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The year of the NBA playoff comeback continues. A look at how these 20-point rallies keep happening

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ABC News
5h ago
The year of the NBA playoff comeback continues. A look at how these 20-point rallies keep happening

Context:

The current NBA playoffs have seen an unprecedented series of comeback victories, with three consecutive days featuring teams overcoming 20-point deficits to win. Notably, the New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers have each achieved multiple such comebacks, highlighting a trend of resilience and dramatic turnarounds in the postseason. Oklahoma City's remarkable rally from a 29-point deficit against Memphis underscores the unpredictability of these games. Key players, such as Tyrese Haliburton and Mikal Bridges, have been instrumental in closing these gaps, often with crucial late-game performances. These comebacks are part of a broader pattern in this playoff season, which has already set a record for the most 20-point comebacks since detailed digital tracking began in 1997.

Dive Deeper:

  • The New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers have each managed to overcome 20-point deficits twice during the current playoff season, with the Knicks achieving this feat against the Boston Celtics on consecutive days.

  • Oklahoma City's comeback from a 29-point deficit against the Memphis Grizzlies was fueled by a significant shift in momentum following Ja Morant's injury, with Chet Holmgren playing a pivotal role by scoring 23 points during the rally.

  • The Indiana Pacers' narrow victory over the Milwaukee Bucks was marked by a dramatic finish, as they erased a seven-point deficit in the final 40 seconds of overtime, culminating in Tyrese Haliburton's winning layup with 1.4 seconds remaining.

  • In both of their comebacks against Boston, the New York Knicks capitalized on the Celtics' poor shooting performance, with the Celtics relying heavily on 3-point attempts and failing to maintain their lead.

  • The Indiana Pacers managed a comeback against the Cleveland Cavaliers by scoring 59 points in the final 18:51, with Haliburton again playing a crucial role by hitting a decisive 3-pointer with 1.1 seconds left.

  • Boston's inability to score effectively in the closing stages of their games against New York was evident as they shot poorly from the field, allowing the Knicks to seize control and secure victories in both encounters.

  • These dramatic comebacks highlight a trend of resilience and strategic play in the current NBA playoffs, which have witnessed the most 20-point come-from-behind victories since detailed digital records began.

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