TRILLION WATCH: With coaches shortening their rotations, there were slim pickings among the heroes of zeros. Pacers guard Orlando Johnson actually led the way with a 1 trillion Saturday vs. New York. Honorable mention to Warriors forward Richard Jefferson, who spoiled a 3 trillion with two missed free throws Monday at San Antonio, and Pacers center Ian Mahinmi, who wrecked a 5 trillion with a turnover Tuesday at New York.
GAME OF THE WEEK: New York at Indiana, May 14. This is virtually a must-win for New York, because it is hard to imagine the Knicks and their sputtering offense digging a 3-1 hole and then climbing out of it, especially since the Pacers are one of just two teams (along with the Grizzlies) yet to lose at home in the postseason.
TWO MINUTES: I will never understand why someone accusing an opponent of flopping or saying his team won’t get any calls – like Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau – warrants a $35,000 fine, while someone showing utter disrespect for a referee and calling him every vulgar name in the book in front of his co-workers and other players – like Bulls forward Taj Gibson – warrants a $25,000 fine. … The Spurs made short work of the Lakers in the first round and appeared to be the West’s top team heading into the conference semifinals. But was their trouble in the first two games at home vs. Golden State – they held the lead for all of 5:56 – somewhat attributable to incorporating players returning from injury? Bigs Boris Diaw and Tiago Splitter missed all or part of the first round before returning in Games 1 and 2, respectively, vs. the Warriors. However welcome their returns were, there was some disruption to coach Gregg Popovich’s rotations and matchups. “I think getting Tiago back so we had our starting lineup, when we do that, it doesn’t matter what the other team does player-wise starting,” he said. “We may play well or poorly, but we’re 
comfortable.” … Since returning from his suspension for hitting Jason Terry with an elbow, Knicks supersub J.R. Smith is 19-of-69 from the field, including 7-of-27 from the arc. … Thunder center Kendrick Perkins isn’t a scorer by any stretch of the imagination, but he has taken his “role” to a new level that isn’t helping the team at all. Through nine postseason games, Perkins has 20 points, 20 turnovers, 31 fouls and 36 rebounds in 170 minutes. He has one more block – three total – than he does technical fouls. Perkins’ impact in the first round was maginalized by Houston’s desire to play small ball. But he should be having a greater effect against Memphis. And if Oklahoma City somehow advances to face either San Antonio or Golden State – two more teams that like to spread and go small – Perkins again may be no factor. … Spurs forward Tim Duncan collected his 142nd playoff double-double Sunday, tying Shaquille O’Neal for third all-time, one behind Wilt Chamberlain and 15 behind all-time leader Magic Johnson. All other players still playing in the Western Conference have combined for 136. … Knicks guard Jason Kidd scored eight points in the postseason opener vs. Boston and drained a 3-pointer three minutes after entering the first quarter of Game 2. Since then, he has not scored in 181 minutes over seven-plus games, missing 15 shots, including 10 3-pointers. … Chicago’s six player technicals in Game 2 vs. Miami were the most in a playoff game since May 7, 2005, when Boston had six in a first-round Game 7 loss to Indiana. The six Celtics who were T’d up were Paul Pierce, Antoine Walker, Kendrick Perkins, Delonte West, Ricky Davis and the immortal Justin Reed. Boston took a 97-70 beating on its home floor, its third home loss of the series.
Trivia Answer: Dallas, on Oct. 31, 2007 and Dec. 20, 2010. … Happy 48th Birthday, Chris Washburn. … I don’t know about you, but I think Dennis Rodman would be an ideal ambassador to North Korea.
Chris Bernucca is the deputy editor of SheridanHoops.com. His columns appear Monday during the season. You can follow him on Twitter.