Playoffs Day 26 As The Clippers Choke Again! 9.15.20
It’s Day 26 of the Playoffs and we have two games today, ft. Game 7 between the Clippers and the Nuggets.
It’s Day 26 of the Playoffs and we have two games today, ft. Game 7 between the Clippers and the Nuggets.
Miami Heat
The Heat won Game 1 against the Celtics. Here is what I thought about their performance.
After beating the #1 seeded Milwaukee Bucks, the Heat looked to do some more damage against the Celtics. The Heat would have a very tough series against a very good Boston team. And this game was a thriller. The Heat fell behind early, but tied the game at halftime behind hot 3-point shooting. But the Heat got outscored by 12 in the 3rd, and it looked grim entering the 4th. But the Heat would not go away. Tyler Herro made a 3 with 1:02 left to cut the lead to two, 105-103. Jimmy Butler hit the game-leading 3 with 22.0 seconds left to give the Heat a 116-115 lead. But the Heat fouled, and Jayson Tatum tied the game at the line. The Heat got lucky as Jayson Tatum missed at the buzzer, and we were headed to OT. The Heat fell behind by 4 early, but scored 7 straight to take the lead. But the Heat lost the lead with 24 seconds left as Kemba Walker scored. Now trailed by 1, the Heat gave the ball to Jimmy Butler. And Butler hit an and-one to give the Heat a 116-114 lead. When Jayson Tatum drove the ball on the following possession, he was met at the rim by Bam Adebayo. Adebayo hit 1/2 free throws to give the Heat a 3-point lead. Jayson Tatum missed, and the Heat won Game 1.
Offensively the Heat were great as they shot 47% from the field and 44% from 3. Miami was also 21/28 from the free throw line. Miami had just 12 turnovers. The Heat also had 46 points in the paint.
Defensively the Heat were solid as Boston shot 44% from the field and 36% from 3. Boston was also 21/23 from the free throw line. The Heat forced 10 turnovers. The Heat allowed just 26 points in the paint.
Goran Dragic had 29 points and 7 rebounds. Jae Crowder had 22 points and 5 rebounds. Jimmy Butler added 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists. Bam Adebayo had 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 9 assists as well. Tyler Herro had 12 points, 11 rebounds, and 9 assists off the bench.
Conclusion
The Heat were down a lot during this game, but they never backed down. They had a great 1st half offensively and were able to stay in the game. The Heat trailed by 12 entering the 4th, but they never backed down. Their defense tightened down on the Celtics, and they made some big shots. Jimmy Butler and Bam were huge in OT, and the Heat came up with a great, gutsy Game 1 win. The Heat’s depth really helped them today, and they will need the same production in Game 2 in order to win.
Boston Celtics
The Celtics lost Game 1 against the Heat. Here is what I thought about their performance.
After a tough series vs the defending champs, the Celtics were now in their 3rd Eastern Conference Finals in the last 4 seasons. This would be another tough series vs the Heat, but the Celtics would make it very tough on Miami. And this game was a sample of the series, a tough one. The Celtics started off very hot, using Tatum’s big 1st half as fuel. But the Heat battled back to tie the game at halftime. The Celtics had a great 3rd quarter, and they outscored the Heat by 12. It looked to be Boston’s to lose. And they fumbled the lead late. They allowed 3’s from Herro and Butler and the Heat took a 106-105 lead late. But Marcus Smart drew a foul before the ball was inbounded, and the Celtics tied the game. Jayson Tatum got a great look for the win, but he missed it. So we were going to OT. The Celtics started the 4th off well, leading by 4. But it all went south from there. The Heat scored 7 straight to take a 3 point lead. Kemba Walker scored with 23.6 seconds left to give the Celtics a 114-113 lead. But Jimmy Butler hit an and-one to give the Heat a 2-point lead. Jayson Tatum tried to give the Celtics the win with a drive, but he was blocked by Bam Adebayo at the rim. Adebayo hit 1/2 free throws and the Heat led by 3. Tatum got good look, but he missed and Boston lost. The Celtics trail 0-1 in the series.
Offensively the Celtics were good as they shot 44% from the field and 36% from 3. Boston was also 21/23 from the free throw line. The Celtics had 10 turnovers. The Celtics also had just 26 points in the paint.
Defensively the Celtics were poor as Miami shot 47% from the field an 44% from 3. Miami was also 21/28 from the free throw line. The Celtics forced 12 turnovers. The Celtics allowed 46 points down low.
Jayson Tatum had 30 points, 14 rebounds, and 5 assists. Marcus Smart had 26 points. Kemba Walker had 19 points and 6 assists. Jaylen Brown added 17 points and 5 rebounds. Brad Wanamaker had 11 points and 6 assists off the bench.
Conclusion
The Celtics had this game at hand, and they blew multiple leads. In the first half, they let the Heat back into the game. They held a 12 point lead in the 4th quarter, but they let the Heat back into it. They led by 4 in OT, and by 1 with 24 seconds left. The Celtics just couldn’t close it out. Boston was making tough shots, but their defense let up too much. I would be disappointed if I was Boston, because this game was there. The Celtics need to win Game 2 in order to stay in this series.
Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets won Game 7 against the Clippers. Here is what I thought about their performance.
After falling behind 3-1, the Nuggets have been in full control of the series. They have comeback from everything and now have the Clippers on the ropes. A win would advance the Nuggets to the Western Conference Finals, their first time making it in over 10 years. And the Nuggets did it again. Denver trailed by 12 in the 1st half but Jamal Murray scored 25 points in the 1st half to keep Denver in it. And then, the Clippers collapsed. Nikola Jokic tore through the Clippers defense with pass after pass, and the Nuggets outscored LA 50-33 in the 2nd half. The Nuggets won 104-89, and they win the series 4-3.
Offensively the Nuggets were great as they shot 49% from the field and 35% from 3. Denver was also 15/16 from the free throw line. Denver had 11 offensive rebounds. The Nuggets had 20 turnovers. Denver also had 38 points in the paint.
Defensively the Nuggets were great as well as LA shot 38% from the field and 26% from 3. LA was also 12/16 from the free throw line. The Nuggets allowed 12 offensive rebounds. Denver forced 10 turnovers. Denver also allowed 44 points down low.
Jamal Murray had 40 points and 5 assists. Nikola Jokic had 16 points, 22 rebounds, and 13 assists. Jerami Grant added 14 points and 5 rebounds. Gary Harris had 14 points and 6 rebounds as well.
Conclusion
What can you say, really? The Nuggets become the first team ever to come back from two 3-1 deficits in the same postseason. Jokic gave the Clippers fits and the Nuggets defense made the Clippers look like toddlers on the basketball floor. The Nuggets advance to the Western Conference Finals where they will play the Lakers, and because the Nuggets never go away, it’ll be a very good series.
LA Clippers
The Clippers lose Game 7 against the Nuggets. Here is what I thought about their performance.
I picked the Clippers to win the title. My only problem was their energy and arrogance at times. After leading the series 3-1, I thought it was over. Everybody except Denver believed it was over. LA vs LA in the Western Conference Finals. Yeah, about that. The Clippers came out in the first half and took a 12-point lead. But Jamal Murray had 25 in the first half and the Nuggets were still in it. And right on time, the daily Clippers collapse. The Clippers scored just 33 points in the 2nd half as they lost all of their talent, not so far off from Space Jam. LA lost 104-89, and they have been eliminated.
Conclusion
I’m not going over stats, and what-not. No real point. The Clippers were arrogant, they felt like it was over before it really was. And they didn’t seem to grasp the concept of a Game 7. Nikola Jokic killed them all night long, and they allowed Jamal Murray to get going. Kawhi and Paul George choked. The Clippers end the season prematurely, and now the Clippers have to wait a year in order to win. The best roster in the league with the best player, Kawhi Leonard. 2nd round exit. Hopefully Dame and CJ have some tickets to Cancun for PG-13 and Pat Beverley because the Clippers gone fishin’.
What Are Your Thoughts From Day 26? Leave A Comment Down Below!
My Thoughts On Some Topics From Day 26 Will Be Posted Tomorrow, So Stay Tuned!
