NBA playoff schedule 2014: Wizards try to eliminate Bulls, Clippers return home for Game 5
The Wizards will try to win their first playoff series in nine years, while the Clippers return home for the first time since the Donald Sterling scandal erupted. Elsewhere, the Thunder and Grizzlies will do battle in a pivotal Game 5.
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Tuesday night in the NBA Playoffs features another team possibly advancing and two pivotal Game 5's. Let's preview the action.
8 p.m. ET, TNT
The Wizards will try to win their first playoff series since 2005 when they take on the Bulls at the United Center. Interestingly enough, that last playoff series victory also came against Chicago. The Wizards took a 3-1 series lead with a 98-89 Game 4 victory at home on Sunday, led by 30 points from Trevor Ariza. Washington jumped out to a 14-0 lead and led by as many as 23 points in the second half.
The Bulls are one loss away from a disappointing first-round defeat after a superb second half of the season, which had the team dreaming of a deep playoff run. Chicago’s normally stout defense has been shredded by Washington, giving up a whopping 107.9 points per 100 possessions, per NBA.com’s stats page. Things won’t get any easier for the Bulls in Game 5, as Nene will return to the Wizards’ lineup after serving a one-game suspension in Game 4.
9 p.m. ET, NBA TV
In a playoffs full of thrilling series, the battle between the Grizzlies and Thunder is toward the top of the list. Three of the four games have gone to overtime, with the Thunder eking out a 92-89 overtime victory on the road in Game 4 to tie the series. Despite woeful shooting performances from Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, Reggie Jackson managed to save the day by scoring a playoff career-high 32 points.
Memphis has done a great job slowing down Oklahoma City’s normally high-powered offense. Tony Allen’s defense on Durant has been key, as the likely MVP is shooting just 6-of-26 when defended by Allen, per SportVU. Meanwhile, Westbrook is shooting just 35.1 percent overall in the series, including 6-of-31 from three.
10:30 p.m. ET, TNT
Emotions will be running high when the Clippers return home for their first game since the controversy surrounding owner Donald Sterling erupted on Friday. After discussing a possible boycott of Game 4 at Golden State, Clippers players decided to play and hold a silent protest instead. Things didn’t go too well on the court, as the Warriors destroyed the Clippers in a 118-97 victory that knotted the series at two games apiece.
Stephen Curry enjoyed his best game of the series, scoring 33 points on 10-of-20 shooting overall and 7-of-14 from three. Golden State knocked down 15 threes-pointers and racked up 32 assists in the romp. The Warriors will try to replicate that performance in Game 5 against the Clippers, who may stage a bigger protest against Sterling.
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