2016 NBA Playoffs: Spurs and Cavaliers advance to next round, Warriors blowout Rockets in Game 4
[1] Golden State Warriors 121-94 [8] Houston Rockets [Golden State leads series 3-1]
If the regular season wasn’t enough, Game 4 of their first round match-up with the defending champions showed the poor form the Houston Rockets have been in. With Stephen Curry in the game till half-time, the Rockets still managed to keep the scores tied heading into the locker room.
It was the third quarter that was their undoing.
Just prior to half-time Curry slipped on a wet spot on the floor and tweaked the inner side of his right knee, forcing him to remain in the locker room and not return for the rest of the game.
Despite not having Curry, the Warriors came out all guns blazing, outscoring the Rockets 41-20 in the third quarter. Klay Thompson (23 points) knocked down four of his seven three pointers and Draymond Green put in three of his four three pointers in the third quarter.
Golden State were hitting their shots, sharing the ball, doing everything right. In the process of blowing out their opponents the Warriors hit 21 3’s, breaking the previous NBA Playoff record they shared with three other teams.
Here’s some proof:
Warriors outscored Rockets 41-20 in the third quarter -- Warriors had 12 assists on their 14 baskets (6 different players had an assist)
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) April 24, 2016
For the Rockets, Dwight Howard led the way with 19 points and 15 rebounds but continued his streak of not scoring a bucket in the fourth quarter of this series. James Harden had 18 points, 10 assists and 7 steals. Houston now faces an elimination situation in the next game.
Game 5 will be played at the Oracle Arena in Oakland on Wednesday.
[2] San Antonio Spurs 116-95 [7] Memphis Grizzlies [San Antonio clinch series 4-0]
Kawhi Leonard registered 21 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 blocks as the San Antonio Spurs swept the Memphis Grizzlies to advance to the Western Conference Semifinals for the fourth time in the last five years. LaMarcus Aldridge recorded a double double of 15 points and 10 rebounds.
They await the winner of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Dallas Mavericks series, which OKC leads 3-1 with Game 5 slated for Monday in Oklahoma City.
The sweep is Gregg Popovich’s 9th career sweep, breaking the tie with Phil Jackson for most in NBA Playoff history. The game was Tim Duncan’s 245th postseason appearance, breaking a tie with Robert Horry for second most (Derek Fisher -259).
For the Grizzlies, Lance Stephenson top scored with 26 points off the bench. Veterans Matt Barnes (15 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists) and Chris Andersen (7 points, 13 rebounds, 2 assists) had efficient nights but it wasn’t enough to upstage the Spurs.
The 21 point drubbing loss ends what was a tough tough season for the Grizzlies. They were hit with numerous injuries to key players, which led them to using a NBA record 28 players during the season.
[4] Atlanta Hawks 95-104 [5] Boston Celtics [Series tied 2-2]
Paul Millsap scored a Playoff career-high 45 points along with his 13 rebounds, 4 blocks and 3 assists, but the Hawks could not put away the Celtics despite leading by 16 at the half. Atlanta had their chance to blow out Boston, who was missing a key player in Avery Bradley, but they took their foot off the pedal and allowed the Celtics to surge back.
All-Star Isaiah Thomas once again led the the team in scoring, registering 28 points and 6 assists. Evan Turner had an all round game of 17 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists but sophomore point guard Marcus Smart was the difference-maker.
The 6 foot 4 in Smart guarded and held the 6 foot 8 inches Millsap to just two baskets in the last nine minutes of the game and none in overtime. He also contributed on the offensive end with 20 points and 6 assists. It was without doubt a breakout game for the 2014 Draftee.
With this loss, the Hawks have not won a single overtime game in the past two years. They were 0-5 in the recently concluded regular season.
[1] Cleveland Cavaliers 100-98 Detroit Pistons [Cleveland clinch series 4-0]
For the second straight season, the Cleveland Cavaliers sweep their first round series and advance to the second round. The series also extends LeBron James’ unbeaten run in the first round of the Playoffs to 11-0. Kyrie Irving scored 31 points in the game pushing his series tally to 110 points, the most by any player from both teams.
Kevin Love contributed with 11 points and 13 rebounds while James had 22 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists as the Cavs sweep the Pistons and await the winner of the Boston Celtics and Atlanta Hawks series, which is tied a two games a piece.
The young Pistons squad put up a tough fight every one of the four games but Cleveland were always the better team and come away with the sweep. Andre Drummond recorded a double double with 17 points and 11 rebounds. Tobias Harris had 23 points, 13 rebounds and 2 assists while Reggie Jackson had 13 points and 12 assists.
Despite the sweep, the Pistons have a lot of positive to take away from this season. With multiple new faces in the locker room, the young roster still registered a winning season and booked the franchise’s first Playoff appearance since the 2008-09 season.
Top 5 plays:
Posterizing dunks were a huge part of Sunday’s top 5 plays: