Lakers Big 3 Controls Game 2!; Are The Clippers Doing It Again? 5.25.21
It’s a Tuesday night of NBA playoff basketball and we have 3 games on the schedule tonight.
(Also thanks NBA for putting two games at the same time. Really getting the best viewing experience).
(7) Boston Celtics vs (2) Brooklyn Nets
Boston Celtics (0-2)
Yeah this was to be expected. Well not Joe Harris shooting 8/11 in the first half, but the result. The Celtics don’t have the bodies or the man power to pull off this upset. Not exactly a bad thing, this is the most talented roster ever assembled and it’s not even close. Boston is unlikely to win a game at home, they might make a game close, but it’s on to the next season as far as I’m concerned.
Also Jayson Tatum got poked in the eye and missed most of the 2nd half. Things just keep on getting better for Boston.
Brooklyn Nets (2-0)
This team is just so good. The Big 3 still hasn’t played much and they looked much better in this game. Joe Harris was 8/11 from the field in the first half with 6 3’s. The Nets shot 52% from 3 in the first half with 11 makes, shooting 52% overall. They led by 27 in the first half, getting 17 points off turnovers. Their Jayson Tatum defense has been great in this series as I would be scared of the Nets right now;
26 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 blocks for KD on 8/12 shooting.
25 points for Joe Harris on 7/10 3-PT shooting.
15 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists for Kyrie on 6/12 shooting
20 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists for James Harden on 6/12 shooting.
The Nets had 20 fast break points, 33 bench points, and they forced 17 turnovers. If the Nets can do that or at least for like 10 turnovers a game and get 26 points off turnovers, you simply can’t beat them. KD has done a great job on Tatum as they have held him to just 9/32 shooting in this series (28%). Scary Hours baby.
(7) LA Lakers vs (2) Phoenix Suns
LA Lakers (1-1)
There we go. It is a little worrying this game was close because the Suns had to play Cameron Payne over CP-3 because of injury, but a win is a win. The defensive intensity was much better, Frank Vogel had much better rotations where he used more size to try and overpower Phoenix. The duo of AD and Lebron was much better, mostly just because they were assertive. The Lakers needed this game and they got it, tying the series at 1-1.
Off the jump you could tell LA was locked in. LA was feasting in the paint thanks to Andre Drummond. LA had 16 points in the paint thanks to offensive rebounds from Drummond and they forced 7 Phoenix turnovers. Booker was getting smothered off those screens as Drummond just took up space and didn’t allow direct drive. Lebron and AD also made kick-outs tough. The defense was great from the jump.
LA had 14 points off turnovers, 26 points in the paint, and they got 4 guys in double figures. Lebron and AD each had 10, Drummond had a double-double, and Schroder had 16 as he relentlessly attacked the hobbled CP-3. But even with all that LA led by just 6 at the half. Even with all of Phoenix’s turnovers and rebounding problems, LA couldn’t pull away for whatever reason.
In the 3rd the Lakers again couldn’t shake the Suns who decided to ditch the hobbled CP-3 and went with Cameron Payne. Payne was really good in the pick and roll and gave the Suns life. The Suns trailed by 7 entering the 4th but then went on a 14-7 run led by, you guessed it, Cameron Payne. The Suns had shut down Booker but low and behold, the Suns were making this a game almost single-handily thanks to him. The game was back and forth but then LA showed why they won a title last year.
Over the last 4 minutes of the game they focuses up. They ended the game on a 11-2 run that essentially ended the game, both AD and Lebron hitting big shots and the Lakers putting the Suns in a box. The Lakers didn’t win a pretty game and they probably should have won by more, but hey, they needed this game and they got it, heading back to LA tied 1-1.
AD had 34 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 blocks. Now he only shot 7/15 from the field by he was 18/21 from the line. AD didn’t play great but I felt like he was actually playing, looking engaged. Don’t exactly know why he has to have a bad game for him to unlock this, but he was big time and he’ll have to continue to do what he did tonight on a consistent basis.
Lebron had 23 points and 9 assists, solid game. Definitely feels like he’s resting, don’t exactly feel like he’s playing, but then he just hits two big shots late to close out the game. And Andre Drummond finally played defense. 15 points and 12 rebounds, 5 of those being offensive. He did a much better job guarding those pick and rolls.
Schroder had 24 points as he did something, unlike Game 1 where his stat line looks good, but he didn’t do much. He was aggressive at getting to the rim and he hit some outside shots. It’s so much tougher to guard AD in the post if Schroder is aggressive. The bench wasn’t too good scoring wise, mainly because Kuzma hasn’t done anything in this series.
I love how Vogel used size in this game. Gasol can space the floor and is a great passer. Playing him for 20 minutes is good, he definitely deserves like 10 minutes per game as a glue guy. Harrell didn’t play, great move. The Lakers are doing good things with their rotation and if they play with this effort, they can make it to the Finals before losing to the Nets.
LA was pretty good offensively, got their Big 3 going, 27/31 from the line, only had 9 turnovers. They forced 13 turnovers and got 21 points off turnovers. They had 15 fastbreak points. The defense is going to be key for LA while their offense finds their way. They play defense like this against Booker and others in the West, they are going to be a problem. LA now heads home feeling good as they look to distance themselves from the Suns.
Phoenix Suns (1-1)
The fact that this was close tells you a lot about the Suns, but I don’t see them winning this series with how Chris Paul is playing. It feels so bad to say that so early in the series, but Cameron Payne can’t do what he did tonight every night. It’s unfortunate the Chris Paul loses another title chance due to injuries, but he looks bad. That shoulder must be bothering him.
The Suns had turnover problems (13) that led to 21 LA points. They couldn’t stop fouling AD down low as he was a problem. Schroder couldn’t be contained on his drives and Lebron ended the game after the Suns came back from down 15. But without a healthy CP-3, this series could be over in 5 with how the Suns are playing defense paired with the CP-3 injury.
Booker was 7/17 from the field and was 17/17 from the line as like AD, he was living at the line. He’s going to be smothered for the rest of this series, especially with CP-3 being injured. Ayton continues to be great, 11/13 shooting for 22 points and 10 rebounds. He again hung in there with AD, doing a pretty good job besides the fouls.
Bridges and Crowder continue to struggle Cam Payne had 19 points off the bench as they were playing him in the crunch instead of CP-3. God I hate injuries. The Suns shot 31% from 3, had those turnovers issues we talked out, Booker is getting pressured like crazy and CP-3 is hurt. It’s not looking good in the desert right now.
(5) Dallas Mavericks vs (4) LA Clippers
Dallas Mavericks (2-0)
Should’ve played Portland, LA. Instead you’re dealing with Luka Doncic, who is currently on a different planet right now. Another masterpiece from Doncic who orchestrated a great game. Dallas’s offense stayed with the Clippers in the first half and then their defense slowed down LA in the 2nd half and they get another road win, sweeping the first two games and getting all the momentum in the series. Careful what you ask for, LA.
The Mavs got 4 guys in double-figures in the first half with 23 from Luka. They couldn’t stop LA and vice versa. The Mavs hit 10 3’s and they were only down two. Then in the 2nd half they just toyed with the Clippers. They aren’t scared of them, they don’t back down. They didn’t do it last year and they are certainly not doing it this year.
39 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists for Luka on 55% shooting, making 5 3’s. This kid is 22 years old. He is going to be an all-time great. He loves playing against the Clippers as he has been absolutely smoking them in this series. But yet again, he got help.
28 from Tim Hardaway who hit 6 3’s. He has been great in this series, hitting big shots and knocking down open shots he gets from Luka. 20 from Porzingis who played well and even used his size down low a little bit. Kleber had 13 and Finney-Smith did a great job on Kawhi and PG in the 2nd half, really slowing them down.
The bench didn’t do too much but it didn’t matter. The Mavs lost the points in the paint battle, the fastbreak points battle, the bench points battle, you shouldn’t win a game with all of those things you’re losing in. But Dallas shot 59% from the field and 53% from 3 with 18 makes, another scorching day from outside. They missed 11 free throws (can’t happen again) and they still won.
The Mavs are feeling themselves and they are dominating. They head home to a roaring crowd up 2-0. Not a bad way to start the playoffs.
LA Clippers (0-2)
God this team is hopeless. You would think the most efficient offense in the league, with so many good wing defenders, and a “hunger” from their meltdown last year would be different. Nope. This team hasn’t changed one bit. While they tanked their last two games to avoid the Lakers, they now face the wrath of Luka and the 3-PT line. Careful what you ask for.
The first half was so good for LA offensively. Kawhi had 30 points (most playoff points in a first half for him) on 10/14 shooting and PG added 17. 47 points from those guys in a half should be a blowout. LA shot 63% from the field and 46% from 3. It would seem like they would be up by a lot. Do you want to know how much they were up by? 2. 47 points from your star-studded duo, two point lead. Let’s take a wild guess to why the Clippers were only up two.
I don’t know what’s so hard about guarding Luka. They seem like they don’t know what to do. They keep putting Beverley on him, that doesn’t work. Morris, that doesn’t work. PG or Kawhi, works but he’s still good. So why not double him and get the ball out of his hands. You want to win, right. So do that. Nope. They just seem unprepared.
Luka was 9/13 from the field for 23 points in the first half as he was getting whatever he wanted. Dallas hit 10 3’s as the Clippers were committing so hard to Luka when he drove, other guys hit shots. 3 other Mavs were in double figures as even with LA scoring 73 points in the first half, they led by one basket.
Then came the 2nd half and things went poorly. The offense went back to isolation basketball where LA just decided one or two passes was enough and they just shot the ball. They still couldn’t guard Luka, real shocker there.
The Clippers got outscored 30-19 in the 3rd, with Dallas shooting 53% from the field in that quarter, hitting 5 more 3’s. Dallas built a 12-point lead in the 3rd and that lead got to be 14 in the 4th. LA made some run and cut the lead to 5. Then guess what? More poor defense. It was 114-109 with 4:49 left. The Clippers couldn’t get stops.
Luka got right to the rim, Porzingis dunk. Then they doubled Luka and just for kicks Hardaway hit another 3. The Clippers then didn’t foul for whatever reason, wasting precious time. Josh Richardson hit 4 more free throws and the game was over. God this team is pathetic.
41 for Kawhi. 28-12-6 for PG. Reggie Jackson added 15. You shot 54% from the field and 39% from 3. 18/20 from the line. Outscored them in the paint by 12. Outscored them in fastbreak points by 9. Outscored them on the bench by 14. Still lost. If I am Kawhi, I am seriously considering leaving here this summer. This place blows, PG isn’t the duo partner you should have asked for.
What Are Your Thoughts From The 3 Games Today? Leave A Comment Down Below!
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