Welcome to the Basketball Hangover. I write about what’s happening in the NBA daily. Hey! We’re in the playoffs now!
The Lakers looked like the title team from last year in Game 3.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Keith Birmingham/Pasadena Star-News.)
Well, there’s kind of a reason why people have said they might be the most dangerous #7 seed in NBA history. The defending champion Lakers had a big third quarter and held off a fleeting rally from the Phoenix Suns in the fourth.
It looked like a 90s NBA game in the first half as we saw a lot of great defense that led to some sloppy play by both teams. The halftime score was 43-41 and I was ready to put on some super baggy jeans and jam to some SWV.
(PHOTO CREDIT: SWV.)
The Suns got weak in the knees in the third as Anthony Davis and LeBron James woke up and did some damage. Los Angeles can still be called Lob City if you saw what Davis and Andre Drummond did in this game. Either way, Davis scored 18 and James had 10 in that big third quarter.
It became chippy in the fourth as Jae Crowder (who went against the Lakers in the finals as a member of the Miami Heat last year) took on LeBron one-on-one in several possessions. James got him good on a reverse lay-up on one of those encounters. If only Crowder’s production matched his bravado, though.
Cameron Payne did his best to rally the Suns as he scored 11 of his 15 points in the fourth. But it wasn’t enough and it got really heated towards the end as Devin Booker and Crowder both got ejected after a little run-in with Dennis Schröder (20 points). The Lakers looked like the Lakers of 2020 and they took a 2-1 series lead.
Obviously, Chris Paul is still being hampered by his right shoulder and this feels like it might be another one of those “what ifs” again. Deandre Ayton has been ace in this series as he went for yet another 22-point, 11-board performance. A frustrated Booker didn’t really get going in this game as he went 6 for 19 and a pedestrian (for him) 19 points.
But the Lakers look like they’re back. At least, for Game 3. Davis came up big again with his second straight 34-point game (to go with 11 rebounds). James had a 21-6-9 game and, at times, looked unstoppable. While the Lakers still need more offense from their supporting cast, their defense has held up their end of the bargain.
Still, it only takes a Game 4 win for Phoenix to change the series complexion yet again. And with what we saw in the last few minutes of this game, things might escalate at Staples Center on Sunday.
So these are the mighty Lakers teams supposedly tried to avoid in the first round. Is Phoenix ready for the challenge?
Bullet Passes
You might want to try to box out Nikola Jokic.
NIKOLA JOKIC CAPS HIS 36-POINT NIGHT WITH THE GAME-SEALING TIP-IN!#MileHighBasketball #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/vKrJyGhd7L
— NBA (@NBA) May 28, 2021
That has to make Terry Stotts lose it. It’s a missed free throw and if the Blazers get the rebound, they would have a chance to tie.
But Jokic just bullied Robert Covington. Still, you have to do what it takes to get the MVP candidate out. Put another body.
Instead, the Blazers trail the series now.
Dude. Austin Rivers in the postseason is just amazing. We remember his breakout 25-point Game 3 with the Clippers in 2015 against Houston. In 2016, he tried his damnedest to save his team from elimination as he poured in 21 points while having a bad cut near his left eye.
On Thursday, Austin made 16 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter when the Nuggets really needed it. This guy just shines in the playoffs. And I love that he got his chance with Denver this season. What a journey he’s had in this league.
I just don’t know with the Miami Heat anymore. Sometimes, I feel like it’s a combination of the Bucks being on a mission and the Heat getting destroyed by a lot of things in this campaign.
No matter what, the Heat getting eliminated in the first round is such a disappointment following their run last season.
NBA Playoff Scoreboard
May 27, 2021
NBA Playoff Series Count
EAST
#1 Sixers lead #8 Wizards, 2-0.
#4 Knicks tied with #5 Hawks, 1-1.
#2 Nets lead #7 Celtics, 2-0.
#3 Bucks lead #6 Heat, 3-0.
WEST
#1 Jazz tied with #8 Grizzlies, 1-1.
#5 Mavericks lead #4 Clippers, 2-0.
#7 Lakers lead #2 Suns, 2-1.
#3 Nuggets lead #6 Blazers, 2-1.
Watch This Play
Damian Lillard rocks the party that rocks the body.
💥 DAME ROCKS THE RIM 💥#NBAPlayoffs on @NBATV pic.twitter.com/aFKyto0Pms
— NBA (@NBA) May 28, 2021
Sometimes, we forget that this guy can leap because we think so much of his shooting and scoring prowess. Dame Time also includes some hangtime and bang time.
I love that old-school Clark Kellogg NBA 2K call.
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.