The Playoffs Are Here, And So Is Donovan Mitchell! 8.17.20
After a season suspension, a bubble and some seeding game, the NBA is finally ready for the NBA Playoffs. Here are my thoughts/opinions from Day 1 of the NBA Playoffs!
After a season suspension, a bubble and some seeding game, the NBA is finally ready for the NBA Playoffs. Here are my thoughts/opinions from Day 1 of the NBA Playoffs!
Utah Jazz
The Jazz lost their first playoff game. Here is what I thought about their performance.
The Jazz started their playoffs with a battle with the Denver Nuggets.The Nuggets were heavily favored to not only win this game, but also the series in a relatively easy fashion. And without Mike Conley for the start of this series, the Jazz were at a high disadvantage. But the Jazz were not going to back down from anybody. Behind 19 points from Donovan Mitchell, the Jazz trailed by 7 at halftime. But a big 3rd quarter from Utah gave them a 5-point lead entering the 4th. But the Nuggets battled back and matched them down the stretch. Nikola Jokic got a decent look at the buzzer but he missed, and we were going to overtime. But the Jazz got cooked by Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic in OT and their defense was very bad in the final 5 minutes of the game, and they lost 135-125.
The Jazz were pretty solid on offense as they shot 47% from the field and they made 16 3-pointers. The Jazz were also 17/23 from the free throw line. The Jazz had 16 offensive rebounds but also 15 turnovers as they did not do a good job taking care of the ball. The Jazz also had 54 points in the paint.
Defensively the Jazz need some help. The Nuggets shot 50% or better from both the field and 3, and they were 15/18 from the free throw line. The Jazz only forced 11 turnovers but they locked down the paint as the Nuggets had just 40 points down low.
Donovan Mitchell had 57 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists. Mitchell did everything he could for Utah, but it was not enough. Mitchell’s 57 points is the 2nd highest playoff point total by somebody under the age of 23. Mitchell also set the Jazz playoff record held by Karl Malone. And he has the 3rd highest playoffs scoring game behind MJ and Elgin Baylor. Rudy Gobert, Joe Ingles, and Jordan Clarkson were all in double figures as well.
Conclusion
The Jazz now trail 0-1 in the series, but they did put up a valiant effort. Behind a record setting night from Donovan Mitchell, the Jazz were close with the Nuggets throughout this game but the Jazz could not stop them on the offensive end. But the Jazz should be proud of their performance heading into Game 2 as they gave the Nuggets their best shot.
Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets won their first playoff game. Here is what I thought about their performance.
The Nuggets were the heavy favorites in their series against the Jazz. Even without Gary Harris and Will Barton, the Jazz were also short-handed without Bojan Bogdanovic and Mike Conley. But the Nuggets were playing well but they could not keep the Jazz at bay. And in the 3rd quarter the Jazz outscored Denver by 12 and the Nuggets trailed by 5 entering the 4th. So the Nuggets had to battle late in the 4th, and they did. The Nuggets had the final possession with a chance to win, but Nikola Jokic missed a short shot down low, so we were going to OT. And in the OT the Jazz could not stop the Nuggets and they took advantage as they scored 20 points in OT and they won 135-125.
Offensively the Nuggets shot 52% from the field and 54% from 3 while making 22 of them. The Nuggets were also 15/18 from the free throw line. The Nuggets only had 11 turnovers as they took good care of the ball. But they only had 40 points in the paint.
Defensively the Nuggets were poor as the Jazz shot 47% from 3 and the Jazz made 16 3-pointers. The Nuggets could not limit the Jazz to just one shot as the Jazz had 16 offensive rebounds. The Nuggets forced 15 turnovers as well. The Nuggets got pounded down low as the Jazz had 54 points in the paint.
Jamal Murray had 36 points, 5 rebounds, and 9 assists as he was matching Donovan Mitchell down the stretch. Nikola Jokic had 29 points and 10 rebounds as he looked great again. Michael Porter Jr, Torrey Craig, Jerami Grant, and Monte Morris were all in double figures.
Conclusion
The Nuggets now lead 1-0 in their 1st round series but it not come easy. The Nuggets could not stop the explosiveness of Donovan Mitchell, but they could match it with Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic. The Nuggets were on fire from 3 as they made 22 3-pointers. The Nuggets offense seems to be fine, but their defense needs improvement. Look for more defensive intensity heading into Game 2.
Toronto Raptors
The Raptors won their first playoff game. Here is what I thought about their performance.
The defending champs started their title defense against a very tough Brooklyn team. Even though the Nets have been blowing everybody away with their level of play without key players, the Raptors are the better team, and this series is going to be a cakewalk. And for a while Game 1 was looking like that. The Raptors led by 33 in the 2nd quarter and the game looked to be a blowout. Except the Nets would not go away. The Nets outscored the Raptors by 13 in the 3rd quarter and trailed by 9 entering the 4th. So the game was far from over. But the Raptors put their foot down in the 4th and they won 134-110.
Offensively the Raptors were hot as they shot 47% from the field and 50% from 3 while hitting 22 3-pointers. The Raptors were also 32/33 from the free throw line. The Raptors only had 11 turnovers. The Raptors didn’t score down low as they only had 28 points down low.
Defensively the Raptors were solid as the Nets shot 47% from the field and 31% from 3. Brooklyn was also 11/16 from the free throw line. The Raptors forced 14 turnovers. The Raptors allowed 44 points in the paint.
Fred VanVleet had 30 points and 11 assists, becoming the 1st Raptors with 30+ points and 10+ assists in a playoff game. Serge Ibaka had 22 points and 7 rebounds off the bench. Pascal Siakam, Kyle Lowry, Marc Gasol, OG Anunoby, and Terrence Davis were all in double figures.
The Raptors now lead 1-0 in their 1st round series. The Raptors never trailed in this game and led by as many as 33 in the 2nd quarter. But they took the Nets for granted and the Nets came back. They can’t afford to do that as this Brooklyn team is better than that people give them credit for. But it was an all-around good performance with balanced scoring and an excellent start for the defending champs.
Philadelphia 76ers
The 76ers lost their first playoff game in the bubble. Here is what I thought about their performance.
The 76ers were in a weird place heading into the playoffs. Without Ben Simmons, it would be interesting to see how they would play. Sure they were talented, but we didn’t know what we would be seeing. And although the 76ers lost this game, it wasn’t all bad. Behind a big 1st quarter from Joel Embiid, the 76ers were in the game throughout. And the 76ers were close in the 4th quarter and it looked like they had a good chance to win the game. But the Celtics gained separation and held on to win 109-101.
Offensively the 76ers were ok as they shot 46% from the field but just 33% from 3. The 76ers were also 18/23 from the free throw line. The 76ers had 15 offensive rebounds as they did a great job crashing the glass. The 76ers turned the ball over 18 turnovers. The 76ers also had 48 points in the paint.
Defensively the 76ers were ok as Boston shot 42% from the field and 32% from 3. The Celtics were also 23/26 from the free throw line. The Celtics had 16 offensive rebounds as the 76ers didn’t do a good job limiting them to just one shot. The 76ers only forced 7 turnovers. The 76ers allowed 42 points in the paint.
Joel Embiid had 26 points and 16 rebounds to lead the 76ers. While this is pretty good, Embiid only had 15 points after the 1st quarter. So he was pretty quiet. Josh Richardson had 18 points and 6 rebounds and Alec Burks had 18 points and 6 rebounds as well. Tobias Harris and Shake Milton were also in double figures.
Conclusion
The 76ers played pretty well in this game, but without Ben Simmons on the defensive end, they struggled to stop all of the Celtics scorers. But the 76ers didn’t look like scrubs in this game as they remained close throughout. But Al Horford was quiet as was Joel Embiid. After 11 points on 5-5 shooting, Embiid only had 15 points in the rest of the game. They will need to give him the ball more and for him to be more aggressive on the offensive end in order to win. But a solid performance to start the series for Philadelphia.
Boston Celtics
The Celtics won their first playoff game. Here is what I thought about their performance.
The Celtics were healthy entering the playoffs and they were one of the dark horse teams. At their best they could beat anybody in the league with their 4-headed scorers. The Celtics faced a short-handed 76ers team without a wing defender in Ben Simmons. So the Celtics were going to have some mismatches on the offensive end. And they took advantage as the game slowed down and Tatum, Brown and others really took control. And the Celtics got off to a great start with a 109-101 win.
Offensively the Celtics were ok, as they shot 42% from the field and 32% from 3. The Celtics were also 23/26 from the free throw line. The Celtics had 16 offensive rebounds as they did a good job getting 2nd chance opportunities. The Celtics only had 7 turnovers. The Celtics had 42 points in the paint.
Defensively the Celtics were ok as the 76ers shot 46% from the field and 33% from 3. The 76ers had 15 offensive rebounds as the Celtics did a poor job limiting the 76ers to just one shot. The Celtics forced 18 turnovers. The Celtics allowed 48 points in the paint.
Jayson Tatum had 32 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Celtics. Jaylen Brown had 29 points and 6 rebounds as well. Kemba Walker had 19 points and 5 assists and Gordon Hayward had 12 points as well.
Conclusion
The Celtics looked very good in their playoff debut as Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown were very aggressive. The Celtics will need a strong dosage of those two if they want more success. But the Celtics have some bad news as Gordon Hayward sprained his ankle in the 109-101 win. He will undergo MRI to see the severity of the injury. Hayward is a big part for the success of the Celtics, and they will need him healthy for the rest of the playoffs.
Dallas Mavericks
The Mavericks lost their first playoff game. Here is what I thought about their performance.
The Mavs were the heavy underdogs in a series vs the LA Clippers. The Mavs have been short-handed ever since the NBA restarted, and without much defense and experience, were not expected to do much in the bubble. But they were expected to cause problems, and be a very tough team to take down. And that they were. While the Mavs fell down by 16 early, they came back and the game was close throughout. Kristaps Porzingis was ejected in the 3rd quarter after lightly shoving Marcus Morris. Morris and Doncic were talking, and he came to protect his teammate. A very weak call, especially in the playoffs. And even without Porzingis, the Mavs fought valiantly, but it was not the same. The Mavs fell short 118-110.
Offensively the Mavs were solid as they shot 46% from the field and 35% from 3. The Mavs were also 21/24 from the free throw line. The Mavs had 21 turnovers as they did not do a good job taking care of the ball. The Mavs only had 36 points down low.
Defensively the Mavs were poor as the Clippers shot 47% from the field and 34% from 3. The Clippers were also 15/20 from the free throw line. The Clippers had 11 offensive rebounds as the Mavs did a poor job limiting them to just one shot. The Mavs only forced 11 turnovers. The Clippers had 44 points in the paint.
Luka Doncic had 42 points, 7 rebounds, 9 assists, and 11 turnovers in his debut. Doncic holds the record for most points in a playoff debut, but the 11 turnovers are not good. Tim Hardaway Jr. had 18 points and 6 rebounds as well. Porzingis had 14 points in just 20 minutes.
Conclusion
The Mavs played pretty well considering that they were that much of an underdog. Their defense wasn’t as bad as it was during the seeding games, but they were far from great. And considering that the Mavs lost Kristaps Porzingis to a very soft technical foul call, they might have won this game had be kept playing. So the Mavs should be very proud of their performance, and they will continue to give the Clippers headaches throughout this series.
LA Clippers
The Clippers won their first playoff game. Here is what I thought about their performance.
The Clippers were the heavy favorites in a 1st round series vs the Mavericks, but they were far from out of the woods. The Clippers were dealing with one of the most explosive offenses in the league headlined by Luka Doncic. And the Clippers started off very well as they forced a lot of turnovers and led by 16 early in the 1st quarter. But Luka Doncic and the Mavs fought back and the game was very close. But in the 3rd quarter things got interesting. Marcus Morris and Luka Doncic were having words after a foul and Kristaps Porzingis lightly shoved Morris away, protecting his teammate. Porzingis already had one technical, but he got another one on a very weak call. The Clippers got very lucky with this call and they ended up winning 118-110.
Offensively the Clippers were solid as they shot 47% from the field and 34% from 3. The Clippers were also 15/20 from the free throw line. The Clippers had 11 offensive rebounds. The Clippers only turned the ball over 11 times. LA had 44 points in the paint.
Defensively the Clippers were solid as the Mavs shot 46% from the field and 35% from 3. The Mavs were also 21/24 from the free throw line. The Clippers forced 21 turnovers on Dallas. The Clippers only allowed 36 points in the paint.
Kawhi Leonard had 29 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 assists for the Clippers. Paul George added 27 points. Marcus Morris had 19 points and 6 rebounds as well. Lou Williams and Ivica Zubac were also in double figures.
Conclusion
The Clippers played pretty well as they made life for Luka Doncic very difficult. But even with Porzingis out the Clippers still had to scrap for a win. Even with Kawhi and PG-13 firing on all cylinders. Montrezl Harrell is still getting acclimated back to game shape as he only had 6 points, so the Clippers are still missing their paint beast for now. But the Clippers got the win, but they might have to be a little bit worried about how close this game was.
What Did You Think About The Return Of The NBA Playoffs? Leave A Comment Down Below!
A Specific Topic From Day 1 Will Be Posted Tomorrow, So Stay Tuned!
Follow My Instagram To Never Miss A Post: @hoopnotions
