2013 NBA Playoff Round 3 - Game Day 9

IND (3) @ MIA (1) – Game 5

The Heat won game 5 at home against Indiana, and are now 1 win away from returning to the NBA Finals for the 3rd straight year. Indiana were up by 6 early in the 3rd qtr, until the Heat went on a 30-10 run in the next 11min, led by Lebron who recorded 16pts (7-of-10 field goals), 4ast, 4reb in that quarter. Scoring or assisting on 25 of Miami's points in the 3rd, Lebron capped off his run with a deep 3-pter to beat the shot clock towards the end of the quarter. He ended up with 30pts, 8reb, 6ast.

Heats’ Udonis Haslem made his last 8 shots on 8-of-9 field goals and finished with 16pts. Chris Andersen continued his streak and has made all 15 of his shots in this series. Indiana's Paul George had 27pts, 11reb and Roy Hibbert had 22pts.

In last year’s Eastern Conference Finals, with the score tied 2-2 in game 5, Miami faced elimination after going down 2-3 after losing to Boston. Lebron willed his team to a win in game 6 by scoring 45pts, 15reb, 5ast on the road to tie it at 3-3, and Miami then went on to win game 7 to advance to the Finals. Game 6 shifts back to Indiana where Miami can eliminate Indiana with one more win, or else face a game 7 at home. David Beckham and Floyd Mayweather Jr attended with courtside seats.

2013 NBA Playoff Round 3 - Game Day 8

MIA (1) @ IND (3) – Game 4

Indiana wins at home to even the series with Miami at 2-2. The Heat came back from down 9pts at the start of the 4th qtr to take 3pt lead, until Indiana regained the lead at 5 with 1:30 left. Lebron would foul out of the game with a minute left, on a questionable illegal screen call. Indiana eventually finished off the Heat with a 16-6 run.

Pacers’ Roy Hibbert had 23pts, 12reb and Lance Stephenson had 20pts. Lebron finished with 24pts, and the big 3 (James/Wade/Bosh) combined for only 14 of 39 field goals. Mario Chalmers had 20pts.

Miami lost its first road game these playoffs. The Heat have now lost 0 games in round 1, 1 game in round 2, and 2 games in round 3.

The series shifts back to Miami for game 5, then back to Indiana for game 6. If required, game 7 will be played in Miami.

2013 NBA Playoff Round 3 - Game Day 7

SAS (1) @ MEM (5) – Game 4

The Spurs beat the Grizzlies on the road to complete a 4-0 sweep and advance to the NBA Finals for a chance to win their 5^th title, after a 6 year absence from the Finals.

Tony Parker scored a season-high 37pts on 15-of-21 field goals. Memphis’ Quincy Pondexter scored a team-high 22pts (a career high) off the bench, with 18pts coming in the second half.

The Spurs became the first team to sweep in a conference finals since 2003 (Nets beat Pistons 4-0). The Spurs have won 6 straight playoff games, eliminating Memphis by beating them 2 times on the road, Memphis’ only 2 home playoff losses. The Grizzlies, coming off their best season ever, are swept by the Spurs again, who first swept the Grizzlies in the first playoffappearance in 2004. The aged Spurs team now have plenty of rest (June 6) before playing the winner of the Miami/Indiana series.

2013 NBA Playoff Round 3 - Game Day 6

MIA (1) @ IND (3) – Game 3

Miami took a 2-1 series lead by beating Indiana by 18pts on the road. Miami changed their offensive strategy by deploying Lebron James in the post, resulting in Miami outscoring Indiana 56-32 in the paint. After committing 2 turnovers in the final minute of game 2, Lebron tallied zero turnovers this game. Miami committed only 1 turnover in the first half (a Heat playoffrecord), and only 5 in the game. Miami also scored a playoff-high 34pts in a quarter, and a team playoff record 70pts in a half.

Indiana’s David West had 21pts, 10reb and Roy Hibbert had 20pts, 17reb. Lebron finished with 22pts (18 in the first half) and Wade finished with 18pts, 8asts. All 5 Miami starters scored in double figures. Chris Andersen has made 16 consecutive shots in these playoffs.

Miami has won 23 of its last 24 games on the road. Indiana lost their first game at home these playoffs.

2013 NBA Playoff Round 3 - Game Day 5

SAS (1) @ MEM (5) – Game 3

The Spurs stole game 3 on the road against Memphis in OT to snag a 3-0 series lead. The Spurs rallied from down 18pts at the end of the 1st qtr. There were 11 lead changes and 10 ties in the final 17min, with neither team leading by more than 2 in the final 8min of the 4th qtr. Mike Conley had a chance to win the game in the closing seconds of the 4th qtr, but missed the layup on the drive. In OT, Tim Duncan scored 5pts in a row and the Spurs shot 8 out of 10 in the extra time to put the game out of reach.

Spurs’ Tim Duncan finished with 24pts (7pts in OT) and 10reb, his 144^th playoff double-double (second only to Magic Johnson). Tony Parker scored 26pts (5pts in OT). Memphis’ Mike Conley had 20pts, and also had 5 steals in the 1^st qtr alone. Marc Gasol scored 16pts, 14reb and Zach Randolph scored 14pts, 15reb.

The Spurs have now won 5 straight playoff games. Last year they were up 2-0 against OKC, only to lose the next 4-in-a-row. The Grizzlies lost their first playoff game at home.

2013 NBA Playoff Round 3 - Game Day 4

IND (3) @ MIA (1)

Indiana won game 2 on the road against Miami, stealing home court advantage to even the series at 1-1. It was only the Heat's fourth loss in the last 50 games. The Heat trailed for most of the game, but were up by 4pts in the 4th qtr. A 13-5 run by the Pacers erased Miami's lead.

Pacers' Roy Hibbert scored 29pts and Paul George scored 22pts. Lebron scored 36pts, but had 2 turnovers in the final minute, as David West knocked away 2 of his passes.

Game 3 shifts to Indiana, where Indiana can go up 3-1 if they win both games at home. 

2013 NBA Playoff Round 3 - Game Day 3

IND (3) @ MIA (1)

Miami hung on at home with a crazy finish at the end of the 4th qtr and overtime to take a 1-0 series lead against Indiana. The wild game featured 18 ties and 17 lead changes.

With 54.7sec to go in regulation, Pacers' David West drove the lane to tie the game at 89. Wade then put the Heat back up by 2 with the easy drive and layup with 42.6sec left. With 20.9sec left, the Pacers threw the ball away and were forced to foul Ray Allen after being down by 2. Allen (shooting 93% in free throws these playoffs) missed the first and made the second to put Miami up by 3. The Pacers were unable to create any offense on their final possession, but Paul George was able to hoist up a 32-foot 3-pter over Lebron, which tied the game with 0.7sec to go. Ray Allen's final shot was off and the game was sent into overtime.

In overtime, George put the Pacers up by 3 with a 3pt play with 2:10 to go. Miami put up 3 3-pters to try to tie the game (2 from Battier, 1 from Bosh), but all missed. On the last attempt, Bosh tipped in the missed 3, and was fouled, then made the ensuing free throw to tie the game with 49.7sec to go. With the game tied, James drove the lane to give the Heat a 2pt lead with 10.8 sec left. The Pacers were down by 2, and again struggled to generate any offense, almost losing the ball at half court to Miami. After escaping the scramble at half-court, George made it to the 3-pt line and missed a 3 with 2.2sec to go, but was fouled by Wade in the process. He calmly hit all 3 free throws to give Indiana a 1pt lead.

Indiana coach Frank Vogul deliberately kept 7"2' Roy Hibbert on the bench, a move that would cost them significantly. On the inbounds, Lebron caught the ball at the 3pt line, changed direction and made a hard drive to his left with no Pacer's defense in the paint. James banked in the lefty layup as the buzzer expired, giving Miami the 1pt lead, and the ball game.

Lebron finished with a triple double (30pts, 10reb, 10ast) for his 9th career playoff triple double. Dwayne Wade scored 19pts, Bosh 17pts and Chris Andersen 16pts (7-of-7 field goals). Mario Chalmers left the game with a shoulder injury and did not return, but expects to play in game 2. Pacers' Paul George scored 26pts, West 26pts and Hibbert had 19pts.

Last year Miami were down 2-1 against the Pacers, only to rally back to win the next 3.

2013 NBA Playoff Round 3 - Game Day 2

MEM (5) @ SAS (2)

The Spurs won their second straight at home to go up 2-0 against the Grizzlies. The Spurs accrued a double-digit lead in the 2nd qtr, only have the Grizzles go on a 15-2 run with 8min left to send the game to overtime. With the Spurs leading by 4, Manu Ginobili was called for a flagrant foul for pulling down Tony Allen on a fast-break layup. Tony Allen hit both free throws, then Mike Conley hit a runner with 18.2sec left to tie the game.

Tony Parker had 15pts and 18asts (career playoff-high). Tim Duncan had 17pts, including 6 in overtime.

Memphis has trailed in each of their 3 series these playoffs, including winning 4 straight after losing the first 2 games on the road to the Clippers in the first round. Game 3 shifts to Memphis.

2013 NBA Playoff Round 3 - Game Day 1

MEM (5) @ SAS (2)

San Antonio won game 1 of the Western Conference Finals at home against the Grizzlies by 22pts. After building a 17pt 1st qtr lead, Memphis cut it to 6 in the 2nd half. Up by 21pts and with the game out of reach with 5min to go, both teams subbed out their starters.

Tony Parker scored 20pts, 9 ast. Memphis' Zach Randolph struggled with 2pts (1-of-8 field goals). Quincy Pondexter scored 17pts (including 5 3-pters).

San Antonio hit a franchise playoff record 14 3-pters. 

2013 NBA Playoff Round 2 - Game Day 12

NYK (2) @ IND (3) - Game 6

Indiana beat the Knicks in Indiana, and move on to face Miami in the Eastern Conference Finals. After Indiana's Roy Hibbert blocked Carmelo's dunk attempt halfway through the 4th quarter, Indiana went from a 2pt deficit to a 7 point lead behind an 11-2 run.

Carmelo scored 39pts, but only 4pts in the 4th quarter. Knicks' Iman Shumert added 19pts on 5 3-pters. Indiana's Lance Stephenson recorded a career-high 25pts.

2013 NBA Playoff Round 2 - Game Day 11

IND (3) @ NYK (2) - Game 5

The Knicks avoided elimination at home against the Pacers, and now trail 3-2. 

Carmelo scored 28pts. Pacers' Paul George had 23pts, 6reb, 6ast. George Hill did not play due to a concussion.

Sixth Man of the Year JR Smith has struggled in this series. Rihanna said that this is because he was out partying with her the night before game day, and was still hungover.

Video – Game Recap:

http://www.nba.com/video/channels/playoffs/2013/05/16/0041200215-ind-nyk-recap.nba

SAS(2) @ GSW (6) - Game 6

The Spurs win on the road against Golden State to progress to the Western Conference Finals. The Spurs held a 13pt lead in the 3rd, which dwindled down to as little as 2. But the Spurs made 3 triples in a 17-7 run to end GSW's hopes.

Stephen Curry scored a game-high 22pts, still on a nagging ankle injury.

Video – Game Recap:

http://www.nba.com/video/channels/playoffs/2013/05/16/0041200236-sas-gsw-recap.nba/index.html

2013 NBA Playoff Round 2 - Game Day 10

CHI (5) @ MIA (1) - Game 5

Miami beat Chicago in Miami to progress to the Eastern Conference Finals for the 3^rd year in a row. They blew an early 18pt lead, and trailed by 11 with 1:50 to go in the 3rd (a 29pt swing), but clawed their way back for a 3pt win.

Dwayne Wade was questionable before the game with a knee bone bruise, but in the 4^th quarter he excelled with a sequence of a blocked shot, defensive rebound, offensive rebound and putback slam in a span of 45sec. Wade ended with 18pts and Lebron had 23pts, 8reb, 7ast.  Bulls’ Carlos Boozer finished with 26pt, 14reb.

Miami will face the winner of NYK/IND, with Indiana holding a 3-1 lead. Miami has only lost 1 of its 9 playoff games, but are 2-5 against the Knicks and Pacers combined.

Video – Game Recap:

http://www.nba.com/video/channels/playoffs/2013/05/15/0041200205-chi-mia-recap.nba/index.html

MEM (5) @ OKC (1) - Game 5

OKC trailed by 12pts with 3:00 to go in the 4^th. Reggie Jackson hit a 3-pter with 14sec to go to bring OKC within 2. Zach Randolph was fouled and missed both free throws, but Kevin Durant missed the potential game-tying jumper with 6 seconds left.

Durant played all 48min but struggled all night, scoring 21pts on only 5-of-21 field goals, his 3^rd worst playoff game in his career. Memphis’ Zach Randolph had 28pts, 14reb.

After making last year’s finals, OKC lost 2 of its big 3 (Harden traded to Rockets, Westbrook injured) and make an early exit in the 2^nd round. OKC went 3-6 in the playoffs without Westbrook. The Grizzlies will progress to the Western Conference Finals for the first time, and will play the winner of SAS/GSW, with the Spurs holding a 3-2 advantage.

Video – Game Recap:

http://www.nba.com/video/channels/playoffs/2013/05/15/0041200225-mem-okc-recap.nba/index.html

2013 NBA Playoff Round 2 - Game Day 9

NYK (2) @ IND (3) – Game 4

The Pacers won at home against the Knicks to go up 3-1 in the series. New York never led throughout the game.

NY’s Carmelo scored 24pts but fouled out with 2min left, behind held scoreless in the last 12min. JR Smith added 19pts. Pacers’ George Hill scored 26pts, and Paul George added 18pts, 14reb, 7ast.

NY is now 0-4 in Indiana this season. Indiana has won 5 of its last 6, including all 5 home games by double digits. NY has lost 5 of its last 7. Game 5 will be played in NY’s Madison Square Garden.

Video – Game Recap:

http://www.nba.com/video/channels/playoffs/2013/05/14/0041200214-nyk-ind-recap.nba/index.html

GSW (6) @ SAS (2) – Game 5

At home, the Spurs go up 3-2 against Golden State. The Spurs took the lead for good after the first 6min of the 1st qtr.

Spurs’ Tony Parker had 25pts, 10ast. GSW’s Harrison Barnes, who was named to this year’s All-Rookie first team, scored 25pts (after scoring 26pts in game 4), and Jarrett Jack had 20pts. Stephen Curry was held to only 9pts on a sore ankle.

The Spurs are one win away from progressing to the western conference finals, which would be the 12^th time in Spurs history.

Video – Game Recap:

http://www.nba.com/video/channels/playoffs/2013/05/14/0041200234-gsw-sas-recap.nba/index.html

2013 NBA Playoff Round 2 - Game Day 8

MIA (1) @ CHI (5) – Game 4

Miami blitzed the Bulls by 23pts to take an insurmountable 3-1 series lead. After losing their first game at home, Miami has won 3-in-a-row including 2 on the road. Chicago only scored 65pts on 25.7% field goal shooting (including 2-of-17 3-pters), both of which are their all-time playoff low. They also only managed to score 9pts (2-of-13 field goals) in the 3^rd qtr, after having never scored less than 10pts in any quarter in Bulls’ playoff history.

Lebron scored a game-high 27pts, along with 7reb, 8ast. Chris Bosh scored 14pts, and was the only other Heat player who scored double figures. Bulls’ Nate Robinson struggled, missing all 12 shots and finishing with zero points.

Miami has a chance to eliminate the Bulls when they return to Miami in game 5.

Video - Game Recap:

http://www.nba.com/video/channels/playoffs/2013/05/13/0041200204-mia-chi-recap.nba/index.html

OKC (1) @ MEM (5) – Game 4

Memphis won at home to take a 3-1 series lead over OKC in overtime. 2 years ago, Memphis was up 2-1 against OKC, blew a large first half lead and lost the game (in 3 overtimes) and eventually the series to OKC. In this game, the Thunder lost their leads of 17 at the half, and 12 in the 3^rd quarter, as Memphis rallied for the 3-1 series lead after one overtime. The Thunder shot 54% from the field in the first half, but only 37.5% in the second half. KD scored on a layup with 10.9sec left in the 4^th qtr to tie it at 94-94, and Grizzlies’ Randolph had his fadeaway jumper blocked by Serge Ibaka on the other end at the buzzer, sending the game into overtime. OKC only scored 3pts (1-of-8 field goals) in overtime.

Kevin Durant scored 27pts, and is the current scoring leader in the playoffs. However Durant (still without Russell Westbrook) played 48min and struggled on 2-of-13 field goals in the 4^th qtr and overtime.

Memphis’ Mike Conley scored 24pts, Zach Randolph had 23pts, 12reb and Marc Gasol had 23pts, 11reb, 6blk.

Memphis is undefeated at home in these playoffs, and have won 19-1 at home dating back to Feb 8. Memphis lost game 1 to OKC, but have since won 3-in-a-row by 6pts each, and have also won 7 of their last 8 playoff games. The Grizzlies have also won the game 11 times after trailing by at least 17pts (dating back to 2009-10), the most in the NBA since that time. Memphis has a chance to progress to the Western Conference Finals with a game 5 road win against OKC – last year’s Western Conference champions. They have only won 2 playoff series in their (short) history – the Grizzlies team used to be in Vancouver.

Video - Game Recap:

http://www.nba.com/video/channels/playoffs/2013/05/13/0041200224-okc-mem-recap.nba/index.html

2013 NBA Playoff Round 2 - Game Day 7

SAS (2) @ GSW (6) – Game 4

The warriors evened the series at 2-2 at home, beating the Spurs by 10 in overtime. GSW rallied back from down 8pts in the last 5min, then went on a 9-0 run at the start of overtime to put away the Spurs. Golden State and the San Antonio both struggled offensively, shooting 38 and 35.5% from the field respectively. GSW did not commit a turnover from the end of the 3rd qtr onwards.

Stephen Curry, still nursing a sore ankle, recorded 22pts (5-of-10 3pters). GSW rookie Harrison Barnes scored a career-high 26pts (11pts in the 4th qtr and OT) and Jarrett Jack added 24pts. Spurs’ Manu Ginobili scored 21pts, and Tim Duncan 19pts, 15reb, his 142nd career playoff double-double (tied with Shaq for 3rd in NBA history).

Game 4 marked the first time that Golden State had won 2 games after the first round since 1977. It was also the first game that went to overtime since Golden State moved its arena to the Bay Area. Game 5 returns to San Antonio, and Game 6 will be in Golden State. Game 7 (if needed) will be in San Antonio.

2013 NBA Playoff Round 2 - Game Day 6

OKC (1) @ MEM (5) – Game 3

The Grizzlies kept homecourt advantage and remain unbeaten at home in the playoffs (4-0 in the playoffs and 18-1 at home since Feb 8^th), hanging on for a 6pt victory against the Thunder. The score was tied by a 3-pter from OKC’s Derek Fisher with 1:58 left, but the Grizzlies’ made all 6 of their free throws in the final 1:03 to seal the game.

KD scored 25pts, 11reb but struggled in the 4^th qtr scoring only 2pts, and missing 2 free throws with 39.3 sec left in the game. Durant has now scored at least 20pts in his last 35 straightplayoff games. OKC’s Reggie Jackson added 16pts and a career-high 10reb, including a fastbreak layup where he dribbled behind his back and skipped right over a falling defender. OKC’s Ibaka scored zero field goals in the 1^st qtr (a streak that he is maintained throughout this series), and also missed 2 dunks in the first half. Grizzlies’ Gasol had 20pts, with 16 of those coming in the 2^nd half.

Video - Game Recap:

http://www.nba.com/video/channels/playoffs/2013/05/11/0041200223-okc-mem-recap.nba

NYK (2) @ IND (3) – Game 3

 

The Pacers also retained homecourt advantage and also remain unbeated at home in the playoffs (4-0), beating their road teams by an average of 16.5pts.

The Knicks trailed for almost the entire game, but could not catch up to the Pacers. New York is now 0-3 on Indiana’s home court this season. The Pacers won with great defense, as the 3-pt shooting Knicks could only capitalise on 3-of-11 3-pters.

Carmelo scored 21pts, with no other Knick scoring in double figures. Amare Stoudemire returned after not playing for 2mths due to injury, but only played 9min scoring 7pts including a 3pt buzzer-beater at end of the 3^rd qtr. “Sixth Man of the Year” J.R. Smith scored only 9pts after recovering from the flu. Jason Kidd was held scoreless for the 7^th straight game.

Pacers’ Roy Hibbert finished with 24pts (his playoff career high), 12reb, and Paul George backed him up with 14pt, 8reb, 8ast.

All series are now at 2-1. The lower-seeded Bulls and Warriors have a chance to tie the series at 2-2 by winning their next game at home, whereas the lower-seeded Pacers and Grizzlies can each take a commanding 3-1 series lead if they win their next home game.

Video - Game Recap:

http://www.nba.com/video/channels/playoffs/2013/05/11/0041200213-nyk-ind-recap.nba

2013 NBA Playoff Round 2 - Game Day 5

CHI (5) @ MIA (1) – Game 3

Miami regained home court advantage by beating the Bulls by 10pts on the Bulls’ home floor. After game 2 which was full of technical fouls, game 3 would continue to be a slugfest as the tone was set after neither team shook hands before the game. Early in the 2^nd quarter, Lebron was given a 2-handed shove by Bulls’ Nazr Mohammed after a dead ball, earning him an ejection. The Bulls picked up two technical fouls, and the Heat one.

The game was close throughout, with the Bulls only down by 2 with 4min to go. Heats’ Cole and Lebron each hit a 3-pter, with Lebron giving the dagger with a 3-pt play. Lebron struggled from the field early, and was blocked on a fastbreak layup by Nate Robinson. He finished with 25pts, 8reb, 7ast, including 12pts in the 4^th quarter. Bosh added 20pts and 19reb, and bench player Norris Cole shot 6-of-7 from the field, hitting all 3 3-pters and tying his playoff high of 18pts (his second straight). Cole has hit his last 7 3-pters, and is 16-of-20 from the field in this series.

Bulls’ legend Scottie Pippen attended the game and presented the game ball before tipoff.

Quote from Bulls’ Nate Robinson:

"Nazr is a quiet guy. It's the quiet ones you have to worry about."

Video - Game Recap:

http://www.nba.com/video/channels/playoffs/2013/05/10/0041200203-mia-chi-recap.nba/index.html

GSW (6) @ SAS (2) – Game 3

The Spurs also regained home court advantage by beating GSW by 10pts, giving Golden State its first home loss in the playoffs.  Golden State’s raucous crowd reached noise levels of at least 110 decibals (as loud as a power saw), but the experienced Spurs were still able to win on the road.

Tony Parker had 25pts (11-of-14 from the field) at the half, including a ridiculous flip bankshot whilst falling down from a foul, and finished with 32pts, 5reb, 5ast. Tim Duncan added 23pts, 10reb. Duncan received a technical foul for shoving Andrew Bogut, after being dunked on by Bogut. Spurs’ coach Popovich made good on his quote that Curry and Thompson would have an off-game, as each scored only 16 and 17pts respectively. Curry, who injured his ankle in the last series, injured his ankle again with around 5min to go, but would stay in the game. He is questionable for game 4.

Video - Game Recap:

http://www.nba.com/video/channels/playoffs/2013/05/10/0041200233-sas-gsw-recap.nba/index.html

2013 NBA Playoff Round 2 - Game Day 4

CHI (5) @ MIA (1) – Game 2

Miami bounced back with a game 2 win at home against the Bulls, blowing them out by 37pts – the biggest playoff win in Heat history, and biggest playoff loss in Bulls history. The game was close for the first 20min, until the Heat took over with an incredible 62-20 run, leading by as many as 46pts. Miami set playoff highs in field goal percentage (60%), 3-pt percentage (50%), second-half pts (60), bench points (55), points in the paint (56), fastbreak points (20) and points off turnovers (28).

The game featured 9 technical fouls and 2 ejections (Bulls’s Joakim Noah and Taj Gibson), with the Bulls picking up 6 of those technicals – tied for most by any team in a playoff game, whilst the Heat had a season-high 3 technicals.

James made his first 6 shots en route to 19pts, 9asts despite not scoring in the 2^nd half. Heat’s Ray Allen top-scored with 21pts in 19min off the bench.

Video - Game Recap:

http://www.nba.com/video/channels/playoffs/2013/05/09/0041200202-chi-mia-recap.nba

GSW (6) @ SAS (2) – Game 2

Golden State accomplished what they should have done in game 1 – win on the road to steal home court advantage from the Spurs. With the win, they ended the Spurs 5-game winning streak, giving them their first loss in these playoffs.

The inexperienced GSW blew a 16pt lead with 4min to go in Game 1, the first team ever to do so in a playoff game. GSW was up 20pts in today’s game, but the Spurs could only cut the lead down to 6.

Golden State’s Klay Thompson scored a career-high 34pts (with 8-of-9 3-pters) and added 14reb. The most 3-pters in playoff game history is 9. He scored 29pts in the first half (7-of-8 3-pters), with 17pts coming in the 2^nd quarter alone (5-of-6 3-pters). Curry, who scored 44pts in game 1, finished with 22pts.

Quote from Spurs’ coach Greg Popovich:

"I thought it was polite of (Curry and Thompson) to at least take turns and not both be on fire on the same night," Popovich said. "Maybe the next iteration (of that) will be neither one of them will be hot in Game 3, that's what I'm hoping."

Video - Game Recap:

http://www.nba.com/video/channels/playoffs/2013/05/08/0041200232-gsw-sas-recap.nba

Tomorrow no games are scheduled. All 4 series are tied 1-1, with the lower-seeded teams (Warriors, Bulls, Pacers and Grizzlies) having stolen home court advantage. They can win the series by winning all 3 of their remaining 3 home games, without needing to win on the road again. All series now shift to the lower-seeded team’s home court where they will play games 3 and 4.

2013 NBA Playoff Round 2 - Game Day 3

IND (3) @ NYK (2) – Game 2

The Knicks blew out the Pacers to even the series in game 2 at Madison Square Garden, winning by 26pts behind a 36-4 run, including 20 straight points. Knicks' Carmelo Anthony scored 16pts during the run and finished with 32pts, 9rebounds. The Pacers finished with 21 turnovers leading to 32pts by the Knicks, whilst New York only committed 6 turnovers. Game 3 shifts to Indiana.

Reggie Miller returned to Madison Square Garden for today's game as a TNT (TV network) analyst. Exactly 18 years ago, the Pacer's Reggie Miller famously defeated the Knicks by scoring 8pts in a span of 9sec after being down 6 with 18.7sec left in the game:

Video - Game Recap:

http://watch.nba.com/nba/video/channels/playoffs/2013/05/07/0041200212-ind-nyk-recap.nba

MEM (5) @ OKC (1) – Game 2

The Grizzlies won game 2 in OKC to steal home court advantage. Grizzlies' Mike Conley and OKC's Kevin Durant both finished 1 assist shy of a triple double - Conley (26pts, 10reb, 9ast), Durant (36pts, 11reb, 9ast). Conley is the first player since 1999 to record at least 13pts, 7reb, 2ast in the 4th qtr of a playoff game. He is also just the 4th player in the last 25yrs to record at least 26pts, 10reb, 9ast in a playoff road win (the others being Lebron James, Michael Jordan and Baron Davis).

Neither team led by more than 7pts during the game. It was the 112th consecutive sellout crowd in OKC's Chesapeake Energy Arena. Game 3 shifts to Memphis.

Video - Game Recap:

http://www.nba.com/video/channels/playoffs/2013/05/07/0041200222-mem-okc-recap.nba/index.html

2013 NBA Playoff Round 2 - Game Day 1

The Pacers stole home court advantage from the Knicks, beating them in Madison Square Garden. Carmelo scored 27pts but was forced to sit out early after getting into foul trouble. The Knicks and Pacers have squared off against each other 6 times in the playoffs, and both have won 3 times each. The Knicks have failed to win a playoff series 5 times after losing game 1 at home, the last time was also to the Pacers.

OKC beat the Grizzlies in OKC, winning by 2pts. Down by 1, Derek Fisher stole the ball and Kevin Durant hit the go-ahead jumper in transition, giving him a game high 35pts. He also had 15 rebounds and 6 assists, becoming the first Thunder/Sonics player to record 35/15/5 in a playoff game. Grizzlies’ Quincy Pondexter was fouled shooting a 3-pter and had a chance to tie with 3 free throws, but missed his first. OKC’s Kevin Martin finished with 25pts. OKC missed its first 10 shots, as both teams combined for only 30pts in the first quarter, followed by 63pts in the second.