31 Setting The Landscape For Round 2 (West)

(I didn't affect any of the other series in any way... I left the entirety of round 1 to 2K since I didn't want to be rigging series or anything like that. Anyway, let's just say some crazy things happened.)

(NBA: THIS IS WHY WE PLAY)

First-round results (Western Conference)

Pelicans (1) and Grizzlies (8):

Pelicans sweep Grizzlies with four straight blowouts, led by Lonzo who posted absurd historic numbers of 49.5 PPG, 14.5 RPG, 20.2 APG, 6.3 SPG, 5 BPG, 6 TOPG (it happens) with 66% from the field and 58% from 3. It was safe to say that these averages could not be compared with any other series performance. With every dominant performance, the expectations for Lonzo Ball and the Pelicans only rose higher. So did the confidence of the players... and their arrogance.

Clippers (4) and Jazz (5):

Game 1 and 2 were close games, where the Jazz managed to steal game 1 over the Clippers (133-129). Clippers retaliated with a one-point victory over the Jazz (105-104) in game 2 where Jeff Green hit the late-game shot. With a 1-1 series, some NBA fans were screeching that Kawhi Leonard was an overrated bum who was being carried by the sixth man as he only had 22 (8-17, Louis Williams led the way with 33) and 20 points (8-21 FG, 2-10 3PT) in the first two games. Playoff George Paul emerged, scoring 9 points in game 1 (4-12 FG) but he redeemed himself in the later games. Kawhi was on a mission in game 3, winning convincingly (116-97) by scoring 24 points and grabbing 12 boards (along with a nice 5 assists). Louis Williams had 26 (11-17 FG) and Paul George had 16 points (5-10 FG, 3-4 3PT), 11 rebounds and 6 assists. Jazz clapped back in game 4, winning 128-100 and matching the Clippers 2-2. The Clippers were quiet in game 5 as the Jazz blew them out by 27 points (126-99) and earned a 3-2 lead.

Paul George (27, 10), Kawhi (25, 17) and Louis Williams (22, 3, 6) all took this personally and all scored 22+ points, leading to a 138-88 BLOWOUT. This pushed the series to a game 7, where the Clippers showed out and won by four points. Four Clippers scored 21+ (Harrell, Williams, George, Leonard)... this combined effort led to the victory. Clippers 4-3 Jazz in an unexpectedly close series.

Rockets (3) and Timberwolves (6):

Rockets take game 1, as expected, with Westbrook dropping 30, 7, 9 (11-19 FG) and Harden taking a back seat (24 points, 13 assists, 9-14 FG). The MVP duo continued their dominance, taking games 2 and 3. With a 3-0 lead, everyone was saying the series was over... no, it was not. Timberwolves take game 4 in a team effort where 7 players scored double digits. James Harden goes off for 31 and 10 assists in game 5 but it was not enough... Jarret Culver and KAT both score 23 points while the Timberwolves also had EIGHT double-digit scorers (damn, these dudes really want it). Now, things were starting to look bad for the Rockets as they started choking their 3-0 lead. Westbrook choked in game 6 (9-25 FG), building an entire house with his bricks, while Harden only put up 11 shots. Timberwolves scraped by in game 6, winning 113-111. NBA fans going off on Westbrook for building a house and Harden for being so passive after that game 6. Now, the Rockets and Timberwolves prepared for game 7 in the Rocket's homecourt.

To make a long story short, Andrew Wiggins turned into MJ for a night. He hit the buzzer-beating midrange game-winner in OT. Along with that, he had his SUPER efficient 27 points (10-13 FG, 4-5 3PT). Mind you, he did this in 29 minutes. KAT also had 21 points and 18 rebounds on 8-15 FG and 2-4 3PT. Meanwhile, Westbrook had a near triple-double (22 points, 9 rebounds, 10 assists, 9-16 FG) while Harden faded completely with his 14 points, 4 rebounds, 8 assists on 4-17 from the field and 1-11 from three (mans built a whole stadium from those bricks).

Yes... the young sixth-seeded Timberwolves came back from a 3-0 deficit and upset the third-seeded Rockets who had two previous MVPs, winning in game 7. Timberwolves 4-3 Rockets in one of the most shocking series in NBA history.

Lakers (2) and Trail Blazers (7):

LeBron James leads the way... need I say anymore? He closed out game 6 with 34 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists, leading the Lakers to victory despite AD's struggles. LeBron averaged 25.5 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 6.8 APG on 48% FG% and 45% 3P% in the first round match-up. Lakers 4-2 Trailblazers.

The Western Conference Semi-finals:

New Orleans Pelicans (1) vs Los Angeles Lakers (4)

Los Angeles Lakers (1) vs Minnesota Timberwolves (6)