1991-92 Season - April: How close can you get?
1991-92 Season - April : How close can you get?
April 1st:
Indiana Pacers 95-121 Toronto Huskies
New Jersey Nets 92-97 Philadelphia 76ers
Boston Celtics 74-112 Charlotte Hornets
There were big results in the East to kick off the final month of the regular season. Both Indiana Pacers and New Jersey Nets suffered disappointing away results at the two sides propping up the conference whilst Boston’s fall away from the playoffs continued. It was a super win for the Hornets, who took advantage of the defeats of teams around them to move 3 wins clear of the playoff line.
April 2nd:
Los Angeles Clippers 72-83 Minnesota Polars
Los Angeles Lakers 98-103 Portland Trail Blazers
Golden State Warriors 74-121 Sacramento Kings
Seattle SuperSonics 100-124 Houston Rockets
The Clippers began the month with a low scoring defeat in Minnesota as the West took center stage on the 2nd day of April. The Lakers joined their LA neighbors in losing on the road as Clyde Drexler's 27 points helped Portland to a narrow home win. The Sacramento Kings responded to that win by Portland by thrashing Golden State at home, Ewing with 37 points and 15 rebounds, to maintain their advantage at the top of the Pacific Division. The SuperSonics had a chance to take advantage of the losses of both LA teams but unsurprisingly suffered defeat in Houston.
April 3rd:
Boston Celtics 105-113 Cleveland Cavaliers
Chicago Bulls 95-91 Denver Nuggets
New York Knicks 110-93 Charlotte Hornets
Philadelphia 76ers 116-115 Atlanta Hawks
Cleveland confirmed their ticket to the postseason thanks to a home win against an out of form Boston side. Mitch Richmond had 31 points. The Bulls extended their advantage inside the top 8 with a nervy win away at whipping boys Denver. Back in the East and the Knicks moved to within 1 win of clinching the East Conference with an easy win against playoff chasing Charlotte. The Hornet’s weren’t punished too much for that defeat however, thanks to Atlanta suffering defeat at home to Philly by the closest of margins.
April 4th:
Los Angeles Clippers 81-85 Milwaukee Bucks
New York Knicks 113-76 Miami Heat
Utah Jazz 93-74 Los Angeles Lakers
Seattle SuperSonics 105-101 Golden State Warriors
Terry Mills was the star as the Bucks beat the Clippers to move within one win of their opponents. The Knicks cruised to the Eastern Conference by thrashing Miami away from home thanks to 33 points from MJ. The Lakers choked at home to the Jazz by putting in a horrible attacking performance as the Jazz moved to within two wins of the Lakers and a top 8 spot. This time Seattle could take advantage by beating a Warriors side that looked to have checked out for the season
April 5th:
Charlotte Hornets 97-86 Boston Celtics
Houston Rockets 94-92 Phoenix Suns
Golden State Warriors 84-106 Portland Trail Blazers
The Hornets stung a devastating blow to Boston by beating them in their own backyard. Rex Chapman had 32 points for Charlotte who were now 4 wins ahead of the Celtics and that 9th spot. Also in trouble were Phoenix, having sat in 2nd seed as recently as mid February, the Suns were now just 2 wins clear of the Jazz in 9th after a narrow defeat at home to Western Conference winners Houston. The Trail Blazers kept up the pressure on Sacramento with a win at home to Golden State, Drexler and Cliff Robinson both with 26 each.
April 7th:
Philadelphia 76ers 67-104 Atlanta Hawks
Cleveland Cavaliers 105-106 Los Angeles Clippers
Golden State Warriors 99-109 Utah Jazz
New Jersey Nets 94-110 Boston Celtics
Indiana Pacers 106-84 Charlotte Hornets
Dallas Mavericks 77-86 Sacramento Kings
Seattle SuperSonics 99-103 Toronto Huskies
In a bumper night of action, there were wins in the East for Atlanta, Boston and Indiana but a defeat for Charlotte as the playoff race formed into a 5 for 4 battle. With the top 4 teams qualified, and the bottom 4 cut adrift, New Jersey, Indiana, Charlotte, Atlanta and Boston were all now in a battle for the last 4 playoff spots. Boston sat just outside on 35 wins, with the rest on 38 except Atlanta who were closest to Boston on 37. In the West, there was a massive win for the Clippers who crept past Cleveland. The Jazz kept themselves right there in the conversation and moved within one win of Seattle after the SuperSonics were beaten in Toronto. Just like the East, the top 4 had the playoffs secured, but behind that there were still 7 teams who had aspirations of making the postseason. The Bulls were 5th, on 39 wins, with the bucks down in 11th on 34. In between the two were Phoenix, Lakers, Seattle, Utah and the Clippers.
April 8th:
Los Angeles Lakers 110-131 Phoenix Suns
Milwaukee Bucks 101-113 Chicago Bulls
The Suns recorded a huge win at home to the Lakers to give themselves some breathing room above the playoff cut line. The Suns had 40 points in a dominant 1st quarter before maintaining their advantage throughout. The Bulls potentially ended the Bucks’ playoff hopes thanks to 34 points from Karl Malone.
April 9th:
Atlanta Hawks 109-123 Cleveland Cavaliers
Indiana Pacers 97-117 Boston Celtics
Atlanta’s defeat combined with Boston’s win moves the Celtics to within one win of the top 8. Mark Price, as has often been the case this season, is Boston’s top performer.
April 10th:
Seattle SuperSonics 107-81 Denver Nuggets
Philadelphia 76ers 91-97 Utah Jazz
It’s important wins in the West for Seattle and Utah against the bottom sides in the West and East respectively. The wins move both above the Lakers, who drop out of the top 8 with just 5 games remaining.
As it Stands:
East:
5. New Jersey Nets - 38-39
6. Indiana Pacers - 38-39
7. Charlotte Hornets - 38-40
8. Atlanta Hawks - 37-41
—--------------------------------
9. Boston Celtics - 36-41
West:
5. Chicago Bulls - 40-38
6. Phoenix Suns - 39-39
7. Seattle SuperSonics - 38-39
8. Utah Jazz - 37-40
—---------------------------------------
9. Los Angeles Lakers - 37-40
10. Los Angeles Clippers - 36-42
11. Milwaukee Bucks - 35-42
April 11th:
Tampa Bay Bandits 95-92 Indiana Pacers
Charlotte Hornets 107-82 Philadelphia 76ers
Washington Bullets 93-92 New Jersey Nets
Houston Rockets 104-108 Los Angeles Clippers
Dallas Mavericks 115-107 Seattle SuperSonics
April 12th:
Portland Trail Blazers 89-101 Atlanta Hawks
Indiana Pacers 101-109 New Jersey Nets
Cleveland Cavaliers 110-116 Boston Celtics
Utah Jazz 89-92 Los Angeles Lakers
Tampa Bay Bandits 109-102 Milwaukee Bucks
April 13th:
Los Angeles Clippers 97-106 Charlotte Hornets
April 14th:
Atlanta Hawks 91-105 Indiana Pacers
Boston Celtics 116-122 New Jersey Nets
Utah Jazz 107-99 New York Knicks
Los Angeles Lakers 98-88 Miami Heat
Minnesota Polars 93-94 Phoenix Suns
Seattle SuperSonics 116-114 Chicago Bulls
Milwaukee Bucks 98-82 Portland Trail Blazers
In two crunch games in the East, both Indiana and New Jersey find some form just in time to both win at home against playoff rivals Atlanta and Boston. Brad Daugherty has 38 points and 17 rebounds in a clutch performance for New Jersey. In the West, after a bunch of thrilling, cagey games and with just three games remaining for everyone except the Clippers (2 game left) there were still seven teams fighting for 4 spots. Phoenix now occupied 5th seed with 40 wins with Milwaukee down in 11th with 36. Seattle were currently on the cut line in 8th with 39 wins.
April 15th:
Portland Trail Blazers 111-99 Boston Celtics
Detroit Pistons 94-106 Charlotte Hornets
Minnesota Polars 100-107 Los Angeles Clippers
Milwaukee Bucks 107-99 Golden State Warriors
Chicago Bulls 98-86 Seattle SuperSonics
Utah Jazz 95-86 Los Angeles Lakers
There was jubilation in Charlotte as their win at home to Detroit coupled with Boston’s loss at home to Portland secured the Hornets’ place in the playoffs for the first time in the franchises history. Charlotte also became the first of the late 80’s expansion teams to make the postseason. Boston’s loss also guaranteed the Nets a place in the playoffs. In the West, the situation was no less clearer after another round of games. Chicago looked pretty much a lock but were still not mathematically guaranteed a spot despite winning in Seattle. Seattle fell from 7th to 9th as a result of that loss following Utah’s superb win in LA. The Jazz, Lakers and SuperSonics now all had identical records with 2 games left. Trailing by 1 game with 1 game left was the Clippers whilst the Bucks, despite finding form, may have left it just too late trailing the group by 2 wins with 2 games left.
April 16th:
Toronto Huskies 101-93 Atlanta Hawks
New York Knicks 111-121 Indiana Pacers
Phoenix Suns 105-108 New Jersey Nets
The Hawks missed out on the chance to put the pressure on Boston by losing at home to Toronto to leave the door wide open for the Celtics. It was now a 2 for 1 fight in the East after Indiana beat the Knicks at home to secure their spot in the playoffs. Phoenix missed out on the chance to secure a top 8 spot by losing in New Jersey.
April 17th:
Boston Celtics 89-91 Philadelphia 76ers
Seattle SuperSonics 95-89 Detroit Pistons
Los Angeles Clippers 100-93 Sacramento Kings
New Jersey Nets 88-79 Utah Jazz
Houston Rockets 94-95 Chicago Bulls
Milwaukee Bucks 108-96 Los Angeles Lakers
A nervous Boston side threw away the chance to move level with Atlanta by losing by two to bottom side Philadelphia in their penultimate game of the season. The result, combined with Boston’s head to head record with the Hawks, means Boston can no longer leapfrog Atlanta, locking in the top 8 for the East. Boston, having won the East Conference during the regular season last year, had now failed to qualify for the playoffs a year later. In the West, Chicago booked their playoff spot with an excellent win at home to Houston. Seattle moved above both Utah and the Lakers with their win in Detroit whilst wins for Clippers and the Bucks kept both just about in the race.
April 18th:
Indiana Pacers 104-101 Phoenix Suns
Utah Jazz 106-110 Dallas Mavericks
Boston Celtics 96-69 Seattle SuperSonics
Despite Phoenix and Seattle both choking at home, Utah’s loss guarantees both a spot in the playoffs. Phoenix had done their best to chuck it all away after a strong 1st half of the season, whereas Seattle had spent most of the season just outside the top 8 before a strong March moved them into contention. The Jazz’s fortune was now in the Lakers’ hands. A win for the Lakers on the last day of the season would put them in the playoffs, whereas a loss would give Utah that last spot.
April 19th:
Los Angeles Lakers 82-103 Portland Trail Blazers
Phoenix Suns 90-119 Milwaukee Bucks
The Lakers choke on the final night, never looking close to beating 4th seed Portland on the road. The Bucks also win at home to Phoenix, meaning the West conferences finishes with 6 teams all within one win of each other.
Final Season Standings:
East:
1. New York Knicks - 64-18
2. Tampa Bay Bandits - 59-23
3. Washington Bullets - 50-32
4. Cleveland Cavaliers - 49-33
5. New Jersey Nets - 42-40
6. Charlotte Hornets - 41-41
7. Indiana Pacers - 41-41
8. Atlanta Hawks - 39-43
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9. Boston Celtics - 38-44
10. Miami Heat - 32-50
11. Toronto Huskies - 29-53
12. Detroit Pistons - 29-53
13. Philadelphia 76ers - 23-59
West:
1. Houston Rockets - 62-20
2. Sacramento Kings - 50-32
3. Dallas Mavericks - 53-29
4. Portland Trail Blazers - 49-33
5. Chicago Bulls - 42-40
6. Seattle SuperSonics - 40-42
7. Phoenix Suns - 40-42
8. Utah Jazz - 39-43
----------------------------------------
9. Milwaukee Bucks - 39-43
10. Los Angeles Clippers - 39-43
11. Los Angeles Lakers - 39-43
12. Golden State Warriors - 34-48
13. Minnesota Polars - 30-52
14. Denver Nuggets - 15-67
April 1st:
Indiana Pacers 95-121 Toronto Huskies
New Jersey Nets 92-97 Philadelphia 76ers
Boston Celtics 74-112 Charlotte Hornets
There were big results in the East to kick off the final month of the regular season. Both Indiana Pacers and New Jersey Nets suffered disappointing away results at the two sides propping up the conference whilst Boston’s fall away from the playoffs continued. It was a super win for the Hornets, who took advantage of the defeats of teams around them to move 3 wins clear of the playoff line.
April 2nd:
Los Angeles Clippers 72-83 Minnesota Polars
Los Angeles Lakers 98-103 Portland Trail Blazers
Golden State Warriors 74-121 Sacramento Kings
Seattle SuperSonics 100-124 Houston Rockets
The Clippers began the month with a low scoring defeat in Minnesota as the West took center stage on the 2nd day of April. The Lakers joined their LA neighbors in losing on the road as Clyde Drexler's 27 points helped Portland to a narrow home win. The Sacramento Kings responded to that win by Portland by thrashing Golden State at home, Ewing with 37 points and 15 rebounds, to maintain their advantage at the top of the Pacific Division. The SuperSonics had a chance to take advantage of the losses of both LA teams but unsurprisingly suffered defeat in Houston.
April 3rd:
Boston Celtics 105-113 Cleveland Cavaliers
Chicago Bulls 95-91 Denver Nuggets
New York Knicks 110-93 Charlotte Hornets
Philadelphia 76ers 116-115 Atlanta Hawks
Cleveland confirmed their ticket to the postseason thanks to a home win against an out of form Boston side. Mitch Richmond had 31 points. The Bulls extended their advantage inside the top 8 with a nervy win away at whipping boys Denver. Back in the East and the Knicks moved to within 1 win of clinching the East Conference with an easy win against playoff chasing Charlotte. The Hornet’s weren’t punished too much for that defeat however, thanks to Atlanta suffering defeat at home to Philly by the closest of margins.
April 4th:
Los Angeles Clippers 81-85 Milwaukee Bucks
New York Knicks 113-76 Miami Heat
Utah Jazz 93-74 Los Angeles Lakers
Seattle SuperSonics 105-101 Golden State Warriors
Terry Mills was the star as the Bucks beat the Clippers to move within one win of their opponents. The Knicks cruised to the Eastern Conference by thrashing Miami away from home thanks to 33 points from MJ. The Lakers choked at home to the Jazz by putting in a horrible attacking performance as the Jazz moved to within two wins of the Lakers and a top 8 spot. This time Seattle could take advantage by beating a Warriors side that looked to have checked out for the season
April 5th:
Charlotte Hornets 97-86 Boston Celtics
Houston Rockets 94-92 Phoenix Suns
Golden State Warriors 84-106 Portland Trail Blazers
The Hornets stung a devastating blow to Boston by beating them in their own backyard. Rex Chapman had 32 points for Charlotte who were now 4 wins ahead of the Celtics and that 9th spot. Also in trouble were Phoenix, having sat in 2nd seed as recently as mid February, the Suns were now just 2 wins clear of the Jazz in 9th after a narrow defeat at home to Western Conference winners Houston. The Trail Blazers kept up the pressure on Sacramento with a win at home to Golden State, Drexler and Cliff Robinson both with 26 each.
April 7th:
Philadelphia 76ers 67-104 Atlanta Hawks
Cleveland Cavaliers 105-106 Los Angeles Clippers
Golden State Warriors 99-109 Utah Jazz
New Jersey Nets 94-110 Boston Celtics
Indiana Pacers 106-84 Charlotte Hornets
Dallas Mavericks 77-86 Sacramento Kings
Seattle SuperSonics 99-103 Toronto Huskies
In a bumper night of action, there were wins in the East for Atlanta, Boston and Indiana but a defeat for Charlotte as the playoff race formed into a 5 for 4 battle. With the top 4 teams qualified, and the bottom 4 cut adrift, New Jersey, Indiana, Charlotte, Atlanta and Boston were all now in a battle for the last 4 playoff spots. Boston sat just outside on 35 wins, with the rest on 38 except Atlanta who were closest to Boston on 37. In the West, there was a massive win for the Clippers who crept past Cleveland. The Jazz kept themselves right there in the conversation and moved within one win of Seattle after the SuperSonics were beaten in Toronto. Just like the East, the top 4 had the playoffs secured, but behind that there were still 7 teams who had aspirations of making the postseason. The Bulls were 5th, on 39 wins, with the bucks down in 11th on 34. In between the two were Phoenix, Lakers, Seattle, Utah and the Clippers.
April 8th:
Los Angeles Lakers 110-131 Phoenix Suns
Milwaukee Bucks 101-113 Chicago Bulls
The Suns recorded a huge win at home to the Lakers to give themselves some breathing room above the playoff cut line. The Suns had 40 points in a dominant 1st quarter before maintaining their advantage throughout. The Bulls potentially ended the Bucks’ playoff hopes thanks to 34 points from Karl Malone.
April 9th:
Atlanta Hawks 109-123 Cleveland Cavaliers
Indiana Pacers 97-117 Boston Celtics
Atlanta’s defeat combined with Boston’s win moves the Celtics to within one win of the top 8. Mark Price, as has often been the case this season, is Boston’s top performer.
April 10th:
Seattle SuperSonics 107-81 Denver Nuggets
Philadelphia 76ers 91-97 Utah Jazz
It’s important wins in the West for Seattle and Utah against the bottom sides in the West and East respectively. The wins move both above the Lakers, who drop out of the top 8 with just 5 games remaining.
As it Stands:
East:
5. New Jersey Nets - 38-39
6. Indiana Pacers - 38-39
7. Charlotte Hornets - 38-40
8. Atlanta Hawks - 37-41
—--------------------------------
9. Boston Celtics - 36-41
West:
5. Chicago Bulls - 40-38
6. Phoenix Suns - 39-39
7. Seattle SuperSonics - 38-39
8. Utah Jazz - 37-40
—---------------------------------------
9. Los Angeles Lakers - 37-40
10. Los Angeles Clippers - 36-42
11. Milwaukee Bucks - 35-42
April 11th:
Tampa Bay Bandits 95-92 Indiana Pacers
Charlotte Hornets 107-82 Philadelphia 76ers
Washington Bullets 93-92 New Jersey Nets
Houston Rockets 104-108 Los Angeles Clippers
Dallas Mavericks 115-107 Seattle SuperSonics
April 12th:
Portland Trail Blazers 89-101 Atlanta Hawks
Indiana Pacers 101-109 New Jersey Nets
Cleveland Cavaliers 110-116 Boston Celtics
Utah Jazz 89-92 Los Angeles Lakers
Tampa Bay Bandits 109-102 Milwaukee Bucks
April 13th:
Los Angeles Clippers 97-106 Charlotte Hornets
April 14th:
Atlanta Hawks 91-105 Indiana Pacers
Boston Celtics 116-122 New Jersey Nets
Utah Jazz 107-99 New York Knicks
Los Angeles Lakers 98-88 Miami Heat
Minnesota Polars 93-94 Phoenix Suns
Seattle SuperSonics 116-114 Chicago Bulls
Milwaukee Bucks 98-82 Portland Trail Blazers
In two crunch games in the East, both Indiana and New Jersey find some form just in time to both win at home against playoff rivals Atlanta and Boston. Brad Daugherty has 38 points and 17 rebounds in a clutch performance for New Jersey. In the West, after a bunch of thrilling, cagey games and with just three games remaining for everyone except the Clippers (2 game left) there were still seven teams fighting for 4 spots. Phoenix now occupied 5th seed with 40 wins with Milwaukee down in 11th with 36. Seattle were currently on the cut line in 8th with 39 wins.
April 15th:
Portland Trail Blazers 111-99 Boston Celtics
Detroit Pistons 94-106 Charlotte Hornets
Minnesota Polars 100-107 Los Angeles Clippers
Milwaukee Bucks 107-99 Golden State Warriors
Chicago Bulls 98-86 Seattle SuperSonics
Utah Jazz 95-86 Los Angeles Lakers
There was jubilation in Charlotte as their win at home to Detroit coupled with Boston’s loss at home to Portland secured the Hornets’ place in the playoffs for the first time in the franchises history. Charlotte also became the first of the late 80’s expansion teams to make the postseason. Boston’s loss also guaranteed the Nets a place in the playoffs. In the West, the situation was no less clearer after another round of games. Chicago looked pretty much a lock but were still not mathematically guaranteed a spot despite winning in Seattle. Seattle fell from 7th to 9th as a result of that loss following Utah’s superb win in LA. The Jazz, Lakers and SuperSonics now all had identical records with 2 games left. Trailing by 1 game with 1 game left was the Clippers whilst the Bucks, despite finding form, may have left it just too late trailing the group by 2 wins with 2 games left.
April 16th:
Toronto Huskies 101-93 Atlanta Hawks
New York Knicks 111-121 Indiana Pacers
Phoenix Suns 105-108 New Jersey Nets
The Hawks missed out on the chance to put the pressure on Boston by losing at home to Toronto to leave the door wide open for the Celtics. It was now a 2 for 1 fight in the East after Indiana beat the Knicks at home to secure their spot in the playoffs. Phoenix missed out on the chance to secure a top 8 spot by losing in New Jersey.
April 17th:
Boston Celtics 89-91 Philadelphia 76ers
Seattle SuperSonics 95-89 Detroit Pistons
Los Angeles Clippers 100-93 Sacramento Kings
New Jersey Nets 88-79 Utah Jazz
Houston Rockets 94-95 Chicago Bulls
Milwaukee Bucks 108-96 Los Angeles Lakers
A nervous Boston side threw away the chance to move level with Atlanta by losing by two to bottom side Philadelphia in their penultimate game of the season. The result, combined with Boston’s head to head record with the Hawks, means Boston can no longer leapfrog Atlanta, locking in the top 8 for the East. Boston, having won the East Conference during the regular season last year, had now failed to qualify for the playoffs a year later. In the West, Chicago booked their playoff spot with an excellent win at home to Houston. Seattle moved above both Utah and the Lakers with their win in Detroit whilst wins for Clippers and the Bucks kept both just about in the race.
April 18th:
Indiana Pacers 104-101 Phoenix Suns
Utah Jazz 106-110 Dallas Mavericks
Boston Celtics 96-69 Seattle SuperSonics
Despite Phoenix and Seattle both choking at home, Utah’s loss guarantees both a spot in the playoffs. Phoenix had done their best to chuck it all away after a strong 1st half of the season, whereas Seattle had spent most of the season just outside the top 8 before a strong March moved them into contention. The Jazz’s fortune was now in the Lakers’ hands. A win for the Lakers on the last day of the season would put them in the playoffs, whereas a loss would give Utah that last spot.
April 19th:
Los Angeles Lakers 82-103 Portland Trail Blazers
Phoenix Suns 90-119 Milwaukee Bucks
The Lakers choke on the final night, never looking close to beating 4th seed Portland on the road. The Bucks also win at home to Phoenix, meaning the West conferences finishes with 6 teams all within one win of each other.
Final Season Standings:
East:
1. New York Knicks - 64-18
2. Tampa Bay Bandits - 59-23
3. Washington Bullets - 50-32
4. Cleveland Cavaliers - 49-33
5. New Jersey Nets - 42-40
6. Charlotte Hornets - 41-41
7. Indiana Pacers - 41-41
8. Atlanta Hawks - 39-43
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9. Boston Celtics - 38-44
10. Miami Heat - 32-50
11. Toronto Huskies - 29-53
12. Detroit Pistons - 29-53
13. Philadelphia 76ers - 23-59
West:
1. Houston Rockets - 62-20
2. Sacramento Kings - 50-32
3. Dallas Mavericks - 53-29
4. Portland Trail Blazers - 49-33
5. Chicago Bulls - 42-40
6. Seattle SuperSonics - 40-42
7. Phoenix Suns - 40-42
8. Utah Jazz - 39-43
----------------------------------------
9. Milwaukee Bucks - 39-43
10. Los Angeles Clippers - 39-43
11. Los Angeles Lakers - 39-43
12. Golden State Warriors - 34-48
13. Minnesota Polars - 30-52
14. Denver Nuggets - 15-67
Playoff Brackets
East:
(1) New York Knicks - Atlanta Hawks (8)
(4) Cleveland Cavaliers - New Jersey Nets (5)
(3) Washington Bullets - Charlotte Hornets (6)
(2) Tampa Bay Bandits - Indiana Pacers (7)
West:
(1) Houston Rockets - Utah Jazz (8)
(4) Portland Trail Blazers - Chicago Bulls (5)
(3) Dallas Mavericks - Seattle SuperSonics (6)
(2) Sacramento Kings - Phoenix Suns (7)
League News:
- With the final standings finalised, Denver had secured 3 of the top 7 lottery picks by virtue of picking up the rights to both Miami’s and Minnesota’s first round picks in previous trades.
- The rest of the lottery teams were Philadelphia 76ers, Toronto Huskies, Golden State Warriors & Phoenix Suns (Via Detroit Pistons)
- Chris Cohan agreed to a deal to purchase the Golden State Warriors for a reported 100 Million USD. The Warriors have now failed to qualify for the playoffs since 1986.
- A majority stake in last season’s NBA finalists Sacramento Kings are sold to Californian Developer James Thomas for approximately 225 million USD, giving Thomas overall control of the Kings. Thomas says he has no desire to move the Kings out of Sacramento.
- Buck Williams and Dell Curry would miss the playoffs through injury for the Cavaliers and Bandits respectively. Doubts for the first round included Charles Barkley (Rockets), Pervis Ellison (Knicks) and Jack Sikma (Bullets)
Regular Season Awards:
MVP: Michael Jordan (New York Knicks)
Rookie of the Year: Larry Johnson (Miami Heat)
Len Bias Sixth Man of the Year: Billy Owens (Indiana Pacers)
Defensive Player of the Year: Hakeem Olajuwon (Houston Rockets)
Most Improved Player: Doug West (Los Angeles Lakers)
All-NBA 1st Team:
Michael Jordan (New York Knicks)
Tim Hardaway (Golden State Warriors)
Charles Barkley (Houston Rockets)
Karl Malone (Chicago Bulls)
Hakeem Olajuwon (Houston Rockets)
All-NBA 2nd Team:
Isaiah Thomas (Dallas Mavericks)
John Stockton (Sacramento Kings)
Glen Rice (Utah Jazz)
Derrick Coleman (Washington Bullets)
(David Robinson (Tampa Bay Bandits)
All-NBA 3rd Team:
Clyde Drexler (Portland Trail Blazers)
Mitch Richmond (Cleveland Cavaliers)
Scottie Pippen (Detroit Pistons)
Larry Johnson (Miami Heat)
Brad Daugherty (New Jersey Nets)
All-Defensive 1st Team:
Michael Jordan (New York Knicks)
Clyde Drexler (Portland Trail Blazers)
Derrick Coleman (Washington Bullets)
Scottie Pippen (Detroit Pistons)
Hakeem Olajuwon (Houston Rockets)
All-Rookie 1st Team:
Larry Johnson (Miami Heat)
Billy Owens (Indiana Pacers)
Terrell Brandon (Denver Nuggets)
Doug Smith (Minnesota Polars)
Dikembe Mutombo (Charlotte Hornets)
Up Next: The 1992 Playoffs
