Welcome to the Basketball Hangover. I write about what’s happening in the NBA daily. Hey! We’re in the playoffs now!
Clippers got a much-needed win in Dallas.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Tony Gutierrez/AP.)
The Clippers nearly dug themselves a deeper hole on Friday. Luckily for them, their stars came through when L.A. needed them the most.
It looked really really bleak early. Luka Doncic spurred the Mavs to a 30-11 lead. We were headed towards a blowout and it would’ve been the most embarrassing thing for the Clips since… well… last year’s playoffs. With Luka on the bench, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George led the Clips back with a 14-0 run.
And it was pretty much even throughout. What stood out, though, was that Luka didn’t have as much help as he did the first two games. Still, the Mavs were making their threes. In the meantime, the Clippers’ two all-stars were handling their business in the trenches.
In the fourth quarter, the Clips’ stars found their ace in the hole by kicking it to the left corner three spot. Marcus Morris was parked there multiple times, making a three seemingly every time he caught a pass there. On the other side, Luka was still doing all the work but he was missing a lot of his free throws. Reggie Jackson would make yet another left corner three to separate the teams even more. Luka would make two threes late but by then, the distance was too much. And the Clippers were able to cut the series deficit to 2-1.
Kawhi did the heavy lifting (36 points) while PG-13 punched in 29. Luka went for an unbelievable 44-9-9 but it’s noted that Dorian Finney-Smith, Kristaps Porzingis, and Tim Hardaway, Jr. combined for 10 for 34 shooting (that’s .294 for you math wiz kids out there).
And yes, Luka should get credit for Dallas’s success thus far but they don’t win games without that supporting cast. Hardaway had 21 and 28 the first two games. Porzingis (yeah, I know) had 20 in Game 2. Finney-Smith had 18 in Game 1. They’ll have to do better for Game 4.
In the meantime, the Clippers pretty much saved their season with this win. One game at a time for them. If they do win Game 4, it becomes a best-of-three. And anything can happen then.
Bullet Passes
I just feel so bad for Julius Randle. He just CANNOT get it going. He is 13 for 54 (.241) for the series. In the meantime, it’s Derrick Rose (yeah, yeah) is carrying the Knicks on offense (30 points).
But Trae Young is just doing his thing (21 points, 14 assists). Atlanta had 7 players in double figs as they go up on the series, 2-1.
Remember when I said that Jayson Tatum might have to average 45 for the Celtics to have a chance at the series? Well, he scored 50 and Boston scored the upset. And this is with James Harden going for 41-7-10 and Kevin Durant scoring 39.
But when you have Marcus Smart, Evan Fournier, and Tristan Thompson combining for 59 points to cover for Kemba Walker‘s 6 points…
Tatum has scored 50 or more FOUR times since April 9. But only three will count towards his averages. He went for 53 in a win over Minnesota, 60 in a win over San Antonio, 50 in the play-in game against Washington, and Friday‘s game.
Of course, the play-in game doesn’t count on any stats…
NBA Playoff Scoreboard
May 28, 2021
NBA Playoff Series Count
EAST
#1 Sixers lead #8 Wizards, 2-0.
#5 Hawks lead #4 Knicks, 2-1.
#2 Nets lead #7 Celtics, 2-1.
#3 Bucks lead #6 Heat, 3-0.
WEST
#1 Jazz tied with #8 Grizzlies, 1-1.
#5 Mavericks lead #4 Clippers, 2-1.
#7 Lakers lead #2 Suns, 2-1.
#3 Nuggets lead #6 Blazers, 2-1.
Watch This Play
The Celtics with the hustle, the pass, and the jam.
YIKES 😱🤯 pic.twitter.com/kyg1I3vO85
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) May 29, 2021
Boston keeps their season alive.
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.