Playoffs Day 19 As The Celtics Dominate Game 5! 9.7.20
It’s Day 19 of the NBA Playoffs and we have 2 games on the schedule today ft. Game 5 between the Celtics and Raptors.
It’s Day 19 of the NBA Playoffs and we have 2 games on the schedule today ft. Game 5 between the Celtics and Raptors.
Boston Celtics
The Celtics won Game 5 against the Raptors. Here is what I thought about their performance.
After the Raptors tied the series 2-2, the Celtics now lost their momentum and needed a good win in order to regain their confidence. Their offense needed a boost as in Games 3 and 4 they struggled mightily on offense. And the Celtics dominated. The Celtics offense and defense was great in this game. They held Toronto to just 11 points in the 1st quarter and they cruised to a 111-89 win. The Celtics lead 3-2 in this series.
Offensively the Celtics were great as they shot 49% from the field and 32% from 3. Boston was also 24/27 from the free throw line. The Celtics turned the ball over 11 times. The Celtics also had 48 points in the paint.
Defensively the Celtics were great as well as Toronto shot 39% from the field and 30% from 3. Toronto was also 11/13 from the free throw line. The Celtics allowed 10 offensive rebounds. Boston forced 13 turnovers. The Celtics also allowed just 32 points down low.
Jaylen Brown had 27 points and 6 rebounds. Kemba Walker had 21 points and 7 assists. Jayson Tatum added 18 points and 10 rebounds. Brad Wanamaker had 15 points off the bench. Daniel Theis had 15 points and 8 rebounds. Marcus Smart had 12 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists as well.
Conclusion
The Celtics did what they needed to do in Game 5 as they dominated Toronto. Their defense was incredible as they held the Raptors to just 11 points in the 1st quarter, setting the tone for the rest of the game. Brown, Walker, and Tatum were all good and they got great contributions from Theis, Wanamaker, and Smart. The Celtics lead 3-2 in this series as they look to win Game 6 and the series.
Toronto Raptors
The Raptors lost Game 5 against the Celtics. Here is what I thought about their performance.
After winning two games in a row, the Raptors had all the momentum and a chance to take a 3-2 series lead. The Raptors would need another great defense performance in order to win and they needed offense from Siakam, Lowry, VanVleet and others in order to win. Yeah, that all didn’t happen. The Raptors looked like zombies as they scored 11 points in the 1st quarter. The game was over from there as the Raptors never got back into it. The Raptors lost 111-89 and they trail 3-2 in the series.
Offensively the Raptors were poor as they shot 39% from the field and 30% from 3. Toronto was also 11/13 from the line. The Raptors had 10 offensive rebounds. The Raptors had 13 turnovers. Toronto had just 32 points down low.
Defensively the Raptors were terrible as Boston shot 49% from the field and 32% from 3. Boston was also 22/27 from the free throw line. The Raptors forced 11 turnovers. The Raptors also allowed 48 points down low.
Fred VanVleet had 18 points and 5 assists. Norman Powell had 16 points. Kyle Lowry added 10 points and 5 assists. Matt Thomas and Pascal Siakam each had 10 points as well.
Conclusion
The Raptors did not look like the same team as they got obliterated by Boston. Their offense and defense were terrible as they lost all of their momentum. Now trailing 3-2 in this series, the Raptors have their backs against the wall and they have no momentum. They will need a Game 6 win to keep their season alive.
LA Clippers
The Clippers won Game 3 against the Nuggets. Here is what I thought about their performance.
After losing Game 2, the Clippers needed a much better performance in Game 3 to give them the series lead. Their offense needed more movement and better shooting, and they needed to lock down of defense. The Clippers were playing much better, but the Nuggets were right beside them. The Clippers trailed by 7 in the 4th, and the Clippers roared back. They held the Nuggets to 17 points in the 4th and the Clippers won 113-107. The Clippers lead 2-1 in the series.
Offensively the Clippers were great as they shot 55% from the field and 36% from 3. LA was also 20/26 from the free throw line. The Clippers turned the ball over 17 times. The Clippers also had 38 points in the paint.
Defensively the Clippers were sub-par as Denver shot 47% from the field and 32% from 3. Denver was also 8/10 from the free throw line. The Clippers forced 12 turnovers. The Clippers also allowed 56 points down low.
Paul George had 32 points. Kawhi Leonard had 23 points, 14 rebounds, and 6 assists. Marcus Morris had 12 points as well. Montrezl Harrell had 11 points off the bench and Lou Williams added 10 points and 5 rebounds off the bench.
Conclusion
The Clippers played much better in Game 3 as they take a 2-1 series lead. Their offense was good again as Paul George and Kawhi were solid from the perimeter. Their defense was great in the 4th as they made it tough for Denver. The Clippers need to continue this type of performance on both ends as they look to take advantage of the Nuggets and win this series.
Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets lost Game 3 against the Clippers. Here is what I thought about their performance.
After a great Game 2 performance, the Nuggets looked to build on that with a Game 3 win. It would be tough as they were dealing with a great Clippers team. The Nuggets were engaged in a tight battle with the Clippers throughout the 1st half. They held by 12 late in the 1st half, but watched as that lead disappear as they led by 2 at the break. The Nuggets slowed down in the 4th as they scored just 17 points in the 4th. They led by 7 early on in the 4th, but they blew that lead too. The Nuggets lost 113-107, and they trail 2-1 in the series.
Offensively the Nuggets were great as they shot 47% from the field and 32% from 3. Denver was also 8/10 from the free throw line. Denver turned the ball over 12 times. The Nuggets also had 56 points in the paint.
Defensively the Nuggets were terrible as LA shot 55% from the field and 36% from 3. The Clippers were also 20/26 from the free throw line. The Nuggets forced 17 turnovers. The Nuggets also allowed 38 points down low.
Nikola Jokic had 32 points, 12 rebounds, and 8 assists. Michael Porter Jr. had 18 points and 10 rebounds. Jamal Murray had 14 points and 9 assists. Jerami Grant, Gary Harris, and Paul Millsap were also in double-figures.
Conclusion
The Nuggets were in a few positions during this game that they could have taken better advantage of, like a 12 point lead late in the 1st half. They led by 7 in the 4th, but they could not contain the Clippers and they lost. Jamal Murray was very disappointing as they need him to play like an All-Star in order to win games. 14 points will not cut it. Look for Murray to be more involved in the offense in Game 4, and he will need to be good in order for the Nuggets to tie this series.
What Are Your Thoughts From Day 19 of the Playoffs? Leave A Comment Down Below!
My Thoughts On Some Topics From Day 19 Will Be Posted Tomorrow, So Stay Tuned!
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