Welcome to the Basketball Hangover. I write about what’s happening in the NBA daily. Hey! We’re in the playoffs now!
The Suns have evened the series with the Lakers after winning Game 4.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Mark J. Terrill/AP.)
Once Anthony Davis hurt his groin, it felt like the Lakers were easy pickings.
After Kyle Kuzma was seen starting the second half, it felt like the team and the Lakers’ fans were deflated. Davis never returned to the game with that hurt groin and the Phoenix Suns took advantage. Also, Chris Paul looked his best since hurting his shoulder in Game 1. The Lakers did rally a bit in the fourth but the Suns never seemed in danger of losing the game in the second half.
Paul actually led the team in scoring in a Suns balanced attack; 6 players scored in double figs. Jae Crowder finally shot well and finished with 17 points. Deandre Ayton continued to dominate the boards with 17 rebounds. Cameron Payne scored 13 off the bench. And the Suns defense held the Lakers to 39 percent shooting.
LeBron James was deemed passive for most of the game but I felt like he was saving his energy for the fourth. He did finish with 25-12-6 but if Davis isn’t playing in Game 5, James will need one of his superhuman games to keep the Lakers in it. Suddenly, the Lakers look like they’re in danger of losing as long as Anthony Davis isn’t playing. It felt the same for the Suns when Paul was hurt.
It’s just too bad that we’re not really seeing both teams at the peak of their powers in this series. Injuries have really dictated this series thus far and it’ll be a shame when one of these teams get eliminated because of it. I understand it’s part of the game but it just sucks to have this happen to both teams.
It’s a best-of-three between these teams now. And we’re going back to Phoenix for Game 5. It’s safe to say that the Suns will definitely have the upper hand here.
Bullet Passes
Luka Doncic had some injury concerns going into Game 4. Rick Carlisle acknowleged that Luka had a hard time looking and turning left.
With Luka not playing as well as he could, the rest of the team couldn’t step it up. Now the Clippers have evened the series up and we’re suddenly looking into a best-of-three between these teams.
I’ve said many times that the Nets have overwhelming talent. Kevin Durant scored 42 points. Kyrie Irving had 39 points and 11 boards. James Harden had 23 points and 18 assists. That’s more than enough to counter Jayson Tatum‘s 40-point performance.
The Nets are one win away from advancing.
And the Hawks have found a groove. Trae Young continues to wow with 27 points and 9 assists. John Collins scored 22 and Danilo Gallinari came off the bench to pour in 21 points. Julius Randle finally played a decent game with 23-10-7 and RJ Barrett put in 21 but it just wasn’t enough against an Atlanta team firing on all cylinders.
Since we’re awful and like to make Luka/Trae comparisons, it seems like Trae Young has a chance to get out of the first round before Luka.
So we had the popcorn incident with Russell Westbrook and the fan spitting at Trae Young. Now we have water bottles being thrown at Kyrie Irving. I just don’t get why fans would act like this towards these athletes. Heck, why would PEOPLE do this to OTHER PEOPLE. Enough is enough, man.
NBA Playoff Scoreboard
May 30, 2021
NBA Playoff Series Count
EAST
#1 Sixers lead #8 Wizards, 3-0.
#5 Hawks lead #4 Knicks, 3-1.
#2 Nets lead #7 Celtics, 3-1.
#3 Bucks defeat #6 Heat, 4-0.
WEST
#1 Jazz lead #8 Grizzlies, 2-1.
#4 Clippers tied with #5 Mavericks, 2-2.
#2 Suns tied with #7 Lakers, 2-2.
#3 Nuggets tied with #6 Blazers, 2-2.
Watch This Play
Alex Caruso goes off the glass to LeBron.
Alex Caruso 🆙 to LeBron James #LakeShow pic.twitter.com/C1TgoZPcjG
— NBA France (@NBAFRANCE) May 31, 2021
They’ll need more of that on Game 5 against Phoenix.
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.