As we await the resolution to the 2019-20 NBA season, NBA TV continues its rewind of some of the best performances and most exciting games in league history.
This week’s schedule features new Popcast editions of a couple of Game 7s, as well as Klay Thompson’s huge Game 6. NBA TV’s “This Day in History” airs every weekday at 6 p.m. ET.
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Monday: Most points ever and scrutiny for VC
The daytime schedule for Monday includes a couple of games from this season — Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 50 points against the Jazz and the Rockets-Wizards barn burner — at 9 and 11 a.m. ET, as well as a couple of teams — the Cavs and Raptors — clinching their only NBA championships. The latter of those broadcasts includes commentary from Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet.
6 p.m. ET: This Day in History: Blazers at Suns, May 11, 1992
On their way to the 1992 Finals, the Blazers played the highest scoring game in NBA postseason history, a 153-151, double-overtime thriller in Phoenix in Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals. Three different players — Clyde Drexler and Terry Porter for Portland, Kevin Johnson for Phoenix — registered at least 30 points and 10 assists as Portland took a 3-1 series lead.
9 p.m. ET: Raptors at Sixers, May 20, 2001 (Pop Up Edition)
On the same day he graduated from the University of North Carolina, Vince Carter played all 48 minutes of Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals and had the series in his hands in the final seconds. But his left-wing jumper was off the mark. The Sixers eventually reached The Finals, and it would be another 15 years before the Raptors won a best-of-seven series for the first time.
Tuesday: Playoff Rondo and classic Knicks-Pacers
The Tuesday schedule includes a couple of Popcast replays from the 2008 playoffs — Suns-Spurs Game 1 and Cavs-Celtics Game 7 — at 1 and 3 p.m. ET.
6 p.m. ET: This Day in History: May 12, 2012
In Game 1 of an Eastern Conference semifinal series that went the distance, Rajon Rondo recorded one of his 10 postseason triple-doubles, scoring 13 points, grabbing 12 rebounds and dishing out 17 assists. The last two of those 17 dimes came on a pair of huge Kevin Garnett buckets as the Celtics came away with a one-point victory.
9 p.m. ET: Pacers at Knicks, June 5, 1994 (Pop Up Edition)
Four days after the Knicks choked away Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals, they were back at Madison Square Garden for Game 7, having saved their season in Indiana. The Knicks trailed by 12 late in the third quarter and by one with less than a minute to go in the fourth. But Patrick Ewing tipped in a John Starks’ miss, Reggie Miller’s shot for the win was off the mark, and the Knicks advanced to The Finals for the first time in 21 years.
Wednesday: OKC miracle and big-game Dirk
6 p.m. ET: This Day in History: Clippers at Thunder, May 13, 2014
The Chris-Paul-Blake-Griffin Clippers suffered some postseason heartbreak over the years. And Game 5 of the 2014 Western Conference semifinals may have been their most painful loss. With the series tied 2-2 and Game 6 back in L.A., the Clippers led by 13 with less than four minutes to go. But the Thunder finished the game on a 17-3 run, with two brutal Chris Paul turnovers in the final seconds.
9 p.m. ET: Thunder at Mavs, May 17, 2011 (Pop Up Edition)
Game 1 of the Western Conference finals may have been Dirk Nowitzki’s best performance on his way to the 2011 championship. In a game in which Kevin Durant scored 40 points, Nowitzki dropped 48 on the Thunder, making 10 of his first 11 shots and shooting 24-for-24 from the free-throw line.
Thursday: Leonard, Larry and LeBron
The Thursday schedule includes a couple of big games in 2017 from a few of the league’s best players. At 9 a.m. ET, it’s Rockets-Spurs, with Kawhi Leonard scoring 39 points and hitting the game-winning 3-pointer in the final minute. And at 11 a.m., its Thunder-Warriors, with Kevin Durant scoring 40 points on 13-for-16 shooting in his second game against his old team.
6 p.m. ET: This Day in History: Celtics at Rockets, May 14, 1981
Watch Larry Bird win his first NBA championship, scoring 27 points, grabbing 13 rebounds, and dishing out five assists in Game 6 of The Finals against Moses Malone (23 points and 16 boards) and the Rockets.
9 p.m. ET: Heat at Celtics, June 7, 2012 (Pop Up Edition)
On the way to his first championship, LeBron James came up big with the season on the line. After losing Games 3, 4 and 5 of the Eastern Conference finals, the Heat were facing elimination in Boston. But James came up with one of the biggest games of his career, registering 45 points, 15 rebounds and five assists as the Heat forced a Game 7 back in Miami.
Friday: Thunder-Warriors and a postseason thriller
Friday will feature some of the best games between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Golden State Warriors. At 11 a.m. ET, it’s the Feb. 2016 overtime classic that ended with Stephen Curry’s 37-foot game-winner.
6 p.m. ET: This Day in History: Spurs at Blazers, May 15, 1990
Both Games 5 and 7 of the Western Conference semifinals series between Portland and San Antonio went to overtime. The Blazers led Game 5 by 14 after the first quarter, but couldn’t put the Spurs away until the second overtime. Clyde Drexler and Terry Porter combined for 73 points for the Blazers, who would eventually reach The Finals. while David Robinson had 27 points and 15 rebounds for San Antonio.
9 p.m. ET: Warriors at Thunder, May 28, 2016 (Pop Up Edition)
Before they blew a 3-1 lead, the Warriors came back from a 3-1 deficit, and Game 6 in Oklahoma City was the most critical piece of the comeback. The defending champs trailed by as many as 13 points and they were down eight to start the fourth quarter. But Klay Thompson scored 19 of his 41 points in the final period to send the series to Game 7 in Oakland.
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John Schuhmann is a senior stats analyst for NBA.com. You can e-mail him here, find his archive here and follow him on Twitter.
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