Playoffs Day 11 and Murray And Mitchell Battle Again! 8.30.20
It’s Day 11 of the NBA Playoffs as we have 3 games on the schedule, featuring Game 1 between the Celtics and the Raptors.
It’s Day 11 of the NBA Playoffs as we have 3 games on the schedule, featuring Game 1 between the Celtics and the Raptors.
Boston Celtics
The Celtics won their 1st game in the 2nd round. Here is what I thought about their performance.
The Celtics have looked very good in the playoffs as they swept the 76ers in the first round. That set up a semi-finals matchup with the defending champion Toronto Raptors. The Celtics would be short-handed without Gordon Hayward, but they were still a very good team. And they looked like it. The Celtics never trailed in this game as they won 112-94. The Celtics lead 1-0 in this series.
Offensively the Celtics were great as they shot 47% from the field and 44% from 3. Boston was also 17/21 from the free throw line. The Celtics turned the ball over 22 times. The Celtics also had 38 points in the paint.
Defensively the Celtics were great as well as Toronto shot 37% from the field and 25% from 3. Toronto was also 22/29 from the free throw line. The Celtics forced 14 turnovers. The Celtics also allowed 38 points in the paint.
Jayson Tatum had 21 points and 9 rebounds. Marcus Smart had 21 points and 6 rebounds. Kemba Walker had 18 points and 10 assists. Jaylen Brown had 17 points and 5 rebounds. Daniel Theis and Robert Williams were also in double figures.
Conclusion
The Celtics dominated this game from the tip as they took Game 1 convincingly. Led by Tatum and Smart, the Celtics really look like they can win this series. While this is only Game 1, this sets the tone for the series and now the Celtics have a major advantage.
Toronto Raptors
The Raptors lost their 1st game in the 2nd round. Here is what I thought about their performance.
The Raptors were coming off of a sweep of the Nets, and they looked to continue their title defense against a very good Celtics team. Kyle Lowry was playing in this game after suffering an ankle injury in Game 4. But the Raptors seemed far from ready entering this game. They never led in this game and they got blown out, 112-94. The Raptors now trail 0-1 in this series.
Offensively the Raptors were bad as they shot 37% from the field and 25% from 3. Toronto was also 22/29 from the free throw line. The Raptors turned the ball over 14 times. The Raptors also had 38 points in the paint.
Defensively the Raptors were terrible as the Celtics shot 47% from the field and 44% from 3. The Celtics were also 17/21 from the free throw line. The Raptors forced 22 turnovers. The Raptors also allowed 38 points down low.
Kyle Lowry had 17 points, 6 rebounds, and 8 assists. Serge Ibaka had 15 points and 9 rebounds. Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet, and OG Anunoby were in double figures.
Conclusion
The Raptors didn’t seem ready for this game as they got run out the gym. The Raptors offense was terrible as Fred VanVleet and Pascal Siakam shot 8/32 combined. This cannot happen if they want to beat this Celtics team. Their defense was also not as good as we have seen and for the 2nd time during the restart, the Celtics blew them out. The Raptors would need some drastic changes in order to win Game 2 and tie this series.
LA Clippers
The Clippers won their 6th game in the playoffs. Here is what I thought about their performance.
After being in a tied 2-2 series, the Clippers dominated Game 5 and they looked to end the series in 6 games. The Mavs were short-handed and the Clippers looked to get rid of the Mavs. And the Clippers looked to cruise to a victory as they led by 20 in the 3rd quarter. But the Mavs fought back and cut the lead to 6. But Kawhi Leonard dominated the 4th and the Clippers won 111-97. The Clippers win the series 4-2.
Offensively the Clippers were great as they shot 48% from the field and 38% from 3. LA was also 12/13 from the free throw line. The Clippers had 13 turnovers. LA also had 44 points in the paint.
Defensively the Clippers were solid as the Mavs shot 42% from the field and 30% from 3. The Mavs were also 10/17 from the free throw line. The Clippers forced 12 turnovers. The Clippers also allowed 42 points in the paint.
Kawhi Leonard had 33 points, 15 rebounds, and 7 assists. Paul George had 15 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists. Ivica Zubac had 15 points and 10 rebounds. Reggie Jackson added 14 points and 5 rebounds off the bench.
Conclusion
The Clippers controlled the final two games of this series as they get rid of the Mavs and win their first round series 4-2. Kawhi Leonard was magical in Game 6 and throughout the series. PG-13 played another good game as he tries and put that historical slump behind him. The Clippers seem to be hitting their stride, and now they advance to the 2nd round.
Dallas Mavericks
The Mavs lost their 6th game in the playoffs. Here is what I thought about their performance.
The Mavs have been fighting like dogs throughout this series, but they trailed 3-2 in the series and without Kristaps Porzingis, it seemed unlikely that they would win. But in typical fashion, they were annoying LA. The Mavs trailed by 20 in the 3rd, but cut the lead to 6 in the 4th. But they couldn’t stop Kawhi Leonard. The Mavs lost 111-97. The Mavs are eliminated from the playoffs.
Offensively the Mavs were ok as they shot 42% from the field and 30% from 3. Dallas was also 10/17 from the free throw line. The Mavericks turned the ball over 12 times. Dallas also had 42 points in the paint.
Defensively the Mavs were poor as the Clippers shot 48% from the field and 38% from 3. LA was also 12/13 from the free throw line. The Mavericks forced 13 turnovers. The Mavs also allowed 44 points in the paint.
Luka Doncic had 38 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists. Dorian Finney-Smith had 16 points and 6 rebounds. Tim Hardaway Jr. had 10 points.
Conclusion
The Mavs lose this series 4-2, but they shouldn’t be ashamed of anything. They really challenged the Clippers and Luka Doncic gave them headaches. Doncic put up historic numbers in his first playoff series, and he will be a bright super-star in this league for a while. The Mavs were short-handed, and if then can remain healthy and surround Luka with talent in the coming years, they will be one of the best teams in the West for a long time.
Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets won their 6th game in the playoffs. Here is what I thought about their performance.
The Nuggets trailed 3-2 in the series and needed a win to stay alive. They would need another Jamal Murray explosion in order to win. But they were still fighting with a tough Utah team, so a win would not be guaranteed. The game was close throughout, but the Nuggets gained some separation in the 4th. The Murray and Mitchell went back and forth. But Murray hit big 3 after 3 after 3, and the Nuggets won 119-107. The series is tied 3-3.
Offensively the Nuggets were incredible as they shot 55% from the field and 50% from 3. Denver was also 23/26 from the free throw line. Denver turned the ball over 15 times. The Nuggets had just 30 points in the paint.
Defensively the Nuggets were terrible as Utah shot 45% from the field and 50% from 3. Utah was also 21/30 from the free throw line. The Nuggets forced 10 turnovers. The Nuggets also allowed just 26 points down low.
Jamal Murray had 50 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists on 17/24 shooting. Nikola Jokic had 22 points and 9 assists. Jerami Grant had 18 points. Monte Morris added 10 points.
Conclusion
Since falling down 3-1, Jamal Murray has been a man on a mission. This is his 3rd straight 40+ point game and he has 2 50+ point games in this series. He has been doing it all for Denver. Now with the series tied 3-3 and the Nuggets having all the momentum in the series, it is highly possible that the Nuggets comeback. But Game 7 will be another showdown.
Utah Jazz
The Jazz lost their 6th game in the playoffs. Here is what I thought about their performance.
The Jazz have by and large controlled this series, and they still led 3-2 entering Game 6. But a loss would put them into a Game 7 situation, which they wanted to avoid. They would need Donovan Mitchell to have another great night to win, otherwise it might be trouble for the Jazz. The Jazz were locked in a tough game with the Nuggets, but they started to fall behind in the 4th. Donovan Mitchell did all he could, but Jamal Murray was too much. The Jazz lost 119-107. The series is tied 3-3.
Offensively the Jazz were great as they shot 45% from the field and 50% from 3. Utah was also 21/30 from the free throw line. The Jazz turned the ball over 10 times. Utah had just 26 points in the paint.
Defensively the Jazz were terrible as Denver shot 55% from the field and 50% from 3. Denver was also 23/26 from the foul line. The Jazz forced 15 turnovers. The Jazz allowed just 30 points in the paint.
Donovan Mitchell had 44 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists. Mike Conley had 21 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists. Rudy Gobert had a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Jordan Clarkson and Georges Niang were also in double-figures.
Conclusion
Donovan Mitchell again did all he could, but the defensive struggles from Utah proved to be too much. The Jazz have not looked the same since Game 4 and now after losing Games 5 and 6, the series will be going to 7 games. The game will likely be a shoot-out, but the team that plays the better defense will likely win. The Jazz need to pull this one out in order to avoid blowing a 3-1 series lead.
What Are Your Thoughts From Day 11 of the Playoffs? Leave A Comment Down Below!
My Thoughts On A Specific Topic From Day 11 Will Be Posted Tomorrow, So Stay Tuned!
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