The Thunder and Pacers both closed out their series in six games, setting our conference finals matchups and bidding farewell to the Clippers and Wizards.
NBA playoff scores, results and highlights from Thursday’s action
Farewell, Clippers and Wizards
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5 things to know
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A strange few weeks finally ends
The Clippers have every excuse imaginable -- and then some -- for losing short of the Western finals. They don't prepare you for a postseason during which your owner gets blown up by TMZ and subsequently banned from the NBA for life.
But something tells me the second-round ejection is still seriously unsatisfying for Doc Rivers and Chris Paul. CP3 has led the Clippers to two series wins in three years since arriving. By Clippers' standards, that's fantastic! The franchise hadn't made three straight postseasons since the '70s. But with a roster this stacked and a duo as terrific as CP3 and Blake Griffin, the second round isn't enough. Losing to the Thunder carries no shame; striking out on the team's best Finals shot yet does give CP3 a burden to bear going forward.
For Doc, the team did improve under him. Frankly, it should improve even more next season without the distraction of Donald Sterling looming. Unless, of course, Sterling successfully drags out his war with the NBA and casts a pall over the 2014-15 season, in which case the Clippers' championship window becomes a minor concern. It's also true that CP3's knees won't live forever. But if Boston taught us anything, it's that Doc can pry that window open longer than you'd think.
Here's to the most bizarre postseason run in history. Better luck next year, Clippers. -Tom Ziller -
KD's MVP Moment
Kevin Durant has his MVP, but these playoffs haven't always been the coronation they were supposed to be. Durant admitted that Tony Allen got inside his head in the first round, forcing him into one of the least efficient stretches in his career. Matt Barnes had at times been a similar type of pest to the game's greatest scorer in the second round against the Clippers. It seemed like it was happening again on Thursday: Durant shot 4-of-12 in the first half, and the Clippers led by 16 points at halftime.
But just as the Thunder seemed resigned to their second straight Game 7, Durant decided he didn't have the time for it. KD was brilliant in the third quarter, going 5-for-5 from the field on an array of deep threes and pick-and-roll finishes from Russell Westbrook. It was the look of a player who knew he couldn't risk an elimination game as the Spurs sat home and got rest.
The Thunder got other big efforts in Game 6 -- 40 huge minutes from Steven Adams, a rare three-pointer from Nick Collison, a strong fourth quarter by Russell Westbrook -- but it was Durant that fueled them. Sports are usually at their best when they hit us over the head with something we're least expecting, but occasionally the most logical outcome feels the most satisfying. -Ricky O'Donnell -
Officially a problem
No one knows what a charge is anymore, that much is for certain. Officiating has been a concern throughout the playoffs, and Thunder-Clippers Game 6 was no exception. With 3:34 left in the fourth quarter, Chris Paul drove down the lane for a scooping layup over Steven Adams. The Thunder center jumped into Paul, and CP3 raised his arm to protect himself. Somehow, Paul drew an offensive foul.
The issue was exacerbated when Blake Griffin stormed down court on a fast break on the next Clippers possession. With Kevin Durant defending, Griffin moved to the lane and appeared to jump off his left foot right as Durant squared. It was a bang-bang play where Durant and Griffin likely came to the same spot on the floor at the same time. L.A.'s star forward was called for yet another offensive foul, and Clippers fans were so irate they began throwing cups and bottles at official Ed Malloy.
There have been many questionable calls this postseason, which has left a sour taste in just about every NBA fan's mouth. That's to say nothing of how Game 5 ended in Oklahoma City on Tuesday night. Officiating a game where players are faster and stronger than they've ever been is incredibly tough, but with the way things have been going in the playoffs, the NBA Rules and Regulations Committee are sure to have some changes in mind during the offseason. -Dane Carbaugh -
Mr. West saves the day
Picture this moment as you wake up and read about the previous night's games. You're thinking about the reeling Pacers blowing a big lead in D.C. when given a chance to close out its series against the 44-win Wizards. You know this team gets dissected more than a frog in a high-school science class, but you can't stop considering its lack of heart or resiliency. Every time they look like they've turned a corner, they fall back
But you're not doing that now, and there's one reason why. His name is David West.
When the going got tough, the Pacers' emotional leader rose to the challenge ... again. When the Wizards made their final push in the fourth quarter, it was West that stiff-armed them with his usual array of calm mid-range jumpers and push shots. This was the second time the Pacers were really in a tight spot, the other being Game 6 in Atlanta. Both times, West was the man that hurled daggers at his opposition and kept Indiana moving. Sure, he hit tough shots that he doesn't always make, but you try making those shots in that moment. He keeps doing it for a reason.
Now, the Pacers are back where we figured they'd be, where they figured they'd be. The two-time defending champions await, and the Pacers have home-court advantage, however helpful that really is at this point. That's a hell of a different story than the one you could be reading. -Mike Prada -
The start of something
It wasn't hard to see the pain on the faces of the Wizards' two superlative young guards. In one moment, John Wall trudged off the court into the waiting arms of veteran small forward Martell Webster. In another, Bradley Beal, eyes watering, put his head down while wrapped in free-agent-to-be Marcin Gortat's arms.
The Wizards outperformed most expectations this season, but this also must be the beginning, not the end. For all the hand-wringing about the team's veteran free agents, the coaching situation and the tepid feeling of Ernie Grunfeld remaining in charge, the Wizards' improvement will only happen if those two guards mature. Both were great at times in the playoffs, but both had moments where they were overwhelmed. Wall, in particular, learned some uncomfortable truths about his limitations in this second-round series.
Pain is good. Pain is healthy. The next step is for both young cornerstones to build on that pain in a productive way. -Mike Prada
Tonight's Schedule
No games. Go outside
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