Kings Snap Losing Streak & Heat Cool Down The Jazz! 2.26.21
It’s a Friday night of NBA basketball and we have a busy day with 9 games on the schedule today.
Indiana Pacers vs Boston Celtics
Indiana Pacers
Indiana started this game so well but then blew that and tried to fight back late but there just wasn’t enough time to do so. The Pacers started this game off on a 18-4 run as the 3’s were falling. But Kemba Walker got going and the Pacers trailed to end the first quarter. So the Pacers wasted that great start, and then a bad 3rd quarter put them down 8 entering the 4th. They trailed by 9 with 2:48 left but they slowly came back in the game. They trailed by 3 but a Daniel Theis 3 ended their chances. Sabonis did hit a 3 in return but the Celtics just hit free throws as Indiana falls to 15-16 on the year.
Domantas Sabonis had 24 points, 6 rebounds, and 9 assists on 7/12 shooting.
Justin Holiday had 19 points and 5 rebounds on 6/10 shooting, 5/9 3-PT.
Myles Turner had 17 points and 10 rebounds on 4/13 shooting.
Outside from the first 6 minutes of the game and the final 2, it was all Boston. The Pacers 3-PT shooting started off hot but was poor by the end of the game. They just couldn’t sustain that type of shooting and they couldn’t guard Kemba Walker. Brogdon took care of Tatum and Brown was quiet. But Walker and that Celtics bench was a problem. Tough loss for Indiana as they continue to lose close games. The Pacers take on New York tomorrow.
Boston Celtics
The Celtics finally won a close game as their bench and Kemba Walker came up big for them in this game. After falling behind 18-4 early, Kemba Walker kept them alive and the bench helped them and hold the lead throughout that first half. A big 3rd quarter put them up 8. They held their lead by almost blew it in the final two minutes. But a Daniel Theis 3 was big for the Celtics as they were able to hold on and win.
Kemba Walker had 32 points and 6 assists on 10/19 shooting.
Daniel Theis had 17 points on 6/9 shooting.
This is what Boston can be if Kemba and the come alive. Kemba was getting to his spots and hitting as this is what we’re all used to seeing from him. Theis was left open and he made Indiana pay. But the Celtics bench was very good. Robert Williams had 14 points and 11 rebounds as he continues to play so well. Teague and Pritchard combined for 23. The Celtics did all this with Tatum and Brown combining for just 24 points. Much needed win for this struggling Celtics team as they try and climb back into the standings.
Houston Rockets vs Toronto Raptors
Houston Rockets
10 in a row. But not in the good way.
Toronto Raptors
The Raptors had no problem scoring in this game against a floundering Rockets team. Norman Powell had 30 as he continues to be that flamethrower in the starting lineup. VanVleet was just 6/23 but he had 25. Lowry had 20 as the Raptors did a good job scoring without Siakam who was out due to health and safety protocols. As were the Raptors head coaching staff including Nick Nurse. No All-Star, no Coach, no problem for Toronto.
Sacramento Kings vs Detroit Pistons
Sacramento Kings
Yay! A win. The Kings led by 17 and they trailed by 8 at one point in the 4th but they were able to come back and win. Snapping a 9-game losing streak.
Detroit Pistons
I get you’re rebuilding, but the Kings? 25-point turnaround with an 8-point lead in the 4th and you blew it. Good job Detroit.
Utah Jazz vs Miami Heat
Utah Jazz
The Jazz struggled scoring in this game, as hard as that is to say. They didn’t play all that well and got handed a very rare loss. In the first half the Jazz’s outside shots weren’t falling and they were getting dominated down by Miami as they trailed at the half. The Jazz scored 41 points in the 3rd but Miami kept right with them with 39 points of their own. This set up and eventful 4th quarter. The Heat led by 7 thanks to some 3’s but Utah cut the lead to one. Down two Mitchell missed and turned it over and that led to a Jimmy Butler score that Miami up 4. The Heat killed the game at the line and the Jazz fall to a disappointing 26-7 on the year.
Donovan Mitchell had 30 points and 6 rebounds on 11/26 shooting.
Bojan Bogdanovic had 17 points on 5/11 shooting.
The Jazz became human, didn’t know that was possible.
Miami Heat
The Heat played really well offensively in this game and they kept up with the best offense in the league to win this game. In the first half the Heat just kept attacking the rim and with 4 guys in double figures they held the lead. The Jazz exploded for 41 points in the 3rd but surprisingly the Heat were right there with them with 39 of their own. The Heat opened up a 7-point lead mid-way through the 4th and they just held on for dear life. A Jimmy Butler score with under 30 seconds to go put them up 4, and they were able to hold on and win.
Jimmy Butler had 33 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists on 12/22 shooting.
Goran Dragic had 26 points on 9/15 shooting off the bench.
Bam Adebayo had 19 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 assists on 7/14 shooting.
The Heat offense was really good in this game despite no Tyler Herro off the bench. Butler and Adebayo played really well in all facets as they both did a bit of everything. Dragic came back to form off the bench after missing a lot of time. The Heat shot way better from 3 than the Jazz did, which is just so crazy to say. But they did and they have won their last 5 games as they try and get a 6th straight win against Atlanta next.
Phoenix Suns vs Chicago Bulls
Phoenix Suns
The Suns didn’t play great in this game, but they finished this game strong to get the win. In the first half the 3’s weren’t falling and the Suns defense wasn’t great as the Bulls got whatever they wanted. The Suns trailed by 12 at the half as it looked like a repeat of the Charlotte game. Things got better in the 3rd but the real rally happened in the 4th. The game was tied at 87 with 6:39 left in the 4th. The Suns preceded to go on a 19-10 run to end the game as their defense made things very tough on Chicago. Phoenix is now 21-11 on the year.
Devin Booker had 22 points and 5 assists on 9/24 shooting.
Deandre Ayton had 22 points and 7 rebounds on 10/17 shooting.
The Suns didn’t play all that well in this game. Booker and Paul were relatively quiet and the bench was underwhelming outside of 15 points from Kaminsky. But their defense last won them this game after being horrible defensively in the first half. The Suns haven’t been playing great lately, but a win is a win. Phoenix takes on the T-Wolves next.
Chicago Bulls
The Bulls played very well in this game but their inability to close games hurt them again as they blew this 4th quarter. In the first half the Bulls balanced scoring and strong bench was dominating offensively. The lead came down a bit in the 3rd but in the 4th it was simply a collapse. The offense went cold as the Suns tightened things down and the Bulls defense got shredded late and they lost a winnable game.
Zach Lavine had 24 points on 9/16 shooting.
Coby White had 19 points and 5 rebounds on 7/16 shooting.
Pain.
LA Clippers vs Memphis Grizzlies
LA Clippers
Now this is more like it. The LA defense was smothering and held Memphis down. The offense was back to normal. 7 guys in double figures including all 5 starters. Kawhi had 30, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists on 8/13 shooting. The robot is unstoppable. Lou Williams had 17 off the bench as this was a very good bounce back game from yesterday’s embarrassment. LA is now 24-11 on the year.
Memphis Grizzlies
On the other side of things, this is also more like it for Memphis. Struggling to get things going on either side of the ball as this was a miserable game. Morant and Valanciunas were good and the bench was solid but the offense couldn’t keep up with LA. The Grizzlies desperately need JJJ back otherwise this offense will continue to be a problem for Memphis as they fall to 14-15 on the year.
Atlanta Hawks vs OKC Thunder
Atlanta Hawks
Maybe the jersey change fooled Atlanta?
OKC Thunder
The OKC Thunder changed this jerseys in the middle of the game, and I definitely think that was a tactical advantage in this game.
Charlotte Hornets vs Golden State Warriors
Charlotte Hornets
The Hornets won’t be winning much with this defense as Golden State got whatever they wanted all night long. The offense was good with guys like Ball and Monk continuing to play well but the defense can’t be this bad if they want to win consistently.
Golden State Warriors
The Warriors couldn’t be stopped in this game. Oubre and Curry were very good each with 25+ points on good efficiencies. Wiggins was good and Wiseman continues to thrive is that bench role as he had 16 points. Draymond Green had a 17-point triple-double after 3 quarters. He finished with a career high 19 assists along with 12 rebounds and 11 points. The Warriors have won 3 straight and they are now 19-15 on the year.
Portland Trail Blazers vs LA Lakers
Portland Trail Blazers
Sometimes I just don’t understand what this team is doing. Dame has things going, and that’s great. So why do you keep sending him pick and rolls when LA keeps blitzing him. You’re just inviting another defender over. Just let him play in isolation and make LA come to him. Terry Stotts amazes me with his ineptitude sometimes. The offense shut down in the 2nd half because of poor play-calling. The bench has been beyond bad as they haven’t been getting production from Hood all year, Melo has cooled off and Simons isn’t doing much. The Blazers have now lost 4 straight as their offense has been cooling off in a big way in these recent losses. Definitely a winnable game, and they take on the Hornets next.
LA Lakers
The Lakers didn’t play great in the first half but they turned things up in the 2nd half. Their defense was excellent in containing Damian Lillard as after they did that Portland was basically done. Lebron was everywhere on both ends as he finished with 28 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 assists. Getting Schroder back was big as he had 22 points to support Lebron. The bench was solid but the Lakers got back to playing great defense and that’s what they will have to try and do without AD on the floor. LA is now 23-11 on the year.
What Are Your Thoughts From The 9 Games Today? Leave A Comment Down Below!
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