Western Conference Finals

Game 3

Golden State Warriors 110 Portland Trail Blazers 99

The Portland Trail Blazers felt they blew a golden opportunity to even up the series in game 2, so they hoped that coming home would allow them the chance to even up the series in front of their home crowd, as they have gone 5-1 at home in these playoffs. And early on it appeared they would use that home court advantage to run away with their first victory of this series, as they jumped out to a 18 point lead just before halftime.

Bout once again the Blazers had no answer for Stephen Curry or Drayond Green, as Green sparked a huge comeback for the Golden State Warriors in the third quarter. Draymond Green finished with a triple double, scoring 20 points, grabbing 13 rebounds, dishing out 12 assists, and making four steals. The Warriors took a three point lead into the fourth quarter, and from that point on Stephen Curry would propel Golden State to victory. Stephen Curry finished with 36 points and six rebounds while Klay Thompson scored 19 points, grabbed five rebounds, and dished out five assists.

C.J. McCollum led the Blazers with 23 points while Damian Lillard scored 19 points, yet both of them struggled from the field, with McCollum shooting 7 for 20 from the floor and Lillard shooting just 5 for 18 from the floor. Meyers Leonard got the start in this game for Enes Kanter, who was hampered with a shoulder injury, and scored 16 points while Evan Turner added 12 points off the bench. But the Blazers now find themselves down 0-3 in this series, and no team in NBA history has ever overcome an 0-3 deficit to win a seven game series.

Golden State leads series 3-0.

Looking ahead to the NBA Finals, I haven't seen a hungrier and more cohesive postseason squad like the Bucks since 2011, in the Dallas Mavericks. They had a superstar playing at an elite level with a strong and deep supporting cast. This is a good TOR team and they're just toying with them.

Eastern Conference Finals

Game 3

Milwaukee Bucks 112 Toronto Raptors 118 F/2OT

The Toronto Raptors found themselves down 0-2 in this series and knew they absolutely needed to win this game if they had any shot of coming back into this series. They also knew they had to get some help from their supporting cast to take some of the pressure off Kawhi Leonard.

The Milwaukee Bucks would score the opening bucket in this game yet never led in this game again until much, much later. The Raptors would lead for most of regulation, going up to as far as an 11 point lead, but they couldn't shake the Bucks off. Both teams would play some suffocating defense, and it led to serious foul troble on bothe sides, as both Kyle Lowry and Norman Powell would foul out of the game in the fourth quarter. George Hill would tie the game for the Bucks at 88 with 4:19 remaining. And with Kyle Lowry and Norman Powell both fouling out of the game, the Raptors would be forced to rely on Fred VanVleet to help carry the offense, but he had a miserable game, shooting just 1 for 11 from the floor and even passing up open shots. Nevertheless, the Raptors did play some decent defense on Giannis Antetokounmpo, who scored just 12 points but was a monster on the boards, finishing with a career-high 23 rebounds while also dishing out seven assists. The Raptors led by four with 1:09 remaining in the fourth quarter, but Malcolm Brogdon would hit a huge jumper to pull Milwaukee withing a bucket, and after Pascal Siakam missed two key free throws down the strech, Khris Middleton hit a floater to tie the game at 96 with 2.2 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. Pascal Siakam put up a desperate 3-pointer at the buzzer, but it hit glass, and the game went into overtime.

The first overtime went much like the fourth quarter, with neither team able to make much of a move. Once again the Raptors led by four with a little over a minute remaining in the first overtime, but the Bucks scored the final four points of the first overtime to tie the game and send it into a second overtime. The Bucks then scored the first bucket of the second overtime to take the lead for the first time since the opening tip. But then Giannis Antetokounmpo fouled out of the game shortly afterward, which allowed the Raptors to take advantage. Kawhi Leonard put the Raptors on his back in the second overtime, making a couple of huge steals and driving for a couple of dunks that energized the team and the crowd. The Bucks could not respond, and the Raptors would hold on for the huge victory. Kawhi Leonard finished with 36 points, nine rebounds, and five assists for Toronto. Pascal Siakam scored 25 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. Norman Powell scored 19 points before fouling out of the game in the fourth quarter whike Kyle Lowry scored 11 points and dished out five assists before fouling out of the game in the fourth quarter. Marc Gasol scored 16 points, grabbed 12 rebounds, and dished out seven assists.

George Hill led the Bucks with 24 points off the bench. Malcolm Brogdon had a huge game off the bench, scoring 20 points while Brook Lopez scored 16 points and grabbed six rebounds. However, Eric Bledsoe, Khris Middleton, and Nikola Mirotic all struggled in this game, scoring 11, nine, and 10 points respectively while shooting a combined 9 for 43 from the floor.

Milwaukee leads series 2-1.

Western Conference Finals

Game 4

Golden State Warriors 119 Portland Trail Blazers 117 F/OT

The Golden State Warriors were on the cusp of reaching their fifth straight NBA Finals, which would make them the first team to do so since the great Bill Russell-led Boston Celtics teams of the 1960's. More amazingly, they were doing this without Kevin Durant, without DeMarcus Cousins, who was injured in game 2 of the first round of the playoffs, and now without Andre Iguodala, who was injured with a strained left calf muscle but came back negative for any tears via MRI. Meanwhile, the Portland Trail Blazers were just trying to win one game at a time, and Damian Lillard was playing with separated ribs, yet felt the need to suck it up with elimination on the line.

Early on the score went back and forth between the Warriors and Blazers, but the Blazers would take a double digit lead in the second quarter before Golden State narrowed the deficit to four at the half. But C.J. McCollum would spark a huge run that put the Blazers up by 17 points with 1:55 remaining in the third quarter. McCollum would finish with 26 points and seven assists in the game.

But once again the Warriors would make a huge comeback, and it once again became the Stephen Curry and Draymond Green show. Draymond Green would once again dominate inside the paint while Stephen Curry attacked from beyond the 3-point line. Both players finished with triple doubles, with Curry scoring 37 points, grabbing 13 rebounds, and dishing out 11 assists, while Green scored 18 points, grabbed 14 rebounds, dished out 11 assists, made three steals, and blocked two shots. Nevertheless, the Blazers held on to a precarious lead until Kevon Looney tied the game with a layup at 106 with 3:56 remaining in the fourth quarter. Draymond Green gave them the lead with 3:30 reamining, but Damian Lillrad hit a 3-pointer to retake the lead with 2:51 remaining, and Meyers Leonard would make a dunk that put the Blazers up by three with 1:59 remaining. But Klay Thompson would hit a huge 3-pointer to tie the game at 111 with 1:48 remaining in the fourth quarter. Both teams played defense down the stretch and forced the game into overtime.

In the overtime period, Draymond Green took over. He hit a couple of free throws and hit a huge 3-pointer to put the Warriors up by four with 39.6 seconds remaining in overtime. Damian Lillard scored a bucket to cut the Warriors lead to two, but after a Stephen Curry missed jumper, Lillard went in for a driving layup in the closing seconds only to have his shot blocked by Draymond Green. Lillard did get the rebound and put up a desperation 3-pointer for the win but missed, and Stephen Curry grabbed the rebound to secure the victory and the Western Conference title. Klay Thompson scored 17 points and grabbed six rebounds while Alfonso McKinnie and Kevon Looney each added 12 points for Golden State.

Meyers Leonard led the Blazers with 30 points and 12 rebounds while Damian Lillard scored 28 points and dished out 12 assists. Zach Collins added 10 points off the bench, but none of this was ultimately enough to stop the Warriors from advancing to their fifth straight NBA Finals.

The Warriors now await the winner of the Toronto Raptors-Milwaukee Bucks series in the NBA Finals.

Golden State wins series 4-0.

Empress said:

Raptors have tied it up! What a great game last night. The bench was incredible.

TOR has a great atmosphere and unlike years past the team can rally behind a true superstar.

MIL is learning hard it is to get to the Finals.

namepeace said:

namepeace said:

Empress said:

Raptors have tied it up! What a great game last night. The bench was incredible.

TOR has a great atmosphere and unlike years past the team can rally behind a true superstar.

MIL is learning hard it is to get to the Finals.

Toronto's doing an excellent job of defending Giannis (so far), and Kawhi's teammates are doing it on offense. They must keep it up, because it's obvious Leonard's hurting.

But whoever wins will be cannon fodder for the Warriors. If Houston diversified their offense and moved the ball the way GS does (instead of dribble, dribble, dribble and jack up threes), they'd be in the Finals.

Eastern Conference Finals

Game 4

Milwaukee Bucks 102 Toronto Raptors 120

The Toronto Raptors have relied on Kawhi Leonard to carry them this far into the playoffs, and it was his heroics which got them the victory in game 3. Nevertheless, he played 52 minutes in game 3 and was very fatigued going into this game. So the big question was whether his supporting cast would come to his rescue and help carry the load against the Milwaukee Bucks.

It turns out, they did just that. In fact, the Raptors slowly but steadily pulled away in this game until it turned into a rout. They were led by Kyle Lowry who scored 25 points, dished out six assists, and grabbed five rebounds. Kawhi Leonard did score 19 points himself while also grabbing seven rebounds and making four steals in just 34 minutes of action. But four other Raptors' players scored in double digits, with Norman Powell scoring 18 points, Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka each scoring 17 points while Gasol also added seven assists and five rebounds and Ibaka adding 13 rebounds. Even Fred VanVleet got into the action, breaking out of his recent slump to score 13 points off the bench.

Khris Middleton led the Bucks with 30 points while Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 25 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, and dished out five assists. However, the rest of the team struggled, with Nikola Mirotic being the only other player to score in double digits with 10 points.

Series tied at 2-2.

uPtoWnNY said:

namepeace said:

TOR has a great atmosphere and unlike years past the team can rally behind a true superstar.

MIL is learning hard it is to get to the Finals.

Toronto's doing an excellent job of defending Giannis (so far), and Kawhi's teammates are doing it on offense. They must keep it up, because it's obvious Leonard's hurting.

But whoever wins will be cannon fodder for the Warriors. If Houston diversified their offense and moved the ball the way GS does (instead of dribble, dribble, dribble and jack up threes), they'd be in the Finals.

Even with Giannis, MIL would have to pull off the 2d-greatest upset in Finals history to beat GSW. Especially if Boogie can come back and give them even 50% of what he's capable of.

HOU needed a 3-and-D like Ariza this year and it showed. Even when he was with PHX, D'Antoni's systems moved the ball more.

Eastern Conference Finals

Game 5

Toronto Raptors 105 Milwaukee Bucks 99

The Toronto Raptors were able to even up this series with a concerted effort from Kawhi Leonard's supporting cast to contribute some scoring. The question was whether they could continue to help out Lawhi Leonard. In the meantime, the Milwaukee Bucks needed to find a way to take some defensive pressure off of Giannis Antetokounmpo and allow him to dominate the court. To that effect, they inserted Malcolm Brogdon into the starting lineup.

Early on it appeared as though the Bucks were going to pull away in this game, as Giannis, Brook Lopez, and Eric Bledsoe pushed them out to an early 14 point lead. But the Raptors were able to weather the early storm by Milwaukee, and they even briefly led for a while in the second quarter before going into halftime down by just three points. But the Bucks went on a 14-5 run in the third quarter to take a 12 point lead.

Yet while the Bucks were trying valiantly to slow down Kawhi Leonard, they had no answer for Fred VanVleet. VanVleet once again had a monster game off the bench, scoring 21 points on 7 for 9 shooting from behind the 3-point line. This would spark a huge comeback by the Raptors, as they would take the lead with 8:57 remaining in the fourth quarter on a Fred VanVleet 3-pointer. Brook Lopez would give the Bucks the lead again on a 3-point jumper and foul shot, but VanVleet would hit another 3-pointer that put Toronto up to stay, as Kawhi Leonard and Pascal Siakam took over from there. The Bucks tried to close in, but their shots would miss the bucket and the Raptors would control the boards, thus sealing the victory. Kawhi Leonard led the Raptors with 35 points, nine assists, and seven rebounds. Kyle Lowry scored 17 points, grabbed seven rebounds, and dished out six assists while Pascal Siakam scored 14 points and grabbed 13 rebounds.

Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 24 points, six rebounds, and six assists. Eric Bledsoe scored 20 points while Malcolm Brogdon scored 18 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, and dished out six assists and Brook Lopez scored 16 points and grabbed eight rebounds. George Hill added 12 points off the bench, but Khris Middleton struggled to score, scoring just six points despite grabbing 10 rebounds and dishing out 10 assists. The Milwaukee Bucxks, despite finishing with the best record in the NBA during the regular season, now find themselves on the brink of elimination.

Toronto leads series 3-2.

728huey said:

Eastern Conference Finals

Game 5

Toronto Raptors 105 Milwaukee Bucks 99

#countingchickens

namepeace said:

uPtoWnNY said:

Toronto's doing an excellent job of defending Giannis (so far), and Kawhi's teammates are doing it on offense. They must keep it up, because it's obvious Leonard's hurting.

But whoever wins will be cannon fodder for the Warriors. If Houston diversified their offense and moved the ball the way GS does (instead of dribble, dribble, dribble and jack up threes), they'd be in the Finals.

Even with Giannis, MIL would have to pull off the 2d-greatest upset in Finals history to beat GSW. Especially if Boogie can come back and give them even 50% of what he's capable of.

HOU needed a 3-and-D like Ariza this year and it showed. Even when he was with PHX, D'Antoni's systems moved the ball more.

They don't need Boogie, IMO. Warriors are much better off when Draymond's on the court doing his point forward thing. With Cousins, I saw many times where his teammates were focused more on getting him the ball than moving/cutting.

The Freak is discovering what NBA playoff basketball is all about. It's easier driving and dunking during the regular season than in May & June, when he's going against much better defenses. It's up to him to adjust.

Eastern Conference Finals

Game 6

Milwaukee Bucks 94 Toronto Raptors 100

The Toronto Raptors found themselves on the cusp of history as they were just one win away from reaching the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history. But they knew the Milwaukee Bucks would come out with energy and urgency, and their fears were realized early on when the Bucks jumped out to a 13 point lead in the first quarter, primarily from a boost from Ersan Ilyasova. But the Raptors would hang in, thanks to the great bench play from Serge Ibaka, Norman Powell, and Fred VanVleet, which allowed Toronto to cut the deficit to seven at the half. But Milwaukee would go on another run in the third quarter, thamks primarily to Giannis Antetokounmpo, who helped lead them to a 15 point lead with 2:18 remaining in the quarter, and it looked as though game 7 was on the horizon.

But in the end, it was about the stars for each team, and it was also about experience in the high pressure situations of the NBA Playoffs. Kawhi Leonard, having been an NBA Finals MVP, would once again carry his team, but not before the Raptors bench sparked an incredible 26-3 run into the fourth quarter to take an eight point lead. It was started by Fred VanVleet, who once again had a hot game off the bench, scoring 14 points including four 3-pointers, but also from Serge Ibaka, who had experience in the NBA Finals from his time in Oklahoma City, who made a huge dunk during this run with a wicked assist from Fred VanVleet. Ibaka would finish with nine points and three rebounds. Kawhi Leonard re-entered the game and continued the run which was punctuated by a thunderous dunk in the lane over the outstretched arms of Giannis Antetokounmpo, which would ultimately put the Raptors up for good. However, the Bucks would keep it close thanks to Brook Lopez, who finished with 18 points and nine rebounds. But in the stretch run the moment got inside the head of Giannis Antetokounmpo, who despite leading the Bucks with 21 points, 11 rebounds, and four assists, struggled from the field, hitting 7 of 18 shots from the floor and making only five of his ten free throws. He looked particularly bad in the fourth quarter.

Meanwhile, Kawhi Leonard looked like the former NBA Finals MVP, scoring 27 points, grabbing 17 rebounds, and dishing out seven assists. Pascal Siakam scored 18 points for Toronto while Kyle Lowry scored 17 points, dished out eight assists. Norman Powell added nine points and four rebounds off the bench.

Khris Middleton scored 14 points for Milwaukee while Ersan Ilyasova scored 13 points and grabbed six rebounds and Malcolm Brogdon and George Hill each added 10 points. But it was a bitterly disappointing end for the Milwaukee Bucks who had a breakout season and led the NBA in victories during the regular season. Meanwhile, it was an ecstatic and historic moment for the Toronto Raptors, who now are going to the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history and will face the Golden State Warriors, who have won four of the last five NBA titles.

Toronto wins series 4-2.

In the playoffs, strengths and weaknesses are magnified, and Giannis got exposed. If he wants to be elite like Kawhi, he MUST do three things;

1) Get a go-to move(or several) - right now, he's a one-trick pony, drive down the middle and dunk. That shit works in the regular season and early rounds of the playoffs, but not in the later rounds when defenses are tougher. Toronto was waiting on his ass with their 2-3 zone. Raptors length & athleticism made it tough on The Freak.

2) Like Ben Simmons, Giannis needs a consistent outside 'J' to keep defenses honest.

3) Improve his free throw shooting. It can make you or break you in these tight playoff games.

Playoff failure is part of the process - players, coaches and the front office have get better and come back stronger next season. Took Jordan seven years to get his.

Warriors got this....they're much better on offense than either Toronto or Milwaukee. They remind me of the Patriots because they can hit you in so many ways....you better pay attention on defense, especially in the 3rd quarter. Plus GS wants to prove they can win without Durant.

No offense to Empress, but I hope it's a short series. So sick of the the cameras focusing on Drake's no-talent ass. His wannabe Spike Lee act is lame. I wish Draymond would lay him out diving for a loose ball. LOL @ him acting like a tough guy against Kendrick Perkins. Drake knows he didn't want that smoke. Real easy to pump your chest when you have bodyguards.

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uPtoWnNY said:

Warriors got this....they're much better on offense than either Toronto or Milwaukee. They remind me of the Patriots because they can hit you in so many ways....you better pay attention on defense, especially in the 3rd quarter. Plus GS wants to prove they can win without Durant.

No offense to Empress, but I hope it's a short series.So sick of the the cameras focusing on Drake's no-talent ass. His wannabe Spike Lee act is lame. I wish Draymond would lay him out diving for a loose ball. LOL @ him acting like a tough guy against Kendrick Perkins. Drake knows he didn't want that smoke. Real easy to pump your chest when you have bodyguards.

Co sign on Fake. It's weird I'm finding myself wanting Golden State to win.

I don't want a Canadian team winning a title in the NBA.

phunkdaddy said:

uPtoWnNY said:

Warriors got this....they're much better on offense than either Toronto or Milwaukee. They remind me of the Patriots because they can hit you in so many ways....you better pay attention on defense, especially in the 3rd quarter. Plus GS wants to prove they can win without Durant.

No offense to Empress, but I hope it's a short series.So sick of the the cameras focusing on Drake's no-talent ass. His wannabe Spike Lee act is lame. I wish Draymond would lay him out diving for a loose ball. LOL @ him acting like a tough guy against Kendrick Perkins. Drake knows he didn't want that smoke. Real easy to pump your chest when you have bodyguards.

Co sign on Fake. It's weird I'm finding myself wanting Golden State to win.

I don't want a Canadian team winning a title in the NBA.

And there it is! Like we don't know this already. But, it just might happen and if it doesn't happen this year, it will evenutally, just like it did with the Toronto Blue Jays 2 years in a row.

No offence taken uPtoWnNY. Drake is a great ambassador for the Raps, but I am not a fan of his music.

May the best team win!

Empress said:

phunkdaddy said:

Co sign on Fake. It's weird I'm finding myself wanting Golden State to win.

I don't want a Canadian team winning a title in the NBA.

And there it is! Like we don't know this already. But, it just might happen and if it doesn't happen this year, it will evenutally, just like it did with the Toronto Blue Jays 2 years in a row.

No offence taken uPtoWnNY. Drake is a great ambassador for the Raps, but I am not a fan of his music.

May the best team win!

Without Durant, they have a chance, but Kawhi's teammates have to hit their shots. It can't just be Kawhi dribbling and looking for an opening. Warriors are too good defensively....and like Pat Riley said decades ago, "no rebounds, no rings".

But if Durant comes back fully healthy.....OVA. Dude is unstoppable.

uPtoWnNY said:

Empress said:

And there it is! Like we don't know this already. But, it just might happen and if it doesn't happen this year, it will evenutally, just like it did with the Toronto Blue Jays 2 years in a row.

No offence taken uPtoWnNY. Drake is a great ambassador for the Raps, but I am not a fan of his music.

May the best team win!

Without Durant, they have a chance, but Kawhi's teammates have to hit their shots. It can't just be Kawhi dribbling and looking for an opening. Warriors are too good defensively....and like Pat Riley said decades ago, "no rebounds, no rings".

But if Durant comes back fully healthy.....OVA. Dude is unstoppable.

Empress said:

uPtoWnNY said:

Without Durant, they have a chance, but Kawhi's teammates have to hit their shots. It can't just be Kawhi dribbling and looking for an opening. Warriors are too good defensively....and like Pat Riley said decades ago, "no rebounds, no rings".

But if Durant comes back fully healthy.....OVA. Dude is unstoppable.

Yes, if Durant is healthy, he will dominate. I recently read an article where is says he is open to any and all options for next year. It will be interesting to see where he lands.

Most of Knick Nation is hoping Durant and Kyrie Irving sign with NY. I prefer Durant & Kawhi Leonard, but I'm not getting my hopes up. It makes no sense for any of the A-list free agents to come here....Knicks are a poorly run organization with a shit owner. Why would Durant leave the penthouse and go to the outhouse? If anything, he should go to Brooklyn - better run franchise with young talent. He'd make them a top 4 seed in the east.

As for Kawhi, I have a feeling the Clippers might be a possible destination.

Empress said:

phunkdaddy said:

Co sign on Fake. It's weird I'm finding myself wanting Golden State to win.

I don't want a Canadian team winning a title in the NBA.

And there it is! Like we don't know this already. But, it just might happen and if it doesn't happen this year, it will evenutally, just like it did with the Toronto Blue Jays 2 years in a row.

No offence taken uPtoWnNY. Drake is a great ambassador for the Raps, but I am not a fan of his music.

May the best team win!

It wouldn't be the end of the world if it did. My disdain is more than likely aimed at Drake.

What a douchebag he is. And for the record I'm a Sixers fan and I hate seeing Kevin Hart

make an ass of himself at courtside. I like him as a actor and sometimes as a comedian but just be a fan and stay your ass off the court and let the players play and the coaches coach. It's not that hard.

As for the Blue Jays they have been a great baseball franchise for a long time and should have won

a title earlier than they did. I was a baseball fan in the 70's and 80's but lost interest in the late 90's

with all the player movement and the big money contracts. I used to enjoy watching the Montreal

Expos when they had Gary Carter. Too bad they didn't have enough talent around him to win anything.

[Edited 5/27/19 14:03pm]

Empress said:

uPtoWnNY said:

Without Durant, they have a chance, but Kawhi's teammates have to hit their shots. It can't just be Kawhi dribbling and looking for an opening. Warriors are too good defensively....and like Pat Riley said decades ago, "no rebounds, no rings".

But if Durant comes back fully healthy.....OVA. Dude is unstoppable.

Yes, if Durant is healthy, he will dominate. I recently read an article where is says he is open to any and all options for next year. It will be interesting to see where he lands.

Honestly, I enjoy watching GSW more without KD on the floor, because the flow is so much better. But if he does come back 100%, TOR is in for short series.

namepeace said:

Honestly, I enjoy watching GSW more without KD on the floor, because the flow is so much better. But if he does come back 100%, TOR is in for short series.

Warriors execute like Brady & the Patriots in the 4th quarter.

Toronto, sorry, sweep coming. lol

Golden State is the Patriots of the basketball league. Dynasty.

2freaky4church1 said:

Golden State is the Patriots of the basketball league. Dynasty.

If they win this Finals, that makes 4 titles in 5 years and a threepeat. The greatest NBA dynasties have either won at least 4-5 titles in a decade, or a threepeat, or both.