Playoffs Day 18 And Who Needs The MVP? 9.6.20
It’s Day 18 of the NBA Playoffs and we have two games today, ft. Game 2 between the Lakers and the Rockets.
It’s Day 18 of the NBA Playoffs and we have two games today, ft. Game 2 between the Lakers and the Rockets.
Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks won Game 4 against the Heat. Here is what I thought about their performance.
After losing the first 3 games in this series, the Bucks found themselves in a deep hole. But they believed that they could comeback, but they would need to play very well in order to beat this very good Heat team. And while the Bucks looked good in the first half, it looked like they wouldn’t win this game. Giannis started the game 8/10 from the field with 19 points. But he hurt that same ankle he hurt in Game 3 and left the game in the 2nd quarter. He did not return to the game. But without Giannis, the Bucks continued to fight. But they trailed by 3 entering the 4th. But it looked like they would lose as they trailed 107-106 with 58.6 seconds left. With 9 seconds left, the Bucks still trailed by 1. Donte DiVincenzo got fouled and hit 1/2 free throws to tie the game. The game would go into OT. And the Bucks led 113-109 with 45.3 seconds left, in a prime position to win. But after a 3, the lead was cut to one with 30.1 seconds left. But Khris Middleton hit a big 3 with 6.9 seconds left to give the Bucks a 116-112 lead. But the game was not over. Tyler Herro hit a 3 with 3.0 seconds left to cut the lead to one again, 116-115. Khris Middleton hit 2/2 free throws to give the Bucks a 118-115, and they held on to win. The series is now 3-1 in favor of Miami.
Offensively great as they shot 49% from the field and 31% from 3. Milwaukee was also 17/22 from the free throw line. The Bucks had 12 turnovers. Milwaukee also had 50 points in the paint.
Defensively the Bucks were sub-par as Miami shot 44% from the field and 36% from 3. Miami was also 18/20 from the free throw line. Milwaukee forced 15 turnovers. The Bucks also allowed 40 points down low.
Khris Middleton had 36 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists. Giannis had 19 points in 11 minutes. Eric Bledsoe added 14 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists. Brook Lopez had 14 points and 5 rebounds. George Hill and Donte DiVincenzo were also in double-figures.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, a win is a win. A win is all the Bucks needed, and they got it. Sure it wasn’t normal or pretty, but their season is still alive. When Giannis went out, other guys got more aggressive and they made shots. If Giannis returns during this series, they should look to keep that aggressiveness. Anyway, Khris Middleton finally looked like an All-Star and the Bucks finally played great defense late. The Bucks now get some momentum and confidence as they look to win Game 5 and extend the series.
Miami Heat
The Heat lost Game 4 against the Bucks. Here is what I thought about their performance.
After winning the first 3 games of this series, I expected the Bucks to win Game 4 and complete the sweep. They had completely dominated the Bucks thus far, what’s another game to them? And when Giannis went out in the 1st half, the Heat had their names in the Eastern Conference. Or, did they? The Heat were never able to shake free of the MVP-less Bucks. The game remained close and after giving Donte DiVincenzo free throws late, the game went into OT. And in OT the Heat struggled on offense. Tyler Herro was the only guy making shots as he made 2 3-pointers that kept Miami in the game. But after a Middleton dagger 3 and some free throws, the Heat lost 118-115. Miami still leads 3-1 in the series.
Offensively the Heat were good as they shot 44% from the field and 36% from 3. Miami was also 18/20 from the free throw line. Miami turned the ball over 15 times. The Heat also had 40 points in the paint.
Defensively the Heat were poor as Milwaukee shot 49% from the field and 31% from 3. Milwaukee was also 17/22 from the free throw line. Miami forced 12 turnovers. The Heat allowed 50 points in the paint.
Bam Adebayo had 26 points, 12 rebounds, and 8 assists. Duncan Robinson had 20 points and 5 rebounds. Jae Crowder had 18 points and 5 rebounds. Goran Dragic added 17 points and 8 rebounds. Jimmy Butler had 17 points and 5 rebounds as well. Tyler Herro had 11 points off the bench.
Conclusion
This was by far the Heat’s worst game of this series as they were never able to get away from the Bucks. Their offense stalled late and Tyler Herro was the only reason they were in the game. But maybe the loss can be a positive for the Heat as after starting the postseason 7-0, they might have relaxed or gotten complacent, which is not unusual. We’ll see how the Heat respond in Game 5 with another chance to end the series.
Houston Rockets
The Rockets lost Game 2 against the Lakers. Here is what I thought about their performance.
After a great game 1 performance, the Rockets looked to replicate that with another win in Game 2. Already leading 1-0, a Game 2 win would be big. But the Rockets were not as effective in the 1st half. The Lakers were flying around on defense as they overwhelmed the Rockets. And Houston could not defend James, Davis and Markieff Morris. The Rockets trailed by 16 at half and the Rockets would need to chance in order to comeback. And they did just that as Houston scored 41 points in the 3rd fueled by their 3-PT shooting as they made 9 of them. The Rockets led by 2 entering the 4th. But the Lakers turned up the intensity as Houston scored just 17 points in the 4th. Houston lost 117-109. The series is tied 1-1.
Offensively the Rockets were great as they shot 45% from the field and 42% from 3. Houston was also 17/23 from the free throw line. Houston had 17 turnovers. The Rockets had just 24 points in the paint.
Defensively the Rockets were terrible as the Lakers shot 57% from the field and 44% from 3. LA was also 11/18 from the free throw line. The Rockets forced 15 turnovers. The Rockets also allowed 54 points in the paint.
James Harden had 27 points and 7 assists. Eric Gordon had 24 points. PJ Tucker had 18 points and 10 rebounds. Robert Covington added 17 points. Danuel House had 13 points and 5 rebounds. Russell Westbrook had 10 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 assists.
Conclusion
The Rockets were not able to handle the Lakers pressure as they turned the ball over 17 times. And they couldn’t stop AD and Lebron down low, which was expected, but they allowed other guys to be more effective than they can allow. The Rockets have to limit the Lakers to just Lebron and AD, nobody else. If not, they will likely lose. And back to the offense, it looks like Westbrook is out of place in the offense. He can’t shoot so he doesn’t draw any attention, and it becomes easier for the Lakers to guard Houston. Either Westbrook has to make his 3’s (likely won’t happen) or they have to play him less. We’ll see what adjustments the Rockets make in Game 3.
LA Lakers
The Lakers won Game 2 against the Rockets. Here is what I thought about their performance.
After a bad Game 1, the Lakers needed to rebound in order to tie this series up. If not, they would be in trouble. And the Lakers looked like they had their backs against the wall. That 1st half was great as they forced turnovers and got out in the open floor. AD and Lebron were dominant along with Markieff Morris turning into Klay Thompson from 3. The Lakers looked like they were going to run away with this game as they led by 16 at halftime. But they crumbled in the 3rd as they allowed 41 points in the 3rd and they trailed by 2 entering the 4th. But Lebron wasn’t losing as he and AD dominated the 4th as the Lakers outscored Houston by 10 in the 4th. The Lakers won 117-109 as they have now tied the series 1-1.
Offensively the Lakers were great as they shot 57% from the field and 44% from 3. LA was also 12/18 from the free throw line. The Lakers turned the ball over 15 times. The Lakers also had 54 points in the paint.
Defensively the Lakers were solid as Houston shot 45% from the field and 42% from 3. Houston was also 17/23 from the free throw line. The Lakers forced 17 turnovers. The Lakers also allowed just 24 points down low.
Anthony Davis had 34 points and 10 rebounds. Lebron James had 28 points, 11 rebounds, and 9 assists. Markieff Morris had 16 points and 5 rebounds off the bench. Kyle Kuzma had 13 points and 6 rebounds off the bench as well. Rajon Rondo added 10 points and 9 assists.
Conclusion
Did I call it? After Game 1 I said the Lakers had to dominate down low and give the ball to Lebron and AD. And what happened? Exactly that. Lebron and AD dominated all night long and the Lakers hit their 3’s at the best they’ve been in a while. Markieff Morris, Kuzma, and Rondo were also great off the bench. The Lakers defense was great in the 1st half and in the 4th as they only had the 3rd quarter letdown. Look for more of this Lakers’ intensity during Game 3 and look for more of that on offense from LA.
What Are Your Thoughts From Day 18 of the Playoffs? Leave A Comment Down Below!
My Thoughts On Some Topics From Day 18 Will Be Posted Tomorrow, So Stay Tuned!
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