2011 NBA Lockout Simulation: Scores and Results for Week 4
Each Wednesday until the beginning of the NBA's abbreviated season, WhatIfSports.com's NBA simulation engine will simulate the previous week's unplayed games, using the NBA's actual 2011-12 pre-lockout schedule. The NBA simulation includes cumulative standings updated each week, a game of the week, a player of the week and statistical leaders.
The statistical inputs to the NBA simulations are based upon analysis of each team's roster, depth charts and statistically-based player rankings. Rosters reflect all transactions prior to the lockout and rookies are based on players of statistical equivalence.
Just when the NBA was at its darkest point, the lockout threatening to cancel the entire season amid a quagmire of courtroom litigations, the players and owners reached a compromise to salvage the 2011-12 campaign. A 66-game season is set to begin on December 25.
It's a Christmas miracle!
In the meantime, we'll continue our NBA lockout simulation, revealing the previous week's results every Wednesday. Finally, on December 24, we'll simulate the remainder of the pre-lockout schedule and announce end-of-season superlatives such as MVP, Rookie of the Year and All-NBA teams.
NBA Week 4: November 23 - November 29
Kyrie Irving, the top pick of the 2011 draft, has been eased into his role as playmaker for the Cleveland Cavaliers. He's coming off the bench for starter Baron Davis, averaging 6.8 points and 3.1 assists in 16.6 minutes per contest. His rookie counterpart and the fourth overall selection in the draft, Tristan Thompson, has averages of 6.1 points and 2.9 rebounds per game. The formula seems to be working for the Cavs, who claim a very respectable 7-6 record. Cleveland fans may have learned to temper their expectations though. Last year's squad began the season with seven wins in 16 tries, before losing to 36 of their next 37 opponents.
It might come as a surprise to scan the standings and see the Golden State Warriors—not the Los Angeles Lakers—atop the Pacific Division. The Warriors have raced out to a 10-6 record behind their young backcourt duo of Monta Ellis and Stephen Curry. Ellis leads the league in scoring at 25.1 points per game and Curry is adding 18.1 points and 6.8 assists per contest. They have also been terrific from downtown, collectively connecting on 77 of 160 three-point attempts (48.1 percent). The schedule gets tougher for the Warriors and maintaining early momentum will be no small task.
For the rest of this week's action, view the full team-by-team scoreboard.
Interested in learning which players have dominated the stat books, or who the early leaders are in the MVP race? Check out the season's statistical leaders.
Game of the Week: Memphis Grizzlies at Oklahoma City Thunder
| Grizzlies | 30 | 17 | 36 | 24 | 107 | Boxscore |
| Thunder | 25 | 26 | 25 | 14 | 90 | NBA SimMatchup |
| Player of the Game: Marc Gasol - 19 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists |
The Memphis Grizzlies became just the fourth No. 8 seed to beat a No. 1 seed when they dismissed the San Antonio Spurs in six games last April. Their next series went the distance, as the Grizzlies fell to the Oklahoma City Thunder in seven games. Not a bad showing for a team missing their franchise player, Rudy Gay, who had been sidelined with a shoulder injury two months before the playoffs began. With Gay back in the fold, the Grizzlies were seeking revenge when they traveled to Oklahoma City for our Game of the Week.
Entering the game with a 5-8 record and a victory over the Lakers two nights prior, the Thunder were eager to earn a second consecutive victory and overcome their slow start to the season. They took a 51-47 lead heading into the half. After that, it was all Memphis. The Grizzlies outscored the Thunder 60-39 in the second half on the way to a 107-90 victory. The Thunder sputtered in the fourth quarter, scoring just 14 points. They shot 41.6 percent from the floor and made just six of 24 three-point tries.
A balanced attack by the Grizzlies placed seven scorers in double figures, led by 19 points and 12 rebounds from Marc Gasol. Gay scored 16 points to go along with 11 rebounds and Zach Randolph added 14 points and 11 boards.
The Thunder were paced by 20 points from Kevin Durant and 16 from Russell Westbrook. The two combined to shoot 14-for-38 (36.8 percent) in the loss.
Player of the Week: Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder
| Boston | 9 | 5 | 0.643 |
| New York | 6 | 8 | 0.429 |
| Philadelphia | 6 | 8 | 0.429 |
| Toronto | 2 | 11 | 0.154 |
| New Jersey | 1 | 13 | 0.071 |
| Chicago | 12 | 2 | 0.857 |
| Cleveland | 7 | 6 | 0.538 |
| Milwaukee | 6 | 7 | 0.462 |
| Detroit | 6 | 8 | 0.429 |
| Indiana | 6 | 10 | 0.375 |
| Orlando | 11 | 3 | 0.786 |
| Miami | 7 | 6 | 0.538 |
| Atlanta | 6 | 6 | 0.500 |
| Washington | 4 | 9 | 0.308 |
| Charlotte | 3 | 11 | 0.214 |
| Utah | 11 | 3 | 0.786 |
| Portland | 10 | 4 | 0.714 |
| Denver | 8 | 5 | 0.615 |
| Minnesota | 7 | 7 | 0.500 |
| Oklahoma City | 6 | 9 | 0.400 |
| Golden State | 10 | 6 | 0.625 |
| Phoenix | 8 | 6 | 0.571 |
| L.A. Lakers | 7 | 7 | 0.500 |
| Sacramento | 6 | 9 | 0.400 |
| L.A. Clippers | 5 | 10 | 0.333 |
| San Antonio | 10 | 4 | 0.714 |
| Memphis | 9 | 5 | 0.643 |
| Houston | 7 | 6 | 0.538 |
| Dallas | 8 | 7 | 0.533 |
| New Orleans | 5 | 8 | 0.385 |
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