Welcome to the Basketball Hangover. NBA Playoff Basketball resumes after a break for more important things.
George Hill talks to D.J. Augustin. Hill and the Bucks advance to the East semifinals.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images.)
The Milwaukee Bucks advanced to the Eastern Conference Semifinals after dispatching the Orlando Magic. It has got to be tough to play basketball after all the players that went through this walkout.
The Bucks may have had a tougher time. After all, they’re the ones that initiated the walkout. George Hill, in particular, was the one that started it all. And you can believe whatever report you want out there but in the end, they got what they wanted.
Now I’m not very positive the NBA players are going to get the concessions that they want. The system in place in terms of policing and government feel ironclad; it’s going to be really tough to break that system down. But something must be done. If the Bucks (and later on, the sporting world) didn’t do anything then, then when?
As far as the basketball went? The Bucks were overwhelming in talent. They led by as many as 21 points. But Orlando fought back and that must be given props, too; they never ever surrendered. The Magic cut the deficit down to three points before Milwaukee came back with three-pointers to put the series away.
So I suppose we can transition this into a prediction/preview of the East semifinals considering it’s all set. I feel like we’re going to see a shootout here because both teams like to shoot the three… and both teams like to give away the three-pointers. So it’s a matter of wills here. The Bucks like to get out and stampede. The Heat want to slow things down. They’re both great defensively but the Bucks are tops in the league.
I feel like it’s easier to get caught up in a running frenzy.
PREDICTION: BUCKS IN 6.
As for the Raptors and Celtics? This is a toss-up, too. The wing tandem of Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum are terrifying. The addition of Kemba Walker gives them another scoring threat and we have Marcus Smart making all the winning plays.
But my thing with the Raptors is that they’ve BEEN a team. They went through the battles of last season. It’s fair to say that the player they lost was the Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard and that could go a long way. But the Raptors have that aura of a champion; they’re very confident. And I feel that experience from last year is going to help them here.
PREDICTION: RAPTORS IN 6.
I understand that this entry has been all over the place. But the pandemic and the social injustices have gotten everything all over the place. The basketball will give us a nice distraction for a few hours per day but never forget what the players (we) are all fighting for.
Bullet Passes
The Lakers, in the meantime, got rid of the Portland TrailBlazers in five games. Yes, Damian Lillard didn’t play but that dude should’ve left an impression on you if you really like basketball. He got hurt trying to will the Blazers farther into the postseason.
But the Lakers were also just too much. The Blazers, even with the break from the walkout, were still worn down mentally (whether it’s the walkout and the close games they played throughout the bubble). Anthony Davis (43 points) and LeBron James (36-10-10!) were incredible. C.J. McCollum did what he could (36 points) but in the end, it’s the Lakers advancing.
I do think it’s a bit nonsensical to call them the most dangerous 8th seed ever or whatever they were tabbed to be. Were they a different team pre-pandemic? Yes. Maybe they’re as even as high as a 3rd seed if they had this team from the start. But they were a team that had moving parts all year. And they had to exhaust themselves to get to the postseason.
Besides, we’ve already seen an 8th seed make it to the Finals (1999 Knicks). Okay, there was a lockout beforehand but still.
Kristaps Porzingis (yeah, I know) is out for the remainder of the series due to a torn meniscus in his knee. The Mavericks have to be concerned with the leg injuries Porzingis has had.
Russell Westbrook came back for Game 5 against the Thunder. Westbrook didn’t do as much with limited minutes (7-6-7 in under 24 minutes). The Rockets did use a 19-2 boost to start the third quarter. OKC never challenged again.
I’m sure someone out there is making a site called Stop Shooting So Many Bad Shots, Lu Dort. 3/16 from the field and missed all 9 three-pointers.
Dennis Schroder and P.J. Tucker did get ejected for this little incident.
Gary Harris is supposed to be back for Game 6 against the Jazz. What a gain that would be for the Nuggets.
NBA Playoff Scoreboard
Game 5: #1 MIL 118 vs #8 ORL 104 (MIL wins series, 4-1)
Game 5: #4 HOU 114 vs #5 OKC 80 (HOU leads series, 3-2)
Game 5: #1 LAL 131 vs #8 POR 122 (LAL wins series, 4-1)
Watch This Play
How does Giannis Antetokounmpo do this?
Left handed HAMMER. pic.twitter.com/2ILDJq56ru
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) August 29, 2020
No wonder James Harden is jealous.
Take care, everyone in the Bubble.
Rey-Rey is on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass.
TNLP on FaceBook.