Eastern Conference Playoffs Set!; Portland Streaking At The Right Time! 5.12.21
It’s a Wednesday night of NBA hoops and we have 6 games on the schedule tonight.
Washington Wizards vs Atlanta Hawks (116-120)
Choke
The Wizards led by 13 starting in the 4th as they had control of the game. But the Hawks switched to a lineup featuring 5 shooters, they started to hit 3’s and comeback. Washington didn’t score for the final 2:43 of the game and the Hawks took the lead with 24.8 seconds left and Washington couldn’t do anything about it. Looks like Washington is going to be 10th in the East.
Westbrook had 25 points with 4 3’s in the first half but he shot just 4/14 from the field in the 2nd half. 30 combined from Bertans and Gafford and Neto and Hachimura were also in double figures. The Wizards are are 1.5 games behind the 9th seeded Pacers. They’re going to need Bradley Beal back for the play-in, not just for the scoring title (talking to you Kent Bazemore).
Playoffs
For the first time since the 2016-17 season (when Mike Budenholzer was coach), the Hawks are heading back to the playoffs. A poor 2nd and 3rd quarter put the Hawks down double-digits in the 4th. It took some shooting from the Hawks to get back into the game. In the first half, the Hawks hit 4 3’s. Russell Westbrook hit 4 3’s on his own in the first half, not a recipe for success if you’re the Hawks. But the Hawks hit 5 3’s in the 4th, including a John Collins 3 with 25 seconds left to give them the lead. The Hawks held the Wizards scoreless for the final 2:43 of the 4th as they clinch a playoff birth.
33-8-9 for Trae Young who is headed to his first playoffs. 20 for Bogdanovic who has been so good in the 2nd half of the year, definitely an x-factor in the playoffs. 18 for Collins and another double-double for Capela. The Hawks have talent, shooting, defense, they are going to be a scary team if they are clicking. Youth is really the only thing holding them back, but I am very excited to see what they can do in the postseason.
The Hawks are 4th, a 0.5 game lead on both the 5th seeded Heat and 6th seeded Knicks.
San Antonio Spurs vs Brooklyn Nets (116-128)
San Antonio Spurs
It seems like the Bucks are really bad at defending the 3. One day the Spurs drop 146 points, the other they shoot 26% from 3 and get blown out. Shows you the difference between Brooklyn and Milwaukee.
The Spurs are 3-6 in their last 9 games and they are 10th in the West. They are going to be 10th as the Pelicans and Kings are both injury riddled. They don’t deserve it, but the Spurs are back in the playoffs (technically).
Scary Hours
The rest of the league isn’t prepared. James Harden is back, giving the Nets their excellent facilitator back and making their offense more fluid. Harden had 18 points, 7 rebounds, 11 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks in 25 minutes of play. Safe of say he’s going to be fine for the playoffs. KD had 14-7-7 on an off night but he’s been so good all year. Oh yeah, and Kyrie hurt his face, which means masked Kyrie. Scary hours.
Not to mention the Nets are incredibly deep and talented. This is a superteam that makes other superteams look small.
Boston Celtics vs Cleveland Cavaliers (94-102)
…
You lost to the Cavs? I get Kemba was out and Jaylen is done for the year, but really? The Cavs are 5-21 since the trade deadline (March 25th). JT was good but 6/20 shooting from Fournier? 3/10 from Nesmith, 3/9 from Waters, 36% shooting overall. I usually don’t like to get ahead of myself, but I don’t see this team getting out of the play-in.
The Celtics have lost their last 4 games and they are back at 0.500 with a 35-35 record. Boston is 7th with a 1.5 game lead on Charlotte. With the loss, the Knicks clinch the playoffs, meaning that all 6 actual playoff spots have been decided. Boston has clinched a play-in birth and they are likely going to be 7th, likely playing the 8th seeded Hornets.
Ruining The Tank
The Cavs had been 4-21 since the trade deadline, perfectly executing another tank. But they just had to win. Kevin Love went back to chubby T-Wolves Kevin Love with 30 points on 10/16 shooting, 6/9 from 3. 28 for Sexton and 15-6-6 for Okoro. The Cavs defense turned into their start of the season defense, but you’re ruining your odds. The most Cleveland thing ever, but now even the Browns are good and nobody cares about baseball, so it’s just a Cavs thing.
New Orleans Pelicans vs Dallas Mavericks (107-125)
New Orleans Pelicans
Season over. Shame it was because of injuries but this team is still very flawed. They’re going to need to be a lot better personnel wise next year.
Bounce Back
After an ugly loss to Memphis, the Mavs got Porzingis back and dominated the Pelicans, who were missing, well everybody. 33-7-8 for Luka who was 7/15 from 3 (yes Skip Bayless, he can shoot). 27 for Hardaway and 19 for KP. The Mavs only turned the ball over 8 times, good game overall.
Dallas is 6th, tied with the Blazers who are 5th. The Lakers are 7th, one game behind the Mavs and Blazers.
Portland Trail Blazers vs Utah Jazz (105-98)
Excellent Defense
The way this game started, it felt like most Blazers game. Offense not really flowing, just shooting and hoping it goes in and the defense was awful Portland fell behind by 12 early, 16-4 and it seemed like another loss. But Portland turned things around. The bench was great to start the 2nd quarter and closed the lead. Portland’s offense got good looks and their defense was really good. Utah shot 59% from the field in the first quarter but just 35% from the field in the 2nd. Portland was 4/5 from 3 in the 2nd and they took the lead. The 3rd was poor shooting from both teams, but Portland held the Jazz to 32% shooting and Portland hit 6 3’s in the 3rd. The lead got to 16 in the 3rd as Portland finished a very impressive game.
Utah shot just 35% from the field in the 2nd half, with all their shots feeling like solid defense, just them making tough shots. Portland turned the ball over just 5 times, which led to just 3 Jazz points. Utah turned the ball over 10 times and that led to 16 Blazer points. +13 in that category is huge. Utah shot 40 3’s on just 30% while Portland shot 32 and shot 41%. Portland didn’t just chuck 3’s, they took good shots. Portland can do this in the playoffs. The key is limiting turnovers and capitalizing on other teams mistakes. If they do this consistently and actually run offense featuring passing, the defense might not be the biggest problem in the world.
30 points and 6 assists for Dame on 50% shooting, 26 for CJ on 55% shooting as these two were excellent. Nurkic was just 3/11 from the field but he still had 11 points, 15 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 blocks, and 3 steals. 2018-19 Nurkic is back? Maybe? 18 for Melo off the bench as this was one of the best wins of the year for Portland. Portland has won their last 5 games and they are 9-1 in their last 10 games. Portland faces Phoenix and Denver to end the year, and with a win, that guy gets to keep his house.
Portland remains at 5th with a tie with Dallas. The Lakers are 7th, one game behind both Dallas and Portland.
Problem?
I know Conley and Mitchell were out but this game shows the flaws with Utah. They shot 40 3’s, which isn’t unusual, but they only shot 30%. Their offense was so bad after the first quarter as this is why I’m not sold on them, even if they were healthy. If you can limit their passing and keep them to a 1-on-1 team instead of all their passing and movement, they are beatable. If you have switchable defenders, you can beat them. I do think it’s a little worrying when the Blazers defense, which has been getting better but is still bad, is locking you up, you might have a problem.
Utah is 1.5 games ahead of Phoenix, still unlikely that they lose the #1 seed.
Houston Rockets vs LA Lakers (122-124)
You Had It
I have never wanted the Rockets to win so bad. It was unfortunate, because this game was there’s. The Lakers went cold from the field in the final 4 minutes and the Rockets cut into the lead. With 22.9 seconds left, Kelly Olynyk hit 2 free throws and the Rockets had the lead. Just needed a stop against an ice cold team without their two superstars. The Rockets shut off THT nicely but then Kuzma got the ball at the top, where, I’ll give him credit, he made a great one-two step for the layup. Kelly Olynyk turned it over and Houston lost. Tough.
Big-Time
Oh how much I wanted you to lose. Without Lebron and AD and a banner raised, LA struggled to beat the Rockets. It was high-scoring for both teams, surprising to say the least. The Lakers offense went cold in the 4th and the Rockets took the lead. Without King James and AD, they went to Kuzma, who made a great move to score. Wesley Matthews forced a turnover and LA got a crucial win to keep their non play-in hopes alive.
7 guys in double-figures, led by 23 points and 10 assists from THT. Double-double from Drummond, 19-10-7 for Kuzma and 16 from Harrell off the bench. The Lakers needed this desperately with both Dallas and Portland winning earlier tonight, so they can now keep up. Portland is 5th, tied with Dallas who is 6th. The Lakers are 7th, two games behind both. All 3 teams have played 70 games, so there’s just 2 games left. What could go wrong?
What Are Your Thoughts From The 6 Games Today? Leave A Comment Down Below!
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