NBA playoffs schedule and results: Steph Curry shocks the Pelicans

LeBron James has battled Boston repeatedly for a decade now, usually in series not at all resembling the beating his Cavs are currently putting on the Celtics. The man’s played this opponent at its peak, and now at its most vulnerable, and he’s seen a city steadfast in its fanaticism no matter what, and built quite a respect for it. Via Jay King of MassLive:

It’s true. The greats are defined in part by the might of their adversaries, and LeBron knows he’s got a real one in the Celtics. He knows how much that matters, even at a relatively weak point in the team’s life cycle.

We all know Stephen Curry shoots a lot of three-pointers, but THIS many?

Last night the Warriors were down 20 against the Pelicans heading into the fourth quarter. The Warriors had been in this situation 358 times since the shot clock was introduced, and they’d lost all 358. This was the game’s win probability chart.

Many people decided it was safe to sleep with a 20-point game at around midnight. They forgot that Steph Curry is made of literal fire and will hit a billion threes without blinking. They woke up feeling stupid. These are their stories.

It was more than a 20-point comeback, though: Golden State was down by 15 with 4:53 in the game. They manufactured the win out of some offensive rebounds and one of the most ridiculous game-tying three-pointers you’ll ever see. They staved off a Pelicans team that still wouldn’t die once the game went into overtime.

Even Stephen Curry arguably had a poor shooting display by his lofty standards, which shows you how insane he is when you look at his stats: 40 points, 10-of-29 shooting from the field, 7-of-18 from deep, nine assists and five rebounds. That all these things can happen and the Warriors can still win is insane, terrifying and a host of other adjective descriptors.

And then it all went to hell.

Williams has been killed all year long by the locals for his strategies and in-game tactics. But in the last few months a different feeling has emerged. There’s admiration for the way he kept this team together through all the injuries and for the way Davis has developed from an all-star to an MVP candidate. This sequence wasn’t on Williams, it was on a team that’s still learning how to play through these situations.

But Golden State crept back into the game anyway, first by cleaning up the glass for second chance points and then by allowing a huge three-pointer to Curry. Up two, Davis split a pair of free throws, leaving the door cracked for Warriors heroics. Curry missed the first chance, but an offensive rebound led to this magical moment.

Free throws were traded, including a bizarre off-the-ball foul that gave the Pelicans one free throw and the ball back. Still down two, Anthony Davis drove to the rim but his shot was strong against tight defense. On a night that could have been all about him, his final shot fell short.

Stephen Curry got two chances. He missed the first and delivered on the second.

The New Orleans Pelicans had Game 3 in the bag. In front of a crazy home crowd, the Pelicans led by 20 points at the start fourth quarter. With 5:50 left, New Orleans led by 17 points. That’s when Golden State went on an incredible run powered by a small ball lineup. Curry sent it to overtime, where the Warriors would win 123-119.

Well, you didn’t say “gumbo,” but other than that, you’re our generation’s Rich Little. Or Jeff Dunham, or whatever. Either way, never change, Shaq.

The folks over at Nike Basketball captured an extraordinary picture of LeBron James doing his windmill dunk in Game 3 against the Celtics.

You might not like LeBron, but you have to love this amazing shot.

Rose was tremendous, beating the Bucks’ defense all night both at the rim and from beyond the three-point line. He finished with 34 points and eight assists and made five of his nine attempts from deep. He scored six points in the second overtime session to ice the game. When Rose put his head down, there was nothing the Bucks could do about it:

Here’s three things we learned the Bulls’ win:

How bad was this free throw attempt?

It came up SO short that someone tried to tip it in from under the hoop. That’s pretty bad!

This is just bad for Draymond Green. I mean, Ryan Anderson barely touched him.

But as far as Warriors fans are concerned, that was a good play. You know, for them.

The ball is never safe from Anthony Davis’ arms. Look how high he is!

Dear Boston bro,

I know it hurts your team, that you probably didn’t expect to make the playoffs until like 3 weeks ago, lost at home, but this is not the answer. Oh Boston bro, I know Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo and Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett aren’t playing in front of your eyes anymore, but this is no excuse.

The shot capped a fantastic night for Love -- 23 points, 8-of-16 shooting, nine rebounds and three assists. James had a huge game with 31 points on 13-of-26 shooting, plus 11 boards, four assists and four steals. Irving was quieter -- 13 points on 3-of-11 shooting -- but it didn’t matter.

Cleveland’s offense doesn’t involve Love like he was featured in Minnesota in years past. This much is fact. His numbers have fallen from 26 points a game to 16, and he’s averaging three fewer rebounds and two fewer assists. In Cleveland’s offense, he’s more useful as a floor-spacing shooter than a focal point.

Hoooooo boy. Makes you nostalgic for the recent past, doesn’t it?

Thanks for playing, Evan Turner.

This is like Tim Hardaway’s patented move, except way, way faster. You almost feel bad for Avery Bradley. It’s like he saw a monster.

The mile long strides, the coast-to-coast drive, the acrobatic finish ... not bad for a 20-year-old.

If we ever have an election to determine who will become our next RiFF RAFF, I nominate this guy.

There are always a lot of Bulls fans at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee. This is one way to make them shut up.

Place: Smoothie King Center

Time: 9:30 p.m. ET

This Rose -- not back, but fully present -- might be just fine. In Game 2, Rose couldn’t repeat his Game 1 performance but still played well enough to tally 15 points, seven rebounds and nine assists. With that all-around impact, it’s easier to account for the 4-of-14 shooting and three turnovers.

Here’s how to watch: