin Natt and
Sidney Moncrief also chipped in 20 apiece.
Dominique Wilkins couldn’t get going against the Nets defense.
Dudley Bradley did a great job, holding ‘Nique to 22 points.
Terry Cummings led Chicago with 23.
This is a shocking ending for the Bulls, who had the title on their mind as they went 7 in the NBA Finals the year prior. We’ll see if they stand pat. As for the Nets, this was a strong victory and they’ll play the Cavaliers.
For prediction purposes:
Dominique Wilkins led the series in scoring with 141 points.
Nets 117, BULLS 108 (Nets win 3-1)
Nets Stats
Sidney Moncrief: 20 PTS, 8 REB
Calvin Natt: 20 PTS, 9/11 FG
Moses Malone: 20 PTS, 16 REB, 2 STL, 2 BLK
Bulls Stats
Dominique Wilkins: 22 PTS, 5 REB, 3 AST
Terry Cummings: 23 PTS, 7 REB, 5 AST
***
Game 4 - #3 Detroit Pistons at #6 Miami Heat (Pistons lead 2-1)
In a surprising turn of events, the Detroit Pistons let slip a golden chance to close out the series against the Miami Heat on their home turf.
Michael Jordan, the usual scoring machine, had an off-night, with a shooting efficiency that dwindled to a meager 5/21 from the field. Yet, despite Jordan's struggles, the Pistons couldn't capitalize.
Detroit's shooting performance was woefully inadequate, with an overall percentage of just 38.8%.
Tom Chambers put up a valiant effort, racking up an impressive 38 points, but his individual brilliance wasn't enough to outdo Miami. The rest of the Pistons, apart from Chambers, managed a dismal 21/66 shooting performance, and the team collectively sank only 1 out of 17 attempts from behind the three-point line. It was a performance that they'd prefer to forget, a complete meltdown on their part.
On the other hand, Miami found the support they needed to secure this critical Game 4 victory, even as their main man, Jordan, struggled.
Sam Perkins rose to the occasion, delivering a solid double-double with 18 points and 15 rebounds.
Clark Kellogg also contributed significantly, adding another double-double to the Heat's tally with his 21 points and 11 rebounds, stepping up as
Xavier McDaniel struggled with foul trouble.
In a season where all other Round 1 match-ups have been decided, the Pistons-Heat series stands out, with the dramatic events forcing it into a decisive Game 5. The action now shifts back to Detroit, where the Pistons will have another chance to finish off the Heat, while Miami will aim to ride their momentum to clinch the series.
HEAT 102, Pistons 93 (Series tied 2-2)
Pistons Stats
Tom Chambers; 38 PTS, 7 REB, 6 AST
Michael Cooper: 15 PTS
Dennis Johnson: 13 PTS, 3 REB, 3 AST
Fat Lever: 13 REB, 9 AST, 5 STL
Heat Stats
Michael Jordan: 22 PTS, 9 REB, 8 AST
Clark Kellogg: 21 PTS, 11 REB
Sam Perkins: 18 PTS, 15 REB
***
Game 5 - #6 Miami Heat at #3 Detroit Pistons (Series tied 2-2)
The Pistons left
Michael Jordan alive and MJ killed them.
In an extraordinary display of brilliance and resilience, Michael Jordan led the Miami Heat to an epic comeback in Game 5, overturning a 0-2 series deficit to clinch a thrilling victory. Jordan was nothing short of phenomenal, pouring in 31 points, while also pulling down 12 rebounds and dishing out 7 assists.
Right from the start, the Heat were unstoppable. They erupted for an electrifying 44-point opening quarter, a blazing start that left the Detroit Pistons and the packed Pontiac Silverdome in a state of stunned silence.
Detroit's star,
Tom Chambers, found himself in a tough spot as he ran into serious foul trouble against Miami's
Sam Perkins and
Xavier McDaniel. Despite managing to score 21 points, Chambers was limited to a mere 19 minutes on the court. On a night when the Pistons desperately needed a 40-point performance from him, Chambers was unable to deliver.
Michael Cooper of the Pistons managed to fill the stat sheet, but he was decidedly off the mark in terms of shooting, going a disappointing 3 for 14 from the field. Pistons guards
Dennis Johnson and
Fat Lever found themselves overwhelmed, unable to match the scintillating scoring display put up by Jordan.
The Pistons had a great season but this loss leaves them well-short of the NBA Championship. As for the Heat, this is the second straight season they came into the playoffs as the lower seed and came out on top. MJ and the Heat will take on Bird and the Celtics in what should be an incredible series.
For prediction purposes:
Michael Jordan led the series in scoring with 158 points.
Heat 125, PISTONS 114 (Heat win 3-2)
Heat Stats
Michael Jordan: 31 PTS, 12 REB, 7 AST
Sam Perkins: 21 PTS, 12 REB, 4 AST
Xavier McDaniel: 20 PTS, 11 REB, 4 AST, 3 STL
Derek Harper: 17 PTS, 7 AST
Pistons Stats
Tom Chambers: 21 PTS, 10/15 FG
Dennis Johnson: 21 PTS, 7 REB
Fat Lever: 17 PTS, 12 REB, 10 AST
Michael Cooper: 11 REB, 10 AST, 3 STL
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Playoff Preview
Western Conference Semi-Finals
Best of Seven
#4 St. Louis Spirits (46-36) vs. #1 Dallas Mavericks (63-19)
Season Results
1/16 – Mavericks 122, SPIRITS 101
1/30 – MAVERICKS 121, Spirits 90
2/3 – MAVERICKS 93, Spirits 90
3/8 – Mavericks 116, SPIRITS 112
3/27 – MAVERICKS 120, Spirits 102
Series Preview
While Dallas dominated the season series, there are two variables that completely change the outlook for this series. Mavericks center
Ralph Sampson will not return from his broken foot in the series. While
Thurl Bailey was solid in the Round 1 series against the Stallions, Dallas will likely miss Sampson big time. As for the Spirits,
Alvin Robertson will likely miss Games 1 and 2, but we may see him later in the series. The Spirits took care of the Trail Blazers without Robertson regardless.
Isiah Thomas will need to have a monster series for Dallas to get back to the Conference Finals. So does
James Worthy, who will be matched up with
Buck Williams in a match-up that may decide the series.
St. Louis Spirits
Record: 46-36
PPG: 106.3 (7th)
oPPG: 103.4 (22nd)
Offensive Eff: 104.8 (7th)
Defensive Eff: 102.0 (14th)
eFG: 49.1% (3rd)
Reb%: 51.4% (8th)
Starters/Key Players
C – Mark Eaton – 5.3 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 3.7 BPG
PF – Buck Williams – 19.5 PPG, 10.1 RPG, 56.4% FG
SF – Dale Ellis – 23 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 1.1 SPG, 48.4% FG, 38.9% 3P
SG – Joe Dumars – 10.2 PPG, 4.3 APG, 1.2 SPG, All-Rookie 2nd Team
PG – Phil Ford – 10.8 PPG, 4.9 APG, 1.1 SPG
Bench – Yasutaka Okayama – 6 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 1.8 BPG
Key Injuries
Alvin Robertson – 18.3 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 6.4 APG, 2 SPG. Out for the first two games of the series, but may return after that.
Dallas Mavericks
Record: 63-19
PPG: 112.5 (1st)
oPPG: 100.8 (16th)
Offensive Eff: 109.5 (1st)
Defensive Eff: 98 (5th)
eFG: 50.9% (1st)
Reb%: 49.6% (16th)
Starters/Key Players
C – Thurl Bailey – 7 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 1.3 BPG
PF – James Worthy – 21.8 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 1.4 SPG, 52.8% FG, All-NBA 2nd Team, All-Defense 2nd Team, All-Star
SF – Jerome Kersey – 9.4 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 1.7 SPG
SG – Gerald Henderson – 10.9 PPG, 3.3 APG
PG – Isiah Thomas – 20.3 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 12.7 APG, 2.7 SPG, 49.1% FG, All-NBA 1st Team, All-Defense 1st Team, All-Star
Key Injuries
Ralph Sampson – Broke his foot in the first round. Dallas will definitely miss him as he went for 20.8 PPG, 9.1 RPG and 2 BPG in an All-Star season.
Best of Seven
#3 Los Angeles Lakers (53-29) vs. #2 Sacramento Kings (57-25)
Season Results
11/5 – KINGS 99, Lakers 78
12/5 – KINGS 124, Lakers 87
2/2 – LAKERS 100, Kings 85
4/3 – LAKERS 101, Kings 96
Series Preview
The frontcourt battle for this series is fascinating. One side are legends
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and
Robert Parish. The other,
Hakeem Olajuwon and
Patrick Ewing. If Hakeem and Ewing can dominate the interior game the Kings will end the Laker reign on top of the West. The Kings will also need to find ways to slow down
Magic and
Bernard King. The Kings do have some intriguing players to throw at them in
Terry Porter, Danny Aingle and
Sedale Threatt. The Kings ended the Laker reign as Pacific Division Champions. Now they have a chance to end their reign as Western Conference Champions.
Los Angeles Lakers
Record: 53-29
PPG: 99.2 (14th)
oPPG: 96.8 (5th)
Offensive Eff: 103.7 (11th)
Defensive Eff: 101.2 (13th)
eFG: 46.2% (11th)
Reb%: 52.1% (4th)
Starters/Key Players
C – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar – 7.5 PPG, 4.2 RPG
PF – Robert Parish – 18 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 1.1 SPG, 1.3 BPG
SF – Bernard King – 34.2 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 3.4 APG, 1.3 SPG, Scoring Champion
SG – Cliff Levingston – 9.9 PPG, 6.4 RPG
PG – Magic Johnson – 18.8 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 10.4 APG, 1.8 SPG, 51.2% FG, All-NBA 2nd Team, All-Star
Key Injuries
None
Sacramento Kings
Record: 57-25
PPG: 103.6 (9th)
oPPG: 95.5 (3rd)
Offensive Eff: 104 (8th)
Defensive Eff: 95.9 (2nd)
eFG: 47.8 (7th)
Reb%: 50.7% (10th)
Starters/Key Players
C – Hakeem Olajuwon – 19 PPG, 11.5 RPG, 2 SPG, 3.1 BPG, 53.2% FG, Defensive Player of the Year, All-NBA 2nd Team, All-Defense 1st Team, All-Star
PF – Patrick Ewing – 21 PPG, 8.7 RPG, 1.9 BPG, 50.4% FG, All-NBA 3rd Team, All-Defense 2nd Team, All-Rookie 1st Team
SF – Mike O’Koren – 9.5 PPG, 4 RPG, 1.3 SPG
SG – Danny Ainge – 13.1 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 3.8 APG, 1.4 SPG
PG – Terry Porter – 12.7 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 5.9 APG, 1.8 SPG, All-Rookie 1st Team
6th Man – Sedale Threatt – 11.5 PPG, 2.4 SPG, All-Defense 2nd Team
Key Injuries
None
Eastern Conference Semi-Finals
Best of Seven
#4 New Jersey Nets (56-26) vs. #1 Cleveland Cavaliers (59-23)
Season Results
12/11 – Nets 117, CAVALIERS 115
12/24 – Cavaliers 95, NETS 93
1/19 – CAVALIERS 105, Nets 92
3/17 – Cavaliers 98, NETS 91
Series Preview
An interesting match-up between two top level defenses that have players that could go off at any time. Both the Cavs and Nets have been playoff disappointments the last few seasons. Both are coming off big first round victories, especially the Nets, who defeated the Defending NBA Champion Bulls. The
Kevin McHale-Moses Malone match-up may determine the series. If Moses can clean up the boards, the Nets will likely come up on top. If McHale dominates, the Cavs will win.
Clifford Robinson and
Orlando Woolridge is an exciting power forward battle as well. The Nets will throw defensive specialist
Dudley Bradley at
Rolando Blackman, just as the Cavs will throw defensive rookie
Gerald Wilkins at
Calvin Natt. The Nets do have a big advantage at the point guard position with
Sidney Moncrief against
Jim Paxson, but if Paxson can perform it may not matter. This one should be a good defensive battle.
New Jersey Nets
Record: 56-26
PPG: 103.2 (10th)
oPPG: 94.3 (1st)
Offensive Eff: 103.8 (9th)
Defensive Eff: 94.7 (1st)
eFG: 46.0% (15th)
Reb%: 53.5% (1st)
Starters/Key Players
C – Moses Malone – 14.1 PPG, 11.1 RPG, 1.1 BPG
PF – Cliff Robinson – 18.2 PPG, 8.9 RPG, 1.3 SPG, 1.3 BPG
SF – Dudley Bradley – 9 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 3 APG, 1.2 SPG
SG – Calvin Natt – 16.9 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 1 SPG, 48.4% FG, All-Star
PG – Sidney Moncrief – 20.5 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 5 APG, 3 SPG, All-NBA 3rd Team, All-Defense 1st Team, All-Star, Steals Champion
Key Injuries
None
Cleveland Cavaliers
Record: 59-23
PPG: 101.3 (12th)
oPPG: 94.7 (2nd)
Offensive Eff: 103.8 (10th)
Defensive Eff: 97.2 (4th)
eFG: 46.7% (9th)
Reb%: 48.1% (22nd)
Starters/Key Players
C – Kevin McHale – 23.6 PPG, 11.5 RPG, 1.4 SPG, 3.3 BPG, 50.4% FG, All-NBA 1st Team, All-Defense 2nd Team, All-Star, Rebounds Champion
PF – Orlando Woolridge – 18.5 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 1.4 BPG, 54.1% FG, Most Improved Player, All-Star
SF – Rolando Blackman – 19.5 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 3.4 APG, All-Star
SG – Gerald Wilkins – 9.2 PPG, 4.2 RPG, All-Rookie 2nd Team
PG – Jim Paxson – 13.5 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 3.6 APG, 1.6 SPG
Key Injuries
None
Best of Seven
#6 Miami Heat (53-29) at #2 Boston Celtics (57-25)
Season Results
12/8 – HEAT 106, Celtics 72
12/11 – Heat 94, CELTICS 83
1/18 – CELTICS 107, Heat 96
2/12 – HEAT 125, Celtics 115
3/23 – CELTICS 122, Heat 110
Series Preview
Bird vs.
Michael. The Heat played the Celtics well during the season as, like everyone else in the league, Boston struggled to defend MJ. The Heat match-up well against the frontcourt of Boston, as
Sam Perkins and
Xavier McDaniel will likely give
Larry Smith and
Larry Nance trouble. Truthfully though, which superstar has the better series will likely determine the winner. If Bird continues to play at the level the MVP should, Boston will not only win the this series but probably the title. But we saw what MJ did to the Pistons the prior series, and Boston doesn’t have the defensive talent Detroit had to contain him.
Miami Heat
Record: 53-29
PPG: 109.2 (3rd)
oPPG: 101.3 (18th)
Offensive Eff: 108.1 (2nd)
Defensive Eff: 100.3 (10th)
eFG: 48.6% (4th)
Reb%: 51.6% (5th)
Starters/Key Players
C – Sam Perkins – 15.9 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 1 BPG
PF – Xavier McDaniel – 13.8 PPG, 7.1 RPG, All-Rookie 2nd Team
SF – Albert King – 9.1 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 1.2 SPG
SG – Michael Jordan – 31.4 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 6.4 APG, 2.5 SPG, 56% FG, All-NBA 1st Team, All-Defense 2nd Team, All-Star
PG – Derek Harper – 11.4 PPG, 4.8 APG, 1.1 SPG
6th Man – Clark Kellogg – 10.9 PPG, 5.1 RPG
Key Injuries
None
Boston Celtics
Record: 57-25
PPG: 106.8 (6th)
oPPG: 100.0 (11th)
Offensive Eff: 105.9 (5th)
Defensive Eff: 99.1 (8th)
eFG: 47.8% (8th)
Reb%: 52.6% (2nd)
Starters/Key Players
C – Larry Smith – 5.6 PPG, 8.8 RPG
PF – Larry Nance – 18.9 PPG, 9.5 RPG, 1 SPG, 1.8 BPG, 50.4% FG
SF – Larry Bird – 30.5 PPG, 10.5 RPG, 6.5 APG, 1.7 SPG, MVP, All-NBA 1st Team, All-Star
SG – Purvis Short – 18.5 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 1.2 SPG
PG – Gus Williams – 11.9 PPG, 5.4 APG, 1.9 SPG
Key Injuries
None
***
Prediction Contest – ONLY PREDICT THE SEMIS
1st Round – Picking the Winning Team is worth 10 Points, Picking the
Highest Point Scorer in the Series is worth 3 Points, Picking the Exact Amount of Games is worth 2 Points
Results
The winning picks are:
Mavericks, 4, Worthy
Spirits, 3, Ellis
Kings, 3, Tripucka
Lakers, 4, King
Cavaliers, 4, English
Nets, 4, D. Wilkins
Celtics, 3, Bird
Heat, 5, M. Jordan
@Grim : Mavericks in 4 (12), Dale Ellis (3), Kings in 3 (12), Lakers (10), Cavs in 4 (12), Nets and Dominique Wilkins (13), Larry Bird (3), Heat and Michael Jordan (13):
78
@AlanSmithee1981 Mavericks (10), Dale Ellis (3), Kings in 3 (12), Lakers and Bernard King (13), Cavs in 4 (12), Dominique Wilkins (3), Celtics and Larry Bird (13), Heat in 5 and Michael Jordan (15):
81
@Dubble J Mavericks (10), Spirits and Dale Ellis (13), Kings (10), Lakers in 4 and Bernard King (15), Cavs (10), Nets and Dominique Wilkins (13), Celtics and Larry Bird (13), Heat and Michael Jordan (13):
97
Dubb leads with a strong 97 in the opening round!
Semi-Finals – Picking the Winning Team is worth 25 Points, , Picking the leading scorer of the series is worth 7 points, and Picking the Exact Amount of Games is worth 5 Points
Conference Finals – Picking the Winning is worth 50 Points, Picking the Exact Amount of Games is worth 10 Points
NBA Finals – Picking the Winning Team is Worth 100 Points, Picking the Exact Amount of Games is worth 20 Points
Guessing the Finals MVP: Worth 20 Points
Winning the Competition Each Year: Worth +10%
The goal for prediction results: when we get into the late 2020s and 2030s, to allow users to create their own rookies based on the prediction points they built up.
Stats Site
