Two higher seeds got eliminated from the NBA playoffs last night…
but it seems as if only one team truly believed in itself?
Conference Finals Set
What Happened: Excuse the mixed sports metaphor, but the NBA threw us all a curve on Sunday. Two #2 seeds got eliminated from the playoffs on the same day, including the defending champs, who appeared to be cruising back into the Western Conference finals until the script got flipped…quickly.
Why It Matters: Despite their lead ballooning to 20 points in the third quarter, the Nuggets couldn’t hold off the upstart Timberwolves, and now, Minnesota will advance to face the Dallas Mavericks for a shot at the NBA Finals.
The prohibitive favorite all through the playoffs from the West, Denver seemed to get bored after dropping two home games in this series before turning their championship drive back on. But Minnesota showed its hot start was no fluke, and in dramatic fashion downed the defending champs on their home court in a Game 7, a statement win for Anthony Edwards and his teammates.
Earlier in the day, the Indiana Pacers shot the lights out at Madison Square Garden, shooting 67% from the field (an NBA playoff record), never letting the Knicks get into the game after a fast start by Rick Carlisle’s squad. Already fighting injuries up and down the lineup, the Knicks lost Jalen Brunson to a broken shooting hand in the third quarter, the one injury this team simply couldn’t overcome.
How We’re Feeling Today
Unimpressed with Tyrese Haliburton.
To be clear, this has nothing to do with Haliburton’s play. In a road Game 7, the Pacers guard led his team with 26 points in a 130-109 win that earned Indianapolis a trip to the Eastern Conference finals.
No, we are referring to Haliburton wearing a sweatshirt with Reggie Miller famously taunting the Knicks with the “choke” gesture back in 1994 playoffs.
Wearing the hoodie is fine. FCS is absolutely pro-trash talk. But Haliburton only threw this on after the Pacers had won. In other words, he hedged his taunt! Nothing noble in that, Tyrese.
Either taunt or don’t, but half-assing it is just pathetic.
The Look Ahead
Zach Hyman SOG – Hyman’s line tonight (3.5 shots on goal) is a high one, but it wouldn’t be out of character for him to go over on it. He leads all Oilers skaters in shots this postseason, and in four of six games against Vancouver, he’s hit the 4 shots on net mark, including an eight-shot Game 3. Hyman is out there to put the biscuit in the basket, so in a Game 7, he shouldn’t be shy about letting it rip.
