Playoffs Day 17 And The Nuggets Bounce Back! 9.5.10
It’s Day 17 of the NBA Playoffs and we have 2 games ft. Game 4 between the Celtics and Raptors.
It’s Day 17 of the NBA Playoffs and we have 2 games ft. Game 4 between the Celtics and Raptors.
Toronto Raptors
The Raptors won Game 4 against the Celtics. Here is what I thought about their performance.
After a Game 3 victory, the Raptors had some momentum in this series as they looked to tie it up at 2-2. But they would need a good performance to tie this series. And the Raptors were playing very well in this game as the game was tied at 49 at halftime. But the Raptors had a great 3rd quarter as they played great defense and offense. The Raptors led by 8 entering the 4th and they held the lead throughout the 4th. The Raptors held on to win 100-93.
Offensively the Raptors were ok as they shot 40% from the field and 39% from 3. Toronto was also 15/19 from the free throw line. Toronto forced 12 turnovers. Toronto had just 26 points in the paint.
Defensively the Raptors were solid as Boston shot 44% from the field and 20% from 3. Boston was also 20/27 from the free throw line. The Raptors forced 14 turnovers. The Raptors allowed 46 points in the paint.
Pascal Siakam had 23 points and 11 rebounds. Kyle Lowry had 22 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 assists. Serge Ibaka had 18 points and 7 rebounds off the bench. Fred VanVleet added 17 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists. Ob Anunoby had 11 points as well.
Conclusion
The Raptors played great on both ends of the floor in order to win Game 4. Siakam played like a star as he took advantage of his size all-night long. Lowry and VanVleet were great and they got great contributions from Anunoby and Ibaka. But their defense was the real show-stopper. They held the Celtics to just 20% from 3 as they didn’t allow too many open looks. The Raptors have tied this series 2-2 as they have all the momentum and now they have to look and get past the Celtics and take the series lead in Game 5.
Boston Celtics
The Celtics lost Game 4 against the Raptors. Here is what I thought about their performance.
After losing Game 3 against the Raptors, instead of being up 3-0 the Celtics were up 2-1. A win would put the series firmly in their control, but a loss would complicate things. But the Celtics couldn’t get anything doing on offense. Jaylen Brown and the Celtics struggled from 3 as the Raptors smothered Boston. The Celtics were never able to get back into the game late as they lost 100-93. The series is now tied 2-2.
Offensively the Celtics were ok as they shot 44% from the field and 20% from 3. Boston was also 20/27 from the free throw line. Boston turned the ball over 14 times. The Celtics had 46 points in the paint as well.
Defensively the Celtics were good as Toronto shot 40% from the field and 39% from 3. Toronto was also 15/19 from the free throw line. The Celtics forced 12 turnovers. The Celtics allowed just 26 points in the paint.
Jayson Tatum had 24 points and 10 rebounds. Kemba Walker had 15 points and 8 assists. Jaylen Brown had 14 points and 7 rebounds.
Conclusion
The Celtics were fine defensively in this game, but their offense will need to be better. And it starts with their 3-point shooting. Jaylen Brown had so many good looks, and he missed most of them. He and Kemba Walker will have to be better. The Celtics as a team will have to make 3’s in order to make it tough on the Raptors. If they don’t make 3’s, it becomes easier for Toronto to guard them. The Celtics need more offense if they want to win this series.
Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets won Game 2 against the Clippers. Here is what I thought about their performance.
After getting embarrassed in Game 1, the Nuggets needed a win in order to stay alive in this series. Their offense and defense needed a lot of improvement against a very good Clippers team. And they did that. The Nuggets shot 71% from the field in the 1st quarter and they scored 44 points. And the Nuggets held their lead throughout the game, never giving it back. The Nuggets defense was great as they held the Clippers down and the Nuggets hit their shots down the stretch. Denver won 110-101 and the series is tied 1-1.
Offensively the Nuggets were great as they shot 45% from the field and 38% from 3. Denver was also 13/17 from the free throw line. Denver had 14 offensive rebounds. The Nuggets turned the ball over 12 times. The Nuggets had 36 points down low as well.
Defensively the Nuggets were solid as well as LA shot 41% from the field and 30% from 3. LA was also 20/29 from the free throw line. The Nuggets allowed 18 offensive rebounds. The Nuggets forced 17 turnovers. The Nuggets also allowed 48 points in the paint.
Jamal Murray had 27 points and 6 assists. Nikola Jokic had 26 points and 18 rebounds. Gary Harris had 13 points and Paul Millsap had 13 points and 6 rebounds as well. Michael Porter Jr. had 11 points and 7 rebounds off the bench. Monte Morris added 10 points.
Conclusion
The Nuggets looked completely different in this game as they looked infinitely better on both sides of the ball. They scored 44 points in the 1st quarter as they shot 71% from the field. And once their offense got going, they felt confident throughout the rest of the game. And their defense was great as they didn’t allow the Clippers to get anything they wanted. Kawhi struggled all night long as Jerami Grant and Gary Harris did a great job on the perimeter. The Nuggets have now tied this series 1-1 as they look to take Game 3 on Monday and take a 2-1 series lead.
LA Clippers
The Clippers lost Game 2 against the Nuggets. Here is what I thought about their performance.
After a dominating Game 1 victory, many expected the Clippers to do the same thing against an inferior Nuggets team. The Clippers controlled the game on all fronts and their offense and defense looked unbeatable. Yeah, that all didn’t happen in Game 2. The Clippers defense was porous from the get-go as they allowed 44 points in the 1st quarter as Denver shot 41% from the field. And after that, the Clippers were playing from behind. Their offense never got going and they couldn’t stop the Nuggets. LA lost 110-101 and the series is now tied 1-1.
Offensively the Clippers were ok as they shot 41% from the field and 30% from 3. The Clippers were also 20/29 from the free throw line. LA had 18 offensive rebounds. The Clippers had 17 turnovers. The Clippers also had 48 points in the paint.
Defensively the Clippers were poor as Denver shot 45% from the field and 38% from 3. Denver was also 13/17 from the free throw line. LA allowed 14 offensive rebounds. The Clippers forced 12 turnovers. The Clippers also allowed 36 points in the paint.
Paul George had 22 points and 9 rebounds. Ivica Zubac had 15 points and 9 rebounds. Kawhi had 13 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists. Lou Williams had 13 points and 7 assists. Marcus Morris, Montrezl Harrell, and JaMychal Green were also in double figures.
Conclusion
The Clippers looked like a completely different team, in a bad way. The Clippers looked out of it from the start as their defense was the main problem. And when they needed some offense, they didn’t move the ball well. Kawhi and PG weren’t great offensively as the Clippers allowed the Nuggets to control them all night long. The Clippers are now in a tied series 1-1, and they need a Game 3 win to regain the series lead.
What Are Your Thoughts From Day 17 of the Playoffs? Leave A Comment Down Below!
My Thoughts on Some Topics From Day 17 Will Be Posted Tomorrow, So Stay Tuned!
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