Blazers Win Thriller; Are The Heat Back? 2.11.21
It’s another day of NBA basketball, and we have 5 games on the schedule today.
Miami Heat vs Houston Rockets
Miami Heat
The Heat had to battle for this game, but they were able to scrap out a win with their excellent defense. The Heat started this game off very slow with just 19 points in the first quarter, as shots just weren’t falling. They had a good 2nd quarter, but they shot just 18% from 3. But the game was still close, the Heat had a big 3rd quarter as they held the Rockets to just 10 points, and they took a lead entering the 4th. In the 4th, the Rockets crept back into the game but the Heat were able to hang on and win thanks to some late free throws. Miami improves to 11-14 on the year.
Jimmy Butler had 27 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists on 8/18 shooting.
Max Strus had 21 points on 6/9 shooting, 5/8 3-PT.
Kendrick Nunn had 16 points and 5 rebounds on 7/18 shooting.
This was the definition of a scrappy win. The Heat weren’t anything special on offense, but their defense was excellent in the first half. Jimmy Butler did a big of everything, as he facilitating, rebounded, and got to the rim. But Max Strus was great off the bench. He hit his shots, and played well in the absence of Tyler Herro. The Rockets lost Oladipo and Tucker in the 2nd half, the Miami took advantage. The Heat have won their last 4 games, and they take on the Utah Jazz next.
Houston Rockets
The Rockets played well in this game, making it close until the end even though they dealt with injuries. In the first half, the Rockets offense looked good. They were shooting much better than the Heat from 3, and they had balanced scoring. But things started to fall apart in the 2nd half. Oladipo and Tucker both left the game in the 3rd, a quarter where the Rockets managed just 10 points. They kept fighting in the 4th, but they lost so many of their scorers and they just couldn’t overcome Miami. Houston falls to 11-14 on the year.
John Wall had 17 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists on 5/13 shooting.
Eric Gordon had 17 points on 5/13 shooting off the bench.
DeMarcus Cousins had 16 points and 11 rebounds on 6/9 shooting.
It’s unfortunate that the Rockets got injured in the 3rd, because this was a good game. The Rockets lost energy for a bit, and it ended up being their downfall. But I liked what I saw from them in the first half. The Rockets were playing with pace and knocking down 3’s and playing good defense. But injuries have hurt them lately, as they just haven’t been able to stay healthy. Houston takes on the Knicks next on Saturday.
Toronto Raptors vs Boston Celtics
Toronto Raptors
The Raptors red-hot offense was just shut down in this game. They didn’t play great defense either, as this wasn’t a great showing by Toronto overall. In the first half, the Raptors went at the Celtics poor interior, as they couldn’t be stopped down low. The only problem was the Celtics were torching them for 3, and the Raptors trailed by 10 at halftime. In the 3rd, the Raptors defense was solid but their offense couldn’t pull away. They gained some ground to start the 4th, but then they again went cold and Boston pulled away once and for all with a late run. Toronto falls to 12-14 on the year.
Kyle Lowry had 24 points and 6 assists on 10/15 shooting.
Pascal Siakam had 23 points on 8/14 shooting.
Lowry and very good against the Celtics smaller guards and Siakam dominated from the low post. But other than that the Raptors didn’t get anybody else going really. VanVleet struggled with Tatum on him, Powell started well but finished cold, and Boucher was in foul trouble. The Raptors had been shooting well, but they were just 32% from 3 in this game. Their defense against the 3-PT line was poor as well, as they’ll have to get better at shooting and defending the 3. Toronto takes on the T-Wolves next.
Boston Celtics
The Celtics had been struggling, but it must have felt good to control this game as their offense was excellent in this game. In the first half, it wasn’t even Brown and Tatum scoring at will. Brown and Tatum were passing, mainly to Pritchard and Ojeleye, who hit 9 3-pointers themselves in the first half. The Celtics lead kept coming down in the 3rd and 4th, but then their defense got some energy and they were able to pull away late. Boston improves to 13-11 on the year.
Semi Ojeleye had 24 points and 6 rebounds on 8/12 shooting, 6/8 3-PT.
Kemba Walker had 21 points and 5 rebounds on 5/12 shooting.
Payton Pritchard had 20 points and 5 rebounds on 6/8 3-PT off the bench.
Pritchard and Ojeleye were excellent in this game. They were hitting their open 3’s, and it made it tougher for the Raptors to double Brown and Tatum when they drove. It’s good to see some other Celtics score. Kemba Walker wasn’t forcing things as he looked good. But Brown and Tatum were very impressive, passing-wise. They combined for 19 assists, as they were finding their open teammates instead of forcing things. I like it when the Celtics don’t use their two-big lineup, as just Theis is fine. The Celtics have to play with this type of energy on both ends, and also get other guys involved. Boston takes on Detroit tomorrow.
Indiana Pacers vs Detroit Pistons
Indiana Pacers
Well the Pacers won, but it was the Pistons. But a win is a win, as the Pacers desperately needed to get going after losing 6 of their last 7. Sabonis was excellent all-around, as the Pacers had 5 guys in double figures. I like Jeremy Lamb off the bench as a instant scorer type of guy, as he had 17 points off the bench. The Pacers hit their outside shots, as this was a good game for them. But they play a better Hawks team next on Saturday, more of a test for this team.
Detroit Pistons
The Pistons didn’t play that poorly in this game, but a bad 3rd was their downfall. Jerami Grant was just 4/17 from the field, as he struggled shooting in this game. Saddiq Bey, Stewart, and Doumbouya were excellent in this game. Stewart had 17 points, as he looked good. The Pistons couldn’t shoot from the outside, but their young plays played well and that’s a good sign. Detroit takes on the Celtics tomorrow.
Orlando Magic vs Golden State Warriors
Orlando Magic
The Magic played pretty well in this game offensively, as they hung around for most of this game. But they had a letdown in the 4th, and they couldn’t overcome that in the end. In the first half the Magic 3-PT shooting was surprisingly good, as they shot 50% from 3 and scored 55 points even with Vucevic struggling. They were making the Warriors shoot a lot of 3’s, and it was working. But then the Magic had a tough 3rd quarter as the Warriors defense was much better. Curry and company reigned 3’s, and the Magic trailed by 4 entering the 4th. And then the Magic had a big scoring drought. From the 8:49 mark of the 4th all the way to the 3:35 mark, the Magic didn’t score. In that time the Warriors went on a 16-0 run, which ended the game. Orlando falls to 9-17 on the year.
Nikola Vucevic had 25 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 assists on 8/23 shooting.
Dwayne Bacon had 20 points on 7/18 shooting, 4/7 3-PT.
Terrence Ross had 20 points on 8/27 shooting off the bench.
The Magic were only in this game because they shot 46% from 3, making 15 3-pointers. But they were incredible inefficient from 2-point land. Nikola Vucevic was controlled by Draymond Green and the smaller Warriors, and Terrence Ross was just chucking. That 5:14 stretch in the 4th was killer for the Magic, as they lost any chances of winning. Orlando has been plagued by injuries, but this was a winnable game. The Magic take on the Kings tomorrow.
Golden State Warriors
This was an unusually close game for the Warriors, but a late 4th quarter run proved to be too much for the Magic. In the first half, the Warriors were shooting a lot of 3’s, and not too many of them were going down. Curry hit 6 of them, but most of them were misses as the Warriors trailed by 8. Their defense was getting lit up, as they would need to play better on that end in the 2nd half. And they got that defense in the 3rd, as Draymond Green and the rest of the Warriors played with a lot of energy, taking a lead into the 4th. And then Wiggins went to work to start the quarter, and a 16-0 run capped off the win for the Warriors, as they improve to 14-12 on the year.
Steph Curry had 40 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists on 14/26 shooting, 10/19 3-PT.
Andrew Wiggins had 21 points and 7 rebounds on 8/13 shooting.
Kelly Oubre Jr. had 17 points and 10 rebounds on 6/12 shooting.
The Warriors played really well in that 2nd half. Draymond Green and company did a great job guarding Nikola Vucevic. Andrew Wiggins has been all-defensive material this season, as he has been a lock-down wing defender. Steph Curry… is Steph Curry as he hit 10 3-pointers for the 17th time in his career. Oubre was solid, but if the Warriors can play like that on defense, they are a very scary team in the West. Golden State takes on Brooklyn next on Saturday.
Philadelphia 76ers vs Portland Trail Blazers
Philadelphia 76ers
The 76ers should have won this game, but the Blazers just have their number for some reason. In the first quarter, Ben Simmons was everywhere on defense and offense, but the Blazers 3-PT shooting kept them in the lead. But Joel Embiid absolutely dominated the 2nd quarter with 15 points, and a late surge from Philly put them up 3 at the half. In the 3rd, the 76ers just kept holding their lead, never letting Portland comeback into the game as Embiid just kept eating down low. But in the 4th, the 76ers had some more defensive problems. Carmelo Anthony started the 4th off 6/6, and gave Portland the lead. The 76ers kept fighting and fighting, and they tied the game with 22 seconds left. But Tobias Harris fouled Carmelo, who hit 2 free throws with 3.1 seconds left. Now trailing by two, the 76ers would need somebody to come up big. Instead Ben Simmons threw the ball away, and the 76ers lost. Philly is now 18-8 on the year.
Joel Embiid had 35 points and 9 rebounds on 13/25 shooting.
Ben Simmons had 23 points, 11 rebounds, and 9 assists on 10/12 shooting.
Tobias Harris had 17 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists on 4/12 shooting.
As a Blazers fan, I question how Philly lost this game. They had so many mismatches, and then they just lost. All of a sudden their offense just went ice cold and they couldn’t score, even with Joel Embiid. Embiid was a monster, and Ben Simmons was great. He was aggressive and did a very good job guarding Damian Lillard outside of the first quarter. Harris and Curry were solid, but the 76ers bench was getting torched. The 76ers defense has to be better against the 3-PT line, and they will have to shoot better than 6/27 from 3 to win games. Philly takes on the Suns next.
Portland Trail Blazers
I really don’t know how Portland won this game, but they did and it was a thriller. In the first quarter, Damian Lillard had 19 points as Portland couldn’t miss from the outside. But they cooled down in the 2nd, as Joel Embiid dominated Enes Kanter down low. Portland was able to keep the game close however, as they trailed by just 3 entering the 2nd half. In the 3rd, Portland couldn’t take the lead as Philly was always one step ahead. And then Portland made a big statement with their defense in the 4th quarter. Carmelo Anthony came out guns blazing, starting the 4th shooting 6/6 from the field. The Blazers were doubling Joel Embiid and held a lead throughout the 4th. The game was tied, and Carmelo Anthony was fouled. He knocked down both free throws, and the Blazers needed just one stop. And Robert Covington stole the 76ers inbounds, sealing another upset win over the 76ers. Portland is now 14-10 on the year.
Dame had 30 points and 7 assists on 6/21 shooting.
Carmelo Anthony had 24 points on 9/15 shooting off the bench, 17 points in the 4th.
Gary Trent Jr. had 19 points on 7/12 shooting, 5/7 3-PT.
I still don’t know how Portland won this game. Dame had 19 points in the first quarter, and was quiet for the rest of the game excluding one late bucket in the 4th. Carmelo Anthony was the reason Portland won. His big scoring start to the 4th put Portland ahead, a lead they never gave up. Gary Trent Jr. was excellent shooting the ball, and give guys like Kanter, Covington, and Jones credit. They all tried to defend Joel Embiid. And Portland allowed just 21 points in the 4th, a big reason for a win. Portland continues to find ways to stay afloat without two of their best players, as they take on the Cavaliers tomorrow.
What Are Your Thoughts From The 5 Games Today? Leave A Comment Down Below!
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