2014 NBA Playoffs Sunday: Trailblazers and Wizards go up 3-1, Raptors and Warriors even up series

The bad taste from the alleged remarks made by Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling was visible throughout the league as viewers were in for another long game night on the second day of the weekend. Players of the caliber of Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James all voiced their opinion on the Sterling voice recording that was released by TMZ which contained racist comments regarding bringing black people to his games.

Players on all teams playing Sunday night made a silent protest, wearing black socks or black bands or black arm bands,while the Clippers wore the warm-up jerseys inside out hiding the Clippers logo during their practice prior to Game 4 of their series against the Warriors.

Presenting a wrap-up of all action from the second Sunday in the Playoffs.

Chicago Bulls vs Washington Wizards (Wizards won 98-89, lead series 3-1)

Trevor Ariza led the Wizards to victory in Game 4 against the Bulls

The Wizards won Game 4 behind Trevor Ariza’s terrific performance and are now in a great position to close the series in 5 games and win their first Playoff series in 9 years at Chicago’s United Center. In Nene’s absence, the Wizards made a tactical change pushing the pace of the ball, and it worked wonders as they beat the Bulls with their fast-break offense, outscoring them 16-2.

Ariza shot 6/10 from beyond the arc and 10 of 17 overall, and tallied 8 rebounds, to register his Playoff career high 30 points and was assisted by John Wall’s double-double performance of 15 points and 10 assists. Trevor Booker, Nene’s replacement, had an impressive showing with his box score of 8 points, 9 rebounds and 3 block shots.

The big man from the bench, Taj Gibson, did keep the Bulls in the game in the first half with his efficient shooting performance, but received no support from his teammates in the second half, despite scoring 32 points on 13 of 16 shooting. Joakim Noah’s huge double-double of 16 points and 15 rebounds couldn’t alter the result of the game either.

This series is more or less done and dusted. No way are the Bulls going to the second round, but they will still play for pride in Game 5 at home and will try and push this series to six games.

Highlights from Ariza’s performance in Game 4.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOG4rof_lI4

Los Angeles Clippers vs Golden State Warriors (Warriors won 118-97, series tied 2-2)

Warriors Head Coach Mark Jackson made a line-up change starting Draymond Green instead of Jermaine O’Neal, with David Lee playing the center spot, and it sparked instant success on the offensive end behind Stephen Curry’s mind blowing shooting display which included a 17-point first quarter on 5 for 5 from beyond the arc. Over the course of the entire game, Curry had 33 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, a steal and a block to help the Warriors even the series at 2 games a piece as they head back to Los Angeles for Game 5.

Steph Curry had a huge game in Game 4 as the Warriors drew level in the series

The Clippers were of course battling more than just the Warriors after the alleged comments from the owner were released on a tape and they never recovered from the 15-point lead that the Warriors opened up entering the second quarter. They brought the lead down to 9 a couple of times in the second half, but each time, either Curry or Andre Iguodala stepped up and scored points in a hurry or made a few crucial defensive plays to get some breathing room. Iguodala also had his first solid showing of the series scoring 22 points and dishing out 9 assists with Curry and Klay Thompson running off baseline screens and playing off the ball.

It was a night that turned from bad to worse for the Clippers as their key players Chris Paul and DeAndre Jordan faced foul trouble and never made an impact on the game. Jordan had no points in this game and just one block after 15 in total from the earlier three games. The series is still far from over however, and will unfortunately be played under the cloud of the alleged comments made by the Clippers’ owner.

Stephen Curry’s, currently one of the best, if not the best shooter in the league’s, scintillating performance.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Gwr1yzw9kU

Toronto Raptors vs Brooklyn Nets ( Raptors won 87-79, series tied 2-2)

Kyle Lowry #7 and Greivis Vasquez #21 of the Toronto Raptors celebrate a 87-79 win against the Brooklyn Nets in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2014 NBA Playoffs at the Barclays Center

Headed into Game 4, all the momentum seemed to be with the Brooklyn Nets, however, it was the Raptors who came out firing in the first quarter jumping to a 13-point lead behind the hot shooting of DeMar DeRozan, who scored 20 of his 24 in the first half. Slowly, but steadily, over the next two quarters, helped by the Raptors’ mid-game shooting struggles, the Nets chipped away at the lead to finally tie the game as the game entered the final period of play.

So with 5 minutes and 18 seconds left and down one, the Raptors went on a 11-2 run to close out Game 4, and win their first Playoff road game since 2001, snapping a 13-game road Playoff losing streak. Kyle Lowry played an excellent supporting role, scoring 22 points, including a clutch sky hook over Kevin Garnet in the closing minutes of the game. Meanwhile for the Nets, veteran Paul Pierce top scored with 22, while Garnet and Deron Williams contributed a combined 20 points.

Heading home on the back of this performance, the Raptors would look to be the first team to win consecutive games in this series by winning Game 5 after this impressive showing in Brooklyn.

Watch the highlights from the duo of DeRozan and Lowry.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uL_Vrggu0jA

Houston  Rockets vs Portland Trailblazers (Blazers won 123-120 (OT), lead series 3-1)

LaMarcus Aldridge #12 of the Portland Trail Blazers dunks the ball in the second half of Game Four of the Western Conference Quarterfinals against the Houston Rockets during the 2014 NBA Playoffs at the Moda Center on April 27, 2014 in Portland, Oregon. The Blazers won the game 123-120.

In the third overtime of the four games played, the Portland Trailblazers won 123-120, courtesy of Wesley Mathews’ steal in the closing seconds of the game to put themselves in the driver’s seat in the series. Now leading the series 3-1, the Trailblazers have the chance to break their Playoff series victory drought of 14 years with a win in Game 5 in Houston on Wednesday night.

Four of the five Trailblazers’ starters scored 20 or more, but LaMarcus Aldridge was the standout contributor once again with his double-double of 29 points, 10 rebounds and an important 4 blocks, as Portland rallied in the fourth quarter from 11 down to tie the game. Damian Lillard dropped in 23 points on 5 of 7 shooting from distance while dishing out 8 assists. Forward Nicolas Batum came through with his all-round play scoring 25 points with 6 assists and 6 rebounds.

Houston for the second time in the series started hot in the first half; Howard scored 25 in the first half of Game 2, but couldn’t maintain the momentum in the second half and eventually the Rockets lost the game. In this game Chandler Parsons started well scoring 16 points in the first half, but couldn’t contribute as many later, ending up with 26 points in total. Howard finished with a double-double of 25 points and 14 rebounds, James Harden came up big once again, but at the expense of efficiency as he scored 28 points off 21 shots.

Here is Wesley Mathews’ steal.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQ9X09IU4kU

Sunday’s Top 5

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E54sQEhVfDA