Thursday night’s NBA Playoffs action saw one incredible finish, and one not so incredible finish. The Raptors needed a game-winning buzzer-beater to essentially save their season in Game 3. And the Clippers look like they are going to be way too much for the Nuggets in the second round. Let’s recap.
Anunoby’s Game-Winning Buzzer-Beater Saves Raptors in Game 3
Now we have the series we hoped for.
After OG Anunoby’s game-winning buzzer-beater with 0.5 seconds left in Game 3, the Raptors pulled their deficit against the Celtics to 2-1, winning 104-103.
The final play almost seemed meant to be. Kyle Lowry’s pass was so perfect; even 7-foot-7 Tacko Fall couldn’t stop it, then Anunoby got the ball out of his hands with 0.2 seconds left. What a finish. (You can check out the play in the video at the top of the article)
Game 3 was a story of two halves. In the first half, the Raptors couldn’t buy a three-point bucket. Toronto shot 5-22 from three in the first half and went into halftime with a 10-point deficit.
Kyle Lowry and Fred VanVleet put Raptors on their back in the second half, finishing with 31 and 25 points respectively, and the Raptors shot 8-18 from three.
Nick Nurse also finally got one over on Brad Stevens in Game 3. Nurse had the Raptors switch to a zone defense yet again in the second half that completely stifled the Celtics offense. Stevens did his best to combat it, subbing Enes Kanter in to score in the post, but it wasn’t enough, and the Raptors used the zone to fight back.
It wasn’t all perfect for Toronto, though.
After Game 2 I said that if Pascal Siakam didn’t become a star for this team, they couldn’t win the East, let alone get past the Celtics. I also said he looked more like a good role player at the moment.
He didn’t do anything in Game 3 to change that narrative because Siakam was a complete non-factor for three quarters in this game. He finished with 16 points, 11 of those in the third quarter. Siakam also was why Daniel Theis had a wide-open dunk with 0.5 seconds remaining in the fourth that probably should’ve put the Raptors down 3-0. I still believe if Siakam doesn’t get right, this series is an uphill battle for the Raptors.
One interesting stat about the Celtics under Brad Stevens. They’ve taken a 2-0 series lead six times. Three of those series ended up going seven games, and the last one that went seven, they lost to the Cavs in the 17-18 Eastern Conference Finals. Probably not the kind of stat that tells any type of story for this series, but the Raptors still have a shot to be the fourth.
Clippers Completely Overwhelm Nuggets in Game 1 Win
Jamal Murray joined all of us after the Nuggets won Game 7 in his concern that Denver had to turn around and play the Clippers in 48 hours and he was right to be concerned.
After a competitive first quarter, the Clippers overwhelmed the Nuggets to win Game 1 120-97.
I can’t blame the Nuggets for looking worn out. They just came out of an incredibly emotional series and are playing a top-2 team in the NBA. And Game 1 was one of the few times in the NBA playoffs the Clippers looked like that elite squad.
L.A. clicked on all cylinders and made Denver’s defense, which stepped up last series, look like their typically terrible selves. The game was essentially over by halftime. Los Angeles was up 69-51, and Denver got 12 points from Jerami Grant.
Maybe the most telling stat of the game was the Clippers’ efficiency on offense. They scored 120 points and only shot 24 threes, making 10 of those. The Clips finished with 66 points in the paint. It was dominant.
Kawhi Leonard was his usual cyborg self, finishing with 29 points on 12-16 from the field. And Paul George had 19 points, and Marcus Morris had 18 of his own.
Usually, saying a series is over after one game is an overreaction. However, this time around, I don’t think that’s the case—Clippers in 4.
For even more breakdown of the NBA Playoffs, listen to the NBA Morning Deuce, Belly Up Sports’ newest Daily NBA Podcast. The deuce covers everything you need to know from the night and day before in the association. Episodes are available by 6 am Monday through Friday where you listen to podcasts.
One More Message From the NBA Morning Deuce Boys – NBA Morning Deuce
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