The second round of these NBA playoffs ends Sunday with a pair of Game 7s. There have been 133 Game 7s in NBA history — home teams have won 105, or 79%. Roughly one of every four Game 7s has been decided by three points or less; 56% have been decided by a single-digit margin. Only 14 Game 7s have been decided by more than 20 points. "I've been fortunate to be in a few Game 7s and they're very unique," Philadelphia coach Brett Brown said. "They're special. They are a life lesson, a life opportunity."
Portland at Denver, 2:30 p.m., Ch. 5
Game 7 histories: The Trail Blazers are 1-2 all-time in Game 7s, 0-2 on the road. The Nuggets are 2-2, 2-0 at home. Denver could become the fifth team in the current playoff format to win Game 7s in each of the first two rounds.
About the series: A series that had a four-overtime game is going to go the distance, and that's fitting. Portland's two top scorers, Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum, have combined for 311 points in the series. Denver's two top scorers, Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, have combined for 309. Given how the star power seems to cancel out, expect Game 7 to be decided by a third option or role player who steps up.
Philadelphia at Toronto, 6 p.m., TNT
Game 7 histories: The 76ers are 6-9 all-time in Game 7s, 1-8 on the road. The Raptors are 2-2, 2-1 at home.
About the series: Both teams have a five-point road win already in this series, and the other four games have all been double-digit victories by the home club. Having two days off after Game 6 probably was welcomed by everybody, particularly 76ers star Joel Embiid, who will likely need to play very big minutes Sunday. The 76ers have outscored the Raptors by 80 points in 192 minutes with Embiid on the floor, and the Raptors have outscored the 76ers by 97 in the 96 minutes that he's been on the bench.
Associated Press
