This is the Hangover. We get basketball-wasted all the time. Yes, we recap the NBA every night in our own way.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Dave Sandford/NBA.)
#3 MIAMI HEAT 102 @ #2 TORONTO RAPTORS 96 (OT)
EAST Semifinals – Game 1 – HEAT lead series, 1-0
This was quite a wild opener. But early in the game, Hassan Whiteside hurt his knee. He was able to come back and continue.
The shooting woes continued for the Raptors backcourt but DeMar DeRozan continued to be aggressive. Jonas Valanciunas also kept Toronto within range as he played possibly the best game of his career on both sides of the ball.
Goran Dragic picked up where he left off as he continued to convert jumpers from the end of the third to the start of the fourth. The Dragon helped give the Heat a double-digit lead. Cory Joseph and DeRozan tried to counter but Dragic made a big three to bring the lead back up to five. It looked like all was lost when Terrence Ross missed a three when Toronto was trailing by six.
But suddenly, the inbounds play has become the hardest play in basketball this week. Josh Richardson botched the throw-in and it would lead to a three by Ross with six seconds left. Luol Deng would also throw away the inbounds pass from the sideline and Ross was fouled on the loose ball. However, Ross only split his foul shots and they had to foul to extend the game. But the Raptors fouled the perfect guy in Whiteside. He split his foul shots and the Raptors had one last shot to tie the game with three seconds left and no timeouts.
Kyle Lowry, who has been miserable in the playoffs, ran upcourt. He almost lost the ball in the process but he was able to get a clean look from halfcourt. He made it and the game would go an extra five.
Dwyane Wade would make two big jumpers in OT to give the Heat an eight-point lead. But Toronto continued to get the breaks in their comebacks. Raptors were able to cut the deficit to three after a Jonas dunk. Then Deng would once again botch an inbounds play. The Raptors would have another shot to tie with 10 seconds left. Unfortunately, DeRozan lost his dribble and Wade was able to pick up the ball (though you can argue he traveled as he fell and got up to dribble) for a fastbreak lay-in to seal the game.
Toronto continues to lose Game 1s. But it’s not like the Heat played particularly well, either. At this point, it’s about who messes up less. They might as well play in the mud.
Mud basketball. Sexy.
BEHIND THE LINES
Goran Dragic (MIA): 26 pts, 6 rebs.
Dwyane Wade (MIA): 24 pts, 6 rebs, 3 stls.
Hassan Whiteside (MIA): 9 pts, 17 rebs.
Jonas Valanciunas (TOR): 24 pts, 14 rebs, 3 blks.
DeMar DeRozan (TOR): 22 pts, 6 rebs.
#5 PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS 99 @ #1 GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS 110
WEST Semifinals – Game 2 – WARRIORS lead series, 2-0
The Blazers did nearly everything right in the first three quarters. They jumped on the Dubs early, were able to neutralize Klay Thompson for a time, were able to move the ball around and beat the Warriors’ pick and roll defense, and were able to withstand the Warriors’ attempts at a run.
Except the last quarter. Festus Ezeli came in and was able to cover more ground defensively. The Warriors covered the Blazers’ best two scorers and dared their role players to make plays. The defensive momentum carried over to the offense and the Warriors were able to finally overwhelm the Blazers with one last run. That run was decisive; G. State went on a 28-6 flourish and Klay finally got free for 10 points in the fourth (27 overall).
It still was the greatest regular season team in NBA history the Blazers were going against but no matter what, it hurts. And hopefully, that wound is healed by the time they get back to the Rose City.
Portland almost had them. But almost doesn’t count anywhere. That’s like saying, “I almost got the job! I was one of the final three people!” and you still didn’t get the job. That’s what everyone is going to look at. A loss is a loss. And the Warriors are now up, 2-0.
BEHIND THE LINES
Klay Thompson (GS): 27 pts.
Draymond Green (GS): 17 pts, 14 rebs, 7 assts, 4 blks.
C.J. McCollum (POR): 22 pts.
Damian Lillard (POR): 25 pts (6/11 3FG), 6 assts.
WATCH THIS PLAY
That halfcourt shot by Kyle Lowry, of course, that sent the game to overtime.
(VIDEO CREDIT: NBA.)
Follow Rey-Rey on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass for all tweets about the NBA and terrible pop music. Also, check out his podcast, Rey-Rey Is Fundamental.
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