Welcome to the Basketball Hangover. I write about what’s happening in the NBA daily. Hey! We’re in the play-in games now!
LeBron James puts the Lakers in the postseason proper with this clutch three.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Adam Pantozzi/Getty Images.)
Well, LeBron’s latest stance on the play-in game probably won’t happen. This game alone is going to make the postseason a permanent fixture.
I even said before that the match-up alone even before the game was played that the NBA won and that the play-in was here to stay. After this exciting game, I don’t think there’s any doubt now. The Lakers came back against the Warriors to advance to the playoffs and they have a date with the upstart Phoenix Suns, who suddenly could be the latest of #2 seeds to fall in the first round.
No doubt that the Lakers got off to a shaky start. The Lakers stars couldn’t get anything going as Stephen Curry made a three at the halftime buzzer to put the Dubs up 13. When the Warriors withstood an L.A. run at the beginning of the third, it looked pretty bleak. Still, guys like Alex Caruso and Kyle Kuzma kept the Lakers alive as LeBron James and Anthony Davis were starting to wake up. Eventually, the Lakers went on a 25-7 run that spanned the end of the third and the start of the fourth.
It became a back and forth affair and the game was tied at 100. LeBron, who was poked in the eye earlier, made a desperate 34-foot three with the shot clock running down. Jordan Poole missed a three in the ensuing possession. The Dubs got the ball back for onre more shot with two seconds left but they didn’t get a shot off. The Lakers escape after a very exciting contest.
The East play-in games were nothing to write home about, even when Jayson Tatum scored 50 points (which… isn’t going to be put in the regular season OR playoff stats). The other West play-in game was pretty close, at least. But this was the game the NBA was counting on to be great and it lived up to it. I’d be surprised if the play-in game isn’t an NBA fixture for many many years to come.
As for the Lakers, they’re in full strength and, stop me if you’ve heard this before about the Lakers, they could be the most dangerous #7 seed there is. But there is some truth to this now. The Lakers have James (who had a triple-double in this game with 22-11-10) and Davis. They’re the champs from the year before. And no injuries (God forbid) are stopping them now. Let’s also remember that the Lakers were 21-6 before the injury bug caught them.
We knew the Warriors have become quite the team over the last few weeks. They’re a scary team and Curry alone (who went for 37 points) can possibly carry a team to a series win. But if they really want to do some damage, they have to survive Memphis first. And let’s all remember that anything can happen in ONE ELIMINATION game.
But the next two days, we’re going to find out who the real 8th seeds are.
Bullet Passes
Jonas Valanciunas yet had another huge play-in game. Last season against Portland, he went for 22 points and 17 boards. He was even bigger against the Spurs as he had 23 points and 23 rebounds. So in play-in games, Jonas averages 22.5 points and 20 rebounds.
But they don’t exist in regular season and postseason stats.
Dejounte Murray had a triple-double at 10-13-11. But he, along with many other Spurs, had a bad shooting night (4 for 17). San Antonio shot .351 from the field. They really missed Derrick White here.
We have Washington and Indiana for Thursday‘s play-in game. The winner of this game goes against the #1 seed Philadelphia 76ers.
Friday‘s play-in, as mentioned, will have the Warriors against the Grizzlies. The winner faces Utah in the first round. Donovan Mitchell isn’t cleared to play just yet but he did practice earlier on Thursday.
At the very least, the teams that had already made the playoffs get about a week’s rest. That really is a benefit for the Top 6 teams from each conference. Just relax and listen to Miley Cyrus.
(VIDEO CREDIT: Hollywood Records.)
NBA Scoreboard
May 19, 2021
Watch This Play
As said earlier, this three broke a tie. It turned out to be the final score.
LeBron called GAME. @KingJames hits one of the biggest shots of his Lakers career! (🎙: @LAIreland & @champagnennuts)
React ALL DAY to the win on 710 AM ESPN https://t.co/Wda75J3NBi pic.twitter.com/7AKsMCsagx
— ESPN Los Angeles (@ESPNLosAngeles) May 20, 2021
The Lakers advance to the playoffs.
Everyone, please take care of yourselves during this pandemic. And that goes for everyone involved with the NBA as well.
You can find Rey-Rey on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass.
You can also check out Rey-Rey’s podcast, Rey-Rey Is Fundamental, for more basketball content and, really, whatever else.
R.I.P. Nala.