There have been many NBA playoff comebacks in recent times, with teams mounting improbable comebacks over a seven-game series, and others turning over huge leads in individual games. Remarkable things can happen when a home crowd inspires a team and when complacency seeps in for a heavy favorite. Here we will focus on some of the biggest leads overturned in a single contest.
LA Clippers vs Warriors (2019) The Golden State Warriors are the current NBA champions having defeated the Boston Celtics in the finals last season. But this season they are struggling so far and in Paddy Power’s NBA betting are now +650 slight outsiders to defend their championship next year. Whereas the Boston Celtics are a popular pick in the latest betting tips after starting strongly as they will be hoping to do one better after coming so close last season.
In the first round of the Western playoffs in 2019, the Warriors surrendered a huge 29-point lead against the Los Angeles Clippers as a star-studded side led by Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry showcased complacency and perhaps slight arrogance as they completely fell apart to lose 135-131.
10th career triple-double for SC30 💪 pic.twitter.com/rnzh0d8kUj
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) November 2, 2022
Memphis Grizzlies vs Minnesota Timberwolves (2022) This comeback which took place in the first round of the 2022 playoffs was detrimental to the entire tie, not just the single encounter that it decided. The Minnesota Timberwolves twice held big leads in game three, first by 26 points as early as the second quarter, but they were pegged back in the third to as slim a lead as seven points. But they went on a strong run making it 73-50 near the end of the third quarter.
The Memphis Grizzlies struck back again establishing a level of momentum that was impossible for the Timberwolves to put an end to in the final quarter. Outscoring their opponents 54-22 in the closing stages of the game earned them a vital win as they eventually won the series 4-2 before being beaten by the Warriors in the following round.
solve the puzzle @Timberwolves pic.twitter.com/brUPrvRvt9
— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) November 9, 2021
LA Clippers vs Memphis Grizzlies (2012) The Clippers and the Grizzlies seem to not be able to escape from iconic comeback games in the recent past and the Clippers especially are fond of coming out on top in dramatic comeback ties.
Back in 2012 again in the first round of the Western Conference, the Clippers trailed by a huge 27 points going into the second half of the game. The lead was reduced to 21 going into the fourth quarter as the victory still seemed relatively safe for the Grizzlies.
But the Clippers incredibly embarked on a 28-3 run to win the contest, scoring five out of six three-point efforts with Chris Paul’s foul won with 23 seconds to go before dispatching both of his free-throw efforts securing a 99-98 victory.
The victory meant little in the long term as they were defeated 4-0 by the San Antonio Spurs in the Conference Semifinals, but it was an occasion that will never be forgotten by both sets of fans.
