San Antonio Spurs' coach Gregg Popovich has ripped into his team, describing the reigning NBA champions as soft after they failed to eliminate the Los Angeles Clippers from the playoffs.
The Spurs were expected to close out the first round series on their home court on Thursday and move on to play the Houston Rockets, but the Clippers were too physical.
The Spurs didn't receive much help from their two Australians, Patty Mills and Aron Baynes, in the 102-96 loss.
The series is locked up at 3-3 with the decider in LA on Saturday.
Popovich said his team should be embarrassed by their effort.
"We lost because the Clippers were determined, physical, focused, played harder than we did," Popovich told reporters.
"We were soft with loose balls.
"We were just soft and it hurt.
"I don't know how we stayed in the game to be honest with you."
Home court has not counted for much in the series with four of the six games won by the visitors.
The Clippers managed to win despite the team's All-Stars, point guard Chris Paul and power forward Blake Griffin, icy cold in the first half.
Paul missed his first eight shots, but finished with 19 points.
Griffin was 3-8 at the half and ended with 26 points, 12 rebounds, six assists and four blocked shots.
The Spurs' veterans Tim Duncan and Tony Parker struggled offensively with 12 and eight points respectively while Italian bench player Marco Belinelli was hot with 23 points, including seven of 11 three-point attempts.
Mills took just two field goals, connecting with a three, and had two free throws for his five points from almost 18 minutes.
Baynes didn't leave the bench.
In the Eastern Conference the Chicago Bulls eliminated the Milwaukee Bucks with a record 54-point rout and will face the Cleveland Cavaliers in the semi-finals.
The 120-66 Bulls landslide was the largest NBA playoff winning-margin since Minnesota beat St Louis 133-75 in 1956.
The Bucks were not given much of a chance against the All-Star-laden Bulls at the start of the series, however managed to claim two wins before going down 4-2.
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