Not So Perfect Finals

You’re the NBA. Your playoffs start and you figure, “I’ve got this nailed.”

No way the Cleveland Cavaliers don’t come out of the Eastern Conference to compete in the NBA Finals and maybe get LeBron James another title. No way either the defending champion Golden State Warriors and Stephen Curry, or at least the San Antonio Spurs, don’t represent the Western Conference. Oh, the TV ratings!

Well, you used the wrong nails.

The Oklahoma Thunder, having previously put away the Spurs, took a 3-1 lead in their best-of-seven series with the Warriors on Tuesday night. Once again they locked down the explosive Warriors in the fourth quarter, allowing only 12 points, in a 118-94 victory. Russell Westbrook posted a triple-double and scored 36, while Kevin Durant added 26.

The series moves back to Oakland on Thursday night and the Warriors are in trouble. They need to sweep the final three games. The Thunder? “One more win,” said Durant.

The Cavaliers, after two losses in Toronto, also are back at home on Wednesday night. That series is tied 2-2.

Imagine. The National Hockey League went without a Canadian team in the playoffs for the first time in 26 years and the NBA might have one. The Warriors, who set an NBA record with 73 victories in the regular season, may not make it.

Strange days. Strange nights. The NBA thought it had this thing nailed. Instead it could get hammered.
 
 
Post By: Larry Weisman, a longtime sportswriter for USA TODAY, blogs for Twistity.com. Follow him on Twitter @MrLarryWeisman