Are The Raptors Back?; Nets Win Streak Continues! 2.18.21
It’s a Thursday night of NBA basketball, and we have just 3 games on the schedule today.
Toronto Raptors vs Milwaukee Bucks
Toronto Raptors
The Raptors defense was the story here. Yes Siakam and Powell were both very good offensively, and Fred VanVleet was solid but the defense was great. The Raptors were clogging the lanes, as they did their usual amount of deflecting passes and making the Bucks life a misery. This game wasn’t close throughout, as the Raptors held a comfortable lead throughout. They shut down Giannis and forced him to foul out. Middleton was shut down, as the Raptors defense was great, largely thanks to the return of OG Anunoby. If the Raptors defense can play like this more consistently, I would believe in them much more to be a playoff team.
Milwaukee Bucks
No comment.
Brooklyn Nets vs LA Lakers
Brooklyn Nets
The Nets played pretty good defense in this game, even if LA was short-handed. The most important thing for Brooklyn is that they continue to show this type of effort on defense, and they can go places. Harden and Irving were pretty pedestrian in this game, not going off or anything. Joe Harris and TLC combined for 11 3-pointers, and Brooklyn was on fire from 3, shooting 46% on the night. That is 5 straight wins for the Nets, the last few coming without All-Star captain Kevin Durant. If this Nets team plays defense like they have been playing, they are a scary team.
LA Lakers
No AD and no Schroder, this was to be expected as the Lakers offense was very bad. Lebron passed 35k points which is cool, but the Lakers are short-handed against a hot Brooklyn team, so this was to be expected. LA is now 22-8 on the year.
Miami Heat vs Sacramento Kings
Miami Heat
Yay, you won! Oh, it’s against the Kings? Doesn’t count. The Kings were short-handed scoring wise and they have the worst defense in the league. Is it that impressive? No. Balanced scoring, including 27 from Herro and 22 from Olynyk. The fact this game was close is a little damning, but the Heat need anything they can get at this point.
Sacramento Kings
When DaQuan Jeffries and Nemanja Bjelica lead you in scoring, it might not be the best night offensively. No Barnes or Holmes hurt them a lot, but Bjelica and Jeffries were solid. Fox and Hield were very quiet, and this game still remained close. The Kings offense will get better if they are healthier, as this defense is a lost cause at this point.
What Are Your Thoughts From The 3 Games Today? Leave A Comment Down Below!
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