Playoffs Day 20 And The Bucks Are Out! 9.8.20
It’s Day 20 of the NBA Playoffs and we have two games today ft. Game 3 between the Lakers and Rockets.
It’s Day 20 of the NBA Playoffs and we have two games today ft. Game 3 between the Lakers and Rockets.
The All-Defensive Team Were Announced:
All-Defensive 1st Team:
Giannis Antetokounmpo: Milwaukee Bucks (DPOY)
Anthony Davis: LA Lakers
Rudy Gobert: Utah Jazz
Marcus Smart: Boston Celtics
Ben Simmons: Philadelphia 76ers
All-Defensive 2nd Team:
Bam Adebayo: Miami Heat
Patrick Beverley: LA Clippers
Eric Bledsoe: Milwaukee Bucks
Kawhi Leonard: LA Clippers
Brook Lopez: Milwaukee Bucks
Billy Donovan and the OKC Thunder have mutually agreed to part way after 5 season. Possible landing spots for Donovan include Chicago and New Orleans.
Miami Heat
The Heat won Game 5 against the Bucks. Here is what I thought about their performance.
After losing Game 4, the Heat still led 3-1 in the series. The 2x MVP and DPOY Giannis Antetokounmpo was not going to be playing, so the Heat would likely be ending the series in 5 games. And while the Bucks would put up a good fight, the Heat would prevail. And that is exactly what happened. The Bucks were fighting, but it seemed inevitable that the Heat would win. The Heat held the Bucks scoreless for half of the 3rd quarter and built a sizeable lead. The Heat hit their free throws late, and they won 103-94. The Heat win the series 4-1 and advance to their first Eastern Conference Finals since 2014.
Offensively the Heat were great as they shot 48% from the field and 36% from 3. Miami was also 22/24 from the free throw line. The Heat had 21 turnovers. Miami also had 32 points in the paint.
Defensively the Heat were excellent as Milwaukee shot 37% from the field and 27% from 3. Milwaukee was also 19/26 from the free throw line. The Heat allowed 12 offensive rebounds. The Heat forced 12 turnovers. Miami allowed just 36 points down low.
Jimmy Butler had 17 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists. Goran Dragic had 17 points. Jae Crowder had 16 points and 6 rebounds. Tyler Herro had 14 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists off the bench. Bam Adebayo and Kelly Olynyk were also in double-figures.
Conclusion
The Heat took care of business as they didn’t allow the Bucks to hand around any longer. The Heat defense was again great as they didn’t allow the Bucks much of anything on offense. The Heat also got great contributions on offense. Tyler Herro finished a great series with an all-around performance, Olynyk, Dragic, and Crowder were also great. The Heat now advance to the Eastern Conference Finals where they are going to be a very tough team to beat.
Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks lost Game 5 against the Heat. Here is what I thought about their performance.
The Bucks have struggled mightily in this series, and after a surprising win, they looked to extend the series a little more. It would be tough against a great Miami team and without Giannis. And the Bucks got what was coming. If Game 4 was a folk tale, then Game 5 was reality. The Bucks struggled on offense and they were never able to get back into the game. They didn’t score for 1/2 of the 3rd quarter and they couldn’t get back into it. The Bucks fell short 4-1 in this series, and it ends another disappointing season.
Offensively the Bucks struggled as they shot 37% from the field and 27% from 3. Milwaukee was also 19/26 from the free throw line. The Bucks had 12 offensive rebounds. The Bucks turned the ball over 12 times. Milwaukee had just 36 points in the paint.
Defensively the Bucks were terrible as Miami shot 48% from the field and 36% from 3. Miami was also 22/24 from the free throw line. The Bucks forced 21 turnovers. The Bucks also allowed just 32 points in the paint.
Khris Middleton had 23 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists. Donte DiVincenzo had 17 points. Brook Lopez had 15 points and 12 rebounds. Wesley Matthews and Marvin Williams were also in double figures.
Conclusion
As I’ve said, the Bucks deserved this. It’s not on the players at all. This all Mike Budenholzer’s fault. His rotations were bad. He treated Giannis in the wrong way. Made no adjustments. If Budenholzer isn’t fired, the Bucks won’t win it all next season. Expect changes from the Bucks this off-season to win a title, or more importantly keep Giannis from leaving.
LA Lakers
The Lakers won Game 3 against the Rockets. Here is what I thought about their performance.
After a great Game 2 performance, the Lakers looked to do it again in Game 3 in order to take a 2-1 series lead. Lebron and AD would need another great night and they would need some help in order to win. But most importantly, they would need a great defensive night for the win. The 1st half was high scoring and close as it looked like anybody’s game. But in the 2nd half the Lakers ran away as they allowed just 38 points in the 2nd half. The Lakers won 112-102 and they take a 2-1 series lead.
Offensively the Lakers were great as they shot 55% from the field and 33% from 3. LA was also 16/23 from the free throw line. The Lakers forced 13 turnovers. The Lakers had 54 points down low.
Defensively the Lakers were ok as Houston shot 47% from the field and 40% from 3. Houston was also 14/14 from the free throw line. The Lakers forced 9 turnovers. The Lakers also allowed 44 points down low.
Lebron James had 36 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists. Anthony Davis had 26 points, 15 rebounds, and 6 assists. Rajon Rondo had 21 points and 9 assists off the bench. Kyle Kuzma added 14 points.
Conclusion
The Lakers played another great game as their defense was great in the 2nd half. They didn’t allow many open shots and they forced turnovers. Lebron and AD played like Lebron and AD again, but they found help from Rondo who turned back into Celtics Rondo. Kuzma was also solid. The Lakers look very good again as they seemed locked in. If the Lakers continue this, they will likely win the series in 5 games.
Houston Rockets
The Rockets lost Game 3 against the Lakers. Here is what I thought about their performance.
After a disappointing Game 2 loss, the Rockets needed a Game 3 win in order to regain the series lead. In order to win, they needed big games from James Harden and Russell Westbrook, as well as somehow containing Lebron and AD. And the first half favored Houston as it was high-scoring and didn’t feature much defense. But in the 2nd half the Rockets felt the Lakers pressure as they scored just 38 points in the 2nd half. The Rockets fell 112-102 and they trail 2-1 in this series.
Offensively the Rockets were great as they shot 47% from the field and 40% from 3. Houston was also 14/14 from the free throw line. The Rockets had 9 turnovers. The Rockets also had 44 points in the paint.
Defensively the Rockets were terrible as they shot 55% from the field and 33% from 3. LA was also 16/23 from the free throw line. The Rockets forced 13 turnovers. The Rockets also allowed 54 points in the paint.
James Harden had 33 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists. Russell Westbrook had 30 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists. Jeff Green had 16 points off the bench. Robert Covington had 10 points and 5 rebounds as well.
Conclusion
Although James Harden and Russell Westbrook played very well, perhaps their best playoff game together, the Rockets fell. Their 2nd half was ugly as their offense stalled and they couldn’t contain the Lakers. The Rockets need better defense as they can’t allow Lebron to have nearly 30 points in a half and allow Rondo to slice through your defense. The Rockets will need a lot of changes on defense in order to turn the tide of this series as they hope to tie the series in Game 4.
What Are Your Thoughts From Day 20 of the Playoffs? Leave A Comment Down Below!
My Thoughts On Some Topics From Day 20 Will Be Posted Tomorrow, So Stay Tuned!
Follow My Instagram To Never Miss A Post: @hoopnotions
