Tales from the front office

[daltontr]

PLAYOFFS (2 Round)

ROUND 2/GAME 3
Bulls 112, 76ers 115 (United Center)

An epic battle from the tip, the Bulls and Sixers traded the lead 40 times and the game was tied 20 times. Neither team led by more than six points and it all came down to who had the ball last. Unfortunately for the Bulls, it was Philadelphia who took the last shot and Josh Richardson buried a long range three as time ran out and the Sixers took game three. Kyrie Irving led the Bulls with 33 points and 14 assists, but it was 76ers big man, Joel Embiid, who was named the player of the game after pouring in 36 points and grabbing 18 rebounds. It truely was an epic game and although it probably won't be remembered, as it was game three of a seven game series, it may have been the game that turned the series back in Philadelphia's favor for good.


PLAYOFF TREE
EASTERN CONFERENCE

Code: Select all

     GAME 1     |    GAME 2   |    GAME 3   |    GAME 4   |    GAME 5   |    GAME 6   |    GAME 7   |
(1) PHI-109 (0) | PHI-135 (1) | PHI-115 (2) |
(4) CHI-117 (1) | CHI-129 (1) | CHI-112 (1) |

(6) BOS-120 (1) | BOS- 94 (1) | BOS-121 (2) |
(2) NYK- 99 (0) | NYK-124 (1) | NYK-103 (1) |

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Code: Select all

     GAME 1     |    GAME 2   |    GAME 3   |    GAME 4   |    GAME 5   |    GAME 6   |    GAME 7   |
(1) LAL-121 (1) | LAL-120 (2) | LAL-114 (3) |
(5) UTA-102 (0) | UTA-110 (0) | UTA-104 (0) | 

(3) GSW-114 (1) | GSW-121 (2) | GSW-106 (3) |
(7) LAC-101 (0) | LAC-110 (0) | LAC- 98 (0) |


---------------------

[daltontr]

PLAYOFFS (2 Round)

ROUND 2/GAME 4
Bulls 98, 76ers 81 (United Center)

If the last two games were run and gun affairs, game three was a defensive slug fest. Neither team shot particularly well, but it was the Bulls tremendous defense that held the Sixers to 31 of 88 from the field and 5 of 34 from the three point line. Kyrie Irvings 24 points led all scorers and despite the Sixers shooting twice as many free throws, the Bulls never trailed after the first period. The series now shifts back to Philadelphia, with the series tied two games a piece.

PLAYOFF TREE
EASTERN CONFERENCE

Code: Select all

     GAME 1     |    GAME 2   |    GAME 3   |    GAME 4   |    GAME 5   |    GAME 6   |    GAME 7   |
(1) PHI-109 (0) | PHI-135 (1) | PHI-115 (2) | PHI- 81 (2) |
(4) CHI-117 (1) | CHI-129 (1) | CHI-112 (1) | CHI- 98 (2) |

(6) BOS-120 (1) | BOS- 94 (1) | BOS-121 (2) | BOS-121 (3) |
(2) NYK- 99 (0) | NYK-124 (1) | NYK-103 (1) | NYK-103 (1) |

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Code: Select all

     GAME 1     |    GAME 2   |    GAME 3   |    GAME 4   |    GAME 5   |    GAME 6   |    GAME 7   |
(1) LAL-121 (1) | LAL-120 (2) | LAL-114 (3) | LAL-106 (3) |
(5) UTA-102 (0) | UTA-110 (0) | UTA-104 (0) | UTA-116 (1) |

(3) GSW-114 (1) | GSW-121 (2) | GSW-106 (3) | GSW-108 (4) |
(7) LAC-101 (0) | LAC-110 (0) | LAC- 98 (0) | LAC-102 (0) |

---------------------

[daltontr]

PLAYOFFS (2 Round)

ROUND 2/GAME 5
76ers 100, Bulls 94 (Wells Fargo Center)

Joel Embiid is virtually unstoppable. Embiid led all scorers with 23 points, but it was his 25 rebounds that made the difference in the game. It also didn't hurt that all five starters for the 76ers were in double figures. For the Bulls, it was once again Kyrie Irving leading the way with 22 points, but the Bulls only shot 36% from the field and went 9 of 34 from three. It was certainly a game the Bulls could have won, but the Sixers were just a little bit better in every category. If the Bulls want to extend this series to a game seven, they are going to have to get better production from the supporting cast, because Kyrie simply can't do it alone.

As it stands, this is the only series left to be decided. The Warriors swept the Clippers in four and the Celtics and Lakers both clinched their respective series four games to one.


PLAYOFF TREE
EASTERN CONFERENCE

Code: Select all

     GAME 1     |    GAME 2   |    GAME 3   |    GAME 4   |    GAME 5   |    GAME 6   |    GAME 7   |
(1) PHI-109 (0) | PHI-135 (1) | PHI-115 (2) | PHI- 81 (2) | PHI-100 (3) |
(4) CHI-117 (1) | CHI-129 (1) | CHI-112 (1) | CHI- 98 (2) | CHI- 94 (2) |

(6) BOS-120 (1) | BOS- 94 (1) | BOS-121 (2) | BOS-121 (3) | BOS-133 (4) |
(2) NYK- 99 (0) | NYK-124 (1) | NYK-103 (1) | NYK-103 (1) | NYK-121 (1) |

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Code: Select all

     GAME 1     |    GAME 2   |    GAME 3   |    GAME 4   |    GAME 5   |    GAME 6   |    GAME 7   |
(1) LAL-121 (1) | LAL-120 (2) | LAL-114 (3) | LAL-106 (3) | LAL-132 (4) |
(5) UTA-102 (0) | UTA-110 (0) | UTA-104 (0) | UTA-116 (1) | UTA-120 (1) |

(3) GSW-114 (1) | GSW-121 (2) | GSW-106 (3) | GSW-108 (4) |
(7) LAC-101 (0) | LAC-110 (0) | LAC- 98 (0) | LAC-102 (0) |

---------------------

[daltontr]

PLAYOFFS (2 Round)

ROUND 2/GAME 6
Bulls 108, 76ers 97 (United Center)

Joel Embiid scored 40 points, but it was Kyrie Irving who took player of the game honors. Kyrie only scored 27 points, but he shot 50% from the field and from three and was a perfect 12 of 12 from the free throw line. This was also the first game in the series that the Bulls shot more free throws than the Sixers. The Bulls was a near perfect 30-31 from the free throw line, while the 76ers were 14 of 18 from the charity stripe. As mentioned previously, the Bulls were going to need help from the supporting cast and they got it. Lou Williams contributed 23 points and Jaren Jackson 22 points to help carry the Bulls to a game seven. The series now moves back to Philadelphia and although I believe the Sixers will have a decided home court advantage, if the Bulls can continue to get scoring from Jackson and Williams, they could steal game seven from the heavily favored Sixers.

PLAYOFF TREE
EASTERN CONFERENCE

Code: Select all

     GAME 1     |    GAME 2   |    GAME 3   |    GAME 4   |    GAME 5   |    GAME 6   |    GAME 7   |
(1) PHI-109 (0) | PHI-135 (1) | PHI-115 (2) | PHI- 81 (2) | PHI-100 (3) | PHI- 97 (3) |
(4) CHI-117 (1) | CHI-129 (1) | CHI-112 (1) | CHI- 98 (2) | CHI- 94 (2) | CHI-108 (3) |

(6) BOS-120 (1) | BOS- 94 (1) | BOS-121 (2) | BOS-121 (3) | BOS-133 (4) |
(2) NYK- 99 (0) | NYK-124 (1) | NYK-103 (1) | NYK-103 (1) | NYK-121 (1) |

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Code: Select all

     GAME 1     |    GAME 2   |    GAME 3   |    GAME 4   |    GAME 5   |    GAME 6   |    GAME 7   |
(1) LAL-121 (1) | LAL-120 (2) | LAL-114 (3) | LAL-106 (3) | LAL-132 (4) |
(5) UTA-102 (0) | UTA-110 (0) | UTA-104 (0) | UTA-116 (1) | UTA-120 (1) |

(3) GSW-114 (1) | GSW-121 (2) | GSW-106 (3) | GSW-108 (4) |
(7) LAC-101 (0) | LAC-110 (0) | LAC- 98 (0) | LAC-102 (0) |

---------------------

[daltontr]

PLAYOFFS (2 Round)

ROUND 2/GAME 6
76ers 121, Bulls 128 (Wells Fargo Center)

Game three of the series was certainly epic, but this game will go down in history as one of the greatest of all time. This was a game that featured all ten starters, on both teams, in double figures and each team shot in excess of 50% from the field. However, that's not how this game will be remembered. History will remember this game as one of the greatest game seven performances of all time. There is no denying that Joel Embiid was great and he was a mere single assist from scoring a triple double, but it was Kyrie Irving who stole the show with an NBA record 52 points, 9 assists and 9 rebounds. Kyrie's 52 points broke the previous NBA game seven record of 47 points, previously shared by Dominique Wilkins (88') and Sam Jones (63'). With the victory the Bulls advance to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2010 and will now face the Boston Celtics for an opportunity to play for an NBA title.

PLAYOFF TREE
EASTERN CONFERENCE

Code: Select all

     GAME 1     |    GAME 2   |    GAME 3   |    GAME 4   |    GAME 5   |    GAME 6   |    GAME 7   |
(1) PHI-109 (0) | PHI-135 (1) | PHI-115 (2) | PHI- 81 (2) | PHI-100 (3) | PHI- 97 (3) | PHI-121 (3) |
(4) CHI-117 (1) | CHI-129 (1) | CHI-112 (1) | CHI- 98 (2) | CHI- 94 (2) | CHI-108 (3) | CHI-128 (4) |

(6) BOS-120 (1) | BOS- 94 (1) | BOS-121 (2) | BOS-121 (3) | BOS-133 (4) |
(2) NYK- 99 (0) | NYK-124 (1) | NYK-103 (1) | NYK-103 (1) | NYK-121 (1) |

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Code: Select all

     GAME 1     |    GAME 2   |    GAME 3   |    GAME 4   |    GAME 5   |    GAME 6   |    GAME 7   |
(1) LAL-121 (1) | LAL-120 (2) | LAL-114 (3) | LAL-106 (3) | LAL-132 (4) |
(5) UTA-102 (0) | UTA-110 (0) | UTA-104 (0) | UTA-116 (1) | UTA-120 (1) |

(3) GSW-114 (1) | GSW-121 (2) | GSW-106 (3) | GSW-108 (4) |
(7) LAC-101 (0) | LAC-110 (0) | LAC- 98 (0) | LAC-102 (0) |

---------------------

[daltontr]

PLAYOFFS (CONFERENCE FINALS)

GAME 1
Bulls 134, Celtics 121 (United Center)

The Celtics shot 57% from the field and Kemba Walker scored 50 points, but it was not enough as the Bulls easily took game one of the Eastern Conference finals 134-121. Kyrie Irving led the Bulls with 32 points, but he had a lot of support, as seven players scored in double figures for the Bulls. In the Western Conference, Anthony Davis led the LeBron-less Lakers to a 115-105 victory, scoring 38 points and grabbing 17 rebounds. LeBron is still nursing a calf injury, but is scheduled to return for game four.

PLAYOFF TREE
EASTERN CONFERENCE

Code: Select all

     GAME 1     |    GAME 2   |    GAME 3   |    GAME 4   |    GAME 5   |    GAME 6   |    GAME 7   |
(4) CHI 134 (1) |
(6) BOS 121 (0) |

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Code: Select all

     GAME 1     |    GAME 2   |    GAME 3   |    GAME 4   |    GAME 5   |    GAME 6   |    GAME 7   |
(1) LAL 115 (1) |
(3) GSW 105 (0) |

---------------------

[daltontr]

PLAYOFFS (CONFERENCE FINALS)

GAME 2
Bulls 115, Celtics 97 (United Center)

The Bulls Kyrie Irving recorded a triple-double, with 29 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds in the Bulls convincing 115-97 victory over the Boston Celtics. Kemba Walker scored 37 points for the Celtics, but could only manage 35% shooting from the field and 25% from three. The series now shifts to Boston with the Bulls up two games to none. In the Western Conference, it was once again the Anthony Davis show. Davis put up 39 points, 7 assists and grabbed 25 rebounds in a game that wasn't as close as the score would indicate. The Lakers dominated from the opening tip and were up 52-35 by half time. Steph Curry scored 36 points for the Warriors in defeat and the Lakers lead the series two games to none.

PLAYOFF TREE
EASTERN CONFERENCE

Code: Select all

     GAME 1     |    GAME 2   |    GAME 3   |    GAME 4   |    GAME 5   |    GAME 6   |    GAME 7   |
(4) CHI 134 (1) | CHI 115 (2) |
(6) BOS 121 (0) | BOS  97 (0) |

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Code: Select all

     GAME 1     |    GAME 2   |    GAME 3   |    GAME 4   |    GAME 5   |    GAME 6   |    GAME 7   |
(1) LAL 115 (1) | LAL 104 (2) |
(3) GSW 105 (0) | GSW  93 (0) |

---------------------

[daltontr]

PLAYOFFS (CONFERENCE FINALS)

GAME 3
Celtics 111, Bulls 110 (TD Garden)

Kemba Walker scored 31 points, recorded 10 assists and grabbed 8 rebounds in the Celtics 111-110 victory over the Bulls. The game was close from the start, with Boston heading into half time break with a 56-49 lead. The Bulls closed the game to 86-81 at the end of the third, but fell just a bit short, when Jaren Jackson missed a fifteen foot jumper at the buzzer. Kyrie Irving led the Bulls with 43 points in defeat. In the Western Conference, the Warriors took game three 113-102 on the shoulders of D'Angelo Russells 43 points and nine rebounds. Steph Curry contributed 23 points for Golden State and Anthony Davis led the Lakers with 37 points and 11 rebounds.

PLAYOFF TREE
EASTERN CONFERENCE

Code: Select all

     GAME 1     |    GAME 2   |    GAME 3   |    GAME 4   |    GAME 5   |    GAME 6   |    GAME 7   |
(4) CHI 134 (1) | CHI 115 (2) | CHI 110 (2) |
(6) BOS 121 (0) | BOS  97 (0) | BOS 111 (1) |

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Code: Select all

     GAME 1     |    GAME 2   |    GAME 3   |    GAME 4   |    GAME 5   |    GAME 6   |    GAME 7   |
(1) LAL 115 (1) | LAL 104 (2) | LAL 102 (2) |
(3) GSW 105 (0) | GSW  93 (0) | GSW 113 (1) |


---------------------

[daltontr]

PLAYOFFS (CONFERENCE FINALS)

GAME 4
Celtics 131, Bulls 123 (TD Garden)

Boston's Kemba Walker led all scorers with 36 points and 14 assists in the Celtics 131-123 home victory over the Chicago Bulls. The game was tight through the first three quarters, with the teams exchanging the lead 19 times. However, the Celtics outscored the Bulls 39-30 in the final quarter to knot the series at two games a piece. The series now shifts back to the windy city for game five. Despite LeBron James returning to the Lakers lineup, the Western Conference is also tied at two games each, after Golden State defeated the Lakers 131-116. Golden States D'Angelo Russell led all scorers with 52 points and Steph Curry poured in another 32, as the Warriors shot 62% from the field and 56% from three to tie the series. LeBron James led the Lakers with 31 points and Anthony Davis scored 29 points in defeat.

PLAYOFF TREE
EASTERN CONFERENCE

Code: Select all

     GAME 1     |    GAME 2   |    GAME 3   |    GAME 4   |    GAME 5   |    GAME 6   |    GAME 7   |
(4) CHI 134 (1) | CHI 115 (2) | CHI 110 (2) | CHI 123 (2) |
(6) BOS 121 (0) | BOS  97 (0) | BOS 111 (1) | BOS 131 (2) |

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Code: Select all

     GAME 1     |    GAME 2   |    GAME 3   |    GAME 4   |    GAME 5   |    GAME 6   |    GAME 7   |
(1) LAL 115 (1) | LAL 104 (2) | LAL 102 (2) | LAL 116 (2) |
(3) GSW 105 (0) | GSW  93 (0) | GSW 113 (1) | GSW 131 (2) |

---------------------

[daltontr]

PLAYOFFS (CONFERENCE FINALS)

GAME 5
Bulls 116, Celtics 108 (United Center)

The Celtics Kemba Walker recorded a triple-double, 36 points, 16 assist and 16 rebounds, but like game one, it wasn't enough to over come the Bulls 116-108. Kyrie Irving came close to a triple-double himself, with 32 points, 7 assists and 10 rebounds in the Bulls game five victory. All five Bulls starters were in double figures and Rui Hachimura had his best game of the series, scoring 19 points of his own. Chicago is now only a game away from the NBA Finals. In the Western Conference, the Lakers also are a game away from clinching the series, after defeating the Warriors 128-111. LeBron James and Kyle Kuzma combined for 38 points, but it was Anthony Davis and his 49 points and 14 rebounds that was the difference in the game. Steph Curry scored 32 points in defeat. So far, the home team has won every game in both the Eastern and Western Conference series.

PLAYOFF TREE
EASTERN CONFERENCE

Code: Select all

     GAME 1     |    GAME 2   |    GAME 3   |    GAME 4   |    GAME 5   |    GAME 6   |    GAME 7   |
(4) CHI 134 (1) | CHI 115 (2) | CHI 110 (2) | CHI 123 (2) | CHI 116 (3) |
(6) BOS 121 (0) | BOS  97 (0) | BOS 111 (1) | BOS 131 (2) | BOS 108 (2) |

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Code: Select all

     GAME 1     |    GAME 2   |    GAME 3   |    GAME 4   |    GAME 5   |    GAME 6   |    GAME 7   |
(1) LAL 115 (1) | LAL 104 (2) | LAL 102 (2) | LAL 116 (2) | LAL 128 (3) |
(3) GSW 105 (0) | GSW  93 (0) | GSW 113 (1) | GSW 131 (2) | GSW 111 (2) |

---------------------