The Golden State Warriors and Atlanta Hawks are not the only favourites who have to be concerned after three games of the second round of the NBA play-offs. All four of the higher seeds have started in a 2-1 hole.
According to ESPN, it is the first time since the league expanded to 16 play-off teams in 1984 that such a reversal had taken place.
LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers, who expected to encounter little trouble from the Chicago Bulls, have been given fits by Derrick Rose and Co.
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The Houston Rockets, who were paired against the under-seeded and underrated Los Angeles Clippers, probably expected a fight, but they probably did not expect to be outscored by 35 points through the first three games.
After a first round that was entertaining but largely one-sided, the pluck shown by the unfancied teams is a welcome surprise out of a second round that mostly featured mismatches on paper.
Basketball is a dynastic sport, and the best team usually proves it with a championship. This is why greats such as Michael Jordan, Larry Bird and Kobe Bryant are judged in part by the titles they win.
Sometimes a team emerges, such as the 2004 Detroit Pistons, who are better than expected and make an unexpected run to the title. The Warriors, Hawks or Cavaliers can recover, but it might be that the Grizzlies, Bulls or Wizards dismiss them from the play-offs in the next week.
Who can deny that the taste of unpredictability to this round would not make for a decent meal?
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