It All Came DOWN TO THIS... (The Wildest NBA Playoffs)

2014 gave us the wildest first round of the playoffs, possibly ever. 5 of the 8 first round matchups went to a deciding 7th game, and we almost had a 6th one if it wasn’t for Damian Lillard’s iconic game winner in game 6.
So let’s go back and take a look at all of those intense matchups. What up everybody, my name is Stefan and this is Heat Check. Let’s get into it.
Spurs vs Mavs
San Antonio, still hurting from the excruciating Finals loss the year prior, looked like they were on a mission all year long. This was the season when they became the first team since the ABA-NBA merger not to have a single player average 30 minutes per game in the regular season. Obviously, Coach Pop took no risks and wanted his team, which was not very young, to be as fresh as possible.
Many believed San Antonio would easily defeat the 8 seeded Mavs, who were three years removed from their title. Boy, how wrong they were.
Though the Spurs won Game 1, a lot of people were caught by surprise when Dallas won by 21 in San Antonio in Game 2, thanks to a great game by Monta Ellis, Nowitzki, Devin Harris, and Shawn Marion. Game 3 made the plot even thicker, when Vince Carter blew up the entire Mavs arena hitting a game winning three at the buzzer to give his team a 2-1 lead.
In typical Spurs fashion, Duncan, Ginobili, Parker and crew responded by winning the next 2 games. Although it was close. A 4 and a 6 point win. Just when everybody counted the Mavs out down 3-2, Rick Carlisle’s men bounced back to win Game 6, thanks mostly to Ellis’ 29 points, knifing through the defense as he’d been doing that entire series. This game had a wild finish. Down by 5, Patty Mills hits a desperation 3 and then check this out. Ellis is wasting time running away but then throws the ball out of bounds with time still remaining. So the Spurs had 1 final shot to win it. Airball and we got a thrilling 7th game to this crazy series. Though being unfazed was one of the most striking traits of that Spurs team, being in a Game 7 is never simple. That is even more so if you consider that the Mavs had nothing to lose and the whole pressure was on the Spurs.
That being said, the Spurs delivered, blowing out Dallas from the very beginning. Parker was especially unstoppable with 32 points, leading his team to a 23 point victory.
You could say that this was the toughest series for the eventual champions that year, since they won in 5 against the Blazers, in 6 against the Thunder and needed only 5 games as well in the finals.
OKC (2 Seed) vs Memphis (7 Seed)
What can be said about a series that saw four overtime games. Tho it didn’t look like that would be the case after Game 1, which OKC won comfortably. The following four contests, however, kept fans on the edge of the seat.
Game 2 is most remembered for KD’s crazy four-point play with 13 seconds to go that eventually paved the way for the additional five minutes. But here’s how they got there. Down by 2 Westbrook goes for the win but misses, and none other than Kendrick Perkins puts it back in right at the buzzer to force overtime.
In the extra period however, led by Zach Randolph’s 25 points, the Grit and Grind Grizzlies won Game 2 in Oklahoma to snatch home court. Mike Conley should be praised here as well, for his eight points in OT.
Another game, another overtime and another insane 4 point play.
Russell Westbrook hits a 3 while falling down to tie the game.
In overtime however it was too much of Mike Conley who helped the Grizzlies get the win both by scoring and assisting.
Game 4 is known as the Reggie Jackson game. With both Russ and KD struggling offensively, the guard exploded for 32 points and 9 rebounds. Though OKC led by as many as 14, the Grizzlies never surrendered, leading by five with a minute to go. Jackson then hit a three to cut into the deficit, and followed that with this floater, which sent the game to OT. In the additional five-minute period, Reggie and KD combined for 12 points, eight and four respectively, to give their team the win. They were the only players from OKC to score.
Game 5 was a classic in and of itself.
At the end of regulation, Z-Bo believed he had won the game with his bucket at the buzzer, with the score tied at 90. Replays however showed he had been late.
In OT, the teams battled it out. With Memphis being up a point, KD missed a three, but Serge Ibaka had a putback at the buzzer. Ironically, replays showed the ball left Ibaka's hands after the buzzer had sounded, Memphis up - 3–2.
Game 6 was not interesting by the standards set previously, with OKC winning by 20.
This is also where Zach Randolph would get suspended for punching Steven Adams.
Without Z-Bo, and with Russ and KD having a phenomenal game 33 and 8 for Durant and a triple double for Westbrook, they were too much for Memphis in game 7 and eventually won as a revenge for the previous year’s loss to the Grit and Grinders

[HeatCheck]

Big thanks to Ridge for sending me this wallet and supporting the channel! Here’s the site if you

[basketballsrise]

“Blocked by Paul pierce that was one of the biggest of the decade.” Me never seeing that play in my life while being a hardcore basketball fan

[baqarali]

That Clippers Warriors series was so emotional, especially game 7.

[buzzcomber]

That Carter shot in the dying seconds still gives me goosebumps. The silence of the crowd and then the eruption was awesome.

[brandtscards]

That Memphis OKC Series was the Greatest Series of All Time

[awesometeng]

Damn, OKC was loaded back then with Ibaka Reggie Jackson Westbrook Durant Perkins Steven Adams 🥲

[NPI-izbg]

I remember how I fell in love with GSW that series vs LAC..and love will be there for rest of my life

[markcadiente]

One of the best years of the NBA as a whole. Every playoff matchup was to watch for and feels every team have almost equal chance of championship.

[uzitay]

Do more like this format it was so entertaining!!

[hollywoodisgay]

Always love to hear the intro, keep it up brother 🙏

[Mack]

The blake griffin backflip always gets me

[MrE_]

7:44 ngl the way blake sprung up was epic

[CrossCurrent]

love the content man! i work graveyard shifts so it's the first thing i see when i get home! Keep it up! :)

[sneakerjunki]

You took us down memory lane Stefan! Probably the only time LAC beat GSW in the 2010s Playoffs.

[BYBS.Beyourbestself]

7:48 dude pre injury Blake is this athletic hahaha

[MrOrthodox]

1:45 It is at this point that I realized Patty Mills was, once upon a time, in fact, bald.

[arjaylegaspi]

I love this type of content from you! Makes us appreciate under appreciated players like Monta Ellis, Z. Randolph, Reggie Jackson etc. and also appreciates more the value of NBA playoffs Hoping to see more of this. Loved from Philippines

[charleslalawigan]

Mann I miss this kind of intensity in the playoffs. Wish the playoffs this upcoming season will be as competitive.🙏🙏🙏💯

[jessreltolibas]

Last season clips vs mavs / utah vs clips, that series was amazing!

[marianotorrez]

Pierce had that fearless big game ability that all the greats have!