Charlotte had 14 years without winning a playoff game. The North Carolina team had accumulated 12 consecutive playoff defeats. So far, because the Hornets have imposed against the Miami Heat 96-80 to cut that streak and have been 2-1 against in the series. And all this without Nicolas Batum on Saturday.
The key was in the third quarter with a 18-0 run that had starring Frank Kaminsky rookie since 8 of the 18 points the team have taken his signature. Kaminsky has faced the game, this time as starter and contributed 15 points. Jeremy Lin, departing from the substitution, has been the local maximum scorer with 18 points, Kemba Walker has made 17 with a horrible 4 of 19 in shooting and Marvin Williams has captured 14 rebounds. The game had not been very attractive for the viewer. Both teams have been below 40% in the shot. Miami also lost more balls (14) than gained assists (13). A positive development on the Hornets side: they lost only 3 balls.
In Miami, 19 points from Luol Deng, 17, from an unfortunate Dwyane Wade (7 of 20 shooting) and 13 points, 18 rebounds and 4 blocks of Hassan Whiteside. Key in defeat and on the offensive fragility from the visitors, his second unit. The benchers offered a series of 4 of 17 in shooting.
OKC Moves To Semifinals
The tie between Oklahoma City and Dallas ended with Mark Cuban underestimating Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant calling Cuban an idiot. The series has been very tense inside and off the court, but unbalanced. Thunder moves to conference semifinals after winning 4-1. The fifth and final meeting with the great exhibition of performance from Westbrook and Durant 69 points between them. Another lethal offensive from the OKC Thunder, who won 118-104. The match started fluidly. While at break the score was 68-61. Then Dallas could not keep the pace from the locals unstoppable attack, who won with their stars giving their very best.
Westbrook finished with 36 points, 12 rebounds and 9 assists. impressive numbers contrasted with the words of Cuban, who said before the game that the All-Star point guard is not a superstar. And Durant finished with 33 points. In addition, 15 points and 10 rebounds from Steven Adams.
Dallas played without Deron Williams, David Lee and Salah Mejri, all injured. Dirk Nowitzki said goodbye to the season scoring 24 points. In addition, good game of Dwight Powell from the second unit and 9 assists for center Zaza Pachulia.
