Playoffs Day 16 And the Bucks Are Done! 9.4.20
It’s Day 16 of the NBA Playoffs as we have two games on the schedule today, including Game 1 of the Lakers vs Rockets series.
It’s Day 16 of the NBA Playoffs as we have two games on the schedule today, including Game 1 of the Lakers vs Rockets series.
Montrezl Harrell was named the 6th Man of the Year. Harrell was very deserving of the award as he looks to help the Clippers win a title this season.
Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks lost Game 3 against the Heat. Here is what I thought about their performance.
After losing the first two games, the Bucks needed a win to stay alive and stay competitive in this series. But they would need to play a lot better in order to beat a very good Heat team. And the Bucks were playing well. Their defense was the best it had been in the series and they continually held a double-digit lead in this game. But in the 3rd the Bucks had to keep staving off the Heat as they made comeback attempts. The Bucks held a 12-point lead entering the 4th and it looked like they were going to get the win. But they collapsed. They scored just 13 points in the 4th and they allowed 40 as they lost 115-100. The Bucks now trail 0-3 in this series.
Offensively the Bucks were ok as they shot 42% from the field and 30% from 3. The Bucks were also 15/21 from the free throw line. Milwaukee turned the ball over 10 times. The Bucks also had 38 points in the paint.
Defensively the Bucks were bad as Miami shot 45% from the field and 38% from 3. Miami was also 27/34 from the free throw line. Milwaukee forced 11 turnovers. The Bucks also allowed just 28 points down low.
Brook Lopez had 22 points and 6 rebounds. Giannis had 21 points, 16 rebounds, and 9 assists. Khris Middleton had 18 points and 7 assists. George Hill had 13 points off the bench. Donte DiVincenzo added 10 points.
Conclusion
The Bucks have not looked the same in this series as they continue to allow the Heat to dominate them. The Bucks have refused to move away from their system on both ends and the Heat are taking advantage. And the Bucks played very well through 3 quarters. But while they coasted through the 4th, the Heat pushed. And when they needed scores and stops, they didn’t do either as they scored just 13 points and allowed 40. One of the worst quarters we’ve seen from the Bucks and now with their season likely over, it might be time that they make some serious changes to the team.
Miami Heat
The Heat won Game 3 against the Bucks. Here is what I thought about their performance.
The Heat have played perfect basketball so far in this series and they looked to firmly end the series with a Game 3 win. Erik Spoelstra had perfectly used the Heat’s roster to contain Giannis and the Bucks, and they looked to repeat their efforts in Game 3. But the Heat weren’t the same team to start. The Bucks controlled the first 3 quarters of this game and the Heat trailed by 12 entering the 4th. They would need a near-perfect quarter in order to win. And they did just that. The Heat exploded for 40 points in the 4th while holding Milwaukee to just 13 points. Outscored the Bucks by 27 in the 4th, the Heat won 115-100. They take a 3-0 series lead.
Offensively the Heat were great as they shot 45% from the field and 38% from 3. Miami was also 27/34 from the free throw line. The Heat turned the ball over 11 times. The Heat had just 28 points in the paint.
Defensively the Heat were good as Milwaukee shot 42% from the field and 30% from 3. Milwaukee was also 15/21 from the free throw line. The Heat forced 10 turnovers. The Heat allowed 38 points in the paint.
Jimmy Butler had 30 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists. Bam Adebayo had 20 points and 16 rebounds. Jae Crowder had 17 points and 5 assists. Goran Dragic added 15 points and 5 rebounds. Tyler Herro had 13 points and 9 rebounds off the bench.
Conclusion
The Heat have played excellent in this series. Erik Spoelstra has his team playing great on both ends. Jimmy Butler has been great in this series, and other guys have been great. Tyler Herro, Goran Dragic and Bam Adebayo along with Jae Crowder have been huge in this series. But this game impressed me the most about the Heat. Without Kelly Olynyk, a key defender down low against Giannis, I thought that Giannis would dominate. And for a stretch he did. But the Heat tightened down on their defense and their offense continued to torch the Bucks from 3 as they hit 18 3-pointers. The Heat have essentially won this series and look for the sweep in Game 4. It becomes nearly impossible for the Heat to lose this series after this series they look to advance to the Finals for the first time in 6 years.
Houston Rockets
The Rockets won Game 1 against the Lakers. Here is what I thought about their performance.
After a tough 7 games series vs the Thunder, the Rockets had a quick turn-around to face the #1 seeded, well-rested Lakers. I expected the Rockets to give the Lakers problems, but they would run out of gas similar to the Nuggets yesterday. That was not the case. James Harden controlled all night long as they offense tore through the Lakers all night long. But their defense was great as they didn’t give the Lakers anything easy. The Rockets never really trailed in the 2nd half as they won 112-97. The Rockets lead 1-0 in this series.
Offensively the Rockets were great as they shot 48% from the field and 36% from 3. Houston was also 20/27 from the free throw line. The Rockets turned the ball over 14 times. Houston also had 40 points in the paint.
Defensively the Rockets were good as LA shot 42% from the field and 28% from 3. LA was also 16/19 from the free throw line. The Rockets allowed 10 offensive rebounds. Houston forced 15 turnovers. Houston also allowed 40 points in the paint.
James Harden had 36 points and 5 assists while shooting 60% from 3. Russell Westbrook had 24 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists. Eric Gordon added 23 points. Austin Rivers had 10 points off the bench.
Conclusion
The Rockets played with so much more energy than the Lakers, and you get the feeling that the Rockets wanted it more. The Rockets looked great on both ends of the floor and what was great was that they had the same amount of rebounds as LA and they had more points in the paint. The Rockets didn’t allow Lebron and AD to get going and get anything easy, and the Lakers weren’t making their shots. If the Rockets can repeat this effort throughout the rest of the series, they will have a great chance to upset the Lakers.
LA Lakers
The Lakers lost Game 1 against the Rockets. Here is what I thought about their performance.
After beating the Blazers in the 1st round, the Lakers had a long time to rest and get ready for the 2nd round. Sure they didn’t know who they were playing until almost the late minute, but they should have the huge advantage against the Rockets. But it sure didn’t look like it. The Lakers looked sluggish and slow from the get-go and let the Rockets dominate the game on both ends. AD and Lebron never really dominated and they didn’t get much help. Pair that with poor defense on James Harden and the Rockets hitting 14 3-pointers, it became easy for the Rockets. The Lakers lost 112-97 and they trail 0-1 in this series.
Offensively the Lakers were ok as they shot 42% from the field and 28% from 3. LA was also 16/19 from the free throw line. LA had 10 offensive rebounds. The Lakers turned the ball over 15 times. LA also had just 40 points in the paint.
Defensively the Lakers were terrible as Houston shot 48% from the field and 36% from 3. Houston was also 20/27 from the free throw line. LA forced 14 turnovers. The Lakers allowed 42 points down low.
Anthony Davis had 25 points and 14 rebounds. Lebron James had 20 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists. Alex Caruso had 14 points off the bench. Danny Green added 10 points.
Conclusion
This type of performance from LA is absolutely unacceptable. Not the losing, but the way that they played. They came out like they just fought in a 7-game series, not Houston. They’ve had days to rest and should have easily powered through this Rockets team. Instead they played very slow and they looked out of it. Of course this was just one game, but we’ll see what the Lakers bring in Game 2.
What Are Your Thoughts From Day 16 of the Playoffs? Leave A Comment Down Below!
My Thoughts On Some Topics From Day 16 of the Playoffs Will Be Posted Tomorrow, So Stay Tuned!
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