There’s been a long-standing belief among many casual NBA fans that one just needs to watch the final two minutes of a game to be entertained.
This theory has been shot down in the 2016 playoffs. In fact, it’s been the first two minutes, in many games, that has given the strong indication of who is going to win.
Bizarre is one way to describe the Hoops post-season. Here’s an example:
There have been a record 20 games in this year’s NBA playoffs decided by a whopping 25 points or more. The previous record was just 11 in 2009.
The Golden State-Cleveland best of 7 final has been a reflection of the trend, with the Warriors winning by 15 and 33 and Cavaliers victorious by 30.
It’s a given, with the games magnified and a championship at stake, that the margin of victory will be greatly reduced in the next couple of games. It’s also probable that the final two minutes will be a deciding factor, but one has no idea what will happen from one game to the next.
The Warriors need “urgency” to play like champions. When Golden State can afford the luxury of a loss, they often play poorly which in the greater scheme of things won’t dampen its special season. The Warriors are 0-4 in game three in this year’s playoffs.
When Golden State needs to perform, they do. Let’s review: Nearing the end of the regular season, they lost 124-117 in OT to lowly Minnesota. This left their record 69-9 and with four difficult games remaining, it appeared they were not going to break the 95-96 Chicago Bulls record of 72-10.
So, what do the Warriors do? They beat San Antonio at home 112-101, win 100-99 at Memphis, knock off San Antonio again 92-86, for the Spurs only home loss, and conclude by trouncing Memphis 125-104.
Presto, they end up 73-9, the best of all-time.
Fast forward to the playoffs! The Warriors in the first two rounds went up 2-0 against Houston and Portland before a slip in game three, but they essentially knocked out there opponent with a key win on the road in game four, before wrapping up the series in game five.
It was a little more difficult in the Western Conference Final against OKC. In fact, many wrote the Warriors obituary after they trailed the Thunder 3-1.
Having to win three straight with no room for error, the Warriors did just that by scores of 120-111 at home, 108-101 on the road and 96-88 at home.
Golden State has so much depth on its roster that they can still beat Cleveland without its Splash brothers (MVP Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson) performing at peak efficiency.
Sure the Warriors took it on the chin in game three but then again they could afford the luxury of laying an egg after winning the first two handily.
The Cavaliers may feel they have found their way back into the series, but Golden State appears to be a much better rounded team especially when they are pushed.
The Warriors may not have the killer instinct of previous champions, however when it really matters they are on the verge of having arguably the best season the NBA has ever seen.
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Putting teams away remains difficult in the Stanley Cup playoffs. Of the 15 series, there were no sweeps.
The Pittsburgh Penguins appear to be a far more polished team than the San Jose Sharks, yet the Sharks are just a win away from sending the Cup Final to a 7th and deciding game.
Martin Jones put on an epic display in net and was the main reason San Jose took
game five on the road 4-2, to chop the Pittsburgh lead to 3-2. The Penguins outshot the Sharks 46-22.
According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the 44 saves made by Jones on Thursday are
the most in a regulation win when facing elimination in the Stanley Cup final since expansion in 1968.
In addition, Jones is the 4th goalie since 1990 with multiple 40-save games in a Stanley Cup Final. The bad news, however, for the Sharks is that none of the previous three won the Cup.
This is one year where there is no clear cut favorite to win the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP.
Jones has added his name to the list although San Jose would have to win the series
for him to receive strong consideration.
It is noteworthy that Jones and Pittsburgh goalie Matt Murray have near identical stats in the post-season.
Both have 14 wins, Murray has a 2.14 GAA and .923 save percentage compared to a 2.16 GAA for and .922 save percentage for Jones.
There is now a bit of drama and suspense heading into game six Sunday night, something that seems to have been missing for much of the first five games, even though two of them went to overtime.
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Here’s an update on records in this year’s NBA and NHL playoffs. The home team is a whopping 57-24 after 81 games in the NBA and just 46-44 after 90 games in the NHL.
From the Quote Rack:
The average NBA player reportedly spends $42,000 per month. And that’s just for child support.
Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California
Kentucky coach John Calipari said the Philadelphia 76ers should select the Wildcats’ Jamal Murray with the number 1 pick in the June 23 NBA draft. So what did Murray ever do to him?
Comedy writer Janice Hough of Palo Alto, California www.leftcoastsportsbabe.com
Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rogers is on a diet that does not include cheese. Football fans in Saskatchewan have sent him Watermelon hats to replace his Cheesehead lid.
Comedy writer TC Chong of Vancouver http://alwaysfunny.com/
The New York Yankees are holding their Old-Timers Game on Sunday. Or as it is also known, a split-squad scrimmage.
Contributor Marc Ragovin
And in case you missed it:
Five all-pitching nicknames for the puppy adopted by the Savanna Bananas baseball team:
5. Steve Snarlton;
4. Clayton Curshaw;
3. Rover Cleveland Alexander;
2. Bite Gooden;
1. Growl Hershiser.
Comedy writer RJ Currie www.Sportsdeke.com
Hartley Miller is the sports director and morning news anchor for 94.3 the Goat. He also is the 94.3 radio color commentator for P.G. Cougars home games. His column appears Fridays on myprincegeorgenow.com. Send along a quote, note, or anecdote to [email protected]
Follow him on twitter: @Hartley_Miller
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