LA Stuns The Nets; Phoenix Cruises For Another Win! 4.10.21
It’s another day of NBA basketball and we have 7 games on the schedule today.
Toronto Raptors vs Cleveland Cavaliers
Sheesh
The Raptors played an incredible first half. They started the game off shooting 11/11 from the field and finished the first half with 87 points. They led by 33. They just coasted from there.
Gary Trent was a flamethrower, 17/19 from the field, 7/9 from 3 with a career high 44 points. 20 for Malachi Flynn and 15 for OG. 14 for Watanabe off the bench. No Siakam, VanVleet, and Lowry? No problem.
The Raptors made 17 3’s and shot 62% from the field.
Let’s Not Talk About It
LA Lakers vs Brooklyn Nets
Impressive
The Lakers came in with more energy and seemed to embrace the underdog roles. They came out of the gates strong thanks to a big 1st half from Dennis Schroder, as he led the way with 19 points. Both Schroder and Irving were ejected in the 3rd (soft refs) but the Lakers got even more momentum from that. Playing great defense and forcing turnovers as they looked like the dominant team out there despite missing 3 of their best players.
Drummond was very good with 20 points and 11 rebounds, finally having a good game. Schroder had 19 before being ejected. 3 guys off the bench (Harrell, McKinnie, McLemore) were in double figures as it was a solid offensive outing. Very good sign to see LA playing like this as they’re going to have to this more. AD is coming back soon (7-10) days but Lebron is still 3 weeks away from returning (estimate).
No Energy
I’m honestly surprised this doesn’t happen more with all the guys in and out of the Nets rotation. No Harden and Irving, your best scorer, was ejected. The Nets really only had one good stretch the whole game, which was the end of the first half. Other than that the shooting was terrible, 5/27 from 3 (19%). Losing Irving hurt the Nets a lot more than losing Schroder did for the Lakers. The defense for the Nets looked like it regressed a bit and there are obvious fixes.
Stop starting Aldridge over Claxton for starters. Claxton is younger and he’s better defensively. Just because Aldridge is a household name prior in his career, doesn’t mean he shouldn’t be starting. The second thing if effort. Defense is mostly effort. I get the Nets don’t have the best personnel. But if they try the defense can be passable, which is more than fine considering what they have on offense.
Philadelphia 76ers vs OKC Thunder
Taking Care Of Business
No Tobias Harris in this one, but Philly was still great. All 5 starters were in double figures led by 22 from Simmons who broke out from his slump. 20 for Seth Curry and a solid outing from Embiid as well. The 76ers still have their shooting and bench flaws with are worrying, but it’s a good win.
We Need You, SGA
It’s as simple as that.
Sacramento Kings vs Utah Jazz
Nice Effort
The game was close for a while. but Utah’s 17 points in the final 4 minutes of the game effectively ended the Kings chances. De’Aaron Fox had 30 points and 8 assists to lead the way, Holmes didn’t seem affected by Gobert and had 25 points and 13 rebounds on 77% shooting. 19 for Buddy Hield and 3 others were in double figures. Other than Haliburton the bench was terrible as it was overplayed by a lot by the Jazz.
The Kings defense continues to hold them back from being better than mediocre at best.
Finish Strong
The Jazz kind of coasted throughout this game, not able to get rid of the Kings. But 17 points in the final 4 minutes effectively ended this game. Mitchell had another classic Mitchell game, an incredibly inefficient 42-point night. He is really good at those. Conley was efficient and had 26 points and 6 rebounds. 20 for Ingles off the bench to replace that Clarkson role. Gobert wasn’t exactly great defensively was Richuan Holmes looked like Embiid out there.
The Jazz’s shooting came back, 18/36 from 3 in this game. The advantages of playing the Kings.
Houston Rockets vs Golden State Warriors
Headed For The Lottery
Could’ve have Levert and Jarett Allen you know.
Win But…
The Warriors dominated this game like they should. 38 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists for Curry to lead the way but 25 from Wiggins along with 21 from Poole is a promising sign for the Warriors role players.
The bad news is that James Wiseman hurt his right knee early in the game after only playing 6 minutes. You hope he’s ok especially because he’s been playing a lot better recently.
Washington Wizards vs Phoenix Suns
Need Beal Back
For this team to be successful, they need Beal healthy. If not, getting blown out like this is a likely result.
Taking Care Of Business
The first half was close but then 44 points from the Suns in the 3rd ended things. 27-6-6 for Booker who is at good at basketball as he is at pop-a-shot. 7 guys in total were in double figures as it’s another balanced scoring night. Shooting was finally got, as the Suns made 17 3’s on about 40% shooting. If the shooting becomes more consistent, look out.
Detroit Pistons vs Portland Trail Blazers
No Grant
Excused I suppose.
Much Needed
Portland has a brutal end to the year and they need every win they can get. Getting to rest some guys is huge as they prepare for Miami tomorrow. Portland struggles against better teams and they are going to need to play their best basketball of the year otherwise they might lose their place in the standings and fall into the play-in range.
Oh yeah, and Enes Kanter had 30 rebounds, most in franchise history. So that’s a thing.
What Are Your Thoughts From The 7 Games Today? Leave A Comment Down Below!
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