Lebron’s Dagger Sends LA To The Playoffs; Grizzlies Hang On To Battle For 8th Seed! 5.19.21
It’s the second day of the NBA Play-In and we have two more games on the slate tonight, both in the Western Conference tonight.
San Antonio Spurs vs Memphis Grizzlies
It’s Time To Hit Refresh
Before I talk about why the Spurs should rebuild, I have to give them credit. This game started off so poorly that it’s surprising it was this close. They fell behind by 21 in the first quarter. But the Spurs kept fighting to make this a game. They started the 2nd on a 20-3 run and got back into the game. The Spurs got 17 bench points in the first half as they counted on their bench to spark them.
The 3rd quarter was sluggish, just 16 points for each teams. But in the 3rd the scoring picked up. It was back and forth, Memphis gaining a lead and the Spurs cutting into that lead. The Spurs took the lead at one point but down the stretch the shot selection wasn’t great. It was isolation sets with tough shots. Memphis got some easy looks down the stretch and the Spurs wasted so much time trying to foul. Ja Morant iced the game at the line as the Spurs miss the postseason again.
DeRozan was 5/21 from the field, another poor big-game performance from him. Dejounte Murray was 4/17 but still had a triple-double. Rudy Gay had 20 off the bench but he took 21 shots. The Spurs shot 35% from the field and 36% from 3, but they hit 20 free throws as almost 1/5 of their points came at the line.
Memphis dominated down low and they got out in transition. Memphis outscored San Antonio by 10 down low and they dominated them in transition. The Spurs were getting clamped all night long and it’s surprising they got back into this game. But it’s time to rebuild around the young guys. This whole veteran, mid-level talent, old-school type of ball can only work for so long. It’s time to go young and get with the rest of the league. Murray and Johnson are great pieces. Poeltl and Walker are solid. But you have to start rebuilding and stop settling for mediocrity.
There We Go
The Grizzlies had control of the game for almost the entire game and they were able to pull away in the end. The Grizzlies jumped on the Spurs early, leading by 21 in the first quarter and just outgunning the Spurs in transition. The defense and offense were clicking. But that 2nd quarter was ugly. The bench couldn’t get going and the Spurs went on a 20-3 run to get right back into the game.
The 3rd quarter was sluggish for all parties, just 16 points for each team. But the Spurs took the lead midway through the 4th as it seemed the young Grizzlies were losing their grip on the game. But they came through big. Dillon Brooks had 8 in the 4th. Kyle Anderson hit a 3 and a putback by Desmond Bane were huge as Ja Morant iced the game at the line, giving Memphis the crucial win.
The Grizzlies offense was solid enough to get the job done. 44% shooting from the field and 32% from 3. But 11 missed free throws? Definitely have to do better than that. 24 for Dillon Brooks who had 8 in the 4th. 23 points and 23 rebounds for Valanciunas, another monster game. 20-6-6 for Morant as those 3 combined for 67% of Memphis’s points.
The Grizzlies dominated things down low, outscoring the Spurs by 10 in the paint. They also got out and ran in transition so much and they were able to hang on and win. If this team plays that defense again, they are going to have a good chance against the (standings) for the #8 seed in the West.
Golden State Warriors vs LA Lakers
Tail Of Two Halves
The Warriors played such a good first half and to just see it slip away in the 2nd half is so heart-breaking and I’m not even a Warriors fan. The first half was a masterclass on defense. The Warriors absolutely clamped the Lakers. Andrew Wiggins stuck with Lebron and made him shoot jumpshots. Draymond Green was physical with AD down low and they did a nice job making Schroder take tough shots.
The Warriors had the lead after the first quarter without Curry scoring. 15 points from Curry in the 2nd half gave Golden State a double-digit lead. They held the Lakers Big 3 to a combined 4/28 shooting from the field (14%). The only reason the game wasn’t a complete blowout was because of 12 points from Alex Caruso. The Warriors played a perfect half of basketball but it wasn’t enough.
Now I am not usually one to blame the officials in a game, because that seems like an excuse. To blame a 3rd party instead of your own team for losing. But really? It was like the refs wanted Golden State to win the first half and then wanted LA to win the 2nd half. It seemed everything went against the Warriors, every single block/charge call, all the fouls went against them. It seemed like the deck was stacked against them.
The Warriors had 15 turnovers in the 2nd half. While, yes at the end of the day that is their fault, it seemed like most of those were block/charge calls, all of which Golden State lost. In the 2nd half the Lakers got 14 free throws compared to 8 for Golden State. I’m just saying.
The Lakers got up 7 in the 4th and while the Warriors fought back, a Lebron dagger as the shot-clock was expiring ended the game. The Warriors didn’t score and a turnover with 2 seconds left gave them the loss, a tough one to say the least.
37 points and 7 rebounds for Curry who was only good when not guarded by Caruso. He had his way with everybody else. 21 for Wiggins who did what he was supposed to. Bazemore and Poole each had 10 and that was it offensively. Draymond had 9 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 steals, and 3 blocks, but didn’t do much offensively.
I think the most disappointing thing for me is how the game was officiated. So many whistles, slowing down the game. It was a physical game and I wish the players on the floor truly dictated the outcome. I’m not saying LA didn’t deserve to win, they did, but it just kinds of feels like the Warriors weren’t given the same amount of chances.
Nothing To See Here
I have watched a lot of basketball. That first to second half officiating switch was so drastic it’s almost suspicious. The Lakers first half was so bad. They couldn’t do anything, they were in a box. Lebron was so off, shooting jumpshots and looking a step slow. AD was looking rusty again, not getting anything to go. Same thing for Schroder as those 3 shot a combined 4/28 from the field in the first half. 12 from Caruso saved them and it seemed like it was game over for the Lakers.
But you know, the officiating. Now I am not saying the refs purposely gave LA the win. But to say that they didn’t favor the Lakers was an understatement. The Lakers got 14 free throws in the 2nd half and they forced 15 turnovers. Now those turnovers were of their own account, but every single block-charge call went their way, or so it seemed like.
Lebron hit a 3 late and LA won but I’m not impressed. It took you getting a lot of calls in the 2nd half to beat Curry, Wiggins, Draymond, and others. I wouldn’t be so sure the Lakers are easily winning a title.
Lebron had 22-11-10 and the dagger. 25 and 12 for AD who also struggled. Caruso had 14 but he saved them in the first half. Schroder was 3/14 but Frank Vogel deserves a lot of credit. He took Drummond out and didn’t play him in the 4th, putting AD at the center position. He put in seldom used Wesley Matthews who was great defensively. That is great coaching and he’s going to need more of that to get through the West.
The Lakers (and company) get to the #7 seed in the West where they take on the Suns. The Lakers potential path to the Finals is brutal, with them likely facing 3 of these teams; Phoenix, Denver, Utah, or the Clippers. The Clippers are going to have to be a lot better than they were in this game to win those games but there is a chance. The Lakers are coming and it’ll be interesting to see how they fare in the playoffs.
What Are Your Thoughts From The 2 Play-In Games Today? Leave A Comment Down Below!
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