Playoffs Day 5, And What Happened To The Nuggets? 8.21.20
We have 4 more games on Day 5 of the NBA Playoffs ft. Clippers vs Mavericks.
We have 4 more games on Day 5 of the NBA Playoffs ft. Clippers vs Mavericks.
Toronto Raptors
The Raptors won their 3rd game in the bubble. Here is what I thought about their performance.
The Raptors already had a 2-0 series lead against the scrappy Nets, but they looked to end the series very quickly. The Raptors have looked very good in this series on both sides of the ball, and looked to continue that in Game 3. And the Raptors dominated from the tip as they won 117-92, taking a 3-0 series lead.
Offensively the Raptors were incredible as they shot 51% from the field and 47% from 3. The Raptors were also 7/11 from the free throw line. The Raptors turned the ball over 14 times. Toronto also had 46 points in the paint.
Defensively the Raptors were excellent as the Nets shot 33% from the field and 31% from 3. Brooklyn was also 16/22 from the free throw line. The Raptors forced 13 turnovers. The Raptors locked down the paint as they only allowed 22 points in the paint.
Pascal Siakam had 26 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists for Toronto. Fred VanVleet had 22 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists. Serge Ibaka had 20 points and 13 rebounds off the bench. Kyle Lowry and Norman Powell were also in double-figures.
Conclusion
The Raptors now lead 3-0 in this series as they have looked very good in this series. Their offense has been great led by VanVleet and Siakam, with the play-making of Lowry. Their defense has also been top-tier as they have made it tough for the Nets. The Raptors look very sharp as they look to end this series with a sweep and advance to the 2nd round.
Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets lost their 3rd game in the bubble. Here is what I thought about their performance.
After their Game 1 victory, the Nuggets got blown out in Game 2. With the series tied at 1-1, the Nuggets needed a win to regain their momentum in the series. Yeah, that didn’t happen. The Nuggets played almost the exact same game as they did in Game 2 and they lost in a wire-to-wire game, losing 124-87. The Nuggets now trailed 1-2 in the series.
Offensively the Nuggets were terrible as they shot 38% from the field and 32% from 3. Denver was also 9/11 from the free throw line. The Nuggets had 15 offensive rebounds. The Nuggets turned the ball over 17 turnovers. Denver only had 30 points in the paint.
Defensively the Nuggets were also horrible as the Jazz shot 51% from the field and 49% from 3. The Jazz were also 20/26 from the free throw line. The Nuggets allowed 13 offensive rebounds. The Nuggets forced 10 turnovers. The Nuggets also allowed 48 points in the paint.
Jamal Murray had 12 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists. Bol Bol had 11 points.
Conclusion
The Nuggets have looked so much worse in games 2 and 3 of this series as they seem to have lost that spark from Game 1. They have not played well as the Jazz have adjusted, and they look like they are in trouble. Without Will Barton and Gary Harris, the Nuggets might be exiting the playoffs very prematurely. The Nuggets will need to turn things around if they want to win this series.
Utah Jazz
The Jazz won their 3rd game in the playoffs. Here is what I thought about their performance.
After winning Game 2 in convincing fashion, the Jazz had tied the series 1-1. But the Jazz would be getting better heading into Game 3 as Mike Conley would be making his Jazz playoff debut. And they looked great with him on the floor. From the tip, the Jazz looked much better than the Nuggets did. Behind Gobert and Conley the Jazz cruised to a 124-87 victory, taking a 2-1 series lead.
Offensively the Jazz were excellent as they shot 51% from the field and 49% from 3. Utah was also 20/26 from the free throw line. The Jazz had 13 offensive rebounds. The Jazz only turned the ball over 10 turnovers. Utah had 48 points in the paint.
Defensively the Jazz were also excellent as the Nuggets shot 38% from the field and 32% from 3. Denver was also 9/11 from the free throw line. The Jazz allowed 16 offensive rebounds. The Jazz forced 17 turnovers. The Jazz only allowed 32 points in the paint.
Mike Conley had 27 points on 7/8 from 3-point range in his first playoff game this season. Rudy Gobert had 24 points and 14 rebounds. Donovan Mitchell added 20 points. Jordan Clarkson and Georges Niang were also in double-figures.
Conclusion
The Jazz have looked much better than they did in Game 1 as in the last two games they have dominated the Nuggets. Now the Jazz take a 2-1 lead and they have Mike Conley back. Mike Conley looks like Grizzlies Mike Conley as he looked very good. Now it becomes a question if the Jazz can keep this up and really put the Nuggets away.
Boston Celtics
The Celtics won their 3rd game in the playoffs. Here is what I thought about their performance.
The Celtics looked dominant in their 1st two wins against the 76ers, and they looked to really demoralize them as they tried to go up 3-0. But it was not going to be that easy. The game was very defensive as neither team could make shots. But the Celtics used their star-power and defense late and they held on to win 102-94. The Celtics now lead 3-0 in this series.
Offensively the Celtics were sub-par as they shot 41% from the field and 26% from 3. Boston was also 22/24 from the free throw line. The Celtics only turned the ball over 10 times. The Celtics had 42 points in the paint.
Defensively the Celtics were excellent as the 76ers shot 30% from the field and 23% from 3. Philadelphia was also 29/34 from the free throw line. The Celtics allowed 20 offensive rebounds. The Celtics forced 12 turnovers. Boston only allowed 32 points in the paint.
Kemba Walker had 24 points and 8 rebounds. Jaylen Brown had 21 points and 7 rebounds. Jayson Tatum had 15 points and 6 rebounds. Marcus Smart added 14 points and 8 rebounds.
Conclusion
The Celtics won a great defensive battle as they now lead 3-0 in the series. Jayson Tatum struggled, but him, Brown, and Walker hit some big shots down the stretch. But the real hero for the Celtics was their defense. They did not let the 76ers get going and while they allowed too many 2nd chance opportunities, they didn’t allow anything easy. The Celtics now look to sweep the 76ers on Sunday.
Philadelphia 76ers
The 76ers lost their 3rd game in the playoffs. Here is what I thought about their performance.
The 76ers have gotten buried so far in this series as they needed a win in Game 3 to stay alive. Joel Embiid has been good but not great in this series, but he hasn’t got much help. But the 76ers would need to lay it all on the line if they wanted to play more basketball. And the 76ers gave it their all for 48 minutes, but their offense stalled in the 4th quarter and they lost 102-94. And the 76ers trail 0-3 in this series.
Offensively the 76ers were horrible as they shot 30% from the field and 23% from 3. The 76ers were also 29/34 from the free throw line. The 76ers had 20 offensive rebounds. Philly had 12 turnovers. Philadelphia only had 32 points in the paint.
Defensively the 76ers were sub-par as Boston shot 41% from the field and 26% from 3. The Celtics were also 22/24 from the free throw line. The 76ers forced just 10 turnovers. The 76ers also allowed 42 points in the paint.
Joel Embiid had 30 points and 13 rebounds for the 76ers. Josh Richardson had 17 points. Shake Milton added 17 points and 6 rebounds. Tobias Harris had 15 points and 15 rebounds as well.
Conclusion
The 76ers now trailed 0-3 in this series as they just can’t seem to work out the Celtics. Sure Joel Embiid is putting up stats, but for the most part they are empty. The 76ers finally got some sort of help in Game 3, but Burks and Horford continued to struggle on the offensive end. And even with Jayson Tatum struggling, they couldn’t guard him, or Brown, or Walker. So the 76ers will likely get swept or gentlemen swept in this series, and it will be a disappointing effort from this team.
LA Clippers
The Clippers won their 3rd game in the playoffs. Here is what I thought about their performance.
The Clippers have had a rocky start to the postseason as they have been tested by this Mavericks team. With the series tied 1-1, the Clippers needed a win to gain some momentum and confidence. Patrick Beverley was again out with a calf injury. But the Clippers got the job done as they separated from Dallas in the 2nd quarter and never looked back. The Clippers won 130-122 and now lead 2-1 in the series.
Offensively the Clippers were great as they shot 52% from the field and 41% from 3. LA was also 22/27 from the free throw line. The Clippers only turned the ball over 7 times. The Clippers pounded the ball down low as they had 60 points in the paint.
Defensively the Clippers were poor as Dallas shot 51% from the field and 40% from 3. The Mavs were also 17/24 from the free throw line. The Clippers forced 9 rebounds. LA allowed 46 points in the paint.
Kawhi Leonard had 36 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists. Landry Shamet had 18 points. Ivica Zubac had 15 points and 6 rebounds. Marcus Morris, Lou Williams, and Montrezl Harrell were all in double figures. Paul George only had 11 points.
Conclusion
The Clippers got a much needed win to give them a 2-1 series lead. Kawhi Leonard was again dominant as he has been great so far in the playoffs. The Clippers got solid contributions from everybody else but Playoff P (Paul George) again struggled. The Clippers will not be going far if Paul George is not a threat. George needs to prove to all of us that he is a superstar. The Clippers need a Game 4 win to put the pesky Mavericks behind them.
Dallas Mavericks
The Mavericks lost their 3rd playoff game. Here is what I thought about their performance.
The Mavs controlled Game 2 of this series and they tied it up 1-1. And now the Mavericks were treated like serious competitors. A win for the Mavs in Game 3 would really scare the Clippers. But the Mavs didn’t come to play. After a decent 1st quarter, they allowed the Clippers to score 45 points in the 2nd quarter. They trailed by double-digits for most of the 2nd half, and Luka Doncic injured his ankle. He did not return to the game. The Mavs lost 130-122 and they now trail 1-2 in the series.
Offensively the Mavs were great as they shot 51% from the field and 40% from 3. Dallas was also 17/24 from the free throw line. The Mavs only turned the ball over 9 times. Dallas had 46 points in the paint.
Defensively the Mavs were terrible as the Clippers shot 52% from the field and 41% from 3. LA was also 22/27 from the free throw line. The Mavs forced just 7 turnovers. The Mavs got pounded down low as the Clippers had 60 points in the paint.
Kristaps Porzingis had 34 points and 13 rebounds. Tim Hardaway Jr. had 22 points and 6 rebounds. Seth Curry had 22 points off the bench. Luka Doncic had a triple-double before his injury (29 minutes). Dorian Finney-Smith and Trey Burke were both in double figures.
Conclusion
The Mavs couldn’t stop the Clippers and that was their eventual downfall as they lost 122-114. The Mavs trail 1-2 in the series and with the health of Luka Doncic in question, it might be the end for the Mavs. Even with a slightly hobbled Luka, the Clippers will make things tough on the young Mavericks. But the Mavericks will continue to resist the Clippers and will not go away easily. We’ll just have to wait and see the condition of Luka Doncic.
What Are Your Thoughts From Day 5 of the NBA Playoffs? Leave A Comment Down Below!
My Thoughts On A Specific Topic From Day 5 Will Be Posted Tomorrow, So Stay Tuned!
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