Wednesday night gave us the best game so far in these NBA playoffs. The Celtics and Raptors Game 6 was a classic and it’s only right we get to see them play one more. If it was hard to keep watching hoops after that double-overtime battle, I don’t blame you. But the Clippers did extend their lead, and that’s why I’m here to, to catch you up. Let’s look back at last night.
Raptors, Celtics Battle in Best of Game of the 2020 Postseason
Best game of the NBA playoffs.
Best series of the NBA playoffs.
Game 6 of the Raptors-Celtics series solidified both of those distinctions.
The series that every NBA fan on the planet gushed over when they saw the matchup has 100 percent lived up to the hype.
And Game 6 was the best of the best. The Raptors and the Celtics battled into double overtime, with Toronto surviving to see another day winning 125-122.
When you look at the box score, it’s hard to imagine how the Raptors won. Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum combined for 60 points. Marcus Smart had a 23-point triple-double. Daniel Theis scored 18 points. Brown, Tatum, Smart, and Theis outrebounded the entire Raptors squad. But Nick Nurse earned his coach of the year award in this one.
The Raptors game plan from the start was to make life as challenging as possible for Kemba Walker. They threw a box-and-1 at him for the majority of the first half. They pressured him and denied him throughout the second half. And they attacked him whenever possible when he was on defense. And subsequently, Walker finished with 5 points on 2-11 shooting. That seemed to be the difference in this one.
Kyle Lowry was also in championship form, finishing with 33 points and making big play after big play. He was aided by 23 points from Norm Powell and 21 from Fred VanVleet. Once again, they needed every single one of those points as Pascal Siakam struggled with just 12 points.
Eight players played 50 or more minutes in this game, and Daniel Theis played 47. It was physical and emotional, and it showed as the players were still jawing after the game ended. This had to go to a Game 7. Take my money; I’m ready for it.
Clippers Put the Clamps on Denver to Take 3-1 Series Lead
No game in these playoffs could’ve followed the Celtics and Raptors, so I apologize if I don’t have the same excitement about this one.
It’s also because this series is going just about exactly as I thought it would. Actually, I was surprised the Nuggets even got a game.
The Clippers beat the Nuggets 96-85 in Game 4 to take a 3-1 series lead.
It was clear L.A. didn’t want to come out and have another up-and-down game in this contest. They focused on locking up the Nuggets from the beginning and did that holding them to 12 points in the first quarter. Denver shot 29 percent from the field and went 0-8 from three in the first. Jamal Murray was held scoreless in the quarter. It set the tone for the game, and it never really changed.
Speaking of Jamal Murray, things never got much better. Murray finished with 18 points, and he looked not only frustrated from the pressure but also tired from everything he’s had to do in these playoffs. He’s been remarkable, but this Clippers defense has been way too much for him.
The Nuggets did have one push where it looked like they might make the game close led by Michael Porter Jr. MPJ had xxx points, but it wasn’t enough in this one. The future is bright for Denver, with Michael Porter Jr looking like he can be an elite wing scorer sooner than later.
The way the Clippers controlled Game 4 was all the more impressive because they did it with Paul George having another rough playoff performance. George scored just 10 points and wasn’t a factor for the majority of the game.
Kawhi Leonard casually had another Kawhi type game with 30 points, 11 rebounds, 9 assists, 4 steals, and 2 blocks. There are times when he makes it look easy; Game 4 was one of those times.
So the Clippers now lead 3-1 and are a game away from where we all assumed they’d be, the Western Conference Finals.
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.
