The Crazy Regular Season Finale!; Playoff Bracket Set! 5.16.21
It’s the last day of the NBA season! It was a long, interesting road to get here, but we are here. All 30 teams are in action today, as we have the last 15 games of the year. Some of these games are meaningless while some decide which teams end up where in the playoffs. Here’s the last day of NBA regular season basketball!
Boston Celtics vs New York Knicks (92-96)
A For Effort
No Brown, Tatum, Walker, Smart, Thompson, Fournier, or Williams. You lost by 4 with 34 minutes going to Romeo Langford and Carson Edwards and Jabari Parker each getting 26 minutes. The Celtics fell behind by 21 and they were down 17 in the 4th with 7 minutes left. But a 13-0 run got them back into the game and they cut the lead to one, but it wasn’t enough. This game didn’t matter for Boston as they were the #7 regardless. They can hopefully be somewhat healthy as they face the red-hot Wizards in the play-in.
Ignore It
This game was a blowout and should have stayed that way with how many guys Boston were missing. But a win is a win as the Knicks officially clinch the #4 seed in the East with the win. They are going to be playing the Hawks in the first round, which should be a great series. Their heart, defense, and grit got them here. They’re going to need Julius Randle to play like an All-Star and continue to play with their ferocious spirit to be successful. The Knicks story is (hopefully) just getting started.
Indiana Pacers vs Toronto Raptors (125-113)
Easy
Indiana did what they were supposed to do. Sabonis returned to the lineup (why couldn’t it have been the Lakers game), and Indiana beat up on the depleted Raptors. 31 points and 10 rebounds for Oshae Brissett who has been a solid bridge at the forward position with no Turner. 25-16-5 with 3 steals for Sabonis and 20 for McDermott. The Pacers did what they were supposed to do, win.
The Pacers get the #9 seed as they lose the tie-breaker with Washington. They will take on the Hornets in a the play-in, a team that has lost 5 straight games. Indiana can hopefully be healthy for that.
Toronto Raptors
Gone Fishin’
Charlotte Hornets vs Washington Wizards (110-115)
4th Quarter
The Hornets had this game, the most important game of the year, in the bag. They led by double-digits after the first quarter and they held their lead with a great 3rd quarter. Entering the 4th Charlotte led by 11. They had the game in the bag. But there’s that inexperience. Charlotte managed just 20 points in the 4th on 32% shooting as Washington shot 52% in the final frame. The Wizards offense got going and they proved to be too much as the Hornets couldn’t answer the bell.
Bridges was 6/18 from the field, Ball was 7/21, and Charlotte shot below 40% as a team. But this is why the Hornets are a few years away. It takes experience to win big games in this league and Charlotte is incredibly young. But they made the play-in when nobody expected them to, and there’s still a chance they make the playoffs despite their recent struggles.
The Hornets lost 5 straight to end the year and with Indiana and Washington winning, they are the 10th seed. They will take on Indiana in the play-in.
Experience
Like I said above, the Hornets lack of experience killed them. Westbrook and Beal have been doing it a long time and they came up big. Beal had 20 in the 2nd half and 25 for the game as he got going when Washington needed him the most. Entering the 4th the Wizards needed stops and score. They accomplished both, holding the Hornets to 32% shooting while shooting 52% themselves. The Wizards were 17-32 on April 5th. They finished the year 17-6 and now have a chance to make the playoffs. They had a two week suspension of play because of Covid, we were saying free Beal, a lot has changed fast for the Wizards.
The Wizards win and so did Indiana but Washington has the tie-breaker so they get the #8 seed and get to take on Boston. Washington just needs to win one game to get into the playoffs.
Phoenix Suns vs San Antonio Spurs (123-121)
#2 Seed
The Suns rested Paul and Booker and let Ayton get ready for the playoffs. The Suns needed a win and a Jazz loss to get the #1 seed and it seemed like they were settling for the #2 seed, which is fine. But E’Twuan Moore hit a game-winner and the Suns won, but so did Utah so the Suns are the #2 seed. I still think they’re better than Utah and I’m excited to see what they can do this postseason.
Play-In
This game didn’t matter for the Spurs, they were the 10th seed no matter what. They are going to play the 9th seeded Grizzlies in the play-in. This should be a good game as both teams are very similar.
Memphis Grizzlies vs Golden State Warriors (101-113)
Deja Vu
Entering the bubble the Grizzlies had their hands on the #8 seed, a chance for rookie Ja Morant to lead Memphis to the playoffs. They went 2-6 in 8 seeding games and lost to Portland, losing the 8th seed. This year, they have the same record as the Warriors and they lose again. Inexperience shows. Memphis started off the game well, leading 17-8 early on. But the Warrior got back into the game and their bench gave them energy to take a 9-point lead in the 2nd quarter. Curry only struggled when Dillon Brooks was on him. If it wasn’t Brooks, Curry had success. Remember that.
The Grizzlies hung in there but that 3rd quarter was ugly. Memphis shot just 39% from the field while Golden State shot 50% and hit 6 3’s, Curry hitting 4 of those. The Grizzlies trailed by 17 entering the 4th but just like last year, they were incredibly resilient. They started the 4th on a 22-5 run to tie the game at 91 with over 6 minutes to go in the 4th. But then Dillon Brooks fouled out and the game was essentially over. Memphis lost their Curry stopper and after Brooks exited stage right, Curry got going.
Following the Brooks foul out with 6:12 left in the 4th, Curry hit 3 straight 3’s to push the lead to 12 as Memphis lost all their momentum. Tough.
Jonas Valanciunas was a force, 12/15 shooting with 29 points and 16 boards. 18 for Brooks who was primarily the Curry stopper. 16 for Morant who was 7/21 from the field. The bench was poor but the shooting difference was crazy.
Grizzlies: 6 Made 3’s – 24% shooting
Steph Curry: 9 Made 3’s – 41% shooting
Warriors: 15 Made 3’s – 39% shooting
Curry himself made more 3’s than Memphis and the Warriors got 27 more points from the 3-PT line. The Grizzlies gave it all they had, but it wasn’t enough as they fall to the 9th seed and face off with the Spurs in the play-in.
Stephen Curry
This is why you don’t want to play the Warriors. This man. Curry was good all night but when Dillon Brooks wasn’t guarding him, good night. The Warriors started off slow but Jordan Poole and JTA got them going in the 2nd, giving them a 9-point lead at one point in the 2nd. In the 3rd the Warriors blew open the game thanks to 4 3’s from Curry and holding Memphis down. The Warriors led by 17 after the 3rd and the game seemed over.
But the Grizzlies weren’t done. With Curry off the floor Memphis went on a 22-5 run to tie the game with 6:32 left. It seemed like the game was going down to the wire. Then Dillon Brooks fouled out and Curry hit 3 straight 3’s to end the game. The Warriors went on a 21-10 run overall after Brooks fouled out. Devastating. The Warriors win the biggest game of the year and clinch the 8th seed in the West.
46 points, 7 rebounds, and 9 assists for Curry with 9 made 3’s. Curry clinches the scoring title my a mile, joining Michael Jordan as the only players 33 years or older to win a scoring title. 21 points and 10 rebounds for Wiggins who was great. 14 points, 9 rebounds, 9 assists, and 2 blocks for Draymond, the usual.
15 for Jordan Poole off the bench and excellent energy from JTA. The Warriors hit 9 more 3’s than Memphis as new school beat old school. The Warriors have a red-hot Steph Curry and the 8th seed. Dangerous combo as they will take on the Lakers in the play-in. That should be good.
Houston Rockets vs Atlanta Hawks (95-124)
Houston Rockets
Gone fishin’
Christian Wood hurt his ankle on February 4th. He would miss 17 straight game, all of which were Houston losses. When he came back the losing streak became 20, the longest losing streak in the NBA this season. The Rockets went 6-45 since Wood went down with injury on February 4th. They traded away Caris Levert for Victor Oladipo, then traded Victor Oladipo for Avery Bradley and Kelly Olynyk (although Olynyk has been good offensively with Houston). Let’s just say Houston isn’t used to or good at rebuilding.
Here We Come New York
The Hawks rested Bogdanovic and Capela as they have locks on the #5 seed as well as their first round playoff matchup, the Knicks. The Hawks have been one of the best teams in the league under Nate McMillan and they look for some postseason success. They have a good roster and while they struggled against New York during the season, this series should be a good test for the up and coming team.
Tony Snell is the first player in NBA history to have a 50/50/100 season (min 100 attempts)
51% FG, 57% 3-PT, 100% FT. G.O.A.T
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Brooklyn Nets (109-123)
Cleveland Cavaliers
Gone fishin’
Play Of The Year?
Yeah, that play to end the 3rd quarter essentially sums up why I don’t want to play the Nets. They are so dangerous and they were only 2/3 healthy today with Harden resting is preparation for the postseason. With the win Brooklyn secures the #2 seed in the East as they get to wait and see who they play from the play-in.
Kyrie is also the 9th player in NBA history with a 50/40/90 season. Ironically, Kevin Durant is on that list and Steve Nash, his coach, did it 4 times.
Orlando Magic vs Philadelphia 76ers (117-128)
Orlando Magic
Gone fishin’
Chain
The most notable thing about this game was Joel Embiid’s big chain on the sideline. With Philly locked into the #1 seed, the 76ers rested their big 3 and other notable players. A smart move for a injury prone team as Philly looks to make some profit off the process with a deep postseason run.
Miami Heat vs Detroit Pistons (120-107)
Rematch
No Butler and no Adebayo for the Heat as they are locked into the 6th seed. The Heat weren’t exactly a high seed last year but the road to another finals is going to be tough. Miami will take on the Bucks in the first round of the playoffs as they look to rain on Giannis’s title parade for the second straight year.
Detroit Pistons
Gone fishin’
Milwaukee Bucks vs Chicago Bulls (112-118)
Oh No…
The Nets won, so the Bucks are the 3rd seed. They face a familiar opponent in the Heat, the team that embarrassed them last year. The Bucks might want to win this series. Just a thought.
Chicago Bulls
Gone fishin’
Dallas Mavericks vs Minnesota T-Wolves (121-136)
Rematch
Dallas lost and Portland won, but thanks to a Lakers win instead of a loss, Dallas stays as the #5 seed. They will face, the LA Clippers, again. This should be fun.
Minnesota T-Wolves
Gone fishin’
LA Lakers vs New Orleans Pelicans (110-98)
HAHAHAHAHA
The Lakers win but so did Portland so they’re in the play-in, lol. I find that very funny, but I expect them to get out of it. They got their star duo plus Schroder back. But they are facing Steph Curry in the 7 vs 8 matchup. This should be good.
New Orleans Pelicans
Gone fishin’
LA Clippers vs OKC Thunder (112-117)
LA Clippers
The Clippers lost and so did the Nuggets so LA stays as the #4 seed, which means they take on Dallas. Lets hope for not another meltdown in the 2nd round. At least they can’t play Denver in the 2nd round this year.
OKC Thunder
Gone fishin’
I love you OKC. We don’t have to play the Clippers (as a Blazers fan). I love you.
Denver Nuggets vs Portland Trail Blazers (116-132)
Rematch
Denver stays as the #3 seed and they play Portland, who just dominated them tonight. MVP Jokic gets a chance at revenge after losing in 7 to Portland in 2019. This should be a good series.
Rematch
Portland doesn’t choke for once and actually gets the job done. Another playoff appearance and this was the best case scenario. I did not want to play the Clippers and instead the Murray-less Nuggets. We played really well today, just got to continue that and hopefully make it past the first round.
Also we won 42 games this year, so that guy gets to keep his house.
Utah Jazz vs Sacramento Kings (121-99)
Party Like It’s 1998
For the first time since the 1997-98 season, the Jazz are the #1 seed. They were tied for first in the lockout shortened 99′ season, but for the first time since 1998, a full season, the Jazz are the #1 seed. This time there’s no Michael Jordan to stop them. Just the Nets.
Sacramento Kings
Gone fishin’
What Are Your Thoughts From The 15 Games Tonight? Leave a Comment Down Below!
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