History has been made quite a bit in this years NBA playoffs. A playoff's so competitive that a contender for the Finals in the West could be kicked in Round 1 as a result of matchup problems... take Houston for example (their weakest position PF and then PG are the Blazer's two All-Star studs Lillard and Aldridge), resulting in a Blazer win in 6 games.
I think people forgot how dominant the Blazers were to start this season, though they dropped a little bit as the season went on, they were also developing youth and rotations. Aldridge was also hurt for a bit, which can hurt overall records (look at Memphis 29-30 game record without Marc Gasol this season). Clippers and Warriors round 1 has been really competitive, and even Dallas is giving the Spurs a run for their money.
But the East seemed like Indy and Miami had it locked up, until about 3 weeks left in the season when Indy imploded. Atlanta, the only sub .500 team in the playoffs and 8 seed in the East surprised them, along with Jeff Teague's play, and took them to game 7 at home where Indy and Roy Hibbert finally got on track. The Heat series is the only series to go as planned, 4 quick short games. Washington proved it's legit in 5 games over the Bulls, especially with Nene back. They could upset someone. The winner of Toronto and Brooklyn could do the same!
So while the playoffs have been extremely competitive, let's look at these crazy records being set in Round 1:
NBA PLAYOFF RECORDS:
-23 Round 1 Wins on the Road
-32 Round 1 Games Decided by 5 or less points
-5-6 Series go 7 Games in Round 1
-24 FOUR POINT PLAYS in Playoffs
-Most OverTimes in a Round 1 (7)
-Most Consecutive OT Games in a Series (Blazers/Rockets at 3 or 4)
-Westbrook has set some individual 25pt/10reb/15ast+ Trip Dub Game 7 record (as well as some trip dub record with 30+points and 20+ missed shots, not exactly a good one).
-Atlanta Hawks set record for most 3pt Attempts in a series (if only they made more)
Some coaches will definitely be fired or on the hot seat after their team is eliminated (ask Kevin McHale)
I think people forgot how dominant the Blazers were to start this season, though they dropped a little bit as the season went on, they were also developing youth and rotations. Aldridge was also hurt for a bit, which can hurt overall records (look at Memphis 29-30 game record without Marc Gasol this season). Clippers and Warriors round 1 has been really competitive, and even Dallas is giving the Spurs a run for their money.
But the East seemed like Indy and Miami had it locked up, until about 3 weeks left in the season when Indy imploded. Atlanta, the only sub .500 team in the playoffs and 8 seed in the East surprised them, along with Jeff Teague's play, and took them to game 7 at home where Indy and Roy Hibbert finally got on track. The Heat series is the only series to go as planned, 4 quick short games. Washington proved it's legit in 5 games over the Bulls, especially with Nene back. They could upset someone. The winner of Toronto and Brooklyn could do the same!
So while the playoffs have been extremely competitive, let's look at these crazy records being set in Round 1:
NBA PLAYOFF RECORDS:
-23 Round 1 Wins on the Road
-32 Round 1 Games Decided by 5 or less points
-5-6 Series go 7 Games in Round 1
-24 FOUR POINT PLAYS in Playoffs
-Most OverTimes in a Round 1 (7)
-Most Consecutive OT Games in a Series (Blazers/Rockets at 3 or 4)
-Westbrook has set some individual 25pt/10reb/15ast+ Trip Dub Game 7 record (as well as some trip dub record with 30+points and 20+ missed shots, not exactly a good one).
-Atlanta Hawks set record for most 3pt Attempts in a series (if only they made more)
Some coaches will definitely be fired or on the hot seat after their team is eliminated (ask Kevin McHale)
Wow I didn't think the Pacers had it in them to come back like this... but did anyone notice the Hibbert 28 point game he got away with traveling 3.5 steps 6 times and 4 steps 1 or 2 times, as well as getting away with moving screens.... Or is it just me?
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