Tatum Stuns Wizards & The Kings Have Reached A New Level! 2.28.21
It’s another day of NBA basketball on the last day of February and we have 9 games on the schedule today.
LA Clippers vs Milwaukee Bucks
LA Clippers
The Clippers had their chances in this game but they struggled to score late and they blew this game. In the first half the game shouldn’t been close. The Clippers were 6/21 from 3 (29%) in the first half as they were missing everything. PG and Kawhi combined for 30 and yet the Clippers only trailed by 5, which was a miracle. In the 3rd the Clippers defense stepped up and a 21-7 run to end the 3rd gave them the lead entering the 4th. In the 4th the Clippers couldn’t stop Giannis but the Bucks couldn’t stop their shooting either as they led by 4 with 4:01 left to go. After that 4:01 mark, the Clippers didn’t score. They were forcing jumpshots and the good looks they did get they missed badly. Giannis and company slowly chipped away at the lead, and Kawhi missed a 3 late with a chance to tie and LA lost. LA is now 24-12 on the year.
Kawhi had 25 points and 9 rebounds on 10/21 shooting.
PG had 16 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists on 7/21 shooting.
Serge Ibaka had 15 points and 11 rebounds on 6/13 shooting.
The Clippers choked this game away. They didn’t shoot well in the first half and Kawhi and PG kept them in the game. Their offense was good for most of the 4th, but not scoring for the final 4 minutes really hurt them. PG had 14 points in the first half on 6/10 shooting. In the 2nd half he was 1/11 with just 2 points as he just shut down. The bench for LA was ok although I don’t get why Kennard isn’t playing. He is healthy and provides shooting. Kind of makes you wonder why they signed him to that massive extension if he’s not playing. It’s a make or miss league and the Clippers missed them when they counted as they lose a very winnable game. LA starts March with a showdown against Boston.
Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks played well in this game as the return of Jrue Holiday and solid defense late helped their cause a lot. In the first half the Bucks should have been up by a lot more. Jrue Holiday was coming off the bench but LA was 6/21 from 3. But offensively it was really only Giannis scoring wise in the first half as he had a double-double. Nobody else helped him much. In the 3rd when LA started to make 3’s the Bucks fell behind. But in the 4th they went to Giannis. Giannis got the line, to the rim and scored in all manners of ways to get 17 points in the 4th. But Milwaukee trailed by 4 with 4:01 left. But their defense came through as they forced LA to take tough jumpshots. The Bucks claimed the lead and a big-time Giannis dunk put them up 3. Kawhi missed and the Bucks survived for a come from behind win.
Giannis had 36 points, 14 rebounds, and 5 assists on 15/27 shooting.
Khris Middleton had 19 points, 6 rebounds, and 8 assists on 6/14 shooting.
The Bucks won this game without Jrue Holiday essentially as he didn’t do too much in this game. He’ll likely be 100% back after the All-Star break. The Bucks definitely should have won this game by a lot more considering how poor the Clippers were playing in the first half. They rode the Giannis wave in the 4th and their defense was excellent down the stretch. I love when Giannis is just attacking, as LA had no answers for him. Good win for the Bucks, although 3-PT shooting is still a weakness for them. Their lucky LA only got going from 3 in spurts and not for the whole game. The Bucks have won 5 in a row and they are now 21-13 on the year.
Washington Wizards vs Boston Celtics
Washington Wizards
The Wizards had this game in their hands and they blew it, to put it simply. In the first half the Wizards lived at the foul line. Half of their 28 first quarter points were from the line and 24 first half points from Bradley Beal kept them in the game. In the 2nd half the Wizards defense was very good. They held the Celtics to just 19 points in the 3rd and in the 4th they came surging back. Beal was a scoring menace and he put the Wizards up 8 with 2:56 left. But Jayson Tatum cut the lead to one with 15 seconds left and then Bradley Beal stepped out of bounds. Boston got the ball back and Tatum scored again to give Boston the lead. With under 5 seconds to go Beal was double teamed and had nowhere to go. He missed the forced shot and the Wizards blew this win.
Bradley Beal had 46 points and 7 rebounds on 16/29 shooting.
Russell Westbrook had 24 points and 11 rebounds on 10/22 shooting.
Davis Bertans had 20 points on 5/9 3-PT off the bench.
How do you lose this? Bradley Beal and Westbrook were a great 1-2 punch and Davis Bertans was that 3rd scorer off the bench. The offense and defense was great in the 2nd half but you blew an 8-point lead with under 3 minutes to go. Definitely should have done more to get the ball out of Tatum’s hands because he was a killer. This is just one you have to win, and Washington didn’t as every game counts in the East.
Boston Celtics
The Celtics are lucky that they have Jayson Tatum, because my god is this man good. In the first half Boston was just fouling the Wizards. If the Wizards didn’t make 14 free throws in the first quarter the game wouldn’t have been close. But then Bradley Beal got going and the Celtics defense was getting shredded. In the 3rd both offenses slowed down but the 4th was a mess for Boston. They were too passive and their defense continued to get shredded. Down 8 with under 3 minutes to go they would need a miracle. And that miracle came in the form of Jayson Tatum. Tatum scored 4 straight to cut the lead to one and then forced Bradley Beal to step out of bounds. He then got into a post-up and just bullied his way for another layup giving the Celtics the lead. Boston finally doubled Beal and he missed and Boston won this game with a late comeback.
Jayson Tatum had 31 points and 8 rebounds on 12/22 shooting (8 pts in final 90 seconds)
Kemba Walker had 21 points, 5 rebounds, and 8 assists on 7/17 shooting.
Daniel Theis had 20 points and 9 rebounds on 8/11 shooting.
This is why Jayson Tatum needs to attack the rim more. In the final 90 seconds of this game he wasn’t settling for jumpshots, he was going right at Washington. And he was unstoppable. This is why he needs to stop shooting tough fadeaways. A few are fine, but not a lot. He scored 8 in the final 93 seconds of this game, as he was incredible. Walker was solid but Theis was very good. Had 20 points and was making all his open jumpers. He was that 3rd scorer Boston needed without Brown on the floor. The bench was solid but Boston needed this game badly as they are now 17-17 on the year. They take on the Clippers next to start March.
New York Knicks vs Detroit Pistons
New York Knicks
Thank you for redeeming your free win card.
Detroit Pistons
Well at least you’re getting a good draft pick? The positives list ends there.
Atlanta Hawks vs Miami Heat
Atlanta Hawks
Man the Hawks blew this game. It was surprising this game was close because Trae Young was struggling, but a late collapse sealed their fate. In the first half the Hawks were struggling. Trae Young was 2/10 in the first half and the Hawks trailed by 10 at the half. In the 3rd the Hawks got back into the game, without Trae Young. Guys like John Collins and company put the Hawks back in the game. The 4th was back and forth but the game was tied at 95 with 3:38 left. The Hawks then allowed the Heat to go on a 10-0 run and Atlanta scored just 4 points in the final 3:38. Good job Atlanta.
John Collins had 34 points and 10 rebounds on 13/21 shooting.
Clint Capela had 20 points and 14 rebounds on 9/17 shooting.
Trae Young had 15 points, 8 rebounds, and 9 assists on 3/14 shooting.
Trae Young that was inexcusable. I know Miami was doubling you and getting the ball out of your hands, but that means you get less shots. That doesn’t mean you shoot 21% from the field. It’s a wonder this game was close because Trae Young was awful. John Collins and Capela were great, but man Trae Young will have to be a lot better if the Hawks want to win.
Miami Heat
The Heat’s defense won them this game as they just took Trae Young out of the game. A late 4th quarter run pulled them away for a 6th straight win. In the first half the Heat’s defense locked up Trae Young. He did nothing in that first half and the combo on Achiuwa and Adebayo down low was very good. But in the 3rd the Hawks frontcourt got them back in the game and with 3:38 left in the 4th the game was tied. And then the Heat turned things up a notch. They went on a 10-0 run to end the game and they allowed just 4 points to get the win.
Kendrick Nunn had 24 points and 7 assists on 8/15 shooting.
Bam Adebayo had 16 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 assists on 6/12 shooting.
Precious Achiuwa had 14 points and 7 rebounds on 4/5 shooting off the bench.
The Heat played well in this game without Butler. Their defense against Trae Young was amazing, they doubled him and they made him play in a crowd. Balanced scoring and a strong bench was the key for the Heat. Rookie Achiuwa and a big 4th from Herro off the bench and some great defense helped the Heat win this game. They have won 6 in a row to get back to 0.500, as their offense and defense has been much better lately. For the first time since they were 4-4, the Heat are right back in the thick of things in the East.
Memphis Grizzlies vs Houston Rockets
Memphis Grizzlies
It’s the Rockets, don’t get too excited.
Houston Rockets
11 straight… losses. My god this team sucks without Christian Wood.
Golden State Warriors vs LA Lakers
Golden State Warriors
Yeah, the Warriors weren’t ready for this game. LA’s offense pounced on them early and they never recovered. No real positives here, Golden State just got clapped. Kind of surprised it was this bad, thought they would put up more of a fight.
LA Lakers
Yeah this was surprising, in a good way. LA’s offense jumped on top of Golden State with 41 points in the first and they never looked back. Balanced scoring for LA, but these last couple of games shows the impact of Dennis Schroder. The Lakers have been very good when he’s been back as he gives Lebron some relief. The Lakers don’t need AD as much as they need Schroder at the very least. Good win for LA as they are now 24-11 on the year.
Phoenix Suns vs Minnesota T-Wolves
Phoenix Suns
The Suns weren’t playing all that well in this game, but their 4th quarter put this one away. In the first half it was all Booker, as he had 20 points. But the Suns were horrible from 3, shooting just 18% and the T-Wolves were in the game still. But Booker continued to score as he added 21 points in the 3rd for 41 points through 3 quarters on just 24 shots. This was the 4th time Booker had 40 through 3 quarters in his career (he’s 24). In the last 25 years, all other Suns players have done it twice. Pretty impressive. The Suns put this one away in the 4th as they improve to 22-11 on the year.
Minnesota T-Wolves
Why is Anthony Edwards getting more shots than Towns? Towns is a generational center talent that can score from all areas of the floor and Edwards is an inconsistent rookie. I get Edwards was solid in this game, but get Towns the damn ball. It’s your best option right considering you are wasting his career just like what you did with KG.
Charlotte Hornets vs Sacramento Kings
Charlotte Hornets
Wow, Wow, Wow, Wow, Wow, Wow. How did the Hornets win this game? One of the most miraculous comebacks we’ve seen in a while, that’s for sure. In the first half the Hornets offense was good. 22 points from PJ Washington led the Hornets as they had no problems with the Kings defense. But their own defense was having problem as they still trailed despite scoring 66 points. In the 3rd things slowed down and nothing they did in the 4th seemed to matter. They kept trying to comeback but they trailed by 8 with 1:13 left. But 6 straight points from Terry Rozier put them back in the game. PJ Washington cut the lead to one and the Hornets fouled Buddy Hield with 10.7 seconds left. Hield went 1/2 so Charlotte just needed a two for the tie. With no timeouts, Malik Monk drove down the lane and scored plus the foul. He hit the free throw and the Hornets won, somehow.
PJ Washington had a career-high 42 points and 9 rebounds on 15/23 shooting.
Lamelo Ball had 24 points and 12 assists on 7/12 shooting.
Malik Monk had 21 points and 5 rebounds on 8/17 shooting.
How did this happen? No 20+ ppg from Gordon Hayward and no Cody Zeller and the Hornets still won? PJ Washington was great in this game. His 3-PT shooting was on point and he dominated the Kings down low for a career-night. Lamelo Ball just did 3 things in this game. Drive the lane and get fouled. Drive down the lane and score. Drive down the lane and get an assist. He wasn’t shooting that much from the outside, and it was working. The Kings had no bench so Bridges and Monk were great as a duo. Remember Monk wasn’t even playing to start this season. And now he’s turned into their flamethrower off the bench with 20+ points in 5 of his last 6 games. The Hornets somehow won this game, mainly due to the incompetence of the Kings.
Sacramento Kings
Ok, this is getting out of hand. How do you lose this? I’m not even going into depth in this team. They played so well. Buddy Hield became the fastest player to hit 1,000 3’s. He had 30 points as he was good again. De’Aaron Fox had 20 points and 14 assists. Richuan Holmes and Marvin Bagley were great. Bagley had 24 and 10 and Richuan Holmes was exuding energy for this team. Harrison Barnes added 28-6-6 including the dunk that put them up 8 with 73 seconds left. And the Kings lost. Luke Walton should have been fired, but there’s no reason he should stay. This team is so bad defensively it’s sad. They have too much young talent to be this bad. It’s time for a change.
(PS: Should probably apologize to Dave Joerger. He was doing great things with this team)
What Are Your Thoughts From The 9 Games Today? Leave A Comment Down Below!
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