Giannis Destroys Portland; Warriors Need Steph Back! 4.2.21
It’s a Friday night of NBA action and we have a busy day with 10 games on the schedule.
Golden State Warriors vs Toronto Raptors
…
Yeah, let’s not talk about it.
Stop, Stop, He’s Already Dead!
The Raptors desperately needed this win and they got it big time, leading by 60 at one point.
Also Gary Trent Jr had a plus/minus of +54, the 2nd highest all-time being a +57 from Luc Mbah a Moute in 2017 (since 1997)
Houston Rockets vs Boston Celtics
L
Fade for Cade
Finally
The Celtics doing something good. Finally. Tatum was efficient with 26 points and 9 rebounds. 20 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists with 2 blocks for Robert Williams. 22 points and 11 rebounds plus a poster jam for Jaylen Brown.
The Evan Fournier move finally looked good as Fournier was 8/13 from the field, 7/11 from 3 with 23 points off the bench. He does more often and Boston can become a lot better. With this long homestand, can Boston finally get some momentum?
Dallas Mavericks vs New York Knicks
Jalen Brunson Stan
Luka did his thing, 26-8-7. Another day in the office. Kristaps was terrible with the New York fans booing him but the bench, featuring Jalen Brunson was great. Brunson has such a good feel for the game. He’s the perfect compliment to Luka, a steady hand compared to the reckless genius of Luka. He is great at attacking the rim and feeling out defenses and it’s run to watch him play. 15 from Brunson and 14 from Hardaway led the bench. The Mavs have gotten things together as they are looking like that same scary team from last year.
Also, who needs Rick Carlisle?
No Offense
When Julius Randle shoots 5/20 from the field and RJ Barrett goes 3/11, you’re going to have problems.
Charlotte Hornets vs Indiana Pacers
Impressive Bench
Gordon Hayward had 13-8-6 at the half before leaving. He was very good and losing him to a foot injury in the 2nd should have slowed them down. It didn’t. 23 from Miles Bridges off the bench led the way, but 17 from Zeller and another 13 from newly acquired Wanamaker were huge. Rozier and Graham shot a combined 9/38 from the field and yet the Hornets still won comfortably. Very impressive indeed, especially after yesterday’s loss to the Nets.
Disappointments
For the entire 2nd half this team trailed by double-digits. They could never get going. They cut it to 6 with 5:50 left but then scored just 6 points the rest of the way and lost by 17. Oh yeah, forgot to mention that Gordon Hayward, who was going off in the first half, didn’t play in the 2nd half. Yet you still lose. That’s an L.
Minnesota T-Wolves vs Memphis Grizzlies
Minnesota T-Wolves
Edwards had an efficient 22 points and 6 assists and Towns had a 30-16 double-double. But other than that it was 18 from Naz Reid but then 2/12 shooting from Malik Beasley. That’s not going to help you especially when you’re allowing a streaky Memphis offense to get going.
Offense
With a consistent offense the Grizzlies would be very good because they are so good defensively. 8 guys were in double figures as it continues to be a team offense as with Ja Morant struggling others have had to step up. If the Grizzlies want to make the playoffs, they’ll need better offense.
Atlanta Hawks vs New Orleans Pelicans
Taking Care Of Business
Easy win, moving on.
New Orleans Pelicans
No Zion, Ingram, and Lonzo. Josh Hart tore his UCL in his thumb and is expected to miss some time. Playoff hopes fading.
Chicago Bulls vs Utah Jazz
A For Effort
The Bulls did a good job keeping this game close but they never really had control, Utah was always one step ahead it seemed like. Lavine and Vucevic both struggled shooting as they are still working things out as a duo. Thaddeous Young was excellent with 25 points but poor shooting (25% from 3) against the Jazz isn’t a recipe for success.
Coasting
The Jazz aren’t dominating anymore, but they are still winning. Mitchell was again inefficient but led the way with 26. Bogdanovic had 18 points and Clarkson had 19. It was a solid game for the Jazz who continue to play well, even if I think there are better teams in the West.
OKC Thunder vs Phoenix Suns
No SGA, Problem
At least Maledon had 33 and Pokusevski had 20. Still lost by 37.
Taking Care Of Business
6 guys in double figures, wire-to-wire win. The Suns are looking dangerous.
Milwaukee Bucks vs Portland Trail Blazers
Milwaukee Bucks
47 from Giannis, 22 from Holiday, and 20 from Middleton. 89 points from the Bucks Big 3 and they were the only 3 to get double-digit points. Nice.
Giannis is also the first player since Wilt Chamberlain in 1967 to record 45+points, 10+ rebounds on 85%+ shooting.
Portland Trail Blazers
This game was close for a while but it felt like more of the Bucks not taking advantage than Portland doing anything good. Other than Dame the offense wasn’t really pretty. Portland only stayed in the game for as long as they did with their shooting, but even then it was just hoping shots went in. When they didn’t Giannis and company took advantage. Giannis was 18/21 from the field and finished with 47 points and 12 rebounds. Literally unstoppable. Holiday and Middleton combined for 42 as well and that was the Bucks offense.
Dame had an efficient 32 and everybody played pretty well. But the bench again struggled with Melo going 2/12 from the field. Portland made 9 more 3’s than the Bucks but the Bucks just were more efficient. I think that Portland has to run their offense more, instead of hoping enough 3’s fall. They have all the talent in the world to score and while the defense was a letdown like it usually is, it’s surprising to see them struggle on offense.
LA Lakers vs Sacramento Kings
LA Lakers
In order to stay competent, LA’s defense has to be great. In their wins without Lebron and AD, it has been and it was again tonight. Schroder did a great job with Fox and they shut down the Kings offense. 30 points from Kyle Kuzma led the way offensively and for once LA shot well, making 17 3’s on 52% shooting. The gifts of playing the Kings defense.
Sacramento Kings
If the Kings can’t score, they can’t win. Simple as that. Obviously credit goes to LA’s great defense but shooting 29% from 3 isn’t helping the Kings. If the Kings want any chance to end their 14-year playoff drought, the offense has to comeback.
What Are Your Thoughts From The 10 Games Today? Leave A Comment Down Below!
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