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Houston Rockets: Remaining focused is key in spite of series lead

By Kenneth Cline

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MAY 06: Chris Paul #3 of the Houston Rockets shoots over Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz in the second half during Game Four of Round Two of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Vivint Smart Home Arena on May 6, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Rockets beat the Jazz 100-87. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MAY 06: Chris Paul #3 of the Houston Rockets shoots over Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz in the second half during Game Four of Round Two of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Vivint Smart Home Arena on May 6, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Rockets beat the Jazz 100-87. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) /
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Houston Rockets players James Harden and Chris Paul
Houston Rockets players James Harden and Chris Paul /

The Story of 3-1 Leads

Once upon a time, when basketball truly became a professional league with the NBA, teams that had a 3-1 series lead in a postseason always believed the series was over. For much of that time, they were right. That was until 1968 when the Boston Celtics became the first ever team to overcome a 3-1 series lead against the Philadelphia 76ers.

For the remainder of the century, five more teams would follow the path of the ’68 Celtics.

1947-1999 3-1 Comebacks

  • 1968 Boston Celtics over the Philadelphia 76ers
  • 1970 Los Angeles Lakers over the Phoenix Suns
  • 1979 Washington Bullets over the San Antonio Spurs
  • 1981 Boston Celtics over the Philadelphia 76ers
  • 1995 Houston Rockets over the Utah Jazz
  • 1997 Miami Heat over the New York Knicks

My Thoughts

  • If Philadelphia wants to blow a 3-1 lead, do it against any team except for Boston.
  • Icarus, the Greek son of Daedalus, could’ve flown into the Phoenix Suns because the only wings they melted were their own after blowing two 3-1 leads.

So from 1947-1999, there were six scenarios of 3-1 blown leads. Eighteen years into the new century, there have five more 3-1 comebacks.

2000-2018 3-1 Comebacks

  • 2003 Detroit Pistons over Orlando Magic
  • 2006 Phoenix Suns over Los Angeles Lakers
  • 2015 Houston Rockets over Los Angeles Clippers
  • 2016 Golden State Warriors over Oklahoma City Thunder
  • 2016 Cleveland Cavaliers over Golden State Warriors

My Thoughts

  • Orlando was so close to becoming the third #8 seed to knock off a #1 and Tracy McGrady going to the second round.
  • If Icarus was a basketball fan, I think he regrets being a Lakers fan.
  • Golden State rewards their 3-1 comeback by blowing one of their own.

In all, there have been eleven 3-1 comebacks in NBA history. But we’re seeing a larger number of those now than before.

1947-1999 = 11.5% of comebacks

2000-2017 = 29.4% of comebacks

The numbers have increased in each century and quite possibly, it will continue to grow. This brings me to the point I want to make.

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