Playoffs Day 7 And Luka Doncic Stuns The Clippers! 8.23.20
It is Day 7 of the NBA Playoffs as we have 4 more 1st round matchups. Ft. Clippers vs Mavericks.
It is Day 7 of the NBA Playoffs as we have 4 more 1st round matchups. Ft. Clippers vs Mavericks.
HBD Mamba
Boston Celtics
The Celtics won their 4th game in the playoffs. Here is what I thought about their performance.
The Celtics have controlled their series vs the 76ers as they haven’t had much problem with the 76ers. Leading 3-0 in the series, the Celtics looked to finish the series in a sweep and advance to the 2nd round. The game was close throughout, but the Celtics made a big run in the 2nd half and they rode that to the win, 110-106. The Celtics win the series 4-0, and they are the first team to advance to the 2nd round.
Offensively the Celtics were solid as they shot 46% from the field and 34% from 3. The Celtics were also 22/29 from the free throw line. The Celtics had 10 offensive rebounds. The Celtics had 15 turnovers. Boston also had 38 points in the paint.
Defensively the Celtics were also solid as Philly shot 43% from the field and 27% from 3. The 76ers were also 27/34 from the free throw line. The Celtics forced 9 turnovers. The Celtics only allowed 34 points in the paint.
Kemba Walker had 32 points for Boston. Jayson Tatum added 28 points and 15 rebounds. Jaylen Brown had 16 points and 5 rebounds. Daniel Theis had 15 points as well.
Conclusion
The Celtics dominated this series as they sweep the 76ers and advance to the 2nd round. Jayson Tatum was excellent in this series, and Jaylen Brown and Kemba Walker were also great. Defensively the Celtics were great in every single game. So the Celtics without Gordon Hayward didn’t miss a beat as they will play the Raptors in the 2nd round.
Philadelphia 76ers
The 76ers lost their 4th game in the playoffs. Here is what I thought about their performance.
Without Ben Simmons, the 76ers haven’t been the same team as they have been dismantled by the Celtics in this series. Trailing 3-0 in the series, Philly just wanted the series to be over. The 76ers again competed, but they just couldn’t stop the Celtics Big-3. The 76ers lost 110-106 and they got swept, another disappointing year. Tobias Harris took a scary fall and hit his head. He returned to the game, and looked to be ok.
Offensively the 76ers were sub-par as they shot 43% from the field and 27% from 3. The 76ers were also 27/34 from the free throw line. Philly turned the ball over 9 times. The 76ers only had 34 points in the paint.
Defensively the 76ers were poor as Boston shot 46% from the field and 34% from 3. The Celtics were also 22/29 from the free throw line. The 76ers allowed 10 offensive rebounds. The 76ers forced 15 turnovers. Philly also allowed 38 points in the paint.
Joel Embiid had 30 points and 10 rebounds. Tobias Harris had 20 points and 5 rebounds. Josh Richardson had 14 points, and Shake Milton had 14 points. Al Horford and Alec Burks were also in double figures.
Conclusion
The 76ers put an end to a miserable series as they got swept. Without Ben Simmons the 76ers looked lost and out of sorts. They got controlled by the Celtics in this series and it never seemed that they could win. With another disappointing playoff exit, it might be time to consider the future of their duo Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid. While both are talented, they might just not work together. Whatever the case may be, it will be interesting to see the future of this team.
LA Clippers
The Clippers lost their 4th game in the playoffs. Here is what I thought about their performance.
The Clippers lead 2-1 in this series as they looked to take a 3-1 series lead. Luka Doncic was dealing with an ankle injury and Kristaps Porzingis was a late scratch. So the Clippers had a prime chance to put the Mavs away. The Clippers had an excellent first half as they led by as many by 21. But the Mavericks battled back and the Clippers trailed by double-digits in the 4th. But Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers battled back. Lou Williams tied the game at the free throw line, and after a stop and a missed shot by Kawhi Leonard at the buzzer, we were going to OT. And it looked like the Clippers would win. Marcus Morris hit a 3 from the corner with 9.0 seconds left to give the Clippers a 133-132 lead. All the Clippers had to do was get a stop. But, Luka Doncic hit a 3 at the buzzer and the Clippers lost 135-133. The series is not tied 2-2.
Offensively LA was good as they shot 46% from the field and 38% from 3. The Clippers were also 29/32 from the free throw line. The Clippers only had 9 turnovers. LA had 52 points in the paint as well.
Defensively the Clippers were poor as the Mavericks shot 50% from the field and 36% from 3. Dallas was also 18/24 from the free throw line. The Clippers allowed 11 offensive rebounds. The Clippers forced 11 turnovers. The Clippers got pounded down low as the Mavs had 66 points in the paint.
Lou Williams had 36 points and 5 assists off the bench. Kawhi Leonard had 32 points and 9 rebounds. Ivica Zubac had 15 points. Reggie Jackson added 14 points. “Playoff P” had 9 points.
Conclusion
The Clippers led by 21 points against the Mavs who had an injured Luka Doncic and no Kristaps Porzingis. Let that sink in. The Clippers are now tied 2-2 in the series and now they might be in a tight series. While Lou Williams and Kawhi Leonard were excellent, Paul George was again bad. Playoff P has not had a good game since Game 1 of this series and you have to be concerned if you are LA. And the Clippers can’t stop a 21-year old Luka Doncic. So, the Clippers will need to play much better if they want to advance to the 2nd round.
Dallas Mavericks
The Mavs won their 4th game in the playoffs. Here is what I thought about their performance.
The Mavs have been fighting tough with the Clippers, but it would be tough for them to tie this series 2-2. Luka Doncic would be playing with an ankle injury, and Kristaps Porzingis was not going to be playing. But the Mavs were going to fight. The Mavs trailed by 21 in the 1st half, but fought back and took a double-digit lead in the 4th. But they couldn’t put the Clippers away and the game went into overtime. But the Mavs trailed 133-132 with 9.0 seconds left. But as he had done all night long, Luka Doncic gave the Mavs what they needed. Doncic hit the buzzer-beating 3 and the Mavs won 135-133, tying the series at 2-2.
Offensively the Mavs were great as they shot 50% from the field and 36% from 3. Dallas was also 18/24 from the free throw line. Dallas had 11 offensive rebounds. The Mavs only turned the ball over 11 times. Dallas had 66 points in the paint.
Defensively the Mavs were sub-par as the Clippers shot 46% from the field and 38% from 3. The Clippers were also 29/32 from the free throw line. The Mavs forced just 9 turnovers. The Mavericks allowed 52 points in the paint.
Luka Doncic was masterful as he had 43 points, 17 rebounds, and 13 assists. He joins Charles Barkley and Oscar Robertson as the only players to have a 40+,15+,10+ triple-double in the playoffs. Trey Burke had 25 points and 6 rebounds. Tim Hardaway had 21 points and 5 rebounds. Seth Curry had 15 points off the bench. Boban Marjonovic had 10 points and 7 rebounds off the bench as well.
Conclusion
The Mavs had a tough hill to tie this series with a hobbled Luka Doncic and no Kristaps Porzingis. They trailed by 21, and trailed by 1 with the ball late in OT. But Luka Doncic and the Mavs refused to lead as Doncic put up an all-time great performance, and the series was tied 2-2. The Mavericks will likely have Porzingis back for Game 5, and now they have a great chance to upset the Clippers in this series.
Toronto Raptors
The Raptors won their 4th game in the bubble. Here is what I thought about their performance.
The Raptors have walked through the Nets in this series as they looked to sweep the Nets and advance to face the Celtics. And the Raptors did just that as they dominated with a 150-122 win. But Kyle Lowry injured his ankle in the 1st quarter and did not return. The Raptors hope he is ready to face Boston.
Offensively the Raptors were excellent as they shot 55% from the field and 47% from 3. Toronto was also 16/22 from the free throw line. The Raptors had 12 offensive rebounds. Toronto turned the ball over 10 times. The Raptors also had 56 points in the paint.
Defensively the Raptors were also excellent as Brooklyn shot 40% from the field and 38% from 3. The Nets were also 25/33 from the free throw line. The Raptors allowed 12 offensive rebounds. Toronto forced 14 turnovers. The Raptors only allowed 30 points in the paint.
Norman Powell had 29 points and 5 rebounds off the bench. Serge Ibaka had 27 points and 15 rebounds off the bench. Pascal Siakam had 20 points, 6 rebounds, and 10 assists. OB Anunoby and Terence Davis were also in double-figures.
Conclusion
The Raptors dominated this game and this series as they sweep the Nets. The Raptors looked great in this series but they have to be worried about the health of Kyle Lowry. Lowry will be important against the Celtics in the 2nd round, so they should focus in getting him healthy. But the Raptors should be preparing for a battle with the Celtics, and they will be a tough team to beat.
Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets lost their 4th game in the playoffs. Here is what I thought about their performance.
After getting blown out for two straight games, the Nuggets found themselves down 2-1 and with their backs up against the wall. They had been getting dominated by the Jazz and needed a win to stay in the series. And the Nuggets played much better. Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic ran the offense for the Nuggets, but they couldn’t stop the Jazz on the other end. And their defense was their downfall as Donovan Mitchell went off and the Nuggets lost 129-179. Denver now trails 3-1 in the series.
Offensively the Nuggets were good as they shot 49% from the field and 39% from 3. Denver was also 12/13 from the free throw line. Denver had 17 offensive rebounds. The Nuggets only had 6 turnovers. The Nuggets also had 42 points in the paint.
Defensively the Nuggets were terrible as Utah shot 58% from the field and 48% from 3. The Jazz were also 31/36 from the free throw line. The Nuggets forced 10 turnovers. Denver also allowed 46 points in the paint.
Jamal Murray had 50 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 assists. Nikola Jokic had 29 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists. Paul Millsap had 16 points and 7 rebounds as well. Jerami Grant added 12 points.
Conclusion
The Nuggets now trail 3-1 as they can’t stop the Jazz. The Nuggets offense picked up to its normal pace as Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic were unstoppable. But their defense was terrible as the Jazz shot 58% from the field and 36 free throws. The Nuggets have not looked like the same team from March as they are now likely to lose the series. The Nuggets will have an up-hill battle as they need to win 3 straight games to win this series.
Utah Jazz
The Jazz won their 4th game in the playoffs. Here is what I thought about their performance.
The Jazz have been surprising everybody in the playoffs as they have controlled the Nuggets as they led 2-1 going into Game 4. Donovan Mitchell has been great in this series, and he has gotten help from others. But the Jazz would need to play great in order to win this game. And they did. The offense was flowing all night long and their defense was good enough as they won 129-127.
Offensively the Jazz were amazing as they shot 58% from the field and 48% from 3. Utah was also 31/36 from the free throw line. Utah turned the ball over 10 times. The Jazz also had 46 points in the paint.
Defensively the Jazz were poor as the Nuggets shot 49% from the field and 39% from 3. Denver was also 12/13 from the free throw line. The Jazz allowed 17 offensive rebounds. Utah only forced 6 turnovers. The Jazz also allowed 42 points in the paint.
Donovan Mitchell had 51 points and 7 assists, his 2nd 50+ point game of the series. Mike Conley had 26 points. Jordan Clarkson had 24 points off the bench. Rudy Gobert added 17 points and 11 rebounds.
Conclusion
The Jazz now lead 3-1 in this series as they have been dominating the Nuggets. Their offense was unstoppable as Donovan Mitchell had another 50+ point game. Gobert, Conley, and Clarkson were also great. On defense, they didn’t allow anybody else other than Jokic and Murray score. And the Jazz made all the big plays late, and they now have their grip on this series. They just have to win one more game to pull off the upset.
What Are Your Thoughts From Day 7 of the NBA Playoffs? Leave A Comment Down Below!
My Thoughts On Some Topics From Day 7 Will Be Posted Tomorrow, So Stay Tuned!
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