| Answer | Crossword Clue |
|---|---|
| SEMI | Game before the finals |
| SEMIS | Matches before the finals |
| SEMIS | Round before the finals |
| SEMIS | Tournament round before the finals |
| PRELIMS | Bouts before the finals, for short |
| SEMI | Game before the final |
| WARMUPS | Exercises before the game. |
| TAILS | Call before the game? |
| HEADS | Call before the game |
| TAILGATE | Party before the game |
| MYST | Best-selling PC game before The Sims |
| ICANSPARROWFEWMINUTES | "Can we talk before the game begins?" |
| BUZZERBEATER | Shot taken just before the game clock expires |
