2016 NBA Playoff Round 1 - Game Day 9

The Spurs won by 21 to sweep the Grizzlies 4-0 in the first round - their 9th sweep in franchise history, led by Kawhi's 21pts. The Spurs will be matched up against the winner of the OKC/Dallas series in the 2nd round.

Curry returned from a sprained right ankle injury to play game 4, but would leave the game late in the first half after sliding and spraining his right knee. He did not return, but the Warriors would go on to win the game by 27, hitting a playoff record 21 3-pters in the game, including 8 in the 3rd qtr. Klay scored 23pts and Iguodala had a season-high 22pts. Curry finished with only 6pts on 2-of-9 shooting, and 5 turnovers.

The Celtics won at home to tie the series with Atlanta at 2-2. Atlanta's Millsap scored a career playoff high 45pts, including 26pts in the first half. It was a close game in the first half until the Hawks pulled away with a 14-0 run in q3, putting them up by 16. But Boston closed to within 3 to end the quarter by scoring 8 straight points. In the 4th quarter, Atlanta were down by 4 with 50sec left, and were able to take a 2 point lead after back-to-back 3-pters from Jeff Teague. Isiah Thomas was then able to drive down the lane for a layup between two defenders to tie the game with 15sec left. On the last possession, Teague dribbled down the clock but threw the ball away whilst trying to get off a contested shot. In overtime, Teague hit another 3-pter to get Atlanta within 1, but they were unable to score again. With Boston up by 4, Thomas put the game out of reach by hitting a corner 3-pter with 30sec left, giving him 28pts for the game.

The Cavaliers swept the Detroit Pistons by winning game 4, which was a close game throughout - with each quarter being decided by only 4pts or less. The game would have been tied entering into the 4th quarter, but Kyrie Irving was able to hit a shot from half-court to give the Cavs a 3 point lead.
Irving also hit a 3-pter to give the Cavs a 4 point lead with 42sec left. Detroit would stay in the game and had a chance to tie or win the game whilst down 2 with 10sec left. Reggie Jackson dribbled the ball up the court and was defended by Irving. Irving hounded him on defense, and Reggie missed a 3-pter at the buzzer, pleading for a foul afterwards whilst Irving waved goodbye to the Detroit fans. Irving scored 20 of his 31pts in the 2nd half and combine with Lebron to score 53pts. The Cavs will get up to a week's rest as they await the winner of the Atlanta/Boston series.

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