It’s safe to say things could have gone better for the Truth.
Former Boston Celtic Paul Pierce was swept by Chicago Bulls shooting guard Zach LaVine in the ESPN broadcast of the NBA’s first-ever H-O-R-S-E Competition.
LaVine used an array of trick shots to keep the 10-time All-Star off balance from the start, the Celtic champion eliminated without getting a letter on his younger opponent.
Drawing on his athleticism, the UCLA product unleashed shots like touching the backboard, then making a reverse layup on the right that 42-year-old Pierce just didn’t have the hops to finish.
Ex-Celtics guard Chauncey Billups upset current Atlanta Hawk Trae Young however, coming from behind a 3-letter lead built by Young early.
While neither was exactly riveting entertainment, it’d be a lie to say the laggy, often-grainy production was all bad television despite the slow pace.
The defeat of Chris Paul by Allie Quigley was pretty compelling, and the other matches all had moments.
For now, Tamika Catchings, Paul, Young, and Pierce “go home” (a technicality, as they were already there) while Quigley, LaVine, Billups and Mike Conley advance to the semifinals.
Conley will face Billups, and Quigley LaVine in the Semifinals, which, along with the Finals, will be broadcast by ESPN and the ESPN app on Tuesday at 9pm ET.
