Westbrook The Statistical Marvel; Lakers Get Big Win In Playoff Race! 5.3.21
It’s a Monday night of NBA basketball and we have 8 more games on the schedule tonight.
Orlando Magic vs Detroit Pistons (119-112)
Bench
In the Battle of Tanking, the Magic bench was the key. They played 4 guys; Brazdeikis, Bamba, Randle, and RJ Hampton. Those 4 were all in double figures and they combined for 70 points, which is nearly 60% of the Magic points for the game. Good job bench unit, I guess.
Detroit Pistons
Saddiq Bey had 26 points. I am happy.
Indiana Pacers vs Washington Wizards (141-154)
What Was That?
This has to be some of the worst defense I’ve ever seen, as not having Myles Turner has shown. 154 points allowed in regulation? That is very, very bad. The Wizards only made 9 3’s, it’s not like they made 20 or something. They just got right to the rim, with 96 points in the paint. Yes, you heard that right. That was awful defense. The Wizards led for most of the way as Indiana loses a key game in the Eastern Conference play-in race. Indiana leads the Wizards by 0.5 a game, clinging onto the #9 seed.
Washington Wizards
Holy offense. 96 points in the paint. That is insane, considering you usually score 154 points with a lot of 3’s. The Wizards dominated this game. Franchise record 50 assists, 27 points for Hachimura, 26 for Beal, 5 guys in double figures off the bench and 66 bench points in total. 30 fastbreak points.
Then there’s Russell Westbrook, who did this: 14 points, 21 rebounds, and 24 assists. His 21 rebounds are a career-high and his 24 assists are also a career-high and franchise record. He had 24/50 Wizards assists (48%). It’s he the third 20-rebound 20-assist game in NBA history. Wilt Chamberlain did this once, the other two are from Russell Westbrook. It’s Westbrook 5th triple-double with 20 or more assists, which is the most all-time.
He is a statistical marvel and he is knocking on the doorstep of Oscar Robertson. He had 178 and Robertson’s record is 181. At this pace he’ll get it done with just a few games to go this season. The Wizards are 0.5 a game behind the Pacers, almost overtaking them for the 9th seed in the East.
Golden State Warriors vs New Orleans Pelicans (123-108)
Dominance
The Warriors led the whole way, comfortably for most of the way as well. 41 for Steph Curry who continues to just utterly dominate. 26 for Wiggins as they’re going to need that with Oubre likely missing time. The Warriors need every win they can get to try and get as high as they can into the playoffs. The Warriors now move into 8th in the West, 3 games behind Portland but just 0.5 games ahead of Memphis.
Season Over
The Pelicans were a good 2.5 games out of the play-in but this was their one chance to try and get closer to maybe get in. But of course their defense saves the day and the Warriors take a lead they never gave up. The Pelicans never led in this game, a wire-to-wire loss. Good way to debut whatever the heck Marvel/ESPN was doing.
Ingram shooting only 11 times is a joke and Zion was the only thing working, as per usual. Please don’t tell me he becomes another Lebron and is forced to leave to win. I don’t want that. New Orleans, do something.
Portland Trail Blazers vs Atlanta Hawks (114-123)
No Defense, No House
If that guy wants 42 wins, he’d better hope the Blazers play defense. Previous to this game during their 4-game win streak, Portland had a top-10 defense and unsurprisingly they won all 4 games. Today the Hawks shot 53% from the field and made 20 3’s. Portland lost. Defense continues to be the make of break for this team and it breaks more often than it should. I really hope Terry Stotts is gone next year, this has been going on for years, it’s just as it’s worst this year.
Congratualtions
Portland isn’t as good as their record looks, but good job Atlanta. 25 for Bogdanovic and 21 points and 11 assists for Trae Young. 28 for Gallinari with 7 3’s off the bench. 20 3’s overall and another win. The Hawks have a 0.5 game lead on the Heat as they currently sit on the 5th seed.
Philadelphia 76ers vs Chicago Bulls (106-94)
Philadelphia 76ers
This game was one where Philly had a lead for the entire game. They led by 20 entering the 4th but with just over 7 minutes to go, the lead just one. But the 76ers never gave up their lead and they pulled away late, but not so good a job at holding a lead. The offense was once again just all the 5 starters. The 76ers really need more bench scoring.
21 points and 9 rebounds for Harris, 20 for Curry, and solid outings for Simmons, Embiid, and Green. Philly now has a 1 game lead for the #1 seed overall Brooklyn, as they have won their last 5 games.
A For Effort
Cutting a 20-point lead to just 1 in the 4th when you are missing two All-Stars against the #1 seed in the East is impressive. Zach Lavine was cleared from H/S protocols, so he should be back soon, but it’s too late, this season is another wash for the Bulls.
New York Knicks vs Memphis Grizzlies (118-104)
Rolling
That’s 12 wins in the last 13 games as the Knicks are rolling. 44 points in the 2nd quarter and 11 first half 3’s gave them a comfortable 11 point lead at the half. The Knicks double-digit 4th quarter lead did go down to 5 with just over two minutes to-go, but a couple scores from D-Rose iced the game.
28-6-6 for Randle but 25 for D-Rose off the bench as he continues to be instant offense for the Knicks. Barrett, Bullock, and Payton were also in double-figures. 52% shooting from 3 for the Knicks as they have been rolling.
The Knicks have a 1.5 game for 4th in the East as it’s theirs to lose at this point.
Defense
If this team can’t rely on their defense, they aren’t going far. The question mark has always been the offense, which has been getting more consistent after the All-Star break. But if they allow the Knicks to shoot 52% from 3, they are in trouble. The Grizzlies only forced 8 turnovers, unusually low for them. Morant was 2/13 from the field and the only guys who had things going were Brooks with 25 points and Desmond Bane off the bench with 22.
Again, if the defense falls apart, things aren’t going to go so well. Memphis is currently 9th in the West. They trail the 8th seeded Warriors by 0.5 a game and they have a 1 game lead on the 10th seeded Spurs.
San Antonio Spurs vs Utah Jazz (99-110)
Wire-To-Wire Loss
The Spurs never had the lead, trailed by as much as 25 and lost to a team without their All-Star backcourt. They got DeRozan and Murray back and I hope they know every game matters for them to make the playoffs. The Spurs have lost 4 straight and they have a 2.5 game lead on the 11th seeded Pelicans. Anything can happen
Who Needs All-Stars?
Without Conley and Mitchell, the Jazz have played about as well as you could without your two All-Stars. The Jazz never trailed in this game and they were in full control. 5 guys in double figures with Bogdanovic leading the way with 25 points. 24 points, 15 rebounds, 2 steals, 3 blocks for Gobert. 29 combined from Ingles and Clarkson. Utah takes back the #1 seed as it’s just back and forth with the Suns. Mitchell is going to still be out of the next couple of games, but Utah is survived for all intents and purposes, without him.
Denver Nuggets vs LA Lakers (89-93)
Thanks Denver
Portland lost so Denver clinched the playoffs. In return, they lose. Thanks Denver! The Nuggets offense was slow for most of this game as Jokic was getting shut down by Drummond, Gasol, and Harrell. The Lakers got going and built a 14-point lead in the 4th. A 14-2 run cut the Denver lead to two, but they couldn’t finish the job, a score by THT in the paint ended things.
Jokic had 32-9-5 but he only shot 43%, very inefficient, especially for how efficient he is. 19 for MPJ and 10 for Javale McGee and that was it. This is more of what I expected with no Jamal Murray, literally zero to no help. Denver shot 25% from the field and 44% from the field. But this is the most disappointing stat of the night. Denver had 12 turnovers but the Lakers had 20. Off of 20 turnovers, Denver scored just 20 points, 1 point per turnover. Off of 12 Denver turnovers, the Lakers had 14 points. The margin should have been a lot better and I think that’s where Denver has to improve if they want to win. If a team gives you 20 extra possessions, take advantage of them.
Where Was This?
Without Lebron this team wins against a team that had won 9 out of their last 10. With this win LA moves into 5th, now taking a 0.5 game lead on the 6th seed Mavericks and 1 whole game on the 7th seeded Blazers. Now? Really? The defense was great, Gasol did a good job being physical. I think that’s why he should be playing more. Drummond and Harrell suck on defense. I’m not saying play Gasol overtime, but 10-15 minutes is fine. He’s solid.
AD was good with 25 points and 7 rebounds and 4 others in double-figures. The Lakers did a good job defending the 3 and they hit 7 more 3’s than Denver. I don’t know if it’s luck, but LA turned the ball over 20 times and the Nuggets only scored 1 point per turnover. The Lakers definitely have to get better at not turning the ball over, however not having Schroder and James does limit the ball-handling, so a bit of a pass. The Lakers get some breathing room in the West but it’s not over. Still have some tough games left with a not 100% Lebron and no Schroder for two weeks with H/S Protocols. The Lakers needed this, but it’s certainly not over.
What Are Your Thoughts From The 8 Games Today? Leave A Comment Down Below!
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