This is the Hangover. We get basketball-wasted all the time. Yes, we recap the NBA every night in our own way.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images.)
#2 TORONTO RAPTORS 95 @ #3 MIAMI HEAT 91
EAST Semifinals – Game 3 – RAPTORS lead series, 2-1
This series is going to cause a heart attack amongst Raptors and Heat fans.
Hassan Whiteside left the game early after he sprained his knee. He didn’t come back to the game and we have no idea what his further status is. In the meantime, Jonas Valanciunas, who was already dominating in all spots of the floor, took even more advantage. He had a double-double in the first half.
Unfortunately for the Raptors, Valanciunas sprained his ankle in the third quarter. He didn’t return to the game and he’s labeled as day-to-day.
At that point, the Raptors were up by 13. Dwyane Wade then got hot and was vintage Flash. He scored 18 points in the third quarter and it was like 2006 all over again. I wanted to bring SexyBack.
(VIDEO CREDIT: JustinTimberlakeVEVO.)
But the Raptors got some much-needed offense from a guy who seemingly hasn’t been good in the playoffs forever, Kyle Lowry. Lowry matched Wade shot for shot; he made the go-ahead three with two minutes left. Then Kyle made a midrange jumper to put them up three with 31 seconds left.
The Heat had a shot to tie with 23 seconds left but Joe Johnson missed a three. DeMar DeRozan, who is also notably struggling, was able to make clutch free throws and the resilient Raptors were able to take the series lead.
We’re hoping that both teams get their respective big men back. But it looks more bleak for Whiteside and the Heat. If both men can’t come back, we expect a faster series and for Dwyane Wade to have more of the burden.
I’m not sure if Miami wants that.
BEHIND THE LINES
Kyle Lowry (TOR): 33 pts.
Jonas Valanciunas (TOR): 16 pts, 12 rebs.
Dwyane Wade (MIA): 38 pts.
#1 GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS 108 @ #5 PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS 120
WEST Semifinals – Game 3 – WARRIORS lead series, 2-1
Klay Thompson had another explosive quarter to start. He scored 18 points in the first 12 minutes as he helped the Dubs lead by six.
But the Blazers had a huge second quarter. They ended the half with a 12-2 run. Damian Lillard had 25 points by then and he would only continue to bring the heat.
The Warriors tried to climb out of the hole, even getting some extraordinary shooting from Draymond Green (who made eight three-pointers). Golden State cut the deficit from 20 to 11. But Lillard put it to bed a bit later. He would make back-to-back threes to bring the lead back to 15 and G. State didn’t have enough juice or a Game Shark (otherwise known as Stephen Curry) to bring them back.
Portland knew better this time around. They can’t relax when they have a lead against the Warriors in the fourth quarter. Kick them while they’re down. Drown them if they’re still breathing. Put some C4 on their backs.
The Blazers did all of that (not literally because that would be terrible). Now it’s a series.
BEHIND THE LINES
Damian Lillard (POR): 40 pts (8/13 3FG), 5 rebs, 10 assts.
Al-Farouq Aminu (POR): 23 pts, 10 rebs.
C.J. McCollum (POR): 22 pts, 5 rebs.
Draymond Green (GS): 37 pts (8/12 3FG), 9 rebs, 8 assts.
Klay Thompson (GS): 35 pts.
WATCH THIS PLAY
Lillard may get all the headlines but Al-Farouq Aminu gets all the highlights. Look at him sky and dunk on Australia. Sorry, Andrew Bogut.
(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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