Celtics Assert Their Dominance; Pelicans Still Alive! Thoughts From Day 9!
After 6 games from Day 9 of the NBA Restart, I’m giving each team my thoughts and opinions.
After 6 games from Day 9 of the NBA Restart, I’m giving each team my thoughts and opinions.
Utah Jazz
The Jazz lost their 5th game in the bubble. Here is what I thought about their performance.
The Jazz were coming off of a win against the Grizzlies and faced another team in the race for the 8th seed in the Western Conference. Without Rudy Gobert, Donovan Mitchell, and Mike Conley, the Jazz reserves were going to have to win this game. And they did solid job but the Spurs were able to hold on and win 119-111.
Offensively the Jazz were ok as they shot 42% from the field and 43% from 3. The Jazz were also 19/24 from the free throw line. The Jazz did have 10 offensive rebounds as they did a good job getting 2nd chance opportunities. The Jazz had 15 turnovers which needs to come down. The Jazz didn’t have many points in the paint as they had 36.
Defensively the Jazz were poor as the Spurs shot 51% from the field and 41% from 3. The Spurs were 20/26 from the foul line as well. The Spurs had 13 turnovers as the Jazz did a decent hob forcing turnovers. The Jazz got dominated down low as the Spurs had 64 points in the paint.
Jordan Clarkson had 24 points off the bench as he finally got it going in the restart. Tony Bradley had 15 points and 11 rebounds off the bench. Miye Oni had 14 points and 7 rebounds, Emmanuel Mudiay had 14 points and 5 assists. Joe Ingles also had 12 points.
Conclusion
The Jazz didn’t have their 3 best players, but their reserves played pretty well against the Spurs. The Jazz are still in the thick of things in the Western Conference and they still have time to get back into a rhythm. If Mitchell, Gobert, and Conley don’t return for the rest of the seeding games, it might be good for the young guys to get some minutes and experience.
San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs won their 5th game in the bubble. Here is what I thought about their performance.
The Spurs were playing the short-handed Jazz, but a win would be crucial to avoid losing 3 in a row. The Spurs have been one of the surprise teams in the bubble so far and have a fair chance of making the playoffs. The Spurs more talented lineup left nothing for chance and led for almost the entire game, winning their 3rd game in the NBA restart.
Offensively the Spurs were very good as they shot 51% from the field and and 41% from 3. They were also 20/26 from the foul line. The Spurs had 8 offensive rebounds as they did a good job creating 2nd chance opportunities. The Spurs pounded the ball down low as they had 64 points in the paint.
Defensively the Spurs were also solid as the Jazz shot 42% from the field and 43% from 3. The Jazz were also 19/24 from the free throw line. The Spurs forced 15 turnovers on Utah as they did a good job forcing turnovers. The Spurs controlled the paint as the Jazz only had 36 points down low.
Derrick White had 24 points and 6 rebounds to lead the Spurs. Jakob Poeltl had 19 points and 10 rebounds as well. Rudy Gay had 14 points off the bench and Lonnie Walker had 14 points as well. DeMar DeRozan was quiet as he had 13 points and 5 assists.
Conclusion
The Spurs brand of team basketball has been very successful in the bubble so far, as they are now 3-2 in the bubble. The Spurs are 10th place in the West and 2 games out of the 8th seed. It is very likely that they will participate in the play-in game for a chance to sneak into the playoffs. All the Spurs have to do is continue to play well as a time and they will have a good chance.
Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder lost their 4th game in the bubble. Here is what I thought about their performance.
The Thunder were coming off of a great win against the no shooting LA Lakers. Even without Dennis Schroder the Thunder cruised to a win in that game. Now they faced the win-less Memphis Grizzlies. It has been a tough restart for the Grizzlies, and without Jaren Jackson Jr, the Thunder looked for win #3 in the restart. But they got blown out. They didn’t come to play and the Grizzlies won their first game in the bubble.
Offensively the Thunder were horrendous as they shot 35% from the field and 30% from 3. The Thunder were also 11/15 from the line. The Thunder had 12 offensive rebounds as they did a good job creating 2nd chance opportunities, but they often didn’t capitalize. The Thunder only had 10 turnovers as they did a good job taking care of the ball. The Thunder only had 36 points in the paint as they didn’t get much down low.
Defensively the Thunder were also horrendous as the Grizzlies shot 55% from the field and 36% from 3. The Grizzlies were also 18/20 from the foul line. The Grizzlies had 19 turnovers as the Thunder did an excellent job forcing turnovers. The Thunder got dominated down low as the Grizzlies had 56 points in the paint.
Chris Paul had 17 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists to lead the Thunder. Luguentz Dort had 16 points as well. Danilo Gallinari and Darius Bazley had 12 points each. Nerlens Noel had 11 points. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was bad as he had just 10 points.
Conclusion
Steven Adams and Dennis Schroder were out for the Thunder and they really missed him. CP-3 did his best, but Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was also quiet. The Thunder didn’t shoot the ball well and they got blown out. The Thunder are now 2-2 in the bubble. I don’t see much out of this loss from the Thunder as they were short-handed and they didn’t shoot well. The Thunder face the Wizards next, and that should be an easy win.
Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies won their 5th game in the bubble. Here is what I thought about their performance.
The Grizzlies restart has been pretty rough so far as they were 0-4 coming into this game and they were missing Jaren Jackson Jr. So, not too high of hopes. The Blazers were right on Memphis’s tails and the Grizzlies needed a win to stay in 8th place in the West. And the Grizzlies played with urgency as they destroyed the Thunder. They shot well and defended well and they won their 1st game in the bubble.
Offensively the Grizzlies were great as they shot 55% from the field and 35% from 3. They were also 18/20 from the foul line. The Grizzlies had 12 offensive rebounds as they did a good job creating 2nd chance opportunities. They did had 19 turnovers which they should look to reduce. The Grizzlies pounded the ball down low as they had 56 points in the paint.
Defensively the Grizzlies were also great as the Thunder shot 35% from the field and 30% from 3. They were also 11/15 from the line. The Thunder did have 12 offensive rebounds as the Grizzlies didn’t do a good job limiting them to one shot. The Grizzlies didn’t force many turnovers as the Thunder only had 10. The Grizzlies controlled the paint as the Thunder only had 36 points down low.
Dillon Brooks had 22 points and 6 rebounds to lead the Grizzlies. Ja Morant added 19 points and 9 assists and Jonas Valanciunas had 19 points and 11 rebounds. Brandon Clarke had 12 points and 8 rebounds and Gorgui Dieng had 12 points and 7 rebounds, Grayson Allen added 11.
Conclusion
Without JJJ, the Grizzlies have been relying on others to step up. The Grizzlies had a very balanced box score and their defense was superb as they beat a good but short-handed Thunder team. The Grizzlies now get some breathing room in the Western Conference, but they are far from out of the woods. The Grizzlies face the Raptors next time out.
Sacramento Kings
The Kings lost their 5th game in the bubble. Here is what I thought about their performance.
The Kings were coming off of a big win against the Pelicans as they scored 140 points in that game. They really needed a win against the Nets to have any chance at making the playoffs. The Kings had the talent to beat the Nets, but they could not get the job done. The Nets offense fueled them to a win and likely sent the Kings home packing.
Offensively the Kings were ok as they shot 43% from the field and 30% from 3. They were also 18/24 from the line. The Kings had 13 offensive rebounds as they did a good job creating 2nd chance opportunities. The Kings did had 15 turnovers as they turned the ball over a lot. The Kings didn’t score the ball too much down low as they had 40 points in the paint.
Defensively the Kings were poor as the Nets shot 49% from the field and 43% from 3. The Nets were also 18/28 from the line. The Kings didn’t force many turnovers as the Nets only had 9. The Kings did a good job limiting the Nets down low as they had 38 points in the paint.
Bogdan Bogdanovic had 27 points and 6 rebounds for the Kings. De’Aaron Fox had 21 points and 7 assists. Buddy Hield had 17 points off the bench. Harrison Barnes had 16 points and 6 rebounds. Nothing else from anybody on the Kings.
Conclusion
The Kings are now 1-4 in the bubble as they have 0 chance of making the playoffs. The Kings just dug themselves in a hole too big to get out of. Well, it’ll have to be next year for the Kings.
Orlando Magic
The Magic lost their 5th game in the bubble. Here is what I thought about their performance.
The Magic have been up and down in the bubble so far and now they faced the Philadelphia 76ers, without Ben Simmons. The Magic were almost guaranteed a playoff spot as the Wizards have not been good in the bubble. So this game didn’t mean much to the Magic, but they still played well. But well was not enough as they fell short and lost their 3rd straight game.
Offensively the Magic were ok as they shot 42% from the field and 25% from 3. The Magic were also 19/25 from the line. The Magic had 10 offensive rebounds as they did a good job creating 2nd chance opportunities. The Magic took really good care of the ball as they had just 9 turnovers. The Magic scored the ball down low a lot as they had 48 points in the paint.
Defensively the Magic were ok as the 76ers shot 41% from the field and 28% from 3. The 76ers were 24/33 from the line. The 76ers had 15 offensive rebounds as the Magic did not do a good job limiting the 76ers to one shot. The Magic didn’t force any turnovers as the 76ers had only 9. The Magic got dominated down low as the 76ers had 54 points down low.
Evan Fournier had 22 points to lead the Magic. Nikola Vucevic had 21 points and 12 rebounds as well. DJ Augustin had 16 points and 5 assists. James Ennis had 14 points and 9 rebounds and Markelle Fultz had 13 points off the bench. With no Aaron Gordon, the Magic were pretty good on offense.
Conclusion
While the Magic are 2-3 in the bubble and they have lost their last 3 games, they are going to the playoffs. They should use their last few seeding games as preparation for the playoffs. Without Aaron Gordon, the Magic did a pretty good job finding offense from other guys. The Magic hope that Gordon is back for them in the playoffs.
Philadelphia 76ers
The 76ers won their 4th game in the bubble. Here is what I thought about their performance.
The 76ers have been playing well in the bubble, but they have not been as dominant as people expected them to be. Ben Simmons hurt his knee against the Wizards and he could be out for a few games. So the 76ers will have to find out how to win without him. Even without Simmons the 76ers possessed the better roster and they showed it against the Magic. But it was a pretty close game, closer than the 76ers would have liked I’m sure.
Offensively the 76ers were poor as they shot 41% from the field and 28% from 3. The 76ers are really in desperate need of some shooting to their lineup. The 76ers were 24/33 from the free throw line. The 76ers had 15 offensive rebounds as they did a good job creating 2nd chance opportunities for themselves. The 76ers took good care of the ball as they only had 9 turnovers. The 76ers pounded the ball down low as they had 54 points in the paint.
Defensively the 76ers were solid as the Magic shot 42% from the field and 25% from 3. They were also 19/25 from the line. The Magic had 10 offensive rebounds as the 76ers didn’t do a good job limiting them to one shot. The 76ers didn’t force any turnovers as the Magic only had 9. The 76ers didn’t have much paint defense as the Magic had 48 points down low.
Tobias Harris had 23 points and 15 rebounds for the 76ers. Joel Embiid had 23 points and 13 rebounds. Alec Burks had 22 points off the bench. Al Horford had 21 points and 9 rebounds.
Conclusion
Although the 76ers won this game and are 3-1 in the bubble so far, something hasn’t been right. When Ben Simmons was in the lineup, the 76ers weren’t incorporating him into the offense. And when he was out, not many guys were scoring because of Simmons’s playmaking ability. The 76ers were expected to be very good in the restart due to the time off, but they are barely beating the Spurs and the Magic. The 76ers better start bringing their A game as the playoffs approach, otherwise it’ll be another disappointing season for the 76ers.
New Orleans Pelicans
The Pelicans won their 5th game in the bubble. Here is what I thought about their performance.
The Pelicans were coming off of an embarrassing loss to the Kings in a game where they played no defense. Now things were starting to get desperate for the Pelicans as they needed wins to stay in the playoff hunt. They had a prime chance against the lowly Wizards. And the Pelicans did what needed to be done and they won, keeping them barely alive in the race for 8th in the West.
Offensively the Pelicans were good as they shot 48% from the field and 34% from 3. They were also 22/26 from the line. The Pelicans had 11 offensive rebounds as they did a good job getting 2nd chance opportunities. The Pelicans didn’t take good care of the ball as they had 18 turnovers. The Pelicans pounded the ball down low as they had 52 points in the paint.
Defensively the Pelicans were good as the Wizards shot 42% from the field and 37% from 3. The Wizards were also 21/23 from the line. The Wizards had 10 offensive rebounds as the Pelicans did a poor job limiting them to one shot. The Pelicans forced 13 turnovers on the Wizards. The Pelicans did a good job defending the paint as they had 40 points down low.
Jrue Holiday had 28 points and 6 assists to lead the Pelicans. Brandon Ingram had 17 points and 5 assists. JJ Redick had 15 points as well. Frank Jackson had 13 points off the bench. Derrick Favors had a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Josh Hart had 10 points and 8 rebounds and Nicolo Melli had 10 points and 6 rebounds off the bench. So without the explosive Zion Williamson, the Pelicans faired pretty well on offense.
Conclusion
Without Zion Williamson the Pelicans looked pretty good on both ends of the floor. Jrue Holiday led a balanced scoring attack and they did a pretty good job defending the Wizards. The Pelicans are 11th in the West and are 2.5 games out of the 8th seed. While making the playoffs is a long shot at this point, the Pelicans should just focus on getting better and preparing for next season.
Boston Celtics
The Celtics won their 5th game in the bubble. Here is what I thought about their performance.
The Celtics have been good and bad during the bubble, but they were coming off of a thrashing of the Nets. Now they faced the #2 seed in the Eastern Conference, the Toronto Raptors. The Raptors have looked very good in the bubble so far, and this could be a potential playoff matchup. And the Celtics handled business as they man-handled the Raptors en route to a dominant win.
Offensively the Celtics were good as they shot 49% from the field and 35% from 3. They were also 12/16 from the free throw line. The Celtics had 14 turnovers as they didn’t take good care of the ball. The Celtics were dominant down low as they had 50 points in the paint.
Defensively the Celtics were also good as the Raptors shot 43% from the field and 26% from 3. They were also 14/17 from the free throw line. The Celtics forced the Raptors into 17 turnovers as they did a good job getting extra possessions. The Celtics didn’t have much paint defense as the Raptors had 54 points in the paint.
Jaylen Brown had 20 points and 6 rebounds to lead Boston. Jayson Tatum had 18 points and 7 rebounds. Kemba Walker added 17 points. Brad Wanamaker had 15 points off the bench. Daniel Theis had 11 points and 10 rebounds. Semi Ojeleye had 11 points off the bench as well. Robert Williams also had 10 off the bench. Gordon Hayward and Marcus Smart were quiet, but the Celtics were fine without them.
Conclusion
The Celtics are now 3-2 in the bubble as their balanced box score controlled the Raptors all night long. The Raptors have been looking very good in the restart, and the Celtics dominated them. Their defense was amazing as the Raptors never got into a rhythm. This game is very encouraging for Boston as they should focus on getting Kemba Walker healthy and preparing for the playoffs.
Toronto Raptors
The Raptor lost their 4th game in the bubble. Here is what I thought about their performance.
The Raptors were 3-0 entering this game with the Celtics and looked very sharp so far. Now they faced the #3 Boston Celtics. These two teams will likely meet in the playoffs, so it would be a good game to win if you were Toronto. But the Raptors came out slow and none of their shots were falling. The Raptors were never in this game and they got blown out.
Offensively the Raptors were ok as they shot 43% from the field and 26% from 3. They were also 14/17 from the line. The Raptors had 17 turnovers as they did not do a good job of taking care of the ball. The Raptors pounded the ball down low as they had 54 points in the paint.
Defensively the Raptors were poor as the Celtics shot 49% from the field and 35% from 3. They were also 12/16 from the line. The Raptors forced the Celtics into 14 turnovers. The Raptors had little paint defense as the Celtics scored 50 points down low.
Fred VanVleet had 13 points to lead the Raptors. Pascal Siakam, Kyle Lowry, Norman Powell, and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson all scored 11 points. Terrence Davis had 10 points as well.
Conclusion
For as well as the Raptors were playing before this game, they got stood up. Nobody was playing well and the Celtics ran circles around them. This might be a good wake-up call for the Raptors as the playoffs approach. The Raptors play the Grizzlies next.
What Are Your Thoughts/Opinions From Day 9 of the NBA Restart? Leave a comment down below.
My Day 10 Game-Day Report Will Be Coming Out Later Today, so stay tuned!
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