Playoffs Day 13 and What A Game 7! 9.1.20
It’s Day 13 of the NBA Playoffs and we have two games on the schedule today, featuring Game 7 between the Nuggets and Jazz.
It’s Day 13 of the NBA Playoffs and we have two games on the schedule today, featuring Game 7 between the Nuggets and Jazz.
Boston Celtics
The Celtics won their 2nd game in the 2nd round of the playoffs. Here is what I thought about their performance.
After dominating Game 1, I wondered if the Celtics could maintain that level of play in order to win this series. And coming into Game 2, I figures that the Raptors would be playing better. And they did. The game was close throughout in the first half as Kemba Walker struggled shooting from the field. In the 3rd the Celtics started to fall apart as the Raptors went on a big run. The Celtics trailed 78-66 with 2:46 left in the 3rd. The Celtics still trailed by 8 entering the 4th. They would need a great quarter in order to comeback and win. And Marcus Smart stepped up. He hit 5 3-pointers in the 4th alone and single-handedly got the Celtics back into this game. And the Celtics led 93-87 with 5:41 left in the 4th. But the Raptors started to comeback. Kemba Walker hit a jumper with 42 seconds left to put the Celtics up 3. The Celtics forced a final stop, and they won 102-99. They lead 2-0 in this series.
Offensively the Celtics were solid as they shot 42% from the field and 40% from 3. Boston was also 23/25 from the free throw line. The Celtics turned the ball over 17 times. Boston also had just 24 points in the paint.
Defensively the Celtics were great as Toronto shot 40% from the field and 28% from 3. Toronto was also 16/19 from the free throw line. The Celtics forced 12 turnovers. The Celtics also allowed 42 points in the paint.
Jayson Tatum had a playoff career-high 34 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists. Marcus Smart had 19 points. Kemba Walker had 17 points and 6 rebounds. Jaylen Brown added 16 points and 8 rebounds. Robert Williams had 11 points as well.
Conclusion
While the Celtics played considerably worse in Game 2 than they did in Game 1, their star-power willed them to a win. Marcus Smart was the sole reason that the Celtics were in this game as he hit 5 big 3-pointers in the 4th. Jayson Tatum was great throughout. But Kemba Walker had 15 points in the 2nd half as he just kept shooting. Even though he was struggling from the floor, he kept shooting and he hit the dagger shot. The Celtics defense was great in the 4th as they allowed just 21 points in the 4th. Boston has not allowed the Raptors over 100 points so far in this series. So Boston has it going on both ends of the floor as well as that ‘it’ factor to win games late. The Celtics are 6-0 in the playoffs as they look unstoppable. And call me crazy, but I think that they can keep this up not only in this series and throughout the rest of the playoffs.
Toronto Raptors
The Raptors lost their 2nd game in the 2nd round of the playoffs. Here is what I thought about their performance.
After getting smacked in Game 1, I expected the Raptors to come out with a little bit more fire-power. And they did, which wasn’t very surprising. The game was very close in the 1st half, but the Raptors never really put this game away. They let the Celtics hang with them, and now they would have to fight down to the wire with Boston, who are very good in late game situations. But the Raptors controlled the 3rd with a large run, and they led by 8 entering the 4th. At this point I thought that the Raptors were going to win. They were clicking on both ends of the floor. But, they blew it. Marcus Smart hit 5 3-pointers and the Raptors shut down on both ends. They seemed to lost all their energy simultaneously. They tried to comeback, but they just put themselves in too much of a hole. They lost 102-99, and now they trail 0-2 in this series.
Offensively the Raptors were sub-par as they shot 40% from the field and 28% from 3. Toronto was also 16/19 from the free throw line. The Raptors turned the ball over 12 times. Toronto also had 42 points in the paint.
Defensively the Raptors were poor as Boston shot 42% from the field and 40% from 3. The Celtics were also 23/25 from the free throw line. The Raptors forced 17 turnovers. The Raptors allowed just 24 points in the paint.
OG Anunoby had 20 points and 7 rebounds. Fred VanVleet had 19 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists. Pascal Siakam had 17 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists. Serge Ibaka added 17 points and 9 rebounds. Kyle Lowry had 16 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists as well.
Conclusion
While the Raptors played much better than they played in Game 1, their biggest flaw was exposed during the last part of Game 2. Star-power. Siakam is obviously a emerging player in the NBA, but he is not a get a bucket type of player. He has been much more quiet in this series than he was during the season. Now with a real superstar like Kawhi Leonard, you can’t get a score when you need it the most. And it showed. Sure lots of guys scored in double-figures, but at the end of the day the Celtics had 3 guys who can create their own shot late. The Raptors have guys who are capable, but they aren’t proven yet. So if there are any more close games in this series, the Raptors are at the immediate disadvantage. The Raptors haven’t looked right during this series, and now we’ll see how the respond in Game 3 with their backs against the wall.
Utah Jazz
The Jazz lost their 7th game in the playoffs. Here is what I thought about their performance.
After a very compelling series between the Jazz and Nuggets has been highlighted by the Murray vs Mitchell matchup. But it all came down to this. The Jazz led 3-1 but the Nuggets had fought back to force Game 7. And the Jazz didn’t start well. Their offense and defense were sluggish and they trailed by 14 at halftime. But Donovan Mitchell didn’t want to let go. The Jazz outscored the Nuggets 24-15 in the 3rd and they cut the lead to 5 entering the 4th. And the Jazz took a 68-65 lead with 8:06 left. It looked like they were going to win. But as the game slowed down, the Jazz slowed down on offense as well. After a Nikola Jokic score, the Jazz trailed 80-78. What happens next is crazy. With 17 seconds left, the Jazz had the ball with the chance to tie or win. But Donovan Mitchell turned it over. The Nuggets pushed the ball down the court, but missed the layup. The Jazz had the ball with 5 seconds left and no timeouts. The ball got to Mike Conley for 3, and it went in and out. The Jazz lost 80-78, and lost the series 4-3.
Offensively the Jazz were ok as they shot 38% from the field and 24% from 3. Utah was also 10/15 from the free throw line. Utah had 10 offensive rebounds. The Jazz turned the ball over 12 turnovers. The Jazz also had 42 points in the paint.
Defensively the Jazz were solid as the Nuggets shot 37% from the field and 26% from 3. Denver was also 10/13 from the free throw line. The Jazz forced 10 turnovers. Utah also allowed just 28 points in the paint.
Donovan Mitchell had 22 points and 9 rebounds. Rudy Gobert had 19 points and 18 rebounds. Jordan Clarkson added 10 points.
Conclusion
The Jazz played their hearts out in this game. After trailing by 14 entering the 2nd half, the Jazz and Donovan Mitchell never backed down. You can’t really say much more. Their shot at a win was half-way down and out. You have to give credit to the Jazz for fighting the way they did being undermanned without Bojan Bogdanovic.
Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets won their 7th game in the playoffs. Here is what I thought about their performance.
After falling behind 3-1 in this series, Jamal Murray fought back with a historic stretch of scoring and now the Nuggets had a chance to win in Game 7. The Nuggets were all too familiar to Game 7’s as they played two last season, one ending very poorly. The Nuggets had 48 minutes to leave it all out there and win this game. And the Nuggets came out strong they scored 50 points in the 1st half and led by 14. Then they seemed to relax. Too much. They scored just 15 points in the 3rd and their lead was just 5. And then they didn’t score for the first 4-5 minutes of the 4th and they trailed. When all seemed lost, the Nuggets recollected themselves. Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic had some big shots down the stretch. Nikola Jokic scored in the paint with 27 seconds left. With 17 seconds left, the Nuggets forced a turnover. But then they foolishly raced down the floor and tried to score. But they missed an easy layup. The Jazz got the ball to Mike Conley down the floor with a chance to win. The ball went in, and out. The Nuggets survived 80-78 and they came back from a 3-1 series deficit and winning this series.
Offensively the Nuggets were solid as they shot 37% from the field and 26% from 3. Denver was also 10/13 from the free throw line. The Nuggets turned the ball over 10 times. Denver also had just 28 points in the paint.
Defensively the Nuggets were sup-par as the Jazz shot 38% from the field and 24% from 3. Utah was also 10/15 from the free throw line. The Nuggets allowed 10 offensive rebounds. The Nuggets forced 12 turnovers. Denver also allowed 42 points in the paint.
Nikola Jokic had 30 points and 13 rebounds. Jamal Murray had 17 points. Michael Porter Jr. had 10 points and 9 rebounds.
Conclusion
Similar to the Nuggets, the offense slowed down. Jamal Murray was held in check and didn’t look the same as he had in games prior. But him and Jokic really willed the Nuggets to a win. The Nuggets now have to find some rest and get as much energy as they can as they face the Clippers in just two days to start their 2nd round series.
What Are Your Thoughts From Day 13? Leave A Comment Down Below!
My Thoughts On Some Topics From Day 13 Will Be Posted Tomorrow, So Stay Tuned!
Follow My Instagram To Never Miss A Post: @hoopnotions
