Clippers Win 7th Straight; Magic Blow Late Lead! 1.24.21
It’s a Sunday of NBA basketball, and we have 7 games on the schedule today.
Toronto Raptors vs Indiana Pacers
Toronto Raptors
The Raptors were very short-handed in this game. Siakam and Kyle Lowry were both late scratches in this game, leaving the Raptors short-handed, but that didn’t stop them from fighting. In the first half, the Raptors defense was excellent against Brogdon and Sabonis, and they forced other Pacers to score, as they led by 11 at halftime because of their stellar defense. They led for most of the 3rd, but allowed Indiana to get back into it with a 13-2 run to end the quarter. In the 4th, these two teams were battling. With 1:09 left, the game was tied. OG Anunoby made 1/2 free throws, putting the Raptors up by one. But Fred VanVleet stripped Malcom Brogdon, and Indiana fouled Anunoby again, this time he hit 2/2 free throws. Now with 18 seconds left, Toronto was up 3. The Pacers went inside to Sabonis, where he was blocked two separate times, once by Boucher and once by Stanley Johnson. That defensive stand ended the game, giving the Raptors a win as they improve to 7-9 on the year.
OG Anunoby had 30 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 steals on 9/16 shooting.
Fred VanVleet had 21 points and 5 rebounds on 6/15 shooting.
Norman Powell had 20 points and 6 assists on 7/18 shooting.
The Raptors were very impressive down the stretch of this game, especially in OT. Anunoby was hitting from everywhere, getting to the rim and hitting 3’s. He was also a key factor in slowing down Domantas Sabonis. VanVleet hit some big 3’s in the 4th, as Toronto avoided blowing another lead. Their defense was smothering, as they got back to what they doing defensively last season, all without two All-Stars. A very impressive win for the Raptors as they are now 7-9 on the year.
Indiana Pacers
The Pacers had a tough time in this game, and they had their chances to win, but they just couldn’t come through when they needed shots to fall. In the first half, Brogdon and Sabonis really struggled to score as Toronto really made an effort to take them away. Their trailed by 11, and couldn’t cut into the lead for most of the 3rd. But then TJ McConnell gave them life, sparking a 13-2 run to end the quarter, and that put Indiana within two. These two teams kept battling in the 4th, with Malcolm Brogdon tying things up with 1:09 left. The Raptors made a free throw, and now Indiana had the ball. Brogdon tried to drive it, and he was stripped by Fred VanVleet, which caused a shot-clock violation. The Pacers fouled and they trailed by 3 with 18 seconds left. Brogdon made a sweet pass to Sabonis, who was blocked twice at the rim. Indiana falls to 9-7 on the year.
Myles Turner had 25 points, 6 blocks, and 3 steals.
Justin Holiday had 16 points and 10 rebounds on 5/14 shooting.
It was a rough night for Sabonis and Brogdon. Brogdon shot 5/22 from the field, including 1/10 from 3. Sabonis went 1/10 from the field, as he just couldn’t get the position we wanted against a physical Raptors defense. The Pacers are usually the team that plays aggressive on defense, and they got a taste of their own medicine in this game. And they just couldn’t overcome their offensive woes, although they have one of the best offenses in the league. Indiana is now 9-7 on the year, and they take on the Raptors again on Monday.
OKC Thunder vs LA Clippers
OKC Thunder
I didn’t watch a lot of this game, mainly because football was on, but I got a good idea of what this game was. The Thunder shot terribly in the first quarter, and trailed by 17. They fought for the next 3 quarters, making it close, but LA still won. Pretty simple, almost exactly what happened last game. SGA and George Hill were very good shooting the ball, combining for 45 points. Not much scoring from anywhere else, and OKC couldn’t stop the Klaw. OKC is now 6-9 on the year, and they take on the Blazers next tomorrow.
LA Clippers
The Clippers dominated the first quarter, leading by 17. And then they just kind of coasted, and put OKC away late. Kawhi continues to roll, as he 34 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists on 14/24 shooting. He has been feeling it lately. PG struggled, but Jackson and Williams picked up the slack off the bench, as with Marcus Morris out, they got good bench production. Serge Ibaka has been very good as of late, as LA has won their last 7 games, improving to 13-4 on the year. They take on the Atlanta Hawks next on Tuesday.
Charlotte Hornets vs Orlando Magic
Charlotte Hornets
What a comeback by the Hornets, as they dominated the 4th quarter, really outhustling and outplaying the Magic in the final 12 minuets of this game. The Hornets defense was awful in the first half, allowing a poor Magic offense to shoot 50% from the field and 48% from 3. The Hornets trailed by 8 at halftime, and by 12 entering the 4th. Then they started to make a run. They came back and in a big way, as they led by 9 with 2:20 left. It seemed like Charlotte had run away, but the Magic came back to tie the game with 8.7 seconds left after Biyombo missed 2/2 free throws. With 8.7 seconds left, Charlotte went to Hayward, and he delivered, easily getting to the rim, scoring with 0.7 seconds left. The Magic didn’t even get the ball inbounded, the Hornets won, improving to 7-9 on the year.
Gordon Hayward had 39 points and 9 rebounds on 15/25 shooting.
Miles Bridges had 18 points and 6 rebounds on 8/11 shooting.
Devonte Graham had 15 points and 6 assists on 5/14 shooting.
Gordon Hayward has been worth that $30 million dollar contract, as he has been so good this season. He has multiple games like this, where he just carries the scoring load, when guys like Terry Rozier shoot 2/10. Miles Bridges has been very good off the bench, and the Hornets made an impressive comeback here in the 4th. If they want any chances of making the 10 potential playoff spots, they need Hayward to lead the way and the rest to follow. Charlotte takes on the Hornets again Monday.
Orlando Magic
This was such a roller-coaster game for the Magic, but they did deserve to lose this game after a bad 4th quarter collapse. The Magic offense finally got going, as in the first half they were very efficient, shooting 50% and leading by 8. They stretch their lead to 12 entering the 4th, as they never allowed the Hornets to get back in the game. That changed in the 4th, when the Magic offense came back down to Earth, and the Hornets offense started to hit their 3’s, and Orlando trailed by 9 with 2:20 left. But when all hope was lost, Orlando fought back. After Bismack Biyombo missed two free throws, Terrence Ross made a very tough shot from the left corner, tying the game with 8.7 seconds. Needing a stop, Orlando couldn’t get one. Gordon Hayward waltzed in to score an easy two, and the game was over. Orlando falls to 7-10 on the year.
Nikola Vucevic had 22 points and 13 rebounds on 9/22 shooting.
Evan Fournier had 21 points and 6 assists on 7/16 shooting.
Gary Clark had 14 points on 4/7 3-PT.
I know the Magic were without Aaron Gordon, but this was still a winnable game. They just controlled the game for 36 minutes, their offense was really good. But then it all turned around so quickly, a 21-point turnaround, in just 10 minutes. They managed to comeback, but literally let Hayward walk in for a layup. The Magic just can’t seem to win, as they fall to 7-10 on the year.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Boston Celtics
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavs offense went back to normal, as they were awful in this game. The Celtics were short-handed, and it seemed like their two game god-stretch against the Nets was a fluke. The Cavs shot 41% from the field in the first half, and they scored 58 points. The only problem is their defense allowed 77 points. The Celtics dominated this game, as Cleveland falls to 8-8 on the year, and they take on the LA Lakers next tomorrow.
Boston Celtics
Jayson Tatum is expected to come back soon, and the Celtics made sure to get a win before he returns. The Celtics offense was rolling, powered by Brown, Smart, and Kemba Walker. The Celtics defense didn’t make it easy for the Cavs, and even though they were scoring, it was nowhere near the pace the Celtics were scoring at. Tatum is expected tomorrow against Chicago, as the Celtics improve to 9-6 on the year.
Atlanta Hawks vs Milwaukee Bucks
Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks were without Trae Young and Clint Capela in this game, and they lost to the Bucks without much of a contest. I was pretty excited to watch Trae Young take on this very good defense, and see how he would handle things. But he was out, and the Hawks just kind of rolled over. John Collins and De’Andre Hunter combined for 63 points in this game, and Danilo Gallinari was very good off the bench with 17 points. But without their best big guy down low and franchise point guard, the Hawks weren’t expected to do much in this game, as they fall to 8-8 on the year.
Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks did what they were supposed to do with the Hawks short-handed. Their offense was very good in this game, as Milwaukee shot 55% from the field in the game. Giannis was very efficient, nearly finishing with a triple-double. Middleton and Holiday were solid, as they continue to really be good supporting pieces. The Bucks bench was much better today than it had been, with Portis scoring 21 points, Forbes adding 11. They need this kind of production from the bench in the post-season, when the going gets a lot tougher. Milwaukee is now 10-6 on the year, and they take on the Raptors next on Wednesday.
Washington Wizards vs San Antonio Spurs
Washington Wizards
The Wizards were incredibly short-handed in this game, and Russell Westbrook was on a minutes restriction. With all that said, the game was close at halftime. The Wizards defense held the Spurs below 40% shooting from the field, and Washington only trailed by 1 at halftime. But reality caught up with them as the Spurs dominated the 2nd half. No shame in losing, Washington was very short-handed. Beal played well as usual, and also as usual, it wasn’t enough. Washington is now 3-9 on the year.
San Antonio Spurs
The first half of this game was surprisingly close, considering how short-handed the Wizards were. The Spurs offense wasn’t very good, as they shot 39% from the field, and they were only leading by one. I’m guessing they weren’t very happy with that performance, as they dominated the 2nd half, outscoring the Wizards by 19, and cruising to a win. 7 guys were in double figures for the Spurs, including 3 guys off the bench. Dejounte Murray didn’t miss any time with that ankle injury, as he had a triple-double. The Spurs are now 9-8 on the year, and they take on the Pelicans tomorrow.
New York Knicks vs Portland Trail Blazers
New York Knicks
The Knicks nearly came back to win this game, but it was just too little too late. The Knicks had one of the best defenses in the league, but Damian Lillard and the Blazers didn’t seem to care. Lillard was a perfect 5/5 from the field, scoring 18 points in the first half. Portland’s defense was leading to 3’s, and they shot 57% from 3 in the first half. The Knicks offense couldn’t keep up with Portland. But in the 2nd half, the Knicks defense started to lock down on guys not named Damian Lillard, as they continually cut into the lead. Immanuel Quickley had a very big 4th quarter with 21 points, and the Knicks kept cutting into the lead. But the Blazers made their free throws late, and the Knicks comeback efforts after being down 20+ came up just short, as they fall to 8-10 on the year.
Immanuel Quickley had 31 points on 9/18 shooting off the bench.
Julius Randle had 25 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists on 7/18 shooting.
Alec Burks had 18 points on 6/9 shooting, 5/8 3-PT.
This was a solid game for the Knicks, but their offense struggled to keep up with Portland in the first half. I thought they would do more against Damian Lillard, but he got whatever he wanted for the entirety of this game. But the 2nd was very good for New York. Their defense was much better, and guys like Alec Burks and Immanuel Quickley had big scoring halves. I do think that Quickley should be starting over Payton. I know Payton is the better passer, but with a struggling offense, the explosive Quickley would be better suited for that role. RJ Barrett was very poor in this game, as he didn’t play down the stretch. The Knicks need him to be more consistent on offense. Another instance where the Knicks has to be better in the first half, and keep them in the game. New York takes on the Utah Jazz on Tuesday next.
Portland Trail Blazers
The Blazers nearly blew this game, but they came through in the end to survive this game. After a 6-game layoff, I didn’t know how I expected to see Portland. Well rusty wasn’t the answer as Portland jumped on the Knicks from the start. They shot 58% from the field in the first half, led by Damian Lillard’s 18 points. Anfernee Simons and Derrick Jones Jr. were pleasant surprises in the scoring department, especially Anfernee off the bench. The Blazers defense was solid, as they played a lot more zone with a smaller lineup. But the Blazers offense cooled down in the 2nd half, and with Alec Burks and Immanuel Quickley getting hot, things got dicey. But the Blazers hit all of their last free throws, and staved off the Knicks, improving to 9-6 on the year.
Damian Lillard had 39 points, 5 rebounds, and 8 assists on 11/17 shooting.
Anfernee Simons had 16 points on 6/9 shooting, 4/6 3-PT off the bench.
Derrick Jones Jr. had 14 points and 5 rebounds on 5/8 shooting.
As a Blazers fan, this was a very good but also frustrating game. Here’s where it’s good. Dame did his thing, as he’ll have to continue to do that with Nurkic and CJ out. And Dame got some help, with Anfernee Simons playing his best game of the year. I knew Ant was talented, but this game was very good, as he was more aggressive. Jones and Melo were solid, and Melo was taking good shots, not all of them falling. Robert Covington continues to struggle, but he’s taking good shots. The Blazers defense was good, but wasn’t as good in the 2nd half. And that leads me to where this game was frustrating. We just couldn’t hold the lead because our poor defense on the perimeter, which is tough to do against a Knicks team that isn’t great at shooting. I definitely would have liked to see the lead get held for longer, but I will take any win we can get while short-handed. Portland takes on the OKC Thunder tomorrow.
Maybe Dame can wear his OKC shoes tomorrow, iykyk.
What Are Your Thoughts From The 7 Games Today? Leave A Comment Down Below!
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