Russell Westbrook Makes History In Indiana!; Are The Blazers Back? 5.8.21
It’s another day of NBA basketball and we have 7 games on the schedule tonight.
Washington Wizards vs Indiana Pacers
RUSSELL WESTBROOK
You may not like this man, but he is sure fun to watch. Westbrook got another triple-double, surprise-surprise, giving him 181 for his career, tying Oscar Robertson. He’s going to break this record. But Westbrook won this game in OT. Bradley Beal hurt his ankle in the 3rd but kept playing late in the 4th until he had 50. But he couldn’t go in OT, so it was Westbrook’s turn. Here’s what he did in OT, jumpshot, assist, layup, 2/2 free throws with 1 second left to give the Wizards the lead. To cap it all off? Caris Levert got open off a screen, but out of nowhere came Westbrook for the block, winning it.
33-19-15 for Westbrook, another historic game. He finished things in OT without Beal, who was on fire. 19/31 from the field and 50 points from Beal who was amazing despite the injury. These two have been simply marvelous since the All-Star break as Washington wins their biggest game of the year. The Wizards sweep the Pacers 3-0 in the season series and they also jump them in the standings. Washington is now 9th and they have a 0.5 game lead on Indiana. This team was 15-28 in late March. They are now 32-36 (17-8 since that point) and they now have a chance to make the playoffs.
Good Not Great
This game was back and forth but the Wizards showed why superstar talent is so important. The Pacers have a good roster. Good. They don’t have great players that can take over a game and the Wizards have two, one had 50 points and other is about to break the record for triple-doubles. The Pacers tried their best.
35points, 14 rebounds, and 8 assists for Levert with 8 3’s. 30 points, 13 rebounds, and 13 assists for Sabonis. But sometimes great players just take over. Indiana now loses control of the 9th seed as they are now in 10th.
Detroit Pistons vs Philadelphia 76ers
Detroit Pistons
To the draft we go.
It’s The Pistons
Dwight Howard moved into the top 10 for career double-doubles with 743, passing Kevin Garnett. He also moved into 11th all-time for rebounds. Good job Dwight. 29 for Embiid on just two missed shots, 22 for Maxey, and 18 for Harris. No Ben Simmons or Curry in this one, but it didn’t matter. Looks like Philly is getting that #1 seed. That also makes 8 straight wins for the 76ers.
Memphis Grizzlies vs Toronto Raptors
Much Needed
The Grizzlies were 2-5 in their last 7 games and they needed a win to stop slipping. The Raptors were a team waving the white flag and Memphis got a win. 7 guys were in double-figures, including the whole starting 5. One problem I have is 17 turnovers and 21 fouls. Toronto got 20 points off turnovers and they were 17/24 from the line. That’s not good, definitely have to play cleaner.
Memphis stays at the #9 seed, 0.5 a game behind the Warriors.
Tank Season
The Raptors rested Lowry and VanVleet, kind of like a white flag. Now it’s time to rebuild and look to the future.
Brooklyn Nets vs Denver Nuggets
Comeback
The Nets looked dead in the water, again. But they rebounded and came back, snapping their worst stretch of the season. The first half was like how most recent Nets game had been, no defense. MPJ started off the game 5/5 with 4 3’s and the Nuggets scored 37 points in the first quarter. The lead got to 21 in the first half, with Denver making 10 first half 3’s. But Brooklyn got back into the game with 41 3rd quarter points thanks to 9 3’s in the 3rd. Brooklyn shot 84% from the field in the 3rd With Jokic out to start the 4th the Nets cut into the lead further and took a lead. KD and Kyrie hit some big shots and the Nets immobilized Jokic, being physical with him down low. The Nets hung to win, getting a big win on the road.
The Nets shot 74% from the field in the 2nd half, compared to just 37% from Denver. The Nets outscored the Nuggets by 21 in the 2nd half, holding Denver to just 15 points in the 4th.
33-11-7 for KD, 31 for Irving, 20 for Blake Griffin, and 15 for Jeff Green. The Nets were absolutely on fire from the field in the 2nd half as they played almost a perfect half, or as close as you can get to that. Their defense was good as they got a win. Now if they play defense that somewhat resembles this 2nd half, with Harden, they’re unstoppable. But much needed win, as the Nets now move back into 2nd place in the East with a 0.5 game lead on the Bucks.
(Choking Noises)
Really? Come on man. The Nuggets played so well in the first half and they essentially threw things away in the 2nd half. The Nuggets were rolling, thanks to 17 in the first quarter from MPJ. They shot 54% from the field in the first half with 10 3’s. They led by 21 at one point. What could go wrong? Everything, apparently. The Nets hit 9 3’s in the 3rd, shot 84% from the field and scored 41 points. Denver scored just 15 in the 4th and watched as the Nets took the lead and never let go. Yikes.
28 for MPJ, who had 17 in the first. 11 points for the rest of the game? A little low, if you ask me. 29-7-6 for Jokic who was 10/21 from the field, definitely inefficient for him. 19 from Campazzo and a solid bench. Denver needed this win but they blew it. They have all but lost any chances of getting the #3 seed as they are 1.5 games behind the Clippers.
Houston Rockets vs Utah Jazz
Tanking
A for Effort, I guess.
Another Win
The Jazz continue to win without their backcourt, as they have not slowed down. 6 guys in double figures and a 5th straight win. The Jazz have a commanding 1.5 game lead for the #1 seed right now.
OKC Thunder vs Golden State Warriors
Tanking
Face the wrath of Steph Curry.
Wardell Stephen “Steph” Curry
This guy is good at the whole basketball thing. He scored 24 points in the first alone, 49 through 3 quarters. The 49 points through 3 quarters are Curry’s 2nd most through 3 quarters in his career. His 4th game this year with 11+ 3’s, the most in NBA history. He is incredible.
14/26 from the field, 11/21 from 3, 10/10 from the line, 49 points. The Warriors are going to need more of this to make the playoffs. The Warriors remain at the #8 spot in the West, 0.5 a game ahead of the Grizzlies.
San Antonio Spurs vs Portland Trail Blazers
Sliding
The Spurs are 1-6 in their last 7 as they cling onto the 10th seed in the West. Their remaining schedule is; Milwaukee, Brooklyn, New York, and Phoenix twice. The race for 10th in the West isn’t over officially. The Spurs could realistically lose all these games if these playoffs bound teams don’t rest guys.
6 Out Of 7
Portland has been picking up the pace and at the right time. After a poor shooting first quarter, it was all Portland. 32 combined from Dame and CJ in the first half led to a double-digit lead and then Portland dominated the 2nd half. Leading by as many as 26, Portland shot 57% from the field in the 2nd half compared to 40% for the Spurs. The defense has been great in these last 7 games as that has been the key for Portland.
30 points and 8 assists for Dame, 27 for CJ, 17-9-5 for Nurkic and 18 for Powell. Portland has been great since their rough patch as they now have a 1.5 game lead on the Lakers in the West. Portland, still at 6th place, is now 0.5 a game behind Dallas. Not unrealistic that they move up to 5th.
Portland in the Last 7 Games:
6-1 Record
Offensive Rating: 123.9 (#1 in the league)
Defensive Rating: 109.6 (#8 in the league)
Net Rating: 14.3 (#2 in the league)
Dame During That Stretch:
30.6 points, 8.4 assists, 1.4 steals, 53% shooting from the field, 49% from from 3. Back to MVP Form
What Are Your Thoughts From The 7 Games Today? Leave A Comment Down Below!
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