The conference semifinals in both conferences now are underway. The Eastern Conference are six games in their semifinals while the Western Conference finally got their semifinals started. Nevertheless, there are shockers in these conference semifinals. The top seeds in conferences looking at deficits while the top team in the league staring at history.
Eastern Conference Semifinals
Six games in, three from each series, the Eastern Conference Semifinals has been shocking to watch.
First of the series between the Boston Celtics and the defending champs, Toronto Raptors has seen just about everything. Game 1 the Celtics took it to the Raptors with a 112-94 win. Game 2 the Raptors looked primed to take even the series up at 1-1, but Kemba Walker and Marcus Smart came alive in the 4th Quarter combining for 27 of Boston's 32 points as the Celtics won Game 2, 102-99. Jayson Tatum had 34 points to lead all scoring in Game 2. Down 0-2 going into Game 3, the defending champs must win Game 3 to hope alive. With Game 3 on the line, Kemba Walker leading the Celtics in scoring with 29 points made the biggest with his dribbling skills as he found Daniel Theis for a dunk with .5 seconds left with a 103-101 score. Boston is going up 3-0 in this series, so we thought. With .5 seconds remaining, the Raptors had time for a catch and shoot scenario. Miss communication by the Celtics left OG Anunoby open in the far corner and Anunoby beats the buzzer with a 3-point shot. Raptors wins, 104-103.
Boston leads the series 2-1 as Game 4 takes place today at 6:30PM on TNT.
On the more shocking note, the top in the East and NBA find themselves in a unwise position. Jimmy Butler dropped 40 points in Game 1 to give the Heat a 1-0 lead by the score of 115-104. Controversy took over Game 2 as two debatable calls decided Game 2 in Miami's favor especially at the end on the game. With time expired Referee, Marc Davis called a foul on Giannis Antetokounmpo on the Butler shot, allowing Butler to shot two free-throws in a tie game with no clock. Miami takes Game 2, 116-114 and a 2-0 series lead.
Game 3 took place yesterday and the Bucks looked primed to get back into the series until the 4th Quarter. Leading 87-75 going to the 4th Quarter, the Bucks looked determined to get back into this series, all for not. Jimmy Butler scored 17 points in the 4th and the Miami Heat outscored the Bucks, 40-13 in the 4th Quarter. Miami takes Game 3, 115-100. The Milwaukee Bucks find themselves in the terrifying 3-0 hole against the Miami Heat. 139 teams have tried to comeback from a 3-0 deficit but no one has achieved the impossible. Giannis and the Bucks must do the impossible if the top team wants to remain playing.
Game 4 is tomorrow at 3:30PM on ABC.
Western Conference Semifinals
The West Semis got their series started on Thursday and last night.
First was Game 1 between the Denver Nuggets and the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday night. Denver survived a thrilling seven-game series with the Utah Jazz in the opening round. The question going into Game 1 with the Clippers was how tired will the be Nuggets be. That question was answered with yes. The Nuggets went blow for blow with the Clippers in the opening quarter, 31-31 after the 1st Quarter, but it was downhill from there. Getting outscored 60-36 in the 2nd and 3rd Quarters combine, fatigue set in for the Nuggets. The Los Angeles Clippers took Game 1, 120-97. Can the Nuggets bounce back in Game 2 or did that opening round took everything out of Denver?
Game 2 is tonight at 9PM on TNT.
The other West Semis tipped off on last night as the Houston Rockets took the court against the Los Angeles Lakers. The Rockets in the same position as the Denver Nuggets, coming off a seven-game series in the opening round against the Oklahoma City Thunder. How will the Rockets feel in Game 1 against the top team in the West led by LeBron James and Anthony Davis. The other question in this series was how will the small ball play of the Rockets do against the size of the Lakers? Well, the Rockets answered both questions with hard play and determination. They wanted it more than the Lakers did. James Harden dropped 36 points, Russell Westbrook put in 24 points, and Eric Gordon scored 23 points as the Rockets took Game 1 convincingly, 112-97.
How will the Lakers response after letting small ball rule Game 1?
Game 2 is tomorrow night 8:30PM on ABC.
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