Toronto 88, Chicago 85
I'm actually quite mad about this one, as it was one of those games where the "Comeback Code" totally ruined it. The Raptors hit three after three in the final quarter, no matter what I did. Antonio Davis proved to be too quick for KG, who somehow completely forgot how to play basketball. Needless to say, the three to force overtime was way off, and my winning streak ended at 20 games. I really should have won this one after taking an 83-78 lead, but it's tough when the Code kicks in. The Raptors went on a 10-2 run late in the fourth to capture the lead and the victory.
Anyway, my record is now 50-18. Here are the top performers:
Kevin Garnett (POG despite the loss): 42 points, 21 rebounds, 4 assists
Jamal Crawford: 15 points, 3 assists
Scottie Pippen: 9 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists
Kirk Hinrich: 4 points (1/14 from the field), 8 assists
Eddy Curry & Tyson Chandler: 4 points and 7 rebounds apiece
Vince Carter: 27 points (25 in the second half)
Antonio Davis: 17 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists
Lamond Murray: 15 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists
Alvin Williams: 7 points, 5 assists
Chris Bosh: 7 rebounds
Chicago 75, New York 74
One of the greatest wins of the season! After a frustrating loss I like to blow out the next team, but that wasn't going to happen. From the tip off the game was a tough defensive contest. The Knicks scored the first basket three minutes into the contest, and although it remained close for a little while my offense locked up late in the quarter, allowing the Knicks to jump out to a 25-12 lead at the end of the first.
The second quarter was much of the same. I managed to slow them down a little, but couldn't close the gap. Every time I looked like making a run, the Knicks would score a couple of quick baskets to push the lead back to double digits. At halftime I faced an 11 point deficit, the Knicks in control 40-29. Things weren't much better in the third either, and although I didn't fall further behind I still trailed 58-48 heading into the fourth.
I wasn't about to lose two in a row though, so I kept feeding KG in the post and letting him have his way with the Knicks' big men. Everytime I came close New York inched away, but I managed to catch up. With two minutes left in the game, they held a 74-66 lead. What happened next is one of the most exciting sequences I've ever experienced playing NBA Live.
I managed to bring the score to 75-68 with about 42 seconds left. Somehow I managed to score again quickly to make it 74-70. Hinrich then intercepted the inbounds pass and dished to KG for a dunk to make it 74-72. The Knicks wasted time, with Van Horn launching a three with about 10 seconds left. It missed, and KG got the board. I called timeout with 6.5 seconds left.
Pippen inbounded the ball to Crawford at halfcourt. He held the ball at the three point line, while KG cut to the basket. A quick pass to KG resulted in a dunk...and the foul. KG nailed the free throw for a 75-74 lead. The Knicks had no timeouts left, so were forced to throw up a full court shot. I was very careful not to foul. Though I held my breath, the Hail Mary did not come close and I escaped with a hard earned 75-74 victory!
It may not have been the dominant performance I was hoping for after the loss to Toronto, but I couldn't have asked for a more exciting finish.
Top Performers:
Kevin Garnett (POG): 39 points, 20 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 blocks
Tyson Chandler: 8 points, 8 rebounds
Jamal Crawford: 8 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists
Scottie Pippen: 6 points, 5 assists
Allan Houston: 19 points (truly nothing else: 0 rebounds, 0 assists, 0 steals and 0 blocks)
Charlie Ward: 14 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists
Howard Eisley: 10 points
Kurt Thomas: 8 points, 7 rebounds
Dikembe Mutombo: 6 rebounds, 4 blocks
My record: 51-18 (First in the Central, East & League, Clinched Playoff Berth)
Only 13 games left in the regular season!