NBA CONFERENCE QUARTERFINALS GAME 3 RECAP
1 Pacers at 8 Hawks
Score: Hawks 98, Pacers 85
Series Score: Hawks 2, Pacers 1
Key Moment: As the last few seconds ticked off the clock in the Hawks 13-point dismantling of the Pacers the “OVERRATED” chants rung through Phillips Arena. All Jeff Teague could do was smile. The team that had no chance, that didn’t even make .500 had the series lead over the best team in the NBA.
Quote: “We have a dream of winning it all,”Indiana star Paul George said. “We’ve got to be much more tougher than that. I don’t think it’s there. Our toughness is questionable right now.”
2 Thunder at 7 Grizzlies
Score: Grizzlies 98, Thunder 95 OT
Series Score: Grizzlies 2, Thunder 1
Key Moment: The Grizzlies won their 2nd straight overtime game on Thursday. But they almost didn’t. After blowing a 17 point lead Courtney Lee hit 3 free-throws in the last 10 seconds to clinch the win for the Grizz.
Quote: “Obviously, we’re happy with the win but disappointed at the way we handled that last quarter,” Conley said. “We knew they were going to make runs. We knew they’d keep fighting because that’s what they do, and it’s the playoffs. They’re going to make runs. They’re going to make plays. They have two of the best players in the league.”
3 Clippers at 6 Warriors
Score: Clippers 98, Warriors 96
Series Score: Clippers 2, Warriors 1
Key Moment: As the clock ticked below 5 seconds and down two Stephen Curry had to take the 3, it was contested but he had no choice, the shot missed but on the way down it looked as if Chris Paul had fouled Steph BUT NO FOUL WAS CALLED! And the Clippers win.
Quote:”When we needed it, we got stops,” Blake Griffin said. “And that’s why we were successful.”
3 Raptors at 6 Nets
Score: Nets 102, Raptors 98
Series Score: Nets 2, Raptors 1
Key Moment: They Nets nearly blew a 15-point lead but 2 Joe Johnson free throws with 3 seconds to play sealed the win for Brooklyn in front of the home crowd at the Barclays Center.
Quote: “It feels good to win, but at the same time you know you can be a lot better,” Paul Pierce said. “I’m looking for down the road, I’m looking for when it’s like that Game 6 or 7, if we’re ever in that situation with this team, it’s going to come to those little things and we can’t afford those small mistakes.”
4 Bulls at 5 Wizards
Score: Bulls 100, Wizards 97
Series Score: Wizards 2, Bulls 1
Key Moment: Tied at 97 Jimmy Butler drained a g0-ahead 3-pointer to give the Bulls the lead and the win.
Quote: “He was in the zone, man,”Bradley Beal said. “I guess the hoop looked like an ocean to him.”
4 Rockets at 5 Trail Blazers
Score: Rockets 121, Trail Blazers 116 OT
Series Score: Rockets 2, Trail Blazers 1
Key Moment: Chandler Parsons had 15 points, Dwight Howard had 24 points, Patrick Beverley had 16, James Harden had 37, and Jeremy Lin had 13 but it was lowly rookie Troy Daniels who spent time in the D-League this year was the hero. With 11 seconds left Daniels took his opportunity, draining a 3-pointer to give the Rockets the win.
Quote: “I thought we had some good looks down the stretch,” Blazers coach Terry Stotts said. “Lin, Harden and Daniels made their shots. And we didn’t.”
1 Spurs at 8 Mavericks
Score: Maverick 109, Spurs 108
Series Score: Mavericks 2, Spurs 1
Key Moment: Exactly 13 years ago to the day Vince Carter tried at a game-winning buzzer-beater to give his team the playoff win, he missed it then, but today he was spot on. It wasn’t the most simple shot, more like a fade-away fling at the buzzer. But it went in none the less.
Quote: “I don’t mind taking the game-winning shot,” said Carter.”I don’t mind missing them, and dealing with it. So I think having that mentality helps me.”
2 Heat at 7 Bobcats
Score: Heat 98, Bobcats 85
Series Score: Heat 3, Bobcats 0
Key Moment: As Lebron pick-pocketed the Bobcats and drove the other way he looked over at Bobcats owner Michael Jordan and smiled. He went up and slammed down a thunderous one-handed dunk.
Quote: “We were locked in on what needs to be done and our keys to win this game,” James said.