The Celtics Are Broken, Perhaps Beyond Repair; Teams Who Need To Make A Move! 3.24.21
It’s a very busy night of NBA basketball on a Wednesday and we have 11 games on the ticket tonight.
Detroit Pistons vs Indiana Pacers
Detroit Pistons
Rebuild
Cory Joseph and two seconds for Delon Wright? Delon Wright was good, now you don’t have a good PG. Good job Detroit.
Caris Levert Is Back
Levert and Indiana had been struggling but they put things together in this game with a much needed win. The offense was solid throughout with a strong showing from the starters. The Pistons kept trying to comeback in the 4th but a Levert dagger 3 with 4.7 seconds left sealed the game up.
Levert had 28 points and 6 rebounds on 10/19 shooting, by far his best game back since returning with the Pacers. Brogdon, Sabonis, and Holiday were also all in double figures. Myles Turner didn’t score but he had 3 blocks and a big defensive stop late. Edmond Sumner had 18 off the bench as he played well in that 4th quarter, initially giving Indiana a lead. The Pacers have to hope this hot-streak can continue as they try and regain themselves in the standings.
Boston Celtics vs Milwaukee Bucks
Stop Giving It To Marcus Smart
I really don’t know how this game was close. The Bucks dominated the first half and I fully expected Boston to lie down. But they kept fighting in the 4th and they actually came back, trailing 121-119 with 1:32 left. Here’s what Boston did offensively after that point. Marcus Smart missed 3, Kemba Walker blocked layup, Marcus Smart blocked layup, Theis missed 3, Celtics lose. Here’s my problem. The first Smart 3 was open and I have no problem with him taking that shot. The Walker layup was bad because Kemba tried to push the ball but he had no numbers. He forced something up and it was a bad decision. The Smart layup was bad because Smart shouldn’t have the ball with under 10 seconds to go and he had no chance of making that. The Theis 3 was a last chance heave because the Bucks covered everything up.
I don’t get why neither Brown or Tatum got a shot at the end, especially Brown who was very good in this game. This is why Boston struggles in the clutch, they don’t give the ball to their best players.
Brown had 24 but only 10 after the first quarter, which is a shame because he was hitting shots. Walker started slow but had 23. Tatum was ok and Smart was terrible, which make you wonder why he got two clutch shots late. Teague was very good off the bench as he’s been good lately. Boston might have to make a move at the deadline to save their season.
Still Don’t Care
As long as Mike Budenholzer is the coach, whatever the Bucks do or don’t do doesn’t concern me. I doubt this team makes it out of the East because of how stupid that man is.
Denver Nuggets vs Toronto Raptors
Yikes
The Raptors just torched Denver and Denver could never comeback. The Raptors shooting was very good and the Raptors onslaught couldn’t be stopped by Denver. Jokic, Murray, and Porter were all good. Will Barton was 0/8 (at least he didn’t shoot much) and the bench didn’t do much. On to the next one for Denver.
Where Was This?
The Raptors have been healthy and yet they had still been losing. They finally got shots to fall today as they were 24/48 from 3, absolutely torching the Nuggets. But they’ll have to do this more often if they want to make the playoffs.
Siakam had 27-8-6 as he played very well offensively. Powell had 22 as he continues to play so well. OG Anunoby had 23, his best game of the 2nd half of the season. VanVleet had 19 and the bench was good enough. The Raptors have firepower. They just have to try and overcome their lack of depth and no center to try and make the playoffs.
Phoenix Suns vs Orlando Magic
Really, The Magic?
The Suns allowed the Magic to beat them in clutch situations when they have CP-3 and Devin Booker. Evan Fournier got right to the rim and scored a tough layup with 6.4 seconds left and Booker missed. At least Deandre Ayton was good.
Orlando Magic
This team is likely going to look different soon, so I won’t comment much.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Chicago Bulls
No Sexton, No Problem
Without Sexton the offense did enough to win after the defense clamped down on Chicago in the 2nd half. Garland had 22 and 9 assists but Jarrett Allen was amazing. 9/12 shooting, 19 points and 9 rebounds with 3 blocks and 2 steals. He’s going to be very good for a long time in Cleveland. Okoro and Nance were solid but the defense in the 2nd half was the reason Cleveland won this game.
Deadline
Markkanen and White better be gone by tomorrow, otherwise the Bulls are making a mistake.
Charlotte Hornets vs Houston Rockets
No Lamelo, No Problem
Sure it’s the Rockets, but the Hornets offense has been fine without Lamelo. Rozier had 25, Graham had 21, and Monk had 19. If they can keep getting wins the Hornets can make the playoffs without Ball who really made them click.
Houston Rockets
Losing 21 of 22 games still isn’t good. With Oladipo likely leaving the team, Caris Levert doesn’t sound too bad right about now.
Dallas Mavericks vs Minnesota T-Wolves
Unlocking KP
KP finally had a good game, with 29 points and 9 rebounds. The Mavs need this from him more often. Luka didn’t do much, but the bench was very good. Hardaway had 21, Powell had 16, and Brunson also had 16. If they get this from the bench more often the Mavs become less Luka-reliant, which is a good thing.
Minnesota T-Wolves
At least Edwards and Towns were good, and Beasley is coming back on the 27th.
Memphis Grizzlies vs OKC Thunder
Taking Care Of Business
With no SGA, this is what was supposed to happen. Brooks had 25, Allen had 20, and Valanciunas had a double-double. Melton had 14 off the bench as the Grizzlies offense has been good lately. If they can keep this up they can make the playoffs.
No SGA
With SGA likely missing a lot of time with a foot injury, it might end OKC’s season.
LA Clippers vs San Antonio Spurs
Offensive Firepower
Despite the Clippers lack of a true floor general, they are still a very deadly offense as shown in this game. They dominated this game from the jump with their 3-pt shooting, leaving the Spurs in the dust.
Kawhi missed 3 shots and had 25 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 steals.
Morris had 20, PG had 17, Zubac had 14 and 8 rebounds, Batum had 13 off the bench, Williams had 16 off the bench as well. Luke Kennard and Terrence Mann both got solid minutes. Everything was working for LA, who might not make a move at the deadline. They are still a good team, despite what most people say.
Offense Not Found
The Spurs need shooting/offense in general and fast. They just can’t keep up with the best offenses in the league.
Brooklyn Nets vs Utah Jazz
Brooklyn Nets
No Big 3, this was to be expected.
Utah Jazz
No Big 3 Nets, this was to be expected as Utah handily took care of business. Mitchell, Conley, and Bogdanovic were all good and Niang led the bench with 15. Jordan Clarkson was 1/15 from the field, 1/11 from 3 as he has struggled recently. Sometimes the ultimate green light isn’t such a good thing.
Atlanta Hawks vs Sacramento Kings
Really, Gallinari?
This was a very good game and the Hawks had to battle back in this game. But for the last shot you went to Gallinari? Waste of effort. Lets jump straight to the 4th. The Hawks haven’t been shooting well and De’Aaron Fox has been destroying them and the Kings lead by 11 entering the 4th. The Hawks kept trying to comeback and they take the lead with 6:31 left. The game is back and forth but the Kings are always one step ahead. With 36.6 seconds left the Kings lead by two and the Hawks need to score. Trae Young got a great look early but missed his patented floater. The Hawks get another stop and with 6.2 seconds left they have a chance to tie or win. Trae Young lost the ball out of bounds, leaving just a few seconds on the clock. The Hawks inbounded it and they went to Gallinari, who missed. I get there wasn’t a timeout or anything, but Gallinari? Not the best option.
Trae Young had 29 points and 9 assists, doing most of his damage at the rim as his 3’s weren’t falling. He had 13 in the 4th but he missed that floater with 30 seconds left that would have tied the game.
Capela was a monster with 25 points and 17 rebounds, 9 of them being offensive. He couldn’t be contained down low. Bogdan Bogdanovic had 20 in his return to the Kings, but not getting anything from Collins in the 2nd half hurt the Hawks. De’Andre Hunter isn’t back to 100% yet and this is one the Hawks likely want back.
Praise The Rookie
The Kings had a scare in this 4th quarter, but their spectacular rookie came up big late and the Kings were able to survive and win this game. Entering the 4th the Kings were playing very well. De’Aaron Fox was dominating and the Kings were shutting down Trae Young. All was well as they led by 11. But the Hawks weren’t done, as a run put the Hawks up one midway through the 4th. Enter Tyrese Haliburton. Haliburton got a 4-point play and a fadeaway jumpshot to put the Kings up 3. He knocked down two more free throws to give the Kings the lead. The Kings got two stops and watched as Gallinari missed, giving them the dramatic win.
For as much as I am disappointed in the Kings, they are fun to watch. De’Aaron Fox is a big reason for that. Fox had 37 on 13/20 shooting as he was going off. Tyrese Haliburton had 17-5-7 as he is the frontrunner for ROTY right now. Hield was ok and Holmes was solid. Harrison Barnes and the bench didn’t do much.
If I’m the Kings the only people I am trying to move are Bagley and Hield. Hield is making a lot of money and he’s very one dimensional. Sure he’s good at shooting but when he doesn’t shoot he doesn’t do much else. Bagley has been a bust so far and has injury problems. Considering Luka was picked one spot behind Bagley, it makes the pick much worse.
Moving Hield gives Haliburton more of a role, however I wouldn’t do the move unless you’re getting shooting back because the Kings don’t have much of that. That’s why I would keep Hield unless the deal is very good. For Bagley I need defense in any form. Somebody who can defend and help the defense not be so terrible.
Ok, so this just happened. The Kings sent Cory Joseph and two second round picks for Delon Wright. That’s what we call a steal and a half. Joseph is terrible and those picks aren’t very good. Beefing up the bench, great move.
What Are Your Thoughts From The 11 Games Today? Leave A Comment Down Below!
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