NBA: Regular Season Comes to an End
The 2015-16 NBA regular season has come to an end, but the final night will be remembered forever. The last day included: an overtime between Detroit and Cleveland, a 24 point comeback by Boston, San Antonio's franchise record of 67 wins, Houston clinching the final playoff spot, and Minnesota scoring 144 points. The final regular season night was already shaping up to be a good one, then Golden State tipped off with Memphis just moments before the Lakers started against Utah. That is when the real magic started. The Warriors were going for the all-time record of wins in a season and one of the greatest players ever, Kobe Bryant was playing his last game. Here is a recap of two games that will go down in history.
Chase for 73 - Golden State vs. Memphis:
The Warriors have been one of the greatest regular season teams of all time, winning their first 24 games and keeping pace with the 1995-96 Bulls. They also experienced 54 straight home wins dating back to last season and spanning over a calendar year. Their remarkable season broke all kinds of records: total wins, consecutive home wins, total road wins, most victories to start a season, most team three pointers, most three pointers by a single player, and Golden State also became the first team ever to not lose back-to-back games at any point in the season. Statistically speaking, they had the best year of all time. Their incredible regular season came to an end, with a 21 point blowout of the Memphis Grizzlies. The Warriors were focused from the jump and Memphis never stood a chance to get in the way of their 73rd win. Golden State led by 14 after the first quarter and extended their lead to 20 by halftime. Stephen Curry scored a team high 46 points, while Draymond Green racked up 11 points, seven assists, and nine rebounds. Harrison Barnes and Klay Thompson combined for 31 points and eight rebounds. The Warriors were playing at the top of their game and if they keep playing like this, they will win their second title in as many years. Even though the regular season is over and the 73 wins is more than anyone, Golden State needs to win it all to solidify their dominant season.
Farewell Kobe - Los Angeles Lakers vs. Utah:
Kobe Bryant went out the only way that Kobe Bryant knew how. He dropped 60 points in his final game, and went out on top. The Lakers were trailing through much of the game and after Bryant started 0-5 from the field, it looked like it was going to be a bad night. Bryant did not have his best game shooting percentage wise, but it was a great game to watch. Every time he touched the ball, there was a buzz in the crowd. Everyone wanted him to shoot. He got up 50 shots and torched the Jazz for 60 points. The scoring output was what everyone wanted. Bryant was one of the deadliest scorers in NBA history and he needed to have a big game to send himself off right. But what happened was better than anyone could have expected. The Lakers trailed 96-86 with 2:16 to go in the game and it was Kobe Bryant's time to take over. Bryant stepped up to the line and hit two free throws. Then he scored on a floater off the high glass to hit the 50 point mark. On the following possession he knocked down a pull up jumper to pull within four points of the Jazz. The crowd was going crazy and they wanted more and more of Kobe as he dribbled to the left side of the floor and drilled a wing three to make it 96-95 with 59.7 to go. Bryant then finished off Utah with a pull up jumper to gain the lead and two free throws to make it 99-96 as he scored his 60th point. The Lakers went on to win 101-96, Bryant finishing with 60 points on 22-50 shooting from the field and 10-12 shooting from the line. It was the best way for one of the greatest players of all time to go out. The Mamba will be missed.
Photo Credit: The Source.
