Warriors, Cavaliers reached NBA Finals with unprecedented combined playoff dominance

By Dan FeldmanMay 29, 2017, 2:00 PM EDT

AP Photo/Peter J. Carroll

The Warriors cruised into the NBA Finals in historic fashion, going 12-0 in the first three rounds and outscoring opponents by 16.3 points per game. The Cavaliers (12-1, +13.6) weren’t too far behind.

But, at 24-1, they don’t have the best combined playoff win percentage by NBA Finalists.

In 1957, the Celtics (3-0) and St. Louis Hawks (5-0) were undefeated entering a series Boston won in seven.

The Hawks, Minneapolis Lakers and Fort Wayne Pistons all went 34-48 in the regular season to tie for the Eastern Division crown. St. Louis won a tiebreaker against each team and advanced to the Western Division finals, beating Minneapolis, 3-0.

Meanwhile, the Celtics won the Eastern Division outright and received a bye to the divisions finals. They swept the Syracuse Nationals to reach the NBA Finals.

Obviously, three rounds present a much bigger hill to climb than a single series (even with a couple tiebreaker games). Golden State and Cleveland are unmatched in modern times.

Here’s every NBA Finals sorted by combined playoff record entering Finals:

Combined point difference per playoff game really shows how much Golden State and Cleveland overwhelmed their conference foes.

The Warriors and Cavs have averaged a +15.0 point difference per game in the playoffs (averaging both teams’ point difference per game equally, so as not to weigh the lesser team more). In the next-best Finals, 1986, neither the Celtics (+12.4) nor Rockets (+8.1) hit that mark alone – let alone averaged.

Here’s every NBA Finals, sorted by the teams’ average point difference per game in previous playoff games:

Finals	Point differences	Combined
2017: GSW-CLE	GSW (+16.3), CLE (+13.6)	+15.0
1986: BOS 4, HOU 2	BOS (+12.4), HOU (+8.1)	+10.3
1971: MIL 4, BAL 0	MIL (+15.4), BAL (+4.6)	+10.0
1950: MNL 4, SYR 2	MNL (+12.1), SYR (+7.6)	+9.9
1974: BOS 4, MIL 3	BOS (+6.2), MIL (+13.6)	+9.9
2013: MIA 4, SAS 3	MIA (+9.6), SAS (+10.1)	+9.9
2016: CLE 4, GSW 3	CLE (+12.6), GSW (+6.4)	+9.5
1957: BOS 4, STL 3	BOS (+12.0), STL (+6.8)	+9.4
1985: LAL 4, BOS 2	LAL (+13.6), BOS (+4.8)	+9.2
1958: STL 4, BOS 2	STL (+10.8), BOS (+7.0)	+8.9
1967: PHI 4, SFW 2	PHI (+11.1), SFW (+6.4)	+8.8
1996: CHI 4, SEA 2	CHI (+13.9), SEA (+3.5)	+8.7
1991: CHI 4, LAL 1	CHI (+12.5), LAL (+4.9)	+8.7
2001: LAL 4, PHI 1	LAL (+15.5), PHI (+1.8)	+8.6
1989: DET 4, LAL 0	DET (+8.0), LAL (+8.9)	+8.5
2015: GSW 4, CLE 2	GSW (+8.1), CLE (+8.8)	+8.4
1954: MNL 4, SYR 3	MNL (+8.8), SYR (+7.8)	+8.3
1949: MNL 4, WSC 2	MNL (+9.0), WSC (+7.2)	+8.1
1984: BOS 4, LAL 3	BOS (+7.0), LAL (+9.1)	+8.1
1948: BLB 4, PHW 2	BLB (+4.5), PHW (+11.0)	+7.8
2014: SAS 4, MIA 1	SAS (+8.0), MIA (+7.0)	+7.5
1987: LAL 4, BOS 2	LAL (+15.0), BOS (0.0)	+7.5
2012: MIA 4, OKC 1	MIA (+7.9), OKC (+6.7)	+7.3
1956: PHW 4, FTW 1	PHW (+8.4), FTW (+5.2)	+6.8
1992: CHI 4, POR 2	CHI (+5.8), POR (+7.6)	+6.7
1953: MNL 4, NYK 1	MNL (+6.4), NYK (+6.8)	+6.6
1964: BOS 4, SFW 1	BOS (+8.4), SFW (+4.9)	+6.6
1973: NYK 4, LAL 1	NYK (+5.6), LAL (+7.6)	+6.6
1998: CHI 4, UTA 2	CHI (+6.7), UTA (+6.4)	+6.5
2005: SAS 4, DET 3	SAS (+7.1), DET (+5.8)	+6.4
1997: CHI 4, UTA 2	CHI (+7.8), UTA (+5.0)	+6.4
2003: SAS 4, NJN 2	SAS (+5.4), NJN (+7.3)	+6.3
1969: BOS 4, LAL 3	BOS (+5.4), LAL (+7.3)	+6.3
1962: BOS 4, LAL 3	BOS (+5.6), LAL (+7.0)	+6.3
1999: SAS 4, NYK 1	SAS (+8.2), NYK (+4.3)	+6.3
1982: LAL 4, PHI 2	LAL (+10.8), PHI (+1.7)	+6.2
1968: BOS 4, LAL 2	BOS (+3.8), LAL (+8.6)	+6.2
1970: NYK 4, LAL 3	NYK (+5.3), LAL (+7.0)	+6.1
1955: SYR 4, FTW 3	SYR (+7.3), FTW (+4.8)	+6.0
2011: DAL 4, MIA 2	DAL (+7.1), MIA (+4.7)	+5.9
1972: LAL 4, NYK 1	LAL (+2.6), NYK (+8.8)	+5.7
2009: LAL 4, ORL 1	LAL (+6.6), ORL (+4.8)	+5.7
1966: BOS 4, LAL 3	BOS (+7.1), LAL (+4.3)	+5.7
1947: PHW 4, CHS 1	PHW (+6.0), CHS (+5.0)	+5.5
1951: ROC 4, NYK 3	ROC (+8.9), NYK (+2.0)	+5.4
1961: BOS 4, STL 1	BOS (+10.8), STL (0.0)	+5.4
2008: BOS 4, LAL 2	BOS (+4.3), LAL (+6.4)	+5.4
2006: MIA 4, DAL 2	MIA (+4.8), DAL (+5.9)	+5.3
1975: GSW 4, WSB 0	GSW (+5.7), WSB (+4.7)	+5.2
1988: LAL 4, DET 3	LAL (+4.6), DET (+5.4)	+5.0
1980: LAL 4, PHI 2	LAL (+3.7), PHI (+6.0)	+4.9
1993: CHI 4, PHO 2	CHI (+8.5), PHO (+1.1)	+4.8
2004: DET 4, LAL 1	DET (+5.7), LAL (+3.8)	+4.7
2010: LAL 4, BOS 3	LAL (+4.0), BOS (+5.3)	+4.6
1983: PHI 4, LAL 0	PHI (+4.9), LAL (+4.4)	+4.6
1963: BOS 4, LAL 2	BOS (+5.6), LAL (+3.0)	+4.3
1960: BOS 4, STL 3	BOS (+3.3), STL (+4.7)	+4.0
2007: SAS 4, CLE 0	SAS (+3.4), CLE (+4.2)	+3.8
1981: BOS 4, HOU 2	BOS (+4.0), HOU (+3.3)	+3.7
1977: POR 4, PHI 2	POR (+3.9), PHI (+3.2)	+3.6
2000: LAL 4, IND 2	LAL (+3.8), IND (+2.9)	+3.4
1990: DET 4, POR 1	DET (+7.7), POR (-1.4)	+3.1
1994: HOU 4, NYK 3	HOU (+4.8), NYK (+1.2)	+3.0
1978: WSB 4, SEA 3	WSB (+2.4), SEA (+3.5)	+2.9
1995: HOU 4, ORL 0	HOU (+1.8), ORL (+3.2)	+2.5
2002: LAL 4, NJN 0	LAL (+2.3), NJN (+2.3)	+2.3
1965: BOS 4, LAL 1	BOS (+2.9), LAL (+1.7)	+2.3
1952: MNL 4, NYK 3	MNL (+3.7), NYK (0.0)	+1.8
1959: BOS 4, MNL 0	BOS (+6.3), MNL (-3.0)	+1.6
1976: BOS 4, PHO 2	BOS (+2.3), PHO (+0.5)	+1.4
1979: SEA 4, WSB 1	SEA (+1.6), WSB (-0.1)	+0.8

Three things to know: Joel Embiid returns, scores final 11 vs. Hawks

By Kurt HelinNov 29, 2022, 9:31 AM EST

Mitchell Leff/Getty Images

Three Things is NBC’s five-days-a-week wrap-up of the night before in the NBA. Check out NBCSports.com every weekday morning to catch up on what you missed the night before plus the rumors, drama, and dunks that make the NBA must-watch.

1) Joel Embiid returns, scores final 11 vs. Hawks in 76ers win

The 76ers went 3-1 with Joel Embiid sidelined by a left mid-foot sprain, but they are so much more a dangerous team with him.

Embiid scored the 76ers’ final 11 points of the game against the Hawks, including the go-ahead 10-foot jumper with 18.6 seconds left, to cap a 30-point night and lift the Sixers past the Hawks 104-101.

https://t.co/Cfacr00HJT pic.twitter.com/C9KDW2X8z8

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) November 29, 2022

Embiid was making critical defensive plays down the stretch as well.

OH MY GOODNESS JOEL pic.twitter.com/fxbZ7UF8TF

— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) November 29, 2022

Embiid finished with 30 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and two blocks. That’s five straight 30+ point games for Embiid, who picked up right where he left off before the injury.

Well, not exactly pick up at the start as Embiid was 1-of-7 shooting to open the game, and he wasn’t the only Sixers rusty at the start. Embiid seemed focused on sharing the ball early but settled into an offensive balance as the game went on. Philly was saved by a solid defensive night.

The 76ers continue to pick up wins with James Harden and Tyrese Maxey out, which is a good sign going forward.

That’s three-straight losses for the Hawks, a loss that stings because they should have been able to dominate the shorthanded 76ers backcourt and get the win.

2) Karl-Anthony Towns goes down with concerning leg injury

Let’s hope the optimistic report from Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN is right and this isn’t as severe as it looked. Because it looked bad.

Timberwolves big man Karl-Anthony simply was pushing off to run back upcourt when he fell to the ground — without contact — grabbing his knee and calf.

KAT suffered a non-contact injury and was helped to the locker room.

Prayers up 🙏 pic.twitter.com/NpitMW9arI

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 29, 2022

Towns was helped back to the locker room and did not return, with the Timberwolves officially saying he was out for the rest of the night with a calf strain.

Karl-Anthony Towns (Right Calf Strain) is OUT for the remainder of tonight's game.

— Timberwolves PR (@Twolves_PR) November 29, 2022

A calf strain would be the best possible outcome. An MRI Monday will tell us more.

Towns’ stats are down this season as he adjusts to the odd fit of playing next to Rudy Gobert, but he is still averaging 21.4 points and 8.5 rebounds a game.

The Wizards got a monster night from Kristaps Porzingis — a career-high 41 points — on their way to a 142-127 victory. When Porzingis is on this Washington team is tough to beat.

KP ties his career-high single game point total at 40 .. and the game's not over yet pic.twitter.com/tkgFXLCGzY

— NBC Sports Wizards (@NBCSWizards) November 29, 2022

3) Big shots fall at Lakers’ game

Two big shots defined the night at the crypto.com arena Monday.

First, Lakers fan Jamie Murry of Downey won $75,000 with a half-court shot — and he got to celebrate with Anthony Davis.

Sink the @MGMRewards Big Shot Jackpot ✅
HIt the Griddy ✅
Celebrate with AD ✅ pic.twitter.com/kDqbSobdS2

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) November 29, 2022

The second one hurt the Lakers more. Pacers’ rookie Andrew Nembhard drained a game-winning 3-pointer as time expired.

Andrew Nembhard hits the #TissotBuzzerBeater to win it for the @Pacers! #TimingEmotions pic.twitter.com/lFv43RTHxG

— NBA (@NBA) November 29, 2022

The Lakers got lost in the scramble. On the initial action, Russell Westbrook doubled Bennedict Mathurin in the corner, which left the screen setter Myles Turner open at the top for a clean look at a 3 — but he was short and came off the front of the rim. Tyrese Haliburton out-hustled everyone to the rebound and tried to create his own shot but saw Nembhard wide open and kicked him the rock.

Ballgame.

The Pacers split their two games in Los Angeles at the start of a seven-game road trip through the West.

The Lakers had won 5-of-6 against a soft part of the schedule but that is about to change and over the next few weeks we will get a sense of where this 7-12 team really stands.

Watch Pacers’ Andrew Nembhard drain game-winning 3 to beat Lakers

By Kurt HelinNov 29, 2022, 1:57 AM EST

LeBron James and Anthony Davis were on the court together (and combined for 46 points and 20 rebounds). Russell Westbrook continued to thrive as a sixth man with 24 points.

But the biggest shot of the night belonged to Pacers’ rookie Andrew Nembhard — a game-winning 3-pointer as time expired.

Andrew Nembhard hits the #TissotBuzzerBeater to win it for the @Pacers! #TimingEmotions pic.twitter.com/lFv43RTHxG

— NBA (@NBA) November 29, 2022

It was a well-designed play and when Westbrook chased and doubled Bennedict Mathurin in the corner it left the screen setter, Myles Turner, wide open for a clean look at a 3 — but he hit the front of the rim. The long rebound caromed out, Tyrese Haliburton grabbed it and tried to create, but then he saw Nembhard wide open and kicked him the rock.

Ballgame.

The Pacers split their two games in Los Angeles at the start of a seven-game road trip through the West that will test the surprising Pacers.

For the Lakers… they have some hard decisions to make coming up.

Karl-Anthony Towns helped off court after non-contact calf injury

By Kurt HelinNov 28, 2022, 9:47 PM EST

Hopefully this is not as bad as it looks.

Timberwolves big man Karl-Anthony was trying to run back upcourt and went to the ground — without contact — grabbing his knee and calf. He had to be helped off the court.

KAT suffered a non-contact injury and was helped to the locker room.

Prayers up 🙏 pic.twitter.com/NpitMW9arI

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 29, 2022

The Timberwolves officially ruled Towns out for the rest of the night with a calf strain.

Karl-Anthony Towns (Right Calf Strain) is OUT for the remainder of tonight's game.

— Timberwolves PR (@Twolves_PR) November 29, 2022

A right calf strain would be the best possible outcome, but an MRI will provide more details in the next 24 hours. This had the markings of something much worse, but ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports optimism that Towns avoided something serious.

Towns is averaging 214 points and 8.5 rebounds a game, and while his numbers are off this season — just 32.8% on 3-pointers, down from 39.3% for his career — as he tries to adjust to playing next to Rudy Gobert, he’s still one of the game’s elite big men.

The Wizards went on to beat the Timberwolves 142-127 behind 41 from Kristaps Porzingis.

Suns promote GM James Jones to President of Basketball Operations

By Kurt HelinNov 28, 2022, 6:17 PM EST

Barry Gossage / NBAE via Getty Images

James Jones put together the roster that took the Suns to the Finals two seasons ago and had the best record in the NBA last season (64 wins). At 13-6, the Suns sit atop the Western Conference this season.

The Suns have rewarded Jones, giving him the title of President of Basketball Operations on top of GM.

“In the nearly 15 years I have known James, he has excelled in every role he performed, from player to NBPA Treasurer to his roles in our front office, most recently as general manager,” Suns interim Governor Sam Garvin said. “James has the unique ability to create and lead high-performing teams in basketball operations and his commitment to collaborating with our business side, including at the C-level with partners like PayPal and Verizon, is second to none. We are fortunate for his contributions across the organization and this promotion recognizes his commitment to excellence.”

Jones moved into the Suns’ front office in 2017 at the end of a 14-year playing career, then became GM in 2019. The move gives Jones a little more stability during the sale of the franchise. Not that the new owner would come in and fire a successful GM.

“I am grateful for the privilege to work with and support the players, staff and employees of the Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury,” Jones said in a statement. “The collective efforts of our business and basketball operations have allowed us to provide an amazing atmosphere and best-in-class experience for our fans and community. I remain excited about and dedicated to driving success for our Teams on and off the court.”

Jones has made several moves that set the culture in Phoenix, including hiring Monty Williams as coach then, after an undefeated run in the bubble (that left Phoenix just out of the playoffs), he brought in Chris Paul to take charge at the point.