The Lakers Have A Shooting Problem; Celtics Keep On Rolling! 4.22.21
It’s another night of NBA hoops and we have 6 games on the schedule tonight.
Phoenix Suns vs Boston Celtics
Surprsing
This was surprising. Entering this game the Suns were very good against teams over 0.500 and they were great on the second night of back-to-backs. Entering this game they were 10-3 on the second night of back-to-backs. But they just couldn’t hit open shots. 30% 3-PT shooting and only 86 points. Devin Booker wasn’t anything special and the bench wasn’t great. This was definitely a winnable game for the Suns with no Brown, Williams, or Fournier for the Celtics and with Tatum struggling. They just couldn’t capitalize.
Defense
With no Jaylen Brown, this was going to be a tough game for the Celtics. Jayson Tatum again was solid outside of his scoring, but when he’s shoot 3/17 from the field, Boston usually loses. Usually. This game it was about Kemba Walker and their defense. They held the Suns down all game long, just 37 points in the first half and 86 for the game. Devin Booker was held in check as it was the defense for Boston that won them this game.
Kemba Walker stepped up in a big way, 11/17 shooting with 32 points. He had that spring in his step coming off screens as they needed him badly. Despite shooting 18% from the field, Tatum still had 15-10-6 for the night as his playmaking has been improving. The Celtics have won 8 of their last 9 games as they have been figuring things out.
New Orleans Pelicans vs Orlando Magic
It’s The Magic
You’re supposed to beat the Magic.
No Comment
Philadelphia 76ers vs Milwaukee Bucks
Weakness
Teams can shoot are a threat to the 76ers, a team that lacks shooting. They did shoot well in this game only because the Bucks defense allows it (thanks Mike Budenholzer). They didn’t have Ben Simmons and while he does help their defense, their spacing would be a lot worse, which only complicates things. I just don’t like the makeup of the 76ers. They don’t have bench scoring (consistently) or shooting. They rely on Embiid so much and if the refs aren’t calling fouls, he isn’t the same player. I just don’t see Philly making it out of the East.
Dominance
This game was always in control by the Bucks. They shot 10/10 to start the game and had a healthy lead the entire game as they dominated.
27-16-6 for Giannis, 24 and 5 assists for Khris Middleton, and 23 for Bobby Portis off the bench. The Bucks hit 20 3’s and shot 50% from 3 as it was a complete and utter flex of dominance. Too bad Milwaukee isn’t going to get close to those #1 and #2 seed, they’ll have to stick at #3.
Detroit Pistons vs San Antonio Spurs
Resting?
Why are the Pistons resting Jerami Grant/other key role players? It’s not like you’re preparing for the playoffs or anything, you’re preparing for the draft, again. I mean I guess it’s more minutes for the young guys, but it really makes no sense.
Short-Handed
No DeRozan or Dejounte Murray and the Spurs won comfortably thanks to solid performances from guys like Derrick White and Lonnie Walker. The Spurs outscored Detroit in every single quarter and their shooting was finally good (46% from 3). 26-7-8 with 3 blocks for Derrick White as well as 18 for Lonnie Walker and a double-double for Jakob Poeltl. Solid outing all around as San Antonio looks to keep themselves alive in the playoffs race.
Charlotte Hornets vs Chicago Bulls
Charlotte Hornets
The Hornets never led in this game, it was a wire-to-wire win for the Bulls. The Hornets trailed by 27 at one point, it wasn’t good. They are getting Lamelo Ball back likely next week so that’s good but they need wins because the teams around them like New York and Boston are winning a lot and they need to try and keep up with them.
Finally
Any win is one that Chicago will take right now.
LA Lakers vs Dallas Mavericks
Shooting
This team desperately needs shooting. LA made 10 3’s today, KCP had 6 of them. They desperately need shooting. This was just a game of trading baskets, not many runs. Dallas pulled ahead a bit to take a 13-point halftime lead but LA took the lead in the 3rd. But they went scoreless to start the 4th, Dallas got a lead and they held on to win. But yeah, this team needs shooting.
AD played in his first game since February 14th. He’d missed 30 games and it went about as well as you expected it to. Davis only played 16 minutes, all in the first half. 2/10 shooting overall. He’s rusty, but he about 10-15 games to tune things up for the playoffs. But yeah, this team definitely needs more shooting. One guy isn’t going to be enough.
Help
Again, you help Luka, you win. The Mavs were in control of this one for the most part. They led by 13 at the half led by 28 combined from Luka and KP. They lost that lead in the 3rd but they held LA down in the 4th and regained the lead, holding on to win.
Luka had 30-9-8, another great outing. 19 for Porzingis who should have taken more than 11 shots if he’s making most of them. Definitely want him to be aggressive. Other than the star duo, 4 others were in double-figures. The bench was good and the defense was solid. Shooting has to be better, 10 missed free throws is going to kill you in the playoffs. But if the Mavs keep giving Luka some help, they can do some damage.
Dallas is now tied with the Blazers in the standings, but they don’t have the tie-breaker so they’re still in 7th. Knowing my Blazers, Dallas should have that 6th seed soon.
What Are Your Thoughts From The 6 Games Today? Leave A Comment Down Below!
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