Dame Time Saves Portland & The Bucks Need A New Coach! 2.16.21
It’s a Tuesday night of NBA basketball, and we have 6 games on the schedule today.
Denver Nuggets vs Boston Celtics
Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets couldn’t hit nearly as many 3’s as they did against the Lakers, as their offense just fell flat. Nikola Jokic dominated the very weak Celtics interior, as he dropped 43 points on 16/23 shooting. Jamal Murray was solid again, shooting 56% from the field to get 25 points. Campazzo was solid in his first start, but Denver missed so much scoring, that they couldn’t overcome Boston in the end. Denver falls to 15-12 on the year.
Boston Celtics
The Celtics didn’t play great in this game, but it was enough for the win. Tatum continues to struggle to shoot the ball, maybe after-affects from Covid which he detailed earlier. But he had 6 assists, doing things outside of scoring. Walker was ok, and Brown was solid leading the way with 27 points. Boston’s bench was solid, scoring 30 points on the game. The Celtics got dominated by Jokic, and they still won this game pretty comfortably. The Celtics are now 14-13 on the year, as maybe this can get them going.
New Orleans Pelicans vs Memphis Grizzlies
New Orleans Pelicans
The Pelicans offense was on fire in this game, as they dominated the 2nd half of this game. In the first half, Zion was attacking the rim at will and Josh Hart added 15 points off the bench. The Pelicans shot 50% from 3 in the first half, and yet even with all their offensive firepower they led by just 5. That changed in the 2nd half. The Pelicans continued to shoot lights out from 3, and they outscored the Grizzlies by 15 in the 3rd to blow open the game. New Orleans cruised to a much-needed win, as they are now 12-15 on the year.
Zion had 31 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists on 13/16 shooting.
Josh Hart had 27 points and 9 rebounds on 10/16 shooting, 6/11 3-PT off the bench.
Brandon Ingram had 22 points and 7 assists on 8/13 shooting.
I love what the Pelicans have been doing with Zion. They’ve given him the ball more up top, and allowed him to pass more on his drives. Instead of always putting him in positions to score, they’re mixing things up and it’s helping him greatly. Josh Hart gave the Pelicans some shooting off the bench, as he was very good. Ingram has also developed into a better passer, as he was again solid. Even with Ball and Bledsoe struggling to shoot, the Pelicans still shot 50% from the 3-PT line, making 19 3’s. New Orleans dropped 144 points, as they got back on track from their recent struggles. New Orleans takes on Portland tomorrow.
Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies have seriously regressed, considering they were good defensively to start the year. And now they are this, allowing a not so great shooting Pelicans team to absolutely torch them. Their offense certainly isn’t built to withstand the might of 144 points, which is why their defense has to be better. 4 of 5 Grizzlies starters were very good, especially Morant who had 28 points, 7 rebounds, and 8 assists. But the Grizzlies bench was outplayed by Josh Hart single-handily, as their defense continues to struggle. The Grizzlies are 2-6 out of their last 8 games, as they fall to 11-12 on the year.
Portland Trail Blazers vs OKC Thunder
Portland Trail Blazers
The Blazers did their best to lose this game, but some late-game heroics from Damian Lillard again saved them as they get their 5th straight win. In the first 3 quarters this game was not a contest. The Blazers shooting was very good and the Thunder couldn’t gain any-ground. The whole Blazers team was scoring as will, as the Blazers led by as many as 24. And then their offense shut down. The energetic Thunder roared back in the 4th, taking the lead in the 4th. Things weren’t looking good as Portland couldn’t get anything going. Enter Damian Lillard. Lillard knocked down 4 3’s, and assisted on 2 more to give the Blazers a late 3-PT surge to win this game, as Portland wins their 5th straight game, and they improve 17-10 on the year.
Dame had 31 points, 7 rebounds, and 10 assists on 12/25 shooting.
Gary Trent Jr. had 19 points on 8/16 shooting.
Anfernee Simons had 15 points on 5/8 shooting.
The Blazers played well for most of this game, and were able to pull through in the end. Dame was 4/4 from 3 in the 4th, after struggling to shoot for most of the game. The Blazers bench was good, with 3 guys in double figures. The Blazers defense was solid throughout except for one stretch. Another good balanced scoring attack, as Portland continues to win, a season-high 5th straight win. Portland takes on the Pelicans tomorrow.
OKC Thunder
This was a tough loss for the Thunder, a game that they nearly won despite not playing well at all. For the first 3 and a half quarters the Thunder couldn’t defend a thing, and the Blazers were torching them and led by as many as 24 points. And then the Thunder put their younger guys in for a spark, and that spark grew into a fire as the Thunder roared all the way back to take the lead in the 4th. But OKC again has to feel the powers of Damian Lillard, as his 4 3’s in the 4th and 14 points overall made the OKC comeback feeble at best. OKC falls to 11-16 on the year.
Lu Dort had 23 points and 6 rebounds on 8/18 shooting.
Hamidou Diallo had 17 points on 7/14 shooting.
Well at least you tried.
Toronto Raptors vs Milwaukee Bucks
Toronto Raptors
Well the Raptors got OG Anunoby back, and it helped them win this game despite Kyle Lowry leaving in the 3rd quarter. In the first half, it was all the Bucks Big 3. VanVleet had 17, Lowry added 15, and Siakam had 12 as they were carrying the scoring load. The game was tied at the half mainly because of Pat Connaughton, which is a very weird thing to say. In the 3rd, the Raptors continued to score, but Kyle Lowry left the game, leaving the Raptors short-handed. But it didn’t look like it affected them in the 4th, as they dominated. They shut down the Bucks as they held them to just 22 points, and they pulled away with a late run to win. The Raptors are now 13-15 on the year.
Fred VanVleet had 33 points and 7 assists on 12/22 shooting.
Pascal Siakam had 23 points, 13 rebounds, and 6 assists on 8/23 shooting.
It’s a good win without Lowry for the back end of this game, but it is the Bucks. So it kind of evens things out, but it’s a win the Raptors needed. The Raptors take on the Bucks again next on Thursday.
Milwaukee Bucks
This team is so annoying, just wasting so much talent because of one idiotic coach. This guy has to go, if I hadn’t already made that clear.
Los Angeles Lakers vs Minnesota Timberwolves
Los Angeles Lakers
Another classic Lakers coasting game, as this was surprisingly close against the worst team in the West. Lebron and Schroder were good, with 30 and 24 points respectively. Harrell was good off the bench again, as the Lakers didn’t find any problems offensively in their first game without AD.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Give the T-Wolves credit, they fought their hardest. Anthony Edwards was very good, getting 28 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists on 50% shooting. By far his best game this season, as he did a bit of everything and was efficient. Towns was good, and Beasley struggled. They’ll need big games for other guys like the game they got from Edwards tonight in order to win as D’Angelo Russell will be out for a while.
Brooklyn Nets vs Phoenix Suns
Brooklyn Nets
Yeah, the Nets just won somehow. Without KD and Kyrie, the Nets were down 24 in the 3rd. This was to be expected. And yet they still won. Joe Harris and the Nets started to hit some 3’s, and despite Chris Paul doing everything he could. A James Harden 3 put them ahead with under 30 seconds to go, and the Nets held on for the miraculous comeback win. James Harden was masterful, and he didn’t even go to the line much, finishing with 38 points. Harris, Jeff Green, and Tyler Johnson along with Landry Shamet were also solid, as the Nets somehow won this game. Brooklyn scored 40 points in the 4th, and they won this game somehow. Brooklyn never gave up, as they improve to 18-12 on the year.
Phoenix Suns
How did the Suns lose this. No KD or Kyrie, and you’re up 24 points in the 3rd. This is a game that should be an easy win, expect it wasn’t. Chris Paul went god-mode in the 4th, trying to help the Suns pull away but it wasn’t enough. Paul and Booker combined for 49 points, and the rest of the starting 5 were in double figures. But they’re 4th quarter defense was awful, as they allowed Brooklyn to score 40 in the final 12 minutes. Very disappointing end to a flawless homestand, as the Suns now start their road-trip 17-10.
What Are Your Thoughts From The 6 Games Today? Leave A Comment Down Below!
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