Good morning, let’s have a Game 7 party
One way to make the NBA playoffs like the NCAA Tournament: EVERYONE GOES TO 7.
Good morning. Let’s basketball.
GAME7VILLE: All three teams trailing 3-2 in their series won on Thursday, setting up an unprecedented tripleheader of Game 7s on Saturday. Clear your schedule.
The Warriors won by the skin of their teeth sometime around 1:30 a.m. ET as Andre Iguodala had another offensive explosion, including a 4-point play opportunity. (He missed the free throw.) Jermaine O’Neal injured his knee and is in doubt for Game 7.
The Pacers trailed late and faced the indignity of being eliminated in Atlanta ... but David West and George Hill made some big plays down the stretch for the W. Indiana lives to fight another day. (Roy Hibbert went scoreless again, by the way.) This GIF proves Larry Bird is still in a twilight zone.
The Thunder did not give their fans heartburn on Thursday: they won a laugher in Memphis to force a Game 7. Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook were brilliant. (I mean, is Russ even still technically a guard?) Before that performance, Paul Flannery notes that the Kevin Durant backlash has finally begun.
TONIGHT: Three more Game 6s ...
Raptors at Nets, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN2 | Toronto leads 3-2
Spurs at Mavericks, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN | S.A. leads 3-2
Rockets at Blazers, 10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN | Portland leads 3-2
RETURN OF BEEFTANK: A new episode of Jon Bois’ NBA Y2K is live, starring our old Breaking Madden friend Clarence BEEFTANK.
IS PAUL GEORGE GOING TO GET SUSPENDED? He stepped onto the court during the above-linked slapfight. Will Adam Silver make him sit a Game 7 for it?
WIN PROBABILITY, IN PERSPECTIVE: The legendary Dean Oliver puts in-game win probability into perspective.
THE RE-EDUCATION OF DOC RIVERS: It appears a couple reporters helped Doc understand why Shelly Sterling is also problematic. To his credit, he’s sympathetic to the concerns at a time in which there’s really no time to be listening to anybody. (I wrote about Shelly and the broader issues surrounding race on Wednesday.)
ELEGANT RACISM: Ta-Nehisi Coates with the best essay of the Sterling saga. Of course.
BENCH SKILLS: Doug Eberhardt explains what makes a good assistant coach.
Happy Friday. Get a nap in, if you can. See you next time.
