The 30 teams involved in the NBA are approaching the halfway point in this season’s competition. This is a lengthy and grueling campaign so there is a long way to go but both Conferences are starting to take shape.
In the East, Philadelphia 76ers currently lead the way in the standings and the franchise is looking to pull clear of the chasing pack. Among those close behind are the Brooklyn Nets, Milwaukee Bucks and Miami Heat.
Over in the Western Conference, Utah Jazz are ahead of the Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Clippers, and the reigning NBA Champions LA Lakers. It’s all to play for but those teams are the ones in control right now.
Closing In
With around 40 games to go for each franchise, the teams mentioned above are in pole position for the playoffs. Opinion is divided as to who will claim the NBA Championship with betting odds showing joint favorites. Sportsbooks can’t split the LA Lakers and the Brooklyn Nets while the Clippers, the Bucks, the 76ers and Jazz are close behind.
It’s all down to who has the quality within their roster to get over the line. Some of the standout players of the season so far include familiar names such as James Harden, LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Kawhi Leonard and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Deciding the title may come down to one brilliant play as it’s so tight at the top. Any one of those players, among many others may, therefore, need to emulate some of the best plays in the history of the NBA.
Allen Ties it up
History will record that Miami Heat won the 2013 NBA Championship with a 4-3 score line over San Antonio Spurs but those mere numbers don’t come close to telling the full story. With just seconds to go in game six, Spurs were clinging on to a 3-point lead and on the way to claiming the pennant for the fifth time in 14 years.
Heat’s Ray Allen had one shot to intervene with just five seconds on the clock. The shot was precise, but it was Allen’s game awareness that was equally important. The future Hall of Famer had to backpedal out of the three-point line to receive a rebound. The most crucial shot of his life hit the sweet spot and Miami tied. Heat went on to win in overtime before claiming the championship with a more comfortable 95-88 win in game 7.
McGrady’s Scoring Spree
One of the most viewed videos on social channels features Houston Rockets’ Tracy McGrady. In his first season since leaving Orlando Magic, the Shooting Guard landed an incredible 13 points in 33 seconds which is a stunning return. What the video doesn’t convey, however, is the crucial nature of those scores.
Those 33 seconds were the last of the Rockets’ match against the Spurs and they needed all of those 13 points. Down by 68-80, McGrady launched a series of three-pointers and a steal to overturn the deficit. It was a brilliant intervention but, when put in context, this just might be the greatest NBA play of all time.
Kobe Signs off
The much-missed Kobe Bryant adds an emotional touch to this list, and we are grateful that he said goodbye to the court in the best possible way. To be fair to the player, he wasn’t at his brilliant best during his final season with the LA Lakers, but he put that right in his last ever appearance.
The Utah Jazz offered something of a sideshow to the Lakers’ version of the Harlem Globetrotters. Kobe lived up to his star billing with 60 points and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.
A Touch of Magic
The great Magic Johnson was aiming for his fourth NBA Championship when his LA Lakers team took on the Boston Celtics in the 1987 finals. In the opposing camp, Larry Bird was also going for win number four so there was something of a side battle between these two brilliant players.
The Lakers were barely challenged in games one and two as they cruised into a 2-0 lead. Celtics fought back to take game three before the pivotal moment to the series came in game four. With just five seconds left on the clock, Boston were leading 106-105 and, had they levelled the finals at 2-2, the momentum would surely have been with Bird’s men.
Magic Johnson was left with the crucial play as he received the ball in a central position. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was better placed by the post, but a pass would have wasted valuable time. Instead, Johnson brought the Magic with a stunning sky hook which snatched the game at the death. The Celtics won the next game, but they never truly recovered as the Lakers closed out the finals in game six.
Tough Acts to Follow
The NBA stars of today must endure a weekly grind in one of the toughest competitions in the sports word. Consistency across a long season is vital but regular games, and even finals can turn in an instant.
One brilliant play can make all the difference but, who will deliver the telling moments of 2021?