With Round 1 of the playoffs now complete, we though we’d look at some of the more memorable moments of the opening match-ups.
1. Clippers epic rally to steal Game 1
Can basketball fans recall a more thrilling comeback in recent memory? I sure can’t.
The Los Angeles Clippers somehow fought back from a 27-point deficit to stun the Memphis Grizzlies 99-98 in Game 1 of their opening-round series. The Clippers tied the NBA playoff record for largest-deficit overcame at the end of three quarters, when they trailed by 21.
For me, the most fascinating aspect of this story is this rally almost didn’t happen. If it wasn’t for Chris Paul begging his head coach, Vinny Del Negro, to put him into the game, then the Clippers would have went quietly into the Memphis night down 0-1 in this series.
The fourth quarter alone won the series for the Clippers as the Grizzlies were never able to recover mentally.
2. Derrick Rose’s injury
The Chicago Bulls survived numerous injuries to Derrick Rose to secure the top seed in the Eastern Conference. Then, on the verge of winning the opening game of their series against Philadelphia, disaster struck. Rose came down awkwardly on his knee and after an MRI it was discovered that he tore his ACL and MCL. Rose is out of action for the next 10 months and with that, the hearts of Bulls fans were broken.
3. Amar’e Stoudemire punches a fire extinguisher
Look, I realize Amare Stoudemire was upset after his New York Knicks lost the first two games of their opening round series against the Miami Heat.
Add to that, he only had 16 field goal attempts combined in the first two games and that would also rub him the wrong way.
But punching a fire extinguisher? Come on, man.
Throw a water bottle! Turn over a tub of Gatorade!
There’s no way a player who has meant so much to this franchise should tarnish his reputation with the Knicks and their fans over what amounts to a temper tantrum.
4. Al Horford’s triumphant return
After missing most of the season because of a torn pectoral muscle, Al Horford’s returned unexpectedly for the Atlanta Hawks. His first game didn’t go well as they were thumped in Game 4 of the series.
But Game 5? Horford was clearly the reason Atlanta was able to extend this series to six games.
“I wanted to bring that energy to the team,” Horford said humbly after the win.
Horford did that in a big way by playing with a ton of passion and diving fearlessly on the court for loose balls. He led Atlanta in scoring with 19 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, dished out three assists, came up with three steals and blocked three shots — all while playing more than 40 minutes, far more than the 15-20 minutes the Hawks had planned for him to play.
5. Clippers battle their way to Game 7 win
There aren’t many things tougher than marching into a visiting arena for a Game 7 and stealing a win and the series.
Adding to the difficulty level for the Clippers wass the fact this was a very physical game, as shown when Chris Paul took a karate chop to the jugular from Mike Conley and there wasn’t a foul call.
Zach Randolph and Blake Griffin took turns beating each other up in the post, yet neither player came close to fouling out. This was the kind of game that fans who long for the ‘good old days’ of the Detroit Bad Boys of the 1980’s would have loved.
