Playoffs Day 23 And The Celtics Prevail! 9.11.20
It’s Day 23 of the NBA Playoffs and we have 2 games on the schedule, ft. Game 7 between the Celtics and Raptors.
It’s Day 23 of the NBA Playoffs and we have 2 games on the schedule, ft. Game 7 between the Celtics and Raptors.
Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets won Game 5 against the Clippers. Here is what I thought about their performance.
After falling behind 3-1 in the series, the Nuggets were in a similar situation. They were not the same team as they needed to play much better in order to turn this series around. And it did not look good. The Clippers jumped out early and led 56-44 at halftime. The Clippers led by 16 in the 3rd quarter, and it looked like the Nuggets would lose. But the Nuggets continued to fight and they trailed by just 7 entering the 4th. And they continued to fight. The 3’s started to fall and they took the lead, 89-88. The Nuggets eventually led 102-94, and it looked like smooth sailing. But the Clippers cut it to just two. But Michael Porter Jr. hit a big 3, his only FG of the game with 1:11 left to give the Nuggets a 105-100 lead. The Nuggets held on to win 111-105.
Offensively the Nuggets were great as they shot 48% from the field and 44% from 3. Denver was also 21/25 from the free throw line. The Nuggets had just 11 turnovers. Denver also had 40 points in the paint.
Defensively the Nuggets were ok as LA shot 42% from the field and 38% from 3. LA was also 15/17 from the free throw line. The Nuggets allowed 10 offensive rebounds. Denver forced 9 turnovers. The Nuggets also allowed 34 points down low.
Jamal Murray had 26 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists. Nikola Jokic had 22 points, 14 rebounds, and 5 assists. Paul Millsap had 17 points and 6 rebounds. Monte Morris had 12 points off the bench. Jerami Grant was also in double-figures.
Conclusion
The Nuggets fought back in this game as they never wanted to go down. Paul Millsap fueled the comeback in the 3rd with 14 of his 17 points in the 3rd. Murray and Jokic finally played well down the stretch, and the Nuggets defense was great when it needed it to be. The Nuggets now trail 3-2 in this series as they continue to take advantage of the Clippers’ lack of energy. Lets see how the Nuggets play in Game 6.
LA Clippers
The Clippers lost Game 5 against the Nuggets. Here is what I thought about their performance.
The Clippers looked to end their series vs the Nuggets in Game 5. The Clippers have been very good, especially defensively in this series. And Game 5 was more of the same. The Clippers led by 12 at halftime and led by 16 at one point in the 3rd. Then, the Clippers started to slow down. A factor of a lead, the Clippers lost all of their momentum as the Nuggets started to comeback. And the Clippers lost their lead 89-88, a lead which they would never get back. The Clippers continued to suck as they fell behind 102-94. They cut the lead to two, but couldn’t stop the red-hot Nuggets. LA lost 111-105, and they lead 3-2 in the series.
Offensively the Clippers were good as they shot 42% from the field and 38% from 3. LA was also 15/17 from the free throw line. The Clippers had 10 offensive rebounds. The Clippers had just 9 turnovers and had 34 points down low.
Defensively the Clippers were poor as Denver shot 48% from the field and 44% from 3. Denver was also 21/25 from the free throw line. The Clippers forced 11 turnovers. The Clippers also allowed 40 points in the paint.
Kawhi Leonard had 36 points and 9 rebounds. Paul George had 26 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists. Marcus Morris had 12 points and 7 rebounds. Patrick Beverley added 10 points.
Conclusion
An inexcusable loss for the Clippers as they had this game and the series in hand. Kawhi and PG played well, but their defense fell apart late. And when they needed scores to stay in the game, they couldn’t find them all the time. Now the Clippers have to play another unnecessary game in this series as they lose rest. The Clippers have to win Game 6 in order to avoid a Game 7.
Boston Celtics
The Celtics won Game 7 against the Raptors. Here is what I thought about their performance.
After a hard-fought series, the Celtics would find themselves in a Game 7 vs the defending champs. And what a game it was. The Celtics started off hot, but then trailed in the 2nd quarter. They found the lead again and led 50-46 at halftime. The 3rd quarter was back-and-forth and the Celtics led by 1 entering the final frame. The Celtics started the 4th quarter great as they led 79-71 with 10:42 left. The Celtics led by 10 with 4:51 left, and it looked over. But the Raptors fought back trailed 89-87 with 1:21 left. After a missed shot, the Raptors were in transition. Marcus Smart blocked Norman Powell’s shot and kept the lead for Boston. The Celtics then drew a foul on Lowry, and that fouled him out. But rookie Grant Williams missed both free throws. Off the 2nd miss, Jayson Tatum got the rebound and was fouled. He hit 1/2 free throws and the Celtics led 90-87. VanVleet missed the tying 3, and the Celtics got the ball. Walker hit 2/2 free throws and the Celtics held on to win 92-87.The Celtics win the series 4-3 and advance to the Eastern Conference Finals for the 1st time since 2018.
Offensively the Celtics were sub-par as they shot 41% from the field and 24% from 3. Boston was 13/23 from the free throw line. Boston had 10 offensive rebounds. The Celtics had 10 turnovers. The Celtics also had 40 points in the paint.
Defensively the Celtics were great as Toronto shot 41% from the field and 29% from 3. Toronto was also 17/19 from the free throw line. The Celtics forced 18 turnovers. The Celtics allowed 40 points in the paint.
Jayson Tatum had 29 points, 12 rebounds, and 7 assists. Jaylen Brown had 21 points and 8 rebounds. Marcus Smart had 16 points and 6 assists. Kemba Walker added 14 points and 6 rebounds.
Conclusion
The Celtics won a hard-fought series, and they earned it. Marcus Smart was everywhere. He scored the ball, played great defense and had the play of the game late with his huge block. Jayson Tatum was a super-star and Jaylen Brown was solid. Kemba Walker was quiet, but had 8 points in the 4th. The Celtics defense was great, and they made great plays down the stretch. The Celtics now move on to face a very good Heat team.
Toronto Raptors
The Raptors lost Game 7 against the Celtics. Here is what I thought about their performance.
The Raptors have faced adversity throughout this series, but they have fought themselves into a Game 7 against the Celtics. They would need another hard-fought win to gut out the series. The Raptors started off slow, but they fought back and took a lead in the 2nd quarter. The Raptors trailed 50-46 at halftime. The Raptors cut the lead to just 1 entering the 4th. And it became a battle late. The Raptors fell behind by 8 early in the 4th, but they cut the lead to just two with over a minute left. After a missed shot, Norman Powell (stupidly) pushed the ball down the floor. But his shot was blocked by Marcus Smart. Kyle Lowry fouled out, but Grant Williams missed both free throws. But the Raptors couldn’t get the rebound, and fouled Jayson Tatum. Tatum hit 1/2 free throws, and the Celtics led by 3. The Raptors had a bad possession, and they ended up losing 92-87.
Offensively the Raptors were poor as they shot 41% from the field and 29% from 3. Toronto was also 17/19 from the free throw line. The Raptors turned the ball over 18 times. The Raptors also had 40 points down low.
Defensively the Raptors were good as the Celtics shot 41% from the field and 24% from 3. Boston was also 13/23 from the free throw line. The Raptors allowed 10 offensive rebounds. Toronto forced 10 turnovers. The Raptors allowed 40 points in the paint.
Fred VanVleet had 20 points and 6 assists. Kyle Lowry had 16 points and 6 assists. Serge Ibaka had 14 points and 8 rebounds off the bench. Pascal Siakam had 13 points and 11 rebounds. Norman Powell had 11 points off the bench as well.
Conclusion
You have to give the Raptors a hand, for this season and for their performance in this series. But without a real star, the Raptors struggled. They allowed 31 points off of turnovers and they didn’t have a go-to guy yet. Siakam struggled again and the Raptors couldn’t stop Jayson Tatum. A heck of a season from Toronto, but a game they could have very easily won.
What Are Your Thoughts From Day 23 of the Playoffs? Leave A Comment Down Below!
My Thoughts On Some Topics From Day 23 Will Be Posted Tomorrow, So Stay Tuned!
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