The Inconsistent Eastern Conference; Warriors Miraculously Win Late! 4.6.21

It’s another day of NBA basketball and we have a busy day with 8 games on the schedule today.

Chicago Bulls vs Indiana Pacers

Who Needs Lavine Anyway?

Zach Lavine was awful again shooting wise (6/18, 19 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists). But the Bulls didn’t need him. Vucevic has been awesome with Chicago and he had 32 points and 17 rebounds. Markkanen and White combined to shoot 10/16 off the bench for 28 combined points. The Bulls shot 44% from 3 and just controlled this game from the tip. Good win for the Bulls as they try and make it into the play-in.

Get Healthy

Without Brogdon and Sabonis again the Pacers didn’t fare as well as they did against the Spurs. The shooting was awful (30% from 3) and they couldn’t slow down the Bulls. The Pacers continue to struggle as they have just hit some sort of wall as they looked so good to start the year and now they’re 5 games under 0.500. What a turnaround.

New Orleans Pelicans vs Atlanta Hawks

Shooting, But Bad

The Pelicans are still a bad shooting team. Lonzo seemed to use all his 3-PT luck against the Rockets because he was horrible in this game, 4/14 from 3. Zion had 34 but it wasn’t nearly enough when New Orleans allowed 46 points in the 3rd. Isaiah Thomas had 10 points in his debut with the team, although I doubt he’ll do much in the long run.

This team needs a personnel haul and fast.

Shooting, But Good

While the Pelicans are a team that can’t shoot or defend the 3-PT line, the Hawks can shoot. A blazing 20/31 from the 3-PT line (65%). They scored 46 points in the 3rd and blew this game wide open. 30 points and 12 assists for Trae Young. Bogdanovic and Huerter combined to shoot 15/22 from the field as both of them filled in nicely for Collins. The Hawks have been hitting their stride, now they just have to stay healthy and hope that Lou Williams doesn’t want any chicken wings.

Fun Fact: The Hawks went 11/11 from 3 in the 3rd quarter, the most 3-PT makes in the a quarter without a miss.

Philadelphia 76ers vs Boston Celtics

Clamps

The 76er defense was excellent in this game. Thybulle, Harris, Simmons, and Green did an excellent job covering the Celtic big 3 of Walker, Tatum, and Brown as all 3 of them weren’t exactly as good as you would expect 3 All-Stars to be. The defense was excellent and offense was solid. Embiid again got to the line a lot (16/20) and finished with 35 points. Danny Green had 17 as this was a dominating win for Philly.

I’m not exactly sold on them winning the East, however this does make them look very good, especially defensively where they shut Boston down. Sure Boston was missing Fournier, but it was a good win nonetheless.

The Benchmark of Inconsistency

This team is so frustrating. Sure Fournier was out and will be out for a week or so with Covid. But Boston had been playing better and then they do this. Their Big 3 just doesn’t show up to play and it’s not like Boston has supreme depth or anything. This team is so disappointing, one problem appears to be fixed and another one appears. It’s the interior defense, the shooting, the isolation heavy offense, perimeter defense, bench depth. Any problem you can think of, the Celtics have probably had it as this miserable season continues.

LA Lakers vs Toronto Raptors

Not Close

The Lakers dominated this game, with their shooting for once. While an altercation sent Harrell out, it didn’t matter as LA dominated. They hit 13 3’s in the first half alone and hit 18 for the game on 40% shooting. 7 guys were in double figures as it was a wire to wire dominating win.

The Benchmark of Inconsistency, Part 2

Like the Celtics, this team can’t be consistent at all. Sure no Lowry and no VanVleet, but it’s not like LA is healthy either. But shooting 5/33 from 3, that’ll help. The Lakers made 9 3’s in the first quarter and the Raptors made 5 all game. Everybody struggled, Siakam, Trent, Boucher, everybody. It’s just impossible for them to gain any ground, yet they’re likely going to make the playoffs because welcome to the Eastern Conference.

Memphis Grizzlies vs Miami Heat

With An Offense

The Grizzlies are such a good defensive team that with a consistent offense they would be so good. Ja Morant didn’t do much scoring before leaving with a hip injury and yet the Grizzlies stayed alive. You got 28 points from Dillon Brooks (23 in the 3rd alone), 20 from Valanciunas, and 19 from Anderson. The rookie duo of Bane and Tillman off the bench combined for 26. The Grizzlies made 17 3-pointers as the offense looked really solid.

This team seems to be getting less and less reliant on Morant. Last year without him they weren’t very good. Now they’re winning games when he’s out. Obviously you want him on the floor and hope he’s fine, but it’s not like life or death anymore without him on the floor.

Was Oladipo Worth It? (The Benchmark of Inconsistency, Part 3)

Man the East sucks. I also thought that the Heat were finding their way but they again play horrible. The Grizzlies got whatever they wanted whenever they wanted. They hit 3’s and got right to the rim with ease. Victor Oladipo was ok at best but he hasn’t exactly been that 3rd pure scorer along Jimmy and Bam. He’s clearly not the same player he was. The Heat didn’t give up anything, but I mean was he really worth bringing in at all? I know it’s early but nothing he’s done is exactly warranting a A+ trade grade.

Detroit Pistons vs Denver Nuggets

Jerami Grant Revenge?

I mean Grant had 29 points on 61% shooting. Not bad and Saddiq Bey had 25 points as well with 6 3’s. Other than that it wasn’t very good, per usual for Detroit.

Take That Grant

Denver was dominant again as they have been dominating people, even without Murray in this game. MPJ was 11/16 from the field and had 25 points and 7 rebounds as he continues to stay hot. Jokic had 27-8-11 with just 3 missed shots. Barton added 24 as Denver is rolling right now and looking like real threats in the West.

Enjoy the bottom of the East, Grant!

Milwaukee Bucks vs Golden State Warriors

Choke

Even without Giannis the Bucks again played very well led by Holiday and Middleton. They started off slow but they got going and kept things close at the half. In the 3rd their offense really got going and they got some separation from the Warriors. They kept holding their lead and getting key buckets. The Bucks led 116-106 with 4:00, game in hand. Or not. Over the next 2:54, the Warriors outscored the Bucks 14-1 and took a three point lead. The Bucks completely shut down. Jrue Holiday gave them the lead back but Kelly Oubre hit two free throws with 7.7 seconds left to take it right back. Khris Middleton’s 3 missed badly and the Bucks blew this game late.

Middleton had 28 points and 7 assists, just couldn’t hit the game-winner. Jrue Holiday continues his rampage with 29 points in this one. 15 from Jeff Teague and 13 from Bobby Portis as well but just poor late game execution cost the Bucks here.

Get Busy Living

The Warriors were dead in the water in this game as the Bucks had their grip on this game. But the Warriors were able to somehow comeback and win. After a hot start for the Warriors, the Bucks got back into things and the first half was close. In the 3rd the Warriors got burned for 38 points and they fell behind, eventually trailing by 10 with 4 minutes left. Then they got going and fast. A 14-1 led by 7 from Curry put the Warriors back up 3. Their defense was much better and they were getting great looks on offense and capitalizing. The Warriors lost the lead, but a key offensive rebound from Oubre led to two free throws, both of which he hit. The Warriors got one final stop and they were able to win.

Curry did Curry things, 41 points on 67% shooting as he has just been absolutely carrying this offense. But he finally got some help. 19 from Oubre and some big buckets late as well as 18 from Bazemore off the bench. The Warriors had lost 7 of 8 before this, so this was a much needed win to try and stop the bleeding and hold their ground to try and get into the play-in. Maybe this can give them the push in the right direction.

Portland Trail Blazers vs LA Clippers

Need Defense

Is it too late to ask Santa for defense? Does the Easter Bunny do that sort of thing? I really need this team to get a defense or we’re not going anywhere.