Count It

Dr. X posts this from Oracle Arena parking lot:

"They weren't even supposed to be here. The Golden State Warriors, perennial laughingstock of the NBA, had to win 9 games out of 10 at the end of the season just to qualify for the playoffs.

"It looked to be a short ride. They were facing the best team in the league. The Mavericks had the best record in basketball (the sixth-best in league history). In Vegas, the Mavs were 7-5 to win the NBA championship - the Warriors were 90-1. Here is how ESPN's panel of experts saw it: Stein - Mavs in 5; Anthony - Mavs in 6; Broussard - Mavs in 6; Hollinger - Mavs in 6; Sheridan - Mavs in 6.

"Well, game six is over, and the Mavericks are going home for the summer. It wasn't close - the Mavericks trailed by two at halftime, but the Warriors put together a 24-3 run in the third quarter, and the Mavs were done.

"It was:

"1) The biggest playoff upset in NBA history.
"2) The first time the #8 seed had won a 7-game series.
"3) The first time the Warriors won a 7-game playoff series since 1976.
"4) The best one-legged performance in the NBA playoffs since Willis Reed.

"The Warriors can rest a bit now, and get ready for the next team - either Houston or Utah. Neither of those teams are as good as Dallas, so the Warriors could keep advancing. But they'll have to bring their 'A' game every night. It's still a long way to Coney Island."