NBA ‘Offs Update

Half (four) of the NBA prelims are over, one, almost shockingly and certainly annoying, has gone “7”, it being Celtics/Sixers for a 11th decisive game, counting two when Philly played as the Syracuse Nationals, while three stand (3-2).

On an incredible, I would think unprecedented (anyone looking it up, please write/type in–oh typing an elective in high school, now look–I would rather it had been trigonometry that did a virtual “180” in importance) night where all 3 active Minnesota teams played simultaneously at times, in ‘offs tilts, the “Wolves” starting significantly later but at the beginning simultaneously, 6’d the Denver Nuggets, preceded by the “Wild” doing same to the Dallas Stars, once the Minnesota North Stars. Topping it off in baseball’s lone night game the Twins made Minne (3-0) winning a mere “reg” game vs Seattle.

In resounding fashion, the New York Knicks often led by fifty points plus and won by such a margin (140-89) to eliminate the Atlanta Hawks in 6 games, the two Knicks losses by one point, and in these times of no income, boy do they loom.

Meanwhile, though Philly is no slouch with a healthy Joel Embid, could their road get major “paving,” as the Sixers, though still pretty big underdogs, get a crack (Liberty Bell, however, while they hype the “250,” at least think about awful things perpetrated by ….) at ending a 6 series loss skein vs Boston.

Best in the West

The two best teams, each in the almost exponentially better Western Conference, the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs won their prelims in respectively 4 straight vs Phoenix (Suns)–their 58th season, no crowns going (0-3) all 6 game(s) final round losses—and in 5 games against Portland (Trail Blazers), who did, led by Bill Walton ( memo to Eagle, he won 2 not 3 titles with UCLA) win the ’77 title, their only one in 56 franchise seasons.

All that leaves three (3-2) standing prelims, each with a #6 tonight. Heavy series favorites Cleveland and East top seed Detroit (I cite Cunningham’s 45, Banchero’s same in defeat in #5 and his 80 plus, second only to one Wilt game, that of course when he “dipped” in 100, only because the great player and man, Dave Bing had the Det one game ‘offs scoring mark having hit for 44 in a series ending 6th game vs Boston in the ’68 first series/”quarters”) respectively look to oust Toronto (Raptors) and stay alive vs Orlando (Magic) in road tilts.

Finally, Houston (Rockets) once down (0-3), now (2-3) look to force a 7th Sunday in L.A. vs the Lakers.

Doubt I espouse or fully, even partially understand Ms. Rand’s views. I am struggling reading it but for certain she is/was quite a writer.

Alas, who is Joby Eagle?!!