NBA playoffs schedule and results: Blazers, Hornets get better results at home

On Sunday, the Spurs needed three quarters until they really turned the game into a blowout, but even their two-point halftime deficit felt like a double-digit lead with the way the game was going. San Antonio crushed Memphis, 37-21, in the third quarter, and, just like that, the series was all but over. For the game, Leonard led the Spurs with 21 points on just 10 shots while Tony Parker had 17 while shooting 11 times.

Even without their star players, Memphis ground every game against the Spurs into a slow crawl as frequently as they could. Games 1 and 2 weren’t close, but they made things interesting in Game 3, despite a roster almost completely foreign to the one the Grizzlies began the season with. It’s hard to predict which direction Memphis’ front office will take this team during the coming offseason -- certainly, a huge part of that depend on Mike Conley’s decision to re-sign or go elsewhere. But if the end of the Grit-N-Grind era comes to a close this season, however that happens, then what an era it was.

There was a bit of a weird moment during Clippers vs. Trail Blazers on Saturday. In an effort to stop C.J. McCollum from capitalizing on his steal, Chris Paul fell past the out of bounds line and into the stands. Clippers staff ran by to check on him, but while they were doing that, a courtside fan patted Chris Paul on the back and a staff member tried to stop him. Chris Paul looked over in confusion.

You can express concern for someone in non-physical ways. What this fan did? Pretty bad idea.

Good morning. Let’s basketball.

LEMONADE: Paul Flannery’s Sunday Shootaround focuses on Isaiah Thomas’ breakout performance in Game of Celtics-Hawks, one that saved Boston’s season and prevented (or at least delayed) a nasty narrative from forming. Paul also runs through reactions to the new coaches hired this week, has the best quotes of the week and more. Check it out.

All of that changed on Saturday, Lillard and McCollum combined for 59 points to lead Portland to a 96-88 win that gives Blazers fans everywhere hope for a potential comeback.

The game was close and the Clippers could have won it in the final minutes. Typically a win like this one would be chalked up to the team being ahead in the series succumbing to complacency while the team fighting for survival gives extra effort. That happened to a degree early in the game but the Blazers proved in the second half that they not only have the hunger but also the talent to go toe to toe with Los Angeles.

The Clippers did a fantastic job of keeping the Trail Blazers’ elite backcourt from scoring efficiently in the first two games but that changes on Saturday. Lillard and McCollum seemed happy to be at home and combined to score 33 in the first half. MCCollum in particular looked comfortable for the first time in the series, making the type of tough shots he typically makes but were not going down in Los Angeles.

While the Blazers wouldn’t have led in the first half without that offensive explosion from their guards, their defense was also a big factor. They held the Clippers to just 40 points on 38-percent shooting, doing a fantastic job from preventing and contesting three-pointers and avoiding fouls. It was exactly what they needed to do to prevent those big runs that Los Angeles is capable of going on when the defense gets sloppy.

The game was virtually over with a minute left in Game 4 of the NBA playoff series between the Dallas Mavericks and Oklahoma City Thunder, but the chippy behavior throughout the game still continued.

With a minute left in the game, Justin Anderson attempted a pass in the paint to David Lee but was hit in the head by Kevin Durant from behind.

The scuffle managed to energize the Mavericks, at least for a while. Mejri had a couple of big blocks and contributed six second-quarter points to help Dallas reduce the deficit. The Thunder regained control later in the period, with Durant leading the way. They couldn’t reach their max lead of 15 points, but they kept the Mavericks at arm’s length, always responding to their attempts to make a run. At the half, they were up by nine, 57-49

The Mavericks were much sharper on offense to start the second half, with Nowitzki looking rejuvenated and the ball handlers making the right decisions. Normally, the way they played would have allowed them to take over the game, but they simply ran into an inspired Westbrook, who almost single-handedly kept the Thunder’s lead intact. Westbrook finished the frame with 12 points and five assists and Oklahoma City led by 10 going into the final period.

Raptors fans have been surprisingly common in Indianapolis this week. Apparently the Pacers organization doesn’t like it.

Reports of fans having signs confiscated started coming out prior to tipoff. The Pacers claim they are taking “flags” because they obstruct the view of other fans. That’s fine, but there don’t appear to be many Pacers “flags” getting confiscated.

With that in mind, the Clippers have devoted all of their defensive focus on preventing them from getting open shots. They are having their big men step outside to the perimeter to prevent those pull-ups that make Lillard and McCollum so unique and dangerous.

Knowing that calling for a screen is asking for a trap, the Blazers’ scorers sometimes decide to isolate against their defenders and try to drive to the rim. The Clippers are happy to let them do that because they aren’t worried about the other Blazers beating them from the perimeter. Since the Blazers have no stretch big men, the Clippers can pack the paint and force them to take tough shots.