2014 NBA Playoffs: By time the weekend rolls around the next round of the NBA postseason will be taking shape thanks to a week of great basketball action. With the way things are shaping it up it certainly isn’t looking good for some of the season long favorites.
Indiana Pacers at Atlanta Hawks:
After appearing to get their act together in Game Two the Indiana Pacers returned to the form that has cursed the team over the last couple months of the season. Three of the teams biggest starsâ€"Paul George, Roy Hibbert, and George Hillâ€"had an almost epic night of ineptitude on the court combining for just 20 points and making only six of 31 shots.
“We’ve got to be much more tougher than that. I don’t think it’s there. Our toughness is questionable right now,†George Hill said after the game.
Atlantaâ€"who finished six games under .500 in the regular seasonâ€"took advantage of the Pacers continuing to slump and easily beat them 98-85. Game Four will be in Atlanta on Saturday.
Oklahoma City Thunder at Memphis Grizzlies:
Kevin Durant is a scoring machine, but the Thunder fans are quickly learning that for post season glory the team needs a lot more than just one incredible scorer. For the second game in row his shooting percentage has dropped (52 percent in Game One; 42.9 in Game Two; and 37 in Game Three.
That would be okay if there was someone that could pick up the slack, but Russell Westbrook hasn’t shot much better (42.1, 39.3, 34.6 percent respectively).
“Personally, I think we missed a lot of good looks, some open 3s, some lay-ins, some I wish I could take back,†Durant said.
The Thunder were able to hit some shots when it counted most putting on an incredible display in the fourth quarter to overcome a 10-point deficit and force overtime, but than they went cold again making just three of 11 in OT. Â Westbrook had a chance to tie it up late after getting fouled a three point attempt, but made just one shot.
Memphis held on to win 98-95 to go up two games to one in the series. Game Four will be in Memphis on Saturday.
Los Angeles Clippers at Golden State Warriors:
After getting destroyed by the Clippers in Game Two the Warriors were determined to exact a little retribution on their home courtâ€"and nearly did. Some will say that the chance for that retribution was stolen from them.
Down by 11 going in to the final quarter the Warriors turned it on down the stretch cutting the lead to two late in the game. Stephen Curry tried to give Golden State the lead with a three point attempt and only four ticks on the clock, but missed in large part to solid defense by Chris Paul.
No foul was called, but had one been called no one would have been surprised. With Curry being an 89.6 percent shooter over the course of his career from the line chances are good the game would have gone to overtime. Instead the Clippers walk away with a 98-96 win.
“I thought I initiated enough contact,†Curry said. “That’s my go-to move, the step-back. I’m not going to air-ball that.â€
Golden State will look to tie up the series Sunday in Game Four.
[ESPN, NBA]
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