Are The Celtics Headed For The Play-In?; Suns Lose Bid For #1 Seed! 5.9.21
It’s NBA basketball on Mother’s Day as we have 8 games on the schedule tonight.
Miami Heat vs Boston Celtics (130-124)
Control
The Heat’s shooting was the main factor in this game. They started off the game hot and they never cooled down. 11 3’s in the first half paced a dominant first half. The Heat got out in transition and they were just dominating Boston, leading by 26 at one point in the first half. The defense was solid as Miami looked like that team from last season. The Celtics really never got close until late in the 4th when the lead was cut to 6 with 4:51 left. But 7 straight points from Robinson and Adebayo put the game away as the Heat all but ensured they aren’t heading to the play-in.
26-8-11 with 2 steals for Butler who continues to be great. 20 for Bam, 22 for Robinson, and 19 for Ariza. 57% shooting from the field, 46% from 3, never trailed. Dominating win.
The Heat now jump into 6th place, tied with the Hawks for 5th place but they don’t have the tie-breaker. Both the Heat and Hawks are 1 game behind the 4th seeded Knicks.
When It Matters Most
Frankly, I don’t care that there was no Jaylen Brown, this was embarrassing. Not the losing, how you lost. Another slow start while you jack up 3’s (4/18 in the first half). Then a late run to make the game look close. This team looked like they had turned the corner or sorts but here comes the cold hand of reality. The Celtics were 10/20 from 3 in the 2nd half, largely in part due to 23 from Fournier in the 2nd half. Tatum was good, but only 16 shots? That’s way too low, especially with how he was playing and there being no Brown on the floor. He needs to have the ball more and get more shots, I think he’s earned it.
Fournier had 30 points and 8 rebounds with 7 3’s, 11/16 shooting overall. Tatum was also 11/16 with 29-5-6. Walker had 18, Smart had 16, and Nesmith had 16 as well. But the Celtics dug themselves a hole too deep and they couldn’t get out of it. Their same flaws of starting the game off slow and hoping that 3’s fall isn’t going to work.
The Celtics now trail the Heat and Hawks by two games as they stuck in 7th place, likely to stay there and play in the play-in.
New York Knicks vs LA Clippers (106-100)
Winning
The Knicks had struggled on their Western Conference road trip, getting dominated by Denver and Phoenix. But they got a very good win in this game. It didn’t start well, with the Knicks trailing 10-0 early but after that they got things together. The first half was the D-Rose show as he was on fire, scoring 14 off the bench to lead the way for the Knicks taking the lead. They had the lead with Julius Randle shooting 2/8 from the field in the first half, which was very impressive. The Knicks continued to hold their lead and they built it up to double-digits in the 4th. Julius Randle hit some big shots late in the game as the Knicks got a big win on the road.
25-5-8 for D-Rose off the bench as he was great, 24 from Reggie Bullock, 18 from Barrett, and 14-14-5 from Randle. The Knicks defense on Kawhi and PG was very good, holding the duo to a combined 17/46 shooting from the field (37%). The Knicks made more 3’s than LA and their bench dominated LA’s thanks to D-Rose’s big night (43-28 bench scoring).
The Knicks had been struggling recently but this is a big win for them confidence wise as well as in the standings. The Knicks have a 1 game lead on both the 5th seeded Hawks and 6th seeded Heat. This was a huge win.
Knicks Point Guard Situation:
Derrick Rose In 32 Games With New York: +/- of +206 (highest on the team despite only 32 games)
Elfrid Payton In 59 Games With New York: +/- of -84 (lowest on the team)
Guess which one of these guys is the starter? Come on Thibodeau.
Struggling
The Clippers can’t seem to stick to a formula. For a stretch of games Kawhi was simply not shooting the ball a lot, but LA was still good. Today he shot the ball a lot and let’s just say it didn’t work out. After jumping out to a 10-0 start the Clippers offense was poor. For once they couldn’t hit 3’s and Kawhi and PG were chucking. The Clippers lost the lead at the half thanks to D-Rose getting a DeLorean and turning back time. The 2nd half was sluggish but LA could never regain control and watched as the Knicks built a 10-point lead. Julius Randle hit a couple of big shots late and that ended it.
Kawhi and PG shot 17/46 from the field combined (37%) and LA shot just 34% from 3, very low for a team that has been one of the most efficient 3-PT shooting teams ever. Marcus Morris was also 2/9 as LA’s offense was poor. They couldn’t stop D-Rose from attacking as this was a game that LA should have won. With the loss, this leaves the door open for Denver, who trails the Clippers by 1 game in the race for the #3 seed. It would be the most Clippers thing ever for them to fall to the #4 seed with less than 10 days left in the season.
New Orleans Pelicans vs Charlotte Hornets (112-110)
Winning Without Two All-Stars
In their two games without both All-Stars, the Pelicans made a game competitive against the best team in the East and they won tonight, impressive. The Pelicans got off to a hot start, played horribly in the 2nd quarter to trail by double-digits but a great 4th quarter defensively won them this game. They held Charlotte to just 14 points on 31% shooting in the 4th as they pulled ahead.
24 points and 11 assists for Bledsoe, 17 for James Johnson off the bench, and sold outings from Ball, Alexander-Walker, and Marshall. But Jaxson Hayes was excellent, finishing with 18 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 blocks. He was very good, using his freaking athleticism to his advantage. The Pelicans aren’t out of the playoff race completely, just 1.5 games behind the Spurs who have been awful lately. But they’re going to need at least one All-Star wing to be healthy to do so.
Really?
After a slow start the Hornets outscored the Pelicans by 19 in the 2nd quarter and led by 10. You led by 7 entering the 4th and proceeded to score just 14 points in the 4th quarter. You made Jaxson Hayes, who has been a below-average defender to this point in his career, look like Prime Hakeem. Rozier was awesome, 16/26 from the field, 7/11 from 3 with a career-high 43 points. Ball added 22. Washington and Zeller combined for 31 but you got no other help and struggled to stop Eric Bledsoe. The Hornets lose a key game and they now trail the 7th seeded Celtics by two games. The Wizards and Pacers aren’t far behind so the Hornets have the risk of sliding down even further in the East.
Dallas Mavericks vs Cleveland Cavaliers (124-97)
It’s The Cavs
The Mavs continue to win even while injured as they beat up on the Cavs again. 5 guys in double figures, led by 25 from Hardaway with 7 3-pointers. 20 for Richardson, 15 for Luka, and solid outings from Powell and Brunson off the bench. 54% shooting, good defense, Dallas continues to roll.
Luka was ejected in the 3rd on something that really didn’t look intentional, a hit to the groin of Collin Sexton on a box-out, but he still had 15 technicals on the year, one short of the one-game suspension. The Mavs promptly went on a 30-15 run after the ejection.
The Mavs have a 1 game lead on Portland as they hold onto that 5th seed.
Tanking
Onto the next season.
Minnesota T-Wolves vs Orlando Magic (128-96)
Easy
The T-Wolves led by 43 at one point as they were dominating this game (as they should). 27-6-8 for D-Lo and 27 points and 9 rebounds for KAT. Edwards had a very efficient 16-10-5 as Minnesota has looked pretty good here to end the year when they have their big 3. Excited to see what they can do next season barring injuries.
Fade For Cade
Keep tanking Orlando, keep tanking.
Chicago Bulls vs Detroit Pistons (108-96)
It’s The Pistons
This makes it 3 straight wins for the Bulls as since getting Lavine back they have looked good. The trio of Lavine, White, and Vucevic was great again. 30 points and 6 assists for Lavine on 63% shooting, 29 points and 16 rebounds for Vucevic and 21 for Coby White with 5 3’s. The 3 of them led the way for the Bulls who led for almost the entire game, leading by as many as 21 at one point.
The Bulls are likely not going to make the playoffs as they are 2.5 games out of the 10th seed, but it’s a solid end to a roller coaster season.
Detroit Pistons
Tanking.
Phoenix Suns vs LA Lakers
Come On
The Suns needed to win this game for two reasons; one, to stay somewhat close to the #1 seeded Jazz. Two, so that I, a Blazers fan, could sleep at night. They accomplished neither with a loss. The Suns came out flat offensively and they never even led in this game, trailing by as much as 23. The Suns were very sloppy, allowing LA to shot 32/41 from the free throw line. If it wasn’t a free throw Devin Booker wasn’t making it and CP-3 struggled. So now the Suns all but ensure that they will be the #2 seed this year, 2 games behind Utah.
Big-Time
Going 2-8 in their last 10 and Portland starting to gain separation, LA needed a win, and they got one, a statement win. They never trailed in this game and led by 23 at one point. The defense was excellent and so was AD who has got things going recently. Season high 42 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, and 3 blocks. Even if Lebron isn’t 100% for the playoffs, you get this AD, look out. 17 for KCP and Caruso and 24 combined from Harrell and McLemore. LA hit 32 free throws, shot the 3-PT ball well, everything they needed to go right did.
LA remains as the #7 seed, but they are 1 game behind Portland, staying within reach.
OKC Thunder vs Sacramento Kings
Yikes
The Thunder are 5-29 without SGA this season. They are 16-18 with him this season. Safe to say he’s been missed.
Injuries
The Kings have been playing better despite missing 3 key role players and their best player. They are 2.5 games out of the 10th seed. Imagine if they had kept Dave Joerger, imagine. Just as long as they fire Luke Walton after this season, all is well.
What Are Your Thoughts From The 8 Games Today? Leave A Comment Down Below!
Follow My Instagram To Never Miss A Post: @hoopnotions
Check Out My Patreon For Extra Content!
