40: A MyNBA Universe

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All-Rookie Teams

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Stat Leaders

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1983-84 NBA Playoff Preview

[8] New York Knicks (31-51) @ [1] Boston Celtics (65-17)
The Knicks have a legitimate star in All-Star Bernard King. The Celtics have this season's MVP in Larry Bird, Sixth Man of the Year Kevin McHale, and yet another all-time great in Robert Parish. Even through an injury to Gerald Henderson, Dennis Johnson, Danny Ainge, and Cedric Maxwell are just icing on the cake.

Prediction: Celtics in 3

[5] Milwaukee Bucks (41-41) @ [4] Atlanta Hawks (41-41)
How did this Hawks team get here? Having the transcendent Dominique Wilkins as well as All-Defensive Team member Dan Roundfield and block leader Tree Rollins in the frontcourt certainly helps. Even with the talents of Marques Johnson and Sidney Moncrief, Milwaukee's bench scoring leaves something to be desired (Paul Pressey leads the bench with 8.9 PPG), and it will probably spell their doom.

Prediction: Hawks in 5

[6] New Jersey Nets (40-42) @ [3] Philadelphia 76ers (56-26)
Try as he may, Otis Birdsong cannot circumvent the iron wall that is Philadelphia. Moses Malone, Julius Erving, and Andrew Toney all scored more than 19 points per game, which is enough to easily dispatch a New Jersey team that is too reliant on Birdsong for its own good.

Prediction: 76ers in 4

[7] Washington Bullets (32-50) @ [2] Detroit Pistons (65-17)
Dynamic Bullets center Jeff Ruland is a force to be reckoned with down low, but the Pistons can cancel him out with Bill Laimbeer and light up the scoreboard with Isiah Thomas, Vinnie Johnson and Kelly Tripucka. Don't expect much of a series.

Prediction: Pistons in 3

[1] Utah Jazz (57-25) @ [8] Golden State Warriors (37-45)
The scoring of Purvis Short and the blocking of Joe Barry Carroll can only get you so far. Scoring champion Adrian Dantley, steal leader Rickey Green, and All-Star Darrell Griffith will pave the road to the conference semifinals for Utah. Still, don't be surprised if Golden State manages to steal a game.

Prediction: Jazz in 4

[5] Portland Trail Blazers (49-33) @ [4] San Antonio Spurs (50-32)
The absence of Johnny Moore really hurt San Antonio last time these teams played. His return will be enough to lift George Gervin and Artis Gilmore past a pesky Portland team led by Jim Paxson and Kenny Carr. This might be Paxson's last stretch of games with Portland, as trade rumors are swirling amid the emergence of promising sixth man Clyde Drexler. He'll have to accept a defeat, though.

Prediction: Spurs in 4

[6] Denver Nuggets (42-40) @ [3?] Seattle SuperSonics (38-44)
Who did Seattle bribe to get here? No matter what, Gus Williams' injury will ensure that Seattle meekly bows out to a hyper-kinetic Nuggets team featuring the prolific scoring of Alex English and Kiki Vandeweghe. Adding Bill Walton at the deadline only makes the outcome of this series even more apparent.

Prediction: Nuggets in 3

[7] Phoenix Suns (41-41) @ [2] Los Angeles Lakers (54-28)
The Lakers are riding a scorching 13-game winning streak into this matchup. The Suns... aren't. Even with Walter Davis, Larry Nance, and Maurice Lucas, Phoenix doesn't have the talent to stand up to the L.A. behemoth. Maybe next year?

Prediction: Lakers in 4

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First Round

(8) New York Knicks 1 @ (1) Boston Celtics 3
Game 1: NYK 93 @ BOS 115 - L. Bird (24 points, 12 rebounds, 10 assists)
Game 2: NYK 99 @ BOS 104 - K. McHale (23 points, 14 rebounds)
Game 3: BOS 112 @ NYK 118 - B. King (34 points)
Game 4: BOS 125 @ NYK 114 - L. Bird (35 points, 12 rebounds)

(5) Milwaukee Bucks 2 @ (4) Atlanta Hawks 2
Game 1: MIL 128 @ ATL 112 - J. Bridgeman (34 points)
Game 2: MIL 101 @ ATL 114 - D. Wilkins (31 points, 13 rebounds)
Game 3: ATL 94 @ MIL 114 - B. Lanier (26 points, 11 rebounds)
Game 4: ATL 125 @ MIL 104 - D. Roundfield (24 points, 11 rebounds)

(6) New Jersey Nets 0 @ (3) Philadelphia 76ers 3
Game 1: NJN 93 @ PHI 106 - A. Toney (29 points)
Game 2: NJN 100 @ PHI 140 - J. Erving (27 points, 12 rebounds, 13 assists)
Game 3: PHI 116 @ NJN 110 - M. Malone (41 points, 21 rebounds)

(7) Washington Bullets 0 @ (2) Detroit Pistons 3
Game 1: WAS 89 @ DET 117 - K. Tripucka (25 points)
Game 2: WAS 78 @ DET 97 - B. Laimbeer (10 points, 30 rebounds)
Game 3: DET 109 @ WAS 105 - I. Thomas (21 points, 16 assists)

(8) Golden State Warriors 0 @ (1) Utah Jazz 3
Game 1: GSW 64 @ UTA 114 - A. Dantley (29 points, 10 assists)
Game 2: GSW 105 @ UTA 114 - R. Green (21 points, 15 assists)
Game 3: UTA 101 @ GSW 92 - A. Dantley (24 points, 10 rebounds)

(5) Portland Trail Blazers 1 @ (4) San Antonio Spurs 3
Game 1: POR 110 @ SAS 107 - J. Paxson (26 points)
Game 2: POR 121 @ SAS 122 - M. Mitchell (22 points, 8 rebounds)
Game 3: SAS 100 @ POR 96 - G. Gervin (39 points)
Game 4: SAS 115 @ POR 101 - G. Gervin (37 points)

(6) Denver Nuggets 3 @ (3) Seattle SuperSonics 0
Game 1: DEN 111 @ SEA 103 - K. Vandeweghe (28 points, 7 assists)
Game 2: DEN 117 @ POR 105 - A. English (26 points)
Game 3: SEA 79 @ DEN 111 - A. English (32 points, 6 assists)

(7) Phoenix Suns 0 @ (2) Los Angeles Lakers 3
Game 1: PHX 102 @ LAL 111 - K. Abdul-Jabbar (28 points, 10 rebounds)
Game 2: PHX 117 @ LAL 124 - M. Johnson (17 points, 11 assists)
Game 3: LAL 116 @ PHX 115 - B. McAdoo (30 points)

Commentary

• Overall, there were no real suprises. All favored teams handles business in 4 games or less except for the Hawks, who will face Milwaukee in a winner-take-all Game 5 in Atlanta.
• Milwaukee will have to manage without prolific power forward Junior Bridgeman for the remainder of the playoffs, as a broken right leg sidelines him for the forseeable future.
• Dr. J wanted to show his former team that he still had something left in the tank, and he did, dazzling with a triple-double in a 40-point victory higlighting Philadelphia's sweep of the Nets.
• Walter Davis (43 points) gave everything he had to try to force another game for the Suns, but they fell agonizingly short, losing by one point to the Lakers, who have now won 16 games in a row heading into their Conference Semifinal matchup with the Nuggets.

Milwaukee Bucks @ Atlanta Hawks

Bucks Lineup
PG - Nate Archibald (6.9 PPG, 5.9 APG)
SG - Sidney Moncrief (19.1 PPG, 6.7 RPG, .553 FG%)
SF - Marques Johnson (25.9 PPG, 7.3 RPG, .577 FG%)
PF - Harvey Catchings (3.3 PPG) - Injury Replacement for J. Bridgeman
C - Bob Lanier (12.1 PPG, 6.8 RPG)
6th Man - Paul Pressey (8.6 PPG, .496 FG%)

Hawks Lineup
PG - Johnny Davis (14.0 PPG, 5.7 APG, .541 FG%)
SG - Eddie Johnson (14.6 PPG, .542 FG%)
SF - Dominique Wilkins (24.5 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 1.6 BPG, .602 FG%)
PF - Dan Roundfield (14.9 PPG, 11.7 RPG, 1.7 BPG)
C - Tree Rollins (6.0 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 2.5 BPG)
6th Man - Doc Rivers (9.7 PPG, 5.2 APG)

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Bucks @ Hawks

After playing from behind for almost the entire game, the Bucks prevailed in a back-and-forth fourth quarter over the Hawks, eventually winning 103-100 at the Omni. Milwaukee used the efforts of Marques Johnson (22 points) and Bob Lanier (16 points, 17 rebounds to complete the comeback, while Alton Lister (12 points, 10 rebounds) toughed it out through the last three quarters with a twisted ankle. Dominique Wilkins led the unlucky Hawks with 24 points, with Dan Roundfield (20 points, 26 rebounds) and Tree Rollins (20 points, 16 rebounds, 5 blocks) also leaving it all on the court.

With 24 seconds left and Milwaukee up by two, Nate Archibald was fouled with a chance to ice the game, but he missed both of his free throws, allowing the Hawks to drive down to the basket. There, Tree Rollins was fouled, but he too missed both free throws (he was a miserable 2-8 from the stripe), forcing Atlanta to foul again. This time, Harvey Catchings (starting for the injured Junior Bridgeman) hit the second free throw, making it a three-point game wih 15 seconds left. Atlanta tried to get into position for a tying three, but Eddie Johnson (11 points) missed at the buzzer, giving the Bucks an upset victory and a ticket to face the Boston juggernaut in the next round while sending the Hawks into the offseason in front of a disappointed home crowd.

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Conference Semifinal Preview

(5) Milwaukee Bucks @ (1) Boston Celtics
It took Milwaukee everything they had to get past a tough Hawks team in the first round, and having to start Harvey Catchings against Cedric Maxwell at the 4 (due to Junior Bridgeman's broken leg) is really going to hurt. Boston can use this series as an opportunity to rest up before taking on either Detroit or Philadelphia in the Conference Finals, because this series won't be going far.

Prediction: Celtics in 5

(3) Philadelphia 76ers @ (2) Detroit Pistons
Two teams that rolled over their first-round opponents clash here. With Malone, Dr. J, and Toney versus Thomas, Laimbeer, and the Microwave, this is going to be a battle. This series figures to be the closest of all the second-round matchups, so this might come down to whoever can survive the war of attrition.

Prediction: 76ers in 7

(4) San Antonio Spurs @ (1) Utah Jazz
San Antonio came within a whisker of being down 2-0 in the series against Portland, but was led back by George Gervin's scoring frenzy. That said, the Jazz employ NBA-leading scorer in Adrian Dantley, as well as two other All-Stars in Rickey Green and Darrell Griffith. The Spurs might keep it close, but Utah has a clear path to a showdown with either L.A. or Denver, and they're not going to throw it down the drain.

Prediction: Jazz in 6

(6) Denver Nuggets @ (2) Los Angeles Lakers
The Nuggets might have one of the best offenses in basketball, but the Lakers have one of the best complete teams in basketball. Alex English and Kiki Vandeweghe can score all they want, but Magic, Kareem, Worthy, and the rest of the gang can roll over their languid backcourt of T.R. Dunn and the recently signed Calvin Murphy. Denver must look to address that backcourt in the offseason, or they run the risk of not even making it back here next year.

Prediction: Lakers in 5

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Conference Semifinals So Far

(5) Milwaukee Bucks 1 @ (1) Boston Celtics 4
Game 1: MIL 112 @ BOS 90 - M. Johnson (27 points, 10 rebounds)
Game 2: MIL 91 @ BOS 105 - L. Bird (30 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists)
Game 3: BOS 118 @ MIL 113 - K. McHale (26 points, 17 rebounds)
Game 4: BOS 113 @ MIL 110 - L. Bird (27 points, 10 rebounds)
Game 5: MIL 110 @ BOS 118 - R. Parish (26 points, 13 rebounds)

(3) Philadelphia 76ers 2 @ (2) Detroit Pistons 4
Game 1: PHI 106 @ DET 117 - I. Thomas (28 points, 7 assists)
Game 2: PHI 101 @ DET 111 - I. Thomas (25 points, 11 assists)
Game 3: DET 128 @ PHI 119 (OT) - B. Laimbeer (36 points, 14 rebounds)
Game 4: DET 132 @ PHI 135 (OT) - J. Erving (36 points)
Game 5: PHI 109 @ DET 102 - M. Malone (38 points, 21 rebounds)
Game 6: DET 120 @ PHI 105 - I. Thomas (28 points, 13 assists)

(4) San Antonio Spurs 1 @ (1) Utah Jazz 4
Game 1: SAS 100 @ UTA 145 - A. Dantley (48 points)
Game 2: SAS 91 @ UTA 122 - R. Green (24 points, 9 assists, 3 blocks)
Game 3: UTA 111 @ SAS 112 - G. Gervin (27 points)
Game 4: UTA 123 @ SAS 110 - A. Dantley (43 points, 6 assists)
Game 5: SAS 110 @ UTA 132 - A. Dantley (40 points, 9 rebounds)

(6) Denver Nuggets 3 @ (2) Los Angeles Lakers 3
Game 1: DEN 117 @ LAL 126 - K. Abdul-Jabbar (28 points, 4 blocks)
Game 2: DEN 107 @ LAL 115 - M. Johnson (21 points, 11 assists)
Game 3: LAL 120 @ DEN 114 - K. Abdul-Jabbar (32 points, 4 blocks)
Game 4: LAL 101 @ DEN 109 - A. English (36 points, 4 blocks)
Game 5: DEN 104 @ LAL 95 - D. Issel (20 points, 14 rebounds)
Game 6: LAL 110 @ DEN 116 - A. English (36 points, 8 assists)
K. Vandeweghe (DEN) dislocated right elbow in Game 6, out 2-4 weeks

Denver Nuggets @ Los Angeles Lakers

Nuggets Lineup
PG - Calvin Murphy (14.2 PPG, 7.9 APG, .540 FG%)
SG - T.R. Dunn (3.0 PPG, 1.9 SPG)
SF - Alex English (27.0 PPG, 1.4 BPG, .549 FG%)
PF - Dan Issel (17.2 PPG, 7.4 RPG)
C - Bill Walton (7.0 PPG, 10.9 RPG, 2.0 BPG)
6th Man - Rob Williams (5.8 PPG, 5.0 APG)

Lakers Lineup
PG - Magic Johnson (17.7 PPG, 12.4 APG, .581 FG%)
SG - Byron Scott (13.6 PPG, .535 FG%)
SF - Jamaal Wilkes (15.7 PPG, ,573 FG%)
PF - James Worthy (12.2 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 1.6 SPG, 2.1 BPG)
C - Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (23.2 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 3.0 BPG, .607 FG%)
[i]6th Man - Michael Cooper (5.7 PPG, 7.6 APG)/I]

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Denver Nuggets @ Los Angeles Lakers

The Nuggets were so close. After being down 3-0 and destined for elimination, Denver scratched and clawed their way back into the series with 3 gritty victories. All that stood between them and a Western Conference Finals matchup with the Jazz were the hated Lakers. Unfortunately for them, Kareem was not about to go down without a fight. His 39 points and 20 rebounds led the Lakers to victory in a 116-106 victory. Magic Johnson (28 points, 13 assists) also played brilliantly, and Bob McAdoo (13 points, 7 rebounds) came off the bench to help the team. Alex English (37 points) desperately tried to keep his team in the game, but the injury to fellow high-scoring forward Kiki Vandeweghe in Game 6 effectively crushed their dreams and helped lead to a loss that is most likely the final NBA game for 36-year-old Calvin Murphy (14 points) and the final game for unhappy guard T.R. Dunn (10 points) in a Nuggets uniform.