2007 Playoffs

Major Season Events

In the regular season, Santa Ana's mid-season trade:

RC trades Ray Allen (5/3, age 32) and Ben Wallace (2/5, age 33) to Santa Ana for Ricky Davis (4/2, age 28), Chris Wilcox (3/2, age 25) and Santa Ana's first round pick for the 2008 draft

...helped give SA the league's best record in the latter part of the season, almost catching Midwest for the best record.

Teams with major improvements: Rottingham and Midwest both won 10 more games than in the previous season. Santa Ana won six fewer games than in 2006, but SA's momentum is high going into the playoffs thanks to the RC trade. Furthermore, SA had a superior head-to-head record versus the other three playoff teams.

In the playoffs, both playoff series went to 7 games. Rottingham suffered the only two major injuries of the season, but they took out 2 starters (game 5 and game 6).

Midwest easily beat KCC in the Finals. In the past five seasons, three different teams have won the title.

Playoff MVP: Midwest's Michael Redd, 26.5 pts, 50.9% FGs, 36.9% 3's (56.5% combined FG%), 86% FTs (his 7.2 attempts per game got many opponents into foul trouble, especially in the first quarter of games).

Miscellaneous hoops facts:

Biggest improvement from 2 seasons ago to this yr:

SA +23 wins
Rot +22 wins

Most wins over the last 2 seasons:

SA 118 (including a 62-win season)
Mid 104

3 different teams have won titles over the last 5 season

Notable Finals performances:

KCC's Steve Nash led all scorers in game 1 with 31. He and teammate Tony Parker both had 10 assists, but Midwest's 27 made FTs ended up being the difference as Midwest won by 9.
Turnover-prone KCC fumbles the ball away 22 times in game 2 while Midwest's Joe Johnson scores 36 on 15 of 22 shooting. Midwest wins by 14.
KCC again passes the 20-TO mark, this time with 21. Midwest's Michael Redd scores 31 on 12 of 19 shooting. Midwest wins game 3 with Carlos Boozer scoring at the buzzer after teammate Pau Gasol stole the ball from KCC's Steve Nash.
On the verge of elimination, KCC won at home with the aid of Yao Ming's 33 points.
In game 5, KCC again reaches the 20-TO mark while Midwest's Boozer/Redd combine for 63 points for a 24-point win.
Playoff MVP: Midwest's Michael Redd, 26.5 pts, 50.9% FGs, 36.9% 3's (56.5% combined FG%), 86% FTs (his 7.2 attempts per game got many opponents into foul trouble, especially in the first quarter of games). Runner-up: Midwest's Carlos Boozer, 24.5 pts, 10.6 rebs, 61.2% FGs, 60% FTs.

Notable playoff performances:

SA @ Mid:
After Santa Ana obtained Ray Allen and Ben Wallace at the trade deadline, SA had the league's best record, but Midwest held onto their ever-diminishing lead in the standings to finish one game ahead of SA. That may be the key to Midwest defeating SA 4 games to 3 in the playoffs despite SA having the superior head-to-head regular season record (5-4).
SA's Ray Allen led all scorers prior to the Finals, barely beating Midwest's Michael Redd (27.4 vs 27.3). Allen almost single-handedly led SA to a playoff series win against Midwest, winning game 4 with a 3-point shot at the buzzer, sending game 5 into OT by hitting a 3-point shot at the buzzer (allowing SA's Jason Kidd to win the game in OT with a 3-point shot at the buzzer), and leading all scorers with 30 in game 7.
The other player obtained by SA in the mid-season trade was Ben Wallace who led all playoff rebounders with 13.1 rebs per game.
Leading the way for Midwest in the series was Michael Redd (27.3 pts, 50% FGs, 40.5% 3s), Joe Johnson (22.9 pts, 53.3% FGs, 37.1% 3s) and Carlos Boozer (21.9 pts, 11.3 rebs, 62.1% FG).
Assist leaders going into the Finals: SA's Jason Kidd and KCC's Steve Nash both averaged 11 assists per game.
SA had the leading stealer (Ben Wallace, 1.86) and leading blocker (Alonzo Mourning off the bench, 2.29) up to the Finals.
Rot @ KCC:
Rottingham took KCC to seven games with Josh Howard leading the way (20.7 pts, 51% FGs, 43% 3s, 79% FTs, 7.9 rebs). Sixth-man Antawn Jamison had to start 2 of the 7 games for injured Luol Deng and was the team's leading rebounder and 2nd-leading scorer (18.3 pts, 8.3 rebs, 49% FGs, 2 assists). Rot's Al Jefferson was injured two minutes into game 6 and replaced by Josh Smith.
KCC's best players were Yao Ming (24.6 pts, 57% FGs, 91% FTs, 8.4 rebs, 1.6 blocks) and Steve Nash (19.3 pts, 57% FGs, 43.6% 3s, 91.7% FTs, 11 assists).
In game 5, KCC's Yao Ming scored 31 pts on 11 of 13 FGs (9 of 10 FTs), grabbed 10 rebounds, and blocked 2 shots.
In game 6, Rot's Antawn Jamison started for injured Luol Deng and scores 24 pts (11 of 16 FGs), grabbed 9 rebounds, and had 3 steals. Rot's Al Jefferson was injured 2:23 into the first quarter and Josh Smith filled in for him, shooting 7 of 11, blocking 5 shots, scoring 15 pts, and getting 2 steals.
In game 7, Rot's Antawn Jamison again filled in nicely for Deng, scoring 30 pts (10 of 18 FGs, 8 of 10 FTs), grabbing 10 rebounds while not turning over the ball once.

Finals

Midwest defeats KCC 4-1

Midwest had the better head-to-head regular season record: 5-4.

Game 1: Midwest Marauders 122, The King's Crimson Cobras 122 (home team: Mid)

Midwest's Michael Redd dupes KCC's Yao Ming into hacking Redd 5 times in 7 minutes during the first quarter. Nevertheless, KCC leads by 2 at the end of the quarter.

Yao quickly fouls out within the first 2 minutes of the 2nd quarter. He's replaced by the aging Shaq. KCC doesn't miss Yao as they shoot 15 of 20 (75% and outscore Midwest 36-22 in the quarter. KCC's Nash leads all scorers w/20 at the half.

Midwest shuts down KCC in the 3rd, holding KCC to 18 points. Meanwhile, the Marauders score 41, led by Joe Johnson's 9 3rd quarter points. Midwest leads by 7.

KCC's LeBron scores 10 in the 4th, but Midwest's Carlos Boozer scores 15. Midwest wins by 9.

Game 2: Midwest Marauders 125, The King's Crimson Cobras 111 (home team: KCC)

Midwest's Michael Redd again draws fouls in the first quarter, going to the FT line 4 times. Midwest makes 8 of 8 FTs while KCC bricks their only 2 FTA. Midwest leads by 8 at the end of the first quarter.

The King's of Turnovers strike again with 7 2nd-qtr turnovers versus 3 for Midwest. But KCC's 62% FGs overcomes the TOs and KCC outscores Midwest by 2. Midwest leads by 6 at the half.

Midwest turns the tables in the 3rd, shooting 70% versus 37% for KCC. Midwest leads by 13 going into the 4th.

Midwest's starting guards (Michael Redd/Joe Johnson) are too much for KCC's starting guards (Nash/Tony Parker), outscoring the KCC duo 63-34. KCC turns the ball over 20 times in the game.

Game 3: Midwest Marauders 123, The King's Crimson Cobras 122 (home team: Mid)

Guard play continues to dominate: Midwest's Joe Johnson/Michael Redd combine for 21 1st-qtr pts (75% FGs) while KCC's Nash/Parker combine for 17 pts (78% FGs).

At the half, 3 Midwest players have 3+ fouls while no Cobras have more than 2. KCC leads by 1.

Little defense is being played: through 3 quarters, both teams are shooting a combined 62%. KCC's Tony Parker is 11 of 12. Midwest leads by 5.

Midwest's Amare Stoudemire fouls out less than a minute into the 4th quarter with Midwest leading by 2. He's replaced by David Lee. David plays 10 minutes in the 4th, helps hold Tim Duncan/Dwight Howard scoreless for the quarter, and scores 6 pts on 3 of 5 shooting. With time running out and trailing by 1, Midwest's Pau Gasol steals the ball from KCC's Nash, gets the ball to Carlos Boozer who hits the winning shot at the buzzer.

Oddity: both coaches get 2 technicals each and Mid's David Lee get a flagrant.

Game 4: The King's Crimson Cobras 123, Midwest Marauders 117 (home team: KCC)

Once again, Midwest's guards drive to the bucket, getting KCC into foul trouble (Tim Duncan has 3 fouls in 8 minutes). Midwest hits 13 of 16 FTs, doesn't turnover the ball, and leads by 13 at the end of the first quarter.

KCC's Yao Ming scores 12 in the 2nd, cutting Midwest's lead to 4 at the half.

Midwest's Carlos Boozer scores 15 in the 3rd, but KCC cuts the lead to 2 points going into the 4th quarter.

With 5 minutes left in the game, KCC's LeBron fouls out with KCC trailing by 2. In the last 4:03, KCC goes on a 15-4 run.

Game 5: Midwest Marauders 126, The King's Crimson Cobras 102 (home team: Mid)

Midwest's guard (Joe Johnson/Michael Redd) combine for 24 first-quarter points on 62% FGs. KCC trails by 9.

KCC's Yao Ming scores 12 in the 2nd, his 5 of 6 shooting helping KCC shoot 64% for the quarter. KCC now trails by only 1 at the half. KCC Dwight Howard and LeBron both have 4 fouls.

Less than three minutes into the third quarter, KCC's Dwight Howard fouls out. He's replaced by Gerald Wallace. For the quarter, KCC attempts no free throws and is outscored 37-18. Midwest has the games biggest lead (20) going into the fourth quarter.

In the end, KCC went to the FT line half as many times (34-17), turned the ball over 5 more times than Midwest, and had 12 fewer rebounds. Midwest easily wins by 24.

Midwest's playoff stats.
KCC's playoff stats.

Division Finals:

East:

Midwest defeats SA 4-3

In the regular season, SA had the better head-to-head record: 5-4.

Game 1: Midwest Marauders 130, Santa Ana SeaLions 118 (home team: Mid)

SA's Elton Brand gets 3 fouls in the first quarter, then scores 16 in the 2nd qtr, shooting 8 of 9. In the 3rd quarter, SA's Ray Allen (obtained in a trade from RC) scores 14.

Game 2: Midwest Marauders 98, Santa Ana SeaLions 95 (home team: SA)

Midwest's Redd & Stoudemire combine for 22 in the first quarter. Amare was especially hot (5 of 5).

In the 2nd quarter, SA's shooting guards (Ray Allen/Stojakovic) shoot 0 for 6 while Midwest's shooting guard (Joe Johnson) gets hot (6 of 7 for 13 points).

In the 3rd, it was a battle of the power forwards: SA's Elton Brand (6 of 8 for 14 points) vs Mid's Carlos Boozer (5 of 6 for 13 points).

In the 4th, Mid's Carlos Boozer fouls out with 6:32 left in the game and SA closes the gap to 10 points. With 4:06 left, the lead is cut to 3 (94-91). SA's Marion has the hot hand shooting 6 of 8 for 12 points. SA shoots 3 of 21 from 3-pt land. At the buzzer, SA's Ray Allen shoots a 3...

Game 3: Santa Ana SeaLions 127, Midwest Marauders 117 (home team: Mid)

Midwest's Carlos Boozer went to the FT line 8 times in the first quarter, 2 times more than the whole SA team. Midwest was 12 of 14 from the charity stripe in the first qtr, building a 7-point lead. SA's Kidd had 6 assists in the first quarter.

In the second quarter, both teams get hot shooting 60%. SA's Stojakovic led the team with 11 second-quarter points while Midwest's Michael Redd shot 7 of 9 for 16 points. Kidd's assists are now up to 10.

Redd cools off in the third (0 of 5). Midwest falls apart, shooting 7 of 27 (25.9%) while SA shoots 57%. SA outscores Midwest 37-16 in the 3rd. SA has the free throw attempt advantage, too: 13 to 3. SA leads by 13.

In the 4th, Midwest's Joe Johnson goes off for 17 points, shooting 6 of 6. Midwest's Stoudemire fouls out with 5:19 left in the game, with his team trailing by 15. For the game, SA's Mourning comes off the bench and scores 20 in 29 minutes, shooting 8 of 11. Kidd finishes with 14 assists and no turnovers.

Game 4: Santa Ana SeaLions 127, Midwest Marauders 125 (home team: SA)

After a close 1st quarter, Midwest blows open the doors with a 41-pt second quarter, shooting 76.2% (16 of 21). At halftime, Midwest's Joe Johnson leads all scorers with 18.

Johnson quickly quiets down in the 3rd (only 2 pts) while SA turns the table by scoring 43 points, cutting Midwest's lead to 5 with 1 quarter to go. Leading scorers in the 3rd for SA: Ray Allen (12), Shawn Marion (12), and Elton Brand (10). Midwest's Boozer pours in 18 during the quarter.

With 3:34 left in the game, Midwest's Stoudemire fouls out. Midwest leads by 5 at the time. It comes down to a 3-pt shot attempt by Ray Allen at the buzzer...

Loser shoots 63%/55%/72%

Game 5: Santa Ana SeaLions 141, Midwest Marauders 139 (OT) (home team: Mid)

SA's Kidd/Marion combo starts off hot with 16 pts in the first, but Midwest's Boozer/Stoudemire does even better combining for 18 first-qtr pts.

In the 2nd quarter, Midwest's Stoudemire collects 3 fouls, but Midwest outscores SA by 3, going into halftime with a 13-pt lead.

Seventy-six points are scored in the 3rd quarter, led by Redd's 19 (Mid) and Marion's 16 (SA). With one quarter to go, Midwest is shooting 65%/50%/87%.

In the 4th, SA comes roaring back and they need Ray Allen's 3-pt shot at the buzzer to go in to send the game into OT...

In OT, SA needs Kidd's 3-pter at the buzzer to win...

Game 6: Midwest Marauders 107, Santa Ana SeaLions 98 (home team: SA)

In the first quarter, SA hits the offensive boards, collecting 7 (versus only 1 for Midwest), but SA's 20 missed shots are what enabled all those offensive rebound opportunities. Midwest leads by 2.

In the second quarter, foul trouble develops for Midwest's Pau Gasol, SA's Elton Brands, and SA's Shawn Marion: all have 4 fouls. Backup center Alonzo Mourning has 5 fouls for SA. The second half could be a test of team depth on the front lines. Midwest leads by 11 on the road.

In the third quarter, SA shuts down Midwest's offense, holding the Marauders to only 19 points. Midwest's lead is cut to 1. None of the players in foul trouble collected an additional foul in the quarter.

Elton Brand (SA) fouls out with 7:18 left in the game, trailing by 3. He's replaced by Mourning who quickly picks up a foul, earning himself a DQ. Midwest's Stoudemire and Boozer both head for the bench due to fatigue with 3:03 left in the game and a 5-pt lead. David Lee and Tyson Chandler replace them.

Game 7: Midwest Marauders 127, Santa Ana SeaLions 112 (home team: Mid)

In the first quarter, once again SA's Ray Allen dons his Midwest Killer uniform and leads his team with 13 pts. But Midwest's Pau Gasol does Ray one better by scoring 14. Score is tied at 35 at the end of the quarter.

In the 2nd quarter, Midwest decides to pound it inside and end up going to the FT line 12 times versus 1 for SA. At halftime, leading scorers are SA's Ray Allen (19) and Midwest's Pau Gasol (21). Players with 3 fouls include Ray Allen, Elton Brand, Shawn Marion, Alonzo Mourning, Ben Wallace, and Carlos Boozer. All but Boozer play for SA.

SA turns the table in the 3rd quarter, going to the FT line 11 times versus only 2 for Midwest. But SA connects on only 6 of them and Midwest leads by 9 going into the 4th quarter. Only one player has 5 fouls: Midwest's Amare Stoudemire.

Amare (Midwest) fouls out 3 minutes into the 4th quarter as does SA's Shawn Marion. Replacing Marion is Okur, who ends up leading all scorers in the 4th quarter (10 pts). Midwest-killer Ray Allen leads all scorers with 30 for the game, but it's not enough to offset game-MVP Carol Boozer's 19 rebounds and 29 pts on 11 of 13 shooting.

SA's playoff stats.

West:

KCC defeats Rottingham 4 to 3

In the regular season, KCC had the better head-to-head record: 6-3.

Game 1: The King's Crimson Cobras 118, Rottingham Rogues 104 (home team: KCC)

In the 1st quarter, Rottingham's Deng shoots 6 of 6 while scoring 13 points, grabbing 4 rebounds, and dishing out 2 assists.

At half-time, Rottingham's 6th-man (Antawn Jamison) had 10 rebounds while KCC's Steve Nash had 9 assists.

KCC's Dwight Howard fouls out with 2:45 left in the third. Rot's Chris Paul fouls out at the end of the third quarter, leaving the Rogues with only one guard on the bench: Randy Foye.

KCC's Yao Ming fouled out with 6:53 left in the game. Rottingham goes cold in the 4th, shooting 29.2% (7 of 24; Jamison was 0-5).

Game 2: Rottingham Rogues 100, The King's Crimson Cobras 89 (home team: Rot)

In the 1st quarter, Rottingham's Chris Paul dished out 5 assists without committing any turnovers, leading the Rogues to a 5-pt lead at the end of the quarter.

In the 2nd quarter, the Rogues shoot only 10 of 26, but win the TO battle for the quarter (1-7) and increase their lead to 8 at the half.

At the end of the 3rd, LeBron and Duncan have combined for only 4 points. KCC shoots 17.6% in the 3rd (3 of 17) and fall behind by 18.

In the 4th, KCC shoots 67% and scores 35, led by Duncan's 15 points (7 of 7 shooting). KCC's leading scorer (Nash w/24) fouls out with 4:28 left in the game w/KCC down by 16. KCC commits 30 TOs versus only 16 for the Rogues.

Game 3: Rottingham Rogues 111, The King's Crimson Cobras 102 (home team: KCC)

In the 1st quarter, Rottingham's Josh Howard leads all scorers with 10.

In 7 minutes in the 2nd quarter, KCC's Tim Duncan collects 3 fouls and ends the half with 4 fouls. Rottingham goes cold, shooting 6 of 21 in the second quarter. KCC builds an 8 point lead. In foul trouble at the half: Duncan, KCC's Parker, both with 4 each.

Duncan fouls out in the 3rd and Rottingham outscores KCC by 5, shaving KCC's lead to 3 at the end of the 3rd.

In the 4th, KCC's Tony Parker fouls out. KCC's reserves can't fill in adequately, the starters grow tired and hack the Rogues, giving Rottingham a 10-FTA advantage for the quarter.

Game 4: Rottingham Rogues 100, The King's Crimson Cobras 93 (home team: Rot)

In the 1st quarter the Rogues go ice cold, shooting 6 of 25 led by Chris Paul's 0-5 effort. The Rogues only score 15.

Tables reverse in the 2nd quarter with KCC only scoring 15 pts. Rottingham's 6th-man Jamison holds Dwight Howard to no points for the quarter while scoring 6 himself (3 of 3 FGs). At the half, the Rogues lead by 4.

In the 3rd, KCC goes inside to Yao who scores 14 of KCC's 32 pts. Rottingham once again goes cold with Deng leading the way (1-9). KCC is up by 7 with one quarter to go.

The curse of poor-shooting swings back to KCC in the 4th (8 of 23) while the Rogues get hot (54%).

Game 5: The King's Crimson Cobras 114, Rottingham Rogues 101 (home team: KCC)

Ow! It's Yao...scoring 16 in the 1st qtr for KCC. Another ow! In-game injury for Rottingham's Deng...may or may not be a multi-game injury (injury length displayed only after game is completed). Jamison replaces Deng in the starting lineup with Josh Smith next off the bench.

In the 2nd, Duncan gets 3 fouls. At the half, players in foul trouble: Duncan (KCC, 3), Yao (KCC, 3), Ginobli (Rot, 3).

In the 3rd, KCC shoots nearly 65%, pushing their lead to 13 pts at the start of the 4th. Yao now has 27 pts on 10 of 10 shooting (7 of 8 FTs).

In the 4th, KCC's Parker fouls out with 4:34 left in the game. Rottingham's Ginobli scores 12 in the 4th, but it's not enough to win the game. Rottingham's Deng is out for 4 games. In place of Deng, Rottingham's Jamison scores 20, grabs 10 rebs, and shoots 8 of 13 (3-6 from downtown). KCC's Yao leads all scorers with 31 on 11 of 13 shooting.

Game 6: The King's Crimson Cobras 116, Rottingham Rogues 110 (home team: Rot)

Rott's Jamison steps in for injured Deng and shoots 5 of 5 in the first quarter, scoring 11 points and grabbing 5 rebounds. KCC's Tim Duncan quickly collects 3 fouls in 7 minutes of the first quarter. Neither team plays defense as both shoot 65%+. Bad news for the Rogues: 2:23 into the first quarter and All Jefferson goes out with an injury, possibly a multi-game injury.

Duncan picks up his 4th foul in the 2nd quarter and Rottingham stays close, only trailing by 3 at the half. KCC's Nash has the hot hand (7 of 9, 6 assists).

Duncan picks up his 5th foul in the 3rd quarter. Rottingham's Josh Smith has 4 fouls off the bench. Josh Howard of Rot is the leading scorer with 21 pts, 9 rebs. KCC leads by 4 going into the 4th.

With 1:22 left in the game, KCC's Parker and Rot's Josh Howard go to the bench due to fatigue, replaced by LeBron and Maggettee, respectively.

Game 7: The King's Crimson Cobras 125, Rottingham Rogues 117 (home team: KCC)

With Rottingham's Antawn Jamison starting for the injured Luol Deng and Josh Smith starting for the injured Al Jefferson, Rottingham tries to win a game 7 on the road. Jamison goes to the FT line 4 times and draws 2 fouls against KCC's Tim Duncan, but Antawn doesn't attempt a single FT. Josh Smith shoots 0-3 with 2 TOs. Meanwhile, KCC's Duncan and Howard get off to a good start, combining for 16 1st qtr points. Uncharacteristically, KCC wins the TO battle 2-7.

In the 2nd quarter, the Rogues explode for 44, led by Antawn Jamison's 14 pts (5 of 7 FGs, 2 of 2 3's). KCC shoots 75% for the quarter, but score 11 fewer points due to losing the TO battle 9-0. KCC's Tim Duncan has 5 fouls going into the half.

In the first 5:29 of the 3rd quarter, KCC's Dwight Howard collects 3 quick fouls and earns a DQ. Replacing Howard is Gerald Wallace who shoots 3 of 3 (including a 3) and leads the team in scoring for the quarter (7). The TO battle swings in favor of KCC: 2-6. KCC leads by 5 with Howard gone and Duncan hanging on with 5 fouls.

In the 4th, turnovers again haunt the Rogues (5), but Josh Smith and Antawn Jamison lead the team with 9 and 8 pts respectively for the quarter. Jamison and KCC's Yao lead the game with 30 points each. Rott's Josh Smith fills in quite nicely for Jefferson, scoring 16 pts on 50% shooting, grabbing 13 rebounds, blocking 2 shots and getting 2 steals.

Rottingham's playoff stats.

Post-season Injuries

In game 5 of Rot/KCC, Rottingham's Luol Deng is injured and out for 4 games. In game 6 of Rot/KCC, Rottingham's Al Jefferson is injured and out for 8 games.