Welcome to the Basketball Hangover. I write about what’s happening in the NBA daily. Hey! We’re in the playoffs now!
Nikola Jokic had a huge game to help Denver even the series at one apiece.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Joe Mahoney/AP.)
Well, after an incredible weekend of games, Monday’s games sent us back to Earth.
I’ll talk about the Blazers/Nuggets on top because, at least, this one evened the series. And at the very least, we had a fun Damian Lillard quarter in the second as he did his best to keep Portland in the game. He scored 22 points and seemingly couldn’t miss from three. Dame had 32 points overall by the half.
Not to be outdone, Nikola Jokic himself had 25 by the end of the half. The Nuggets were up double digits and the Blazers never really got closer than 9 points.
Aaron Gordon noticeably guarded Lillard more in the second half and Dame could only muster 8 points in the last 24 minutes. Denver evened the series at one and we’re going to Rip City for the next two games.
And that’s the thing. As much as these are blowouts early in the series, it’s still only one game. Portland could win the next two and suddenly, this Game 2 blowout wouldn’t matter. And that’s what the Blazers are aiming for. They’re fully healthy for the first time in forever and they have to strike while the Nuggets, even at #3, are missing key players like Jamal Murray (who won’t return until next season) and Will Barton (who is due back soon). It sucks to say that injuries are part of the game. But that’s why Jokic has also been the favorite for MVP this season. He’s kept the team winning and really stepped up his scoring in addition to his playmaking.
Game 3 should be hot in Oregon.
Bullet Passes
In the meantime, the Bucks got off to a 15-2 start against the Heat and they never looked back. It was a beatdown through and through. The Heat are like you going up against Mike Tyson circa 1987. The Bucks made 15 threes in the first half and that was really all she wrote.
Still, I wouldn’t count Jimmy Butler and the Heat out. 2-0 is still a doable albeit difficult deficit in the series. If they lose the next game, THEN we can start talking about doomsday.
This was a really cool set-up as Jordan Clarkson was revealed to have won the Sixth Man of the Year award.
Joe Ingles hands Jordan Clarkson the #KiaSixth Man of the Year trophy 🎶 pic.twitter.com/pamxUATDqb
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) May 24, 2021
With that said, they’re handing out season awards during the playoffs?! YES. BULLETIN BOARD MATERIAL.
Also, look how far these former Lakers have come:
Hard to believe they were all on the same team four years ago.
(PHOTO CREDIT: GQ.)
Jordan Clarkson: 2021 6th Man of the Year.
D’Angelo Russell: 2019 All-Star.
Brandon Ingram: 2020 All-Star and 2020 Most Improved Player.
Julius Randle: 2021 All-Star.
Randle is also the favorite to win Most Improved Player this season. Laker fans would be extremely upset about how this turned out…
…if the Lakers didn’t win the championship last season. Heck, I think they’re still upset, regardless.
NBA Playoff Scoreboard
May 24, 2021
NBA Playoff Series Count
EAST
#1 Sixers lead #8 Wizards, 1-0.
#5 Hawks lead #4 Knicks, 1-0.
#2 Nets lead #7 Celtics, 1-0.
#3 Bucks lead #6 Heat, 2-0.
WEST
#8 Grizzlies lead #1 Jazz, 1-0.
#5 Mavericks lead #4 Clippers, 1-0.
#2 Suns lead #7 Lakers, 1-0.
#3 Nuggets tied with #6 Blazers, 1-1.
Watch This Play
This shot by Dame was ridiculous.
LOGO LILLARD 🔥 pic.twitter.com/OBffNMVsZO
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 25, 2021
Logo Lillard. Wasn’t enough on Monday, though.
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.