CSL March Madness: The Quarterfinals!

#16 Indiana Pacers vs. #8 Chicago Bulls
RESULT: Chicago Bulls WIN, 113-98
Screenshots of game result:


Analysis: Well, we all knew it eventually had to happen: LeBron cooled off. After averaging more than 50 points in the first two rounds, everyone knew the key to victory would be to slow LeBron down and make other players take the shots, and that’s exactly what Chicago did. LeBron had 34 points on 42% (still no poor performance, but it wasn’t enough), while Kobe shot a putrid 23%. Dirk was invisible as always, something we’ve grown used to on this Pacers team, and it just wasn’t enough to overcome Derrick Rose’s 31 points on 60% shooting. Chicago will move on to face either the Wiz or the Clippers next round.

#13 Washington Wizards vs. #5 Los Angeles Clippers
RESULT: Washington Wizards WIN, 98-79
Screenshots of game result:


Analysis: This is the game where the Clippers really felt the loss of Kemba Walker and Josh Smith. Scoring 79 points is unacceptable in any game, let alone one against a team like the Wizards, but with Smith and Kemba out, there wasn’t any scoring left to be found. James Johnson took the most shots for the Clippers, 11, converting on only 4 of them, while Chris Paul shot 6 of 10 for 17 points. If the Clippers were going to win this one, Chris Paul needed a 30 point performance, but it wasn’t happening tonight.

#10 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. #2 Portland Trailblazers
RESULT: Portland Trailblazers WIN, 110-91
Screenshots of game result:


Analysis: This one was ugly from the start. OKC shot a terrible 38% FG%, while the Trailblazers shot an even .500. Boris Diaw played 42 minutes, Nene played through an injury, and both of them shot .375 from the field. Dwight Howard’s 7 of 13 for 19 points was the lone decent performance from the Thunder, but Damian Lillard’s 28 points was too much for the Thunder to overcome on a poor shooting night.


#11 Miami Heat vs. #3 Utah Jazz
RESULT: Utah Jazz WIN, 129-99
Screenshots of game result:


Analysis: Well, the reign of KD has come to an abrupt end. In 3 games so far for the Jazz, they’ve steamrolled every single one of their opponents, and they have to be the favorites to win it all, especially with New Orleans being eliminated already. Again, Kevin Durant played 48 minutes, but only had 30 points to show for it on subpar shooting percentages. Derrick Favors had 36 and Mike Conley shot a perfect 100% on 7 shots for 15 points. This one wasn’t even close.