What Is Wrong With Indiana?; Mavs End Nets Streak! 2.27.21
It’s a Saturday night of NBA basketball and we have 7 games on the schedule today.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Philadelphia 76ers
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavs did what they wanted to do this game. The Cavs kept going in transition and it led to so many easy scores. Other than Embiid the Cavs were good defensively and they had no problem scoring as they had 20 points in OT. Very good win for the Cavs as they have won their last 3, rebounding nicely from 10 straight losses.
Philadelphia 76ers
How did you lose this game? I know Harris wasn’t playing but the Cavs? Really? The Cavs just kept getting easy layups in transition as the 76ers did a poor job getting back. Embiid was very good but the support was ok. Curry was 1/13, Korkmaz and Green were both 3/9 and the bench continues to be subpar. The 76ers will find trouble against teams with strong benches and can shoot 3’s as they struggle in those areas. But their defense was also poor in this game. The 76ers will definitely regret losing this game as they are now 22-12 on the year.
Minnesota T-Wolves vs Washington Wizards
Minnesota T-Wolves
I feel bad for this team. Your most consistent scorer in Malik Beasley is gone for the next couple of weeks. New coach and a new system and you’re the worst team in the league. That’s tough. Edwards and Towns were solid and guys like Reid and Nowell have been solid off the bench. But this season will be far from pretty for Minnesota.
Washington Wizards
This game was close in the first half, but Washington pulled away in the 2nd half for their 7th win in 8 games. Bradley Beal had 34, Westbrook got another triple-double, and guys like Bertans and Matthews hit some 3’s. The Wizards offense and energy has been so good during this hot streak, as they have been climbing back in the East with a 13-18 record now.
New Orleans Pelicans vs San Antonio Spurs
New Orleans Pelicans
The Pelicans had their chances in this game but an ill-advised shot late and poor transition defense hurt them late. In the first half the Pelicans dominated down low as Ingram and Zion were good as usual. But their 3-PT defense was awful and the Spurs were leading because of their 3-PT shooting. Entering the 4th the Pels trailed by 10 and needed a spark. They were getting free throws and good looks, cutting the lead to 3 with 57.8 seconds left. They got a stop but then Lonzo just chucked a 3 when you could have just gone to Ingram or Zion. The Spurs hit a free throw and then off another Ball 3-pt miss the Spurs got a dunk and won the game. New Orleans is now 14-19 on the year.
Brandon Ingram had 29 points and 5 assists on 11/23 shooting.
Zion had 23 points, 14 rebounds, and 5 assists on 8/15 shooting.
Eric Bledsoe had 19 points and 6 rebounds on 6/13 shooting.
The Pels played well in this game. Ingram and Zion were good, especially Zion who was just dominating the Spurs on the glass. Bledsoe and Ball were not great shooting, especially Ball who was just 3/12 from 3. I don’t why he took that 3 down 3 with like 30 seconds to go. A two doesn’t hurt at all there’s so much time left. You have two dynamic wings who have things going, there were better options. Another close game blown for New Orleans as they struggle to win games like this.
San Antonio Spurs
Despite being very short-handed the Spurs played really well offensively in this game and took advantage of Pelicans mistakes to win. In the first half it was all about the 3-pt shooting. The Spurs made 10 3’s on 50% shooting and had 5 guys in double figures for 67 points in the first half. They were unguardable. The Spurs led by 10 entering the 4th but then Zion and Ingram got going. The lead got down to 3 with under a minute to go, but some Pelicans miscues led to the Spurs getting the game-sealing dunk from DeRozan to improve to 17-12 on the year.
DeMar DeRozan had 32 points and 11 assists on 11/18 shooting.
LA had 21 points and 5 rebounds on 5/10 shooting off the bench.
Dejounte Murray had 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists on 7/16 shooting.
DeMar DeRozan has been so good this year as a passer. As a mid-range scorer, there aren’t too many better than the craft DeRozan. But his passing makes him even better as a two-way threat as now you can’t just double him. The bench was solid with Aldridge living at the line and 13 from Mills. Dejounte Murray continues his career season and Lonnie Walker was good. This Spurs team is very well balanced right now and they are still missing some key pieces, making them a very dangerous team in the West.
Indiana Pacers vs New York Knicks
Indiana Pacers
The Pacers just struggled down the stretch of this game and gave away golden opportunities to win. The Pacers offense was hot early and they led by 16 early on the in 2nd quarter. But after the 7 minute mark, they scored just 6 points the rest of the way for the half. The Knicks outscored them 24-6 and took the lead at the half. The 2nd was back and 4th, but the 4th was heart-breaking for Indiana. The Knicks led by 9 early in the 4th but the Pacers fought back to lead by 5 with 4:15 left. But the Knicks rallied back as Indiana’s execution was poor. But after 2 RJ Barrett missed free throws, the Pacers had a chance to win with under 15 seconds to go. But then Indiana threw the ball away and lost. Good job.
Doug McDermott had 20 points and 5 rebounds on 6/11 shooting.
TJ McConnell had 17 points, 6 rebounds, and 12 assists on 8/13 shooting.
Domantas Sabonis had 15 points, 7 rebounds, and 9 assists on 5/10 shooting.
Why is Sabonis shooting the ball 3 times in the first half when there’s no Malcolm Brogdon? Why is Doug McDermott getting more shots than an All-Star? There is no reason why Sabonis shouldn’t have been getting more shots in this game. Again, execution hurt this team. Not getting the ball to Sabonis, scoring 6 points in the final 7 minutes of a first half and blowing a 16-point lead. Scoring 9 points in the final 4:15 of the 4th and blowing a 5-point lead. This team has been very disappointing lately as they desperately need Warren and Levert back and healthy.
New York Knicks
This game was quite the rollercoaster for the Knicks, but they pulled through late with some of that great defense. In the first half of this game, things were up and down. To start the Knicks defense was poor and they fell behind by 16. But in the final 7 minutes of the 2nd half the Knicks went on a 24-6 run to take the lead. Things remained close until a very weird 4th quarter. The Knicks led by 9 early on but their offense slowed down and they suddenly trailed by 5 with 4:15 left. But 6 straight from RJ Barrett and some great defense put New York ahead. But Barrett missed a pair of free throws and the Pacers had a chance down two. But seldom used Frank Ntilikina came up with the big steal that gave the Knicks the win as they improve to 17-17 on the year.
Julius Randle had 28 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals on 12/22 shooting.
RJ Barrett had 24 points and 7 rebounds on 8/17 shooting.
Derrick Rose had 17 points and 11 assists on 6/11 shooting.
The Knicks have been playing great. Julius Randle was an animal in this game as he did whatever he wanted and did a bit of everything. RJ Barrett is the Pacer killed as he averages 25 points against Indiana this season on 57% shooting. He likes Indiana for some reason. Derrick Rose was great but the defense late was great. They came up with big steals and they just play with energy. Getting fans back at MSG helps to, as you can feel the energy and excitement as New York isn’t complete trash for once. New York is now the 4th seed in the East and they take on the Pistons tomorrow.
Utah Jazz vs Orlando Magic
Utah Jazz
That’s more like it. After a tough loss to Miami yesterday this was a much needed win. Without Conley the Jazz were still very good. Mitchell had an efficient 31 points, Gobert was a force and Ingles did his usual amount of shooting and passing. Clarkson led the bench unit that was much better in this game. The 3-PT shooting was better as the Jazz played all-around much better than they did yesterday as they are now 27-7 on the year.
Orlando Magic
The Magic offense really didn’t stand much of a chance against Utah. Vucevic was very good with 34 points as he was good in his matchup with Gobert. But with the Magic’s offensive struggles, they stood no real chance.
Denver Nuggets vs OKC Thunder
Denver Nuggets
There we go Denver, that’s how you assert dominance. The Nuggets offense roared out to a big start and they never looked back. Denver shot 67% from both the field and the 3-pt line. All 5 starters were in double figures, as guys like Murray and Porter were good. Jokic got another triple-double as Denver got a good decisive win. They are now 18-15 on the year.
OKC Thunder
This was never close and the Nuggets never let the pesky Thunder stay in the game. This is what should he happening in most OKC games as most game they are completely overmatched in terms of talent.
Dallas Mavericks vs Brooklyn Nets
Dallas Mavericks
Now this is more like it. The Mavs were very, very good in this game as they dominated. Luka was getting to the rim with ease as he had 27 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists. Kristaps Porzingis asserted himself down low in the post in his return, as he had 18 points without making a 3. Brunson, Hardaway, and Richardson were solid. The defense was good as this was a very good all-around performance from Dallas. Now, part of this is because the Nets don’t have imposing bigs. The Mavs aren’t great against those so take this win with a grain of salt. Still a good win as Dallas is now 16-16 on the year and they take on the Magic to start March.
Brooklyn Nets
No Kyrie and No KD. After winning 8 straight you get a pass. 3’s weren’t falling from their shooters and Luka Doncic tore them up. What are you going to do about that? Not much. Brooklyn is now 22-13 on the year.
What Are Your Thoughts From The 7 Games Today? Leave A Comment Down Below!
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