Are The Jazz The Best Team In The NBA?; Nets Lose Again! 2.9.21
It’s a Tuesday night of NBA hoops and we have 7 games on the schedule today.
Brooklyn Nets vs Detroit Pistons
Brooklyn Nets
Defense. Yeah that’d be nice to have.
Detroit Pistons
The Pistons just can’t lose against good teams. They’ve beaten the Lakers, Celtics, and now the Nets. The Pistons offense had no problem scoring in this game, as they were comfortably ahead for most of this game. Jerami Grant had a big night with 32 points, Saddiq Bey was 6/6 off the bench. Good win for the Pistons, as they improve to 6-18 on the year. Detroit takes on the Pacers next on Thursday.
New York Knicks vs Miami Heat
New York Knicks
The Knicks looked pretty good in this game, as Derrick Rose made a surprise debut. They were playing well on both ends, but again, their offense sputtered down the stretch of this game. In the first half, the Knicks offense looked good, thanks to an excellent bench performance led by Derrick Rose. D-Rose was scoring and passing exquisitely, as the Knicks trailed by just 2 at the half. In the 3rd the Knicks defense was smarming the Heat down low, and they led by 6 entering the 4th. And then the offense just slowed down. They couldn’t convert, and the Heat kept coming back. The Heat took the lead, and they led by two with the Knicks having a chance to tie or win with one final possession. But RJ Barrett missed the layup, and the Knicks lost. Tough loss for New York as they fall to 11-15 on the year.
Elfrid Payton had 18 points and 5 rebounds 8/16 shooting.
Derrick Rose had 14 points on 5/9 shooting off the bench.
The Knicks played pretty well in this game, and I like what Derrick Rose brings. He is a veteran scorer and a guy who can provide some additional scoring. Julius Randle struggled, but just 14 points in the 4th is pretty bad. Even their stout defense couldn’t allow them to score just 14 points in the 4th and hope to win. The Knicks are going to have to score more if they want to win. New York takes on Washington next.
Miami Heat
This game sure wasn’t pretty, but the Heat were able to claw out a win in the end. In the first half, it was all 3-PT shooting for the Heat. Kelly Olynyk was 5/6 3-PT in that first half, and the Heat shot 52% from 3. But their defense again struggled, but they still led by two. But their 3’s stopped falling in the 3rd, and they slowed down considerably, trailing by 6 entering the 4th. And then their defense really gave them a boost, holding down the Knicks. And the Heat kept clawing back, and with a scoring burst from Tyler Herro they took the lead. The Heat led by two with 6 seconds left, and they needed a stop. RJ Barrett got right to the rim, but missed and the Heat survived. Miami improves to 10-14 on the year.
Jimmy Butler had 26 points, 8 rebounds, and 10 assists on 6/15 shooting.
Kelly Olynyk had 20 points on 7/10 shooting, 6/8 3-PT.
Bam Adebayo had 19 points and 6 rebounds on 3/9 shooting.
It sure wasn’t pretty, but a win is a win. The Heat defense wasn’t good until the 4th, and even with their great defense they barely won this game. Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo both struggled to shoot, but they drew a lot of fouls and got to the line. Olynyk and Herro provided some good shooting, as the Heat have won their last 3 games. They still aren’t 100% healthy, but they’ve been getting better, as maybe they can work their way back from their poor start. Miami takes on Houston next.
Houston Rockets vs New Orleans Pelicans
Houston Rockets
The Rockets have been struggling on offense without Christian Wood this season. Along with no Wood they didn’t have Oladipo. Just Wall and Gordon wasn’t enough as the Rockets got torched in the 2nd half. Houston has lost their last 3 games, as they fall to 11-13 on the year. Houston takes on Miami next.
New Orleans Pelicans
This is what New Orleans can be if they shoot well. The Pelicans led comfortably for most of the 2nd half, as their offense seemed to have no problems with a good Houston defense. The Pels defense was solid as well, not making it easy for guys like John Wall. Ingram and Zion were solid as always, but a lot of other Pelicans stepped up. Josh Hart is a small forward. He had 20 points and 17 rebounds. First round pick Kira Lewis Jr. was solid, as was Willie Hernangomez, who has been good as a backup. Lonzo and Bledsoe made 5 3’s, and New Orleans shot nearly 40% from 3. They’ve won their last 4 games, as they have been heating up. New Orleans takes on Chicago next.
Golden State Warriors vs San Antonio Spurs
Golden State Warriors
Well, the Warriors made sure that this game wasn’t as close as yesterday’s game. The Warriors played pretty well in the first half, shooting 42% from the field and scoring 50 points. Curry and Damion Lee led the way, as the game was tied at halftime. Then the Warriors dominated the 2nd half. Their defense was excellent in the 3rd, as they outscored the Spurs by 16. Another strong 4th pushed them to 23-point win. 7 Warriors were in double figures, as they were able to give Curry some scoring relief. Good win for the Warriors as they improve to 13-12 on the year. Golden State takes on Orlando next.
San Antonio Spurs
No Draymond Green Idiocy = No Win
Boston Celtics vs Utah Jazz
Boston Celtics
The Celtics struggled mightily on offense in this game, as Rudy Gobert will be in their nightmares tonight. In the first half, Walker or Tatum couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn. The only reason they were in the game was Jaylen Brown, who returned from injury with 20 points. The Celtics only trailed by one, but they would have to play a lot better in the 2nd half. In the 3rd, the Celtics offense got better. The only problem was Donovan Mitchell got hot and the Jazz dropped 42 points in the 3rd. In the 4th the Celtics tried to comeback, but with Tatum and Walker struggled it was nearly impossible for them to do so. Boston falls to 12-11 on the year.
Jaylen Brown had 33 points and 8 rebounds on 12/20 shooting.
Jayson Tatum had 23 points on 7/20 shooting.
Daniel Theis had 15 points on 5/6 3-PT.
When Daniel Theis doubles the amount of points All-Star Kemba Walker scores, you have a problem. Walker again struggled as he was just 2/12 from the field. Tatum was also off, as he couldn’t hit his open shots, and Rudy Gobert made it tough for him down low. Jaylen Brown was the only reason the game was close, as he looked very good in his return. The Celtics Big 3 hasn’t been playing well. Kemba Walker has been awful lately, as he looks like a shell of himself from last year. The Celtics rely so heavily on Brown and Tatum, as they just don’t have a lot of scorers. No Marcus Smart doesn’t help, but right now the Celtics just look off. Boston takes on Toronto next.
Utah Jazz
Even without Mike Conley the Jazz offense was very good, but their defense led by Rudy Gobert was the real story, as he dominated the game. In the first half, the Jazz really couldn’t make their outside shots. They shot just 30% from 3, as they only led by 1 despite Boston struggling. But then in the 2nd half, Donovan Mitchell got going. Mitchell and company started to hit some 3’s, dropping 42 points in the 3rd. A Joe Ingles dagger 3 in the 4th ended Boston’s hopes at a comeback, as Utah improves to 20-5 on the year.
Donovan Mitchell had 36 points and 9 assists on 12/23 shooting.
Joe Ingles had 24 points and 6 assists on 5/11 3-PT.
Rudy Gobert had 18 points and 12 rebounds with 3 blocks on 8/9 shooting.
Rudy Gobert is a defensive monster. He is the reason the Jazz are a top-3 defensive team in the league. When Gobert is on the floor, teams are held to an offensive rating of 104.6, which is the 29th worst in the league. He does so much for them, as he made Jayson Tatum and Kemba Walker struggle mightily. Donovan Mitchell and Joe Ingles led the way offensively, as the Jazz again hit 18 3-pointers. Utah is a scary team right now, one I wouldn’t want to face. Utah takes on Milwaukee next, a real test for them.
Orlando Magic vs Portland Trail Blazers
Orlando Magic
The Magic trailed for almost this entire game. Their offense wasn’t very good, as they couldn’t hit their outside shots. They have just been depleted by injuries, and they just can’t keep up with great scoring teams like Portland. Orlando falls to 9-16 on the year, and they take on the Warriors next on Thursday.
Portland Trail Blazers
Good win for Portland. Really shouldn’t have been that close, but a win is a win. Dame struggled in the first half, but Gary Trent Jr had things going in the first half as Portland led most of the way. Dame had 18 points in the 3rd, and a strong 4th quarter from Carmelo Anthony fueled Portland to a win. Dame had 36, and Melo added 23. Portland’s defense against Nikola Vucevic was solid, as they played an all-around solid game. Portland improves to 13-10 on the year, as they take on Philadelphia next.
Philadelphia 76ers vs Sacramento Kings
Philadelphia 76ers
The 76ers had a tough time with the Kings in this game, but a late run in the 4th was the key to their win. The 76ers started off red hot in the first quarter, but that 2nd quarter was ugly defensively. Guys like Hield, Fox, and Haliburton were torching them, as they were outscored by 15 in the 2nd. The 76ers got scoring from Seth Curry, scored 66 points in the first half and still trailed. The scoring slowed down a lot in the 2nd half, with both teams battling for a lead. The game was tied at 99 with 7:09 left, and then the 76ers preceded to go on a 13-5 run that put them up 8. Matisse Thybulle played great defense on De’Aaron Fox, and the 76ers held on to win as they improve to 18-7 on the year.
Joel Embiid had 25 points, 17 rebounds, and 6 assists on 6/15 shooting.
Seth Curry had 22 points on 7/13 shooting, 4/6 3-PT.
Tobias Harris had 22 points and 10 rebounds on 8/15 shooting.
The 76ers looked good, and a lot of that has to do with Seth Curry finding his shot. If he gets going, he’s another floor spacer and a guy that fits perfectly with Embiid down low. Embiid was solid, as were Harris and Simmons, who was excellent defensively. Matisse Thybulle is such a good defender, and he works well as a closer, as he can guard anybody on the perimeter. The 76ers bench featuring guys like Korkmaz and Shake Milton are solid. I like this 76ers team, especially if guys like Curry and Simmons are aggressive and scoring. Philly travels to Portland to take on the Blazers next.
Sacramento Kings
The Kings played pretty well in this game, but a late 4th quarter drought ended up hurting them. The Kings surrendered 42 points in the first quarter, but then dominated the 2nd quarter. Hield and Haliburton were hitting 3’s, and Fox was knifing through the lane for 23 points and 7 assists in the first half. The Kings scored 71 points in the first half and led by 5 at halftime. Thing remained close in the 4th, but then the 76ers went on a 13-5 run when the game was tied. The Kings valiantly fought back down the stretch of the 4th, but it wasn’t enough.
De’Aaron Fox had 34 points, 6 rebounds, and 10 assists on 13/30 shooting.
Buddy Hield had 21 points and 8 rebounds on 8/20 shooting.
Marvin Bagley had 17 points and 6 rebounds on 6/11 shooting.
De’Aaron Fox was 9/13 in the first half, with 23 points. He was 4/17 in the 2nd half was just 11 points as he was shut down. Buddy Hield was just 2/9 in the 2nd half, and Tyrese Haliburton shot the ball once in the 2nd half. Fox and Hield struggled had a lot to-do with the Kings struggles in the 2nd half. The 76ers have a great defense, but I think Fox was trying to do much. Tough loss for the Kings, but they still played well. Sacramento takes on Orlando next.
What Are Your Thoughts From The 7 Games Today? Leave A Comment Down Below!
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