Welcome to the Basketball Hangover. I write about what’s happening in the NBA daily. Hey! We’re in the playoffs now!
For the first time in NBA Playoff History, a playoff series is going 7 games without a home team winner.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Michael Ainsworth/AP.)
Kawhi Leonard scored an astounding 45 points to keep this series going. It was a backbreaking 8-2 personal run by Leonard that put the game out of reach.
Kawhi wasn’t alone doing the damage. Paul George has been consistent in this series; he went for 20-13-6, keeping his 20-point streak alive in the playoffs. Reggie Jackson was big, scoring 25 points.
As far as the Mavericks went? Despite the neck strain, Luka Doncic went for 29-8-11. But it has to be frustrating that their #2 option, Kristaps Porzingis (yeah, I know) hasn’t been contributing as he was expected to. He’s averaging 12.7 points this series (he was at 20.1 in the regular season. And I think a 7’3″ guy should be able to get more than 4.5 boards per game.
It has been a strange series. No home team has won yet and it’s the first time in history that the first 6 games have been won on the road. They might as well play the game in Alaska or something because that would make it an even playing field; they apparently do so much better on the road.
Utah has to be loving this right now. They’re waiting for the winner of the series. The Jazz players are getting some rest while the Mavs and the Clippers exchange punches for an extended period of time.
Either way, it’s going to be interesting what happens in Game 7. Again, no home team has won yet. At this point, it shouldn’t be a surprise if the Mavs take it. But then the Clippers taking it would be a surprise in its own right. A home team winning in a series? What a concept!
NBA Playoff Scoreboard
June 4, 2021
NBA Playoff Series Count
EAST
#1 Sixers defeat #8 Wizards, 4-1.
#5 Hawks defeat #4 Knicks, 4-1.
#2 Nets defeat #7 Celtics, 4-1.
#3 Bucks defeat #6 Heat, 4-0.
WEST
#1 Jazz defeat #8 Grizzlies, 4-1.
#4 Clippers tied with #5 Mavericks, 3-3.
#2 Suns defeat #7 Lakers, 4-2.
#3 Nuggets defeat #6 Blazers, 4-2.
Watch This Play
Tough reverse jam by Kawhi on Porzingis.
Kawhi throws it down over KP 😤 pic.twitter.com/4vnDI2oVQZ
— NBA TV (@NBATV) June 5, 2021
Game 7 on Sunday!
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.