When the L.A. Clippers cruised to an early 3-1 lead in the Western Conference semi-finals it seemed as though it was all over and we were going to see an the L.A. vs L.A. Conference Final that everyone was predicting. They were the number 1 and number 2 seed so it was expected. Then the Nuggets defied all odds and also the Vegas lines big time by winning 3 straight. There are very few instances in the history of the NBA - only 11 times total.
The crazy thing about the Denver Nuggets is that they are the team that most recently pulled off a series win after going down 1-3 and they did it in the last series they were involved in which was also this year against the Utah Jazz. Never before in history has any team ever come back from 1-3 to win their series back-to-back. I would imagine that is a scary record to hold and it will probably not happen again for quite some time. I think that most teams would rather go ahead and get it over with if they are capable of winning.
The really crazy thing about them pulling this off twice in a row is that there was no major injury or shift in lineup against either of their opponents, Denver simply got a lot better as the series went on. In their most recent game, they dominated the Clippers in the second half, outscoring them 50-33 and handily won what appeared to be an easy game and win the series 4-3.
Over in the East, Miami continues to surprise everyone when they not only swept their first round 4-0, but then went on to make the number 1 seed and favorites to win the entire tournament, Milwaukee Bucks, look like amateurs when they dismantled them game after game to win that series 4-1.
Now we find ourselves in a similar situation with Heat vs. Celtics. The Miami side has won 2 straight. Granted, there has been no domination here the likes of which we say vs the Bucks, especially when you consider that in game 2 Boston looked like they had complete control. Then Miami came out of locker room and went on to score 37 points in the 3rd and outscore Boston by 20 points in the quarter. It is difficult for any team to lose when they have that sort of momentum.
The thing that is most impressive about Miami (to me) is that there doesn't seem to be a standout player or a "go to" guy. Everyone in their starting 5 is capable of scoring from just about anywhere and with the exception of Goran Dragic (the center,) everyone is dangerous from 3-point land. Jimmy Butler is largely looked upon as being the "best" player for the Heat and he was even off his game a bit in game 2.
For me on a personal level, I would like to see the Celtics win a few and make a game out of this series at least and if they can get their defense sorted out to prevent being outscored by 20 in a single quarter I think that this can happen. I do like a good underdog story though, and Miami certainly is that since they entered the tournament not expected to exit the first stage against Indiana, who they convincingly swept 4-0.
So that is where we stand now and I am just hoping that Denver can keep the magic alive over in the West because I would really prefer that the Lakers not win this thing but I would be just as happy to see them defeated by any of the other teams and this has everything to do with me being a little sick of King James' mouth.