Playoffs Day 10 And Who Needs Westbrook? 8.29.20
After a two day break from the NBA Playoffs, we have 3 games on the schedule for today.
After a two day break from the NBA Playoffs, we have 3 games on the schedule for today.
Former NBA Star and longtime Portland Trail Blazers has passed away at the age of 53. Robinson spent 18 seasons in the league and he won the 1993 6th man of the year. He was an All-Star in 1994.
Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks won their 5th game in the playoffs. Here is what I thought about their performance.
The Bucks have had a rocky postseason as they haven’t always been at their best. But leading 3-1 in the series against the Magic the Bucks looked to close it out and win the series. And it looked like they would blow the Magic out but they let the lead slip in the 4th. But the Bucks were able to pull away and win 118-104. The Bucks win the series 4-1.
Offensively the Bucks were solid as they shot 46% from the field and 36% from 3. Milwaukee was always 22/27 from the free throw line. The Bucks turned the ball over 14 times. The Bucks also had 42 points in the paint.
Defensively the Bucks were great as Orlando shot 39% from the field and 37% from 3. Orlando was also 15/21 from the free throw line. The Bucks forced 11 turnovers. The Bucks only allowed 32 points in the paint.
Giannis had 28 points and 17 rebounds. Khris Middleton had 21 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 assists. Brook Lopez had 16 points and 7 rebounds. Eric Bledsoe, George Hill, and Marvin Williams were also in double-figures.
Conclusion
The Bucks didn’t play their best basketball in their 1st round series, but they won 4-1. The Bucks now have to face a tough Miami team in the 2nd round, a team that they have had struggled with in previous meetings. The Bucks will have to be on their A-game in order to beat the Heat, otherwise it’ll be a disappointing way to end their season.
OKC Thunder
The Thunder lost their 5th game in the bubble. Here is what I thought about their performance.
The Thunder have all the momentum in this series as they have won the last two games. With the series tied 2-2, the Thunder had a chance to turn the tide of the series. The Thunder would have a tall task as Russell Westbrook was back for the first time in this series. And the Thunder remained close in the 1st half. But, the 2nd half was a polar opposite. The Thunder got blown out as they lost 114-80. OKC now trailed 3-2 in this series.
Offensively the Thunder were terrible as they shot 32% from the field and 16% from 3. OKC was also 15/23 from the free throw line. The Thunder had 15 offensive rebounds. The Thunder turned the ball over 17 times. OKC also had just 32 points in the paint.
Defensively the Thunder were poor as the Rockets shot 43% from the field and 40% from 3. The Rockets were also 9/14 from the free throw line. The Thunder allowed 10 offensive rebounds. The Thunder forced 10 turnovers. OKC allowed 44 points in the paint.
Dennis Schroder had 19 points off the bench. Chris Paul had 16 points and 6 rebounds. Steven Adams had 12 points and 14 rebounds. Darius Bazley had 10 points and 12 rebounds.
Conclusion
The Thunder looked horrendous in the 2nd half in this game as they allowed the Rockets to bully them. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander played bad, and the Thunder 3 guards didn’t play as well as they needed too. Even though Dennis Schroder got (unfairly) ejected, the game was over when he exited. The Thunder have had these type of letdowns in this series, and that is the main reason why they trail 3-2. The Thunder now needed to win back-to-back games to advance. And them doing so is very unlikely.
Houston Rockets
The Rockets won their 5th game in the bubble. Here is what I thought about their performance.
The Rockets have played good and bad in this series as they lost their momentum. They had lost their last two games entering game 5 and needed a win to take a 3-2 series lead. Russell Westbrook is playing his debut in this series as the Rockets looked to take this game. And the Rockets dominated the 2nd half of this game as they won 114-80. The Rockets now lead 3-2 in this series.
Offensively the Rockets were good as they shot 43% from the field and 40% from 3. Houston was also 9/14 from the free throw line. Houston had 10 offensive rebounds. The Rockets only turned the ball over 10 times. Houston also had 44 points in the paint.
Defensively the Rockets were excellent as they shot 32% from the field and 16% from 3. OKC was also 15/23 from the free throw line. Houston allowed 15 turnovers. Houston forced 17 turnovers. The Rockets also only allowed 32 points in the paint.
James Harden had 31 points and 5 assists. Robert Covington had 22 points and 7 rebounds. Eric Gordon added 20 points.
Conclusion
The Rockets dominated this game as they now take a 3-2 series lead. Russell Westbrook shot just 3/13 from the field in his debut, but he will be playing better throughout the rest of this series. James Harden was again the catalyst of this game and the Rockets defense was at its best we have seen. The Rockets now have a chance to win this series and advance to face the Lakers in the 2nd round.
LA Lakers
The Lakers won their 5th game in the playoffs. Here is what I thought about their performance.
After dropping Game 1, the Lakers had dominated their series as they led 3-1 going into game 5. And it was going to be a clear path as the Blazers were very injury riddled and short-handed. But the Lakers didn’t dominate as usual as the Blazers hung with them throughout the game. But the Lakers pulled away in the 4th and they won 131-122. The Lakers win their series 4-1 as they advance to the 2nd round.
Offensively the Lakers were great as they shot 55% from the field and 39% from 3. LA was also 21/26 from the free throw line. The Lakers turned the ball over 17 times. The Lakers also had 58 points in the paint.
Defensively the Lakers were terrible as Portland shot 47% from the field and 48% from 3. Portland was also 21/26 from the free throw line. The Lakers allowed 10 offensive rebounds. The Lakers forced 19 turnovers. LA also allowed 48 points in the paint.
Anthony Davis had 43 points and 9 rebounds for LA. Lebron James had 36 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists. KCP had 14 points and 5 rebounds. Dwight Howard had 11 points and 6 rebounds.
Conclusion
The Lakers controlled this series past Game 1, but they were playing a short-handed Portland team. Although the Lakers played well, we’ll have to see if they can keep this level of play up against teams like OKC or Houston. The Lakers have a couple days to rest before a tough opponent, and we’ll have to see how they perform.
What Are Your Thoughts From Day 10 of the NBA Playoffs? Leave A Comment Down Below!
My Thoughts On A Specific Topic From Day 10 Will Be Posted Tomorrow, So Stay Tuned!
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