Toronto Raptors v Boston Celtics (Celtics Lead 2-1)
The Boston Celtics blew a huge opportunity to put the defending champions down 3-0 and gave the momentum back to the Raptors after their game-winning shot in game three. The Raptors were able to bring this momentum into game four. The game was tied 49-49 going into the half, and the Raptors cruised in the second half to win the game 100-93. This well-fought series is now tied 2-2 and destined for seven games.
The Celtics were led by F Jayson Tatum (10-18FG 1-6 3PT 3-5FT 24PTS 10REB 3AST 5TO 43MIN), but this was not his best play. The Celtics were pretty awful all around and were lucky that it wasn’t a blowout. The other big Celtics players were nowhere to be found. G Kemba Walker (4-9FG 1-6 3PT 6-7FT 15PTS 2REB 8AST 1STL 2TO 41MIN) and F Jaylen Brown (4-18FG 2-11 3PT 4-4FT 14PTS 6REB 1STL 1TO 37MIN) were flat out awful, and the Raptors did a great job of making them inconsequential.
The Raptors were led by their defense. They held the Celtics to 20% shooting from the three-point line today, which was the biggest reason they won this game. The Celtics offense looked out of wack, not being able to knock down these shots beyond the arc. F Pascal Siakam (23PTS 11REB) finally had a game that made some impact in this series and was followed by G Kyle Lowry (22PTS 11REB 7AST), who played another gritty game.
This series has done a complete 180, and the Celtics are on the ropes now. It will be interesting to see how they come out in game five. The Raptors looked to be settling back in, and their confidence is as big as when they won the title last season.
Los Angeles Clippers v Denver Nuggets (Clippers lead 1-0)
The Clippers absolutely destroyed the Nuggets on Thursday night in game one. The Nuggets woke up and absolutely housed the Clippers in what was a bad joke, much like the first game was. The Nuggets won this game after a huge first quarter and never looked back. They led the game 44-25 after the first quarter and went on to win 110-101 to tie this series 1-1.
This game was lopsided; the Clippers never took the lead at any point throughout the game. Superstar F Kawhi Leonard (4-17FG 0-3 3PT 5-7FT 13PTS) had his worst game in these playoffs so far, and the rest of the Clippers couldn’t help out the struggling star.
F Paul George led the Clippers in points with 22 but still had a bad shooting percentage. Maybe they were drunk on their first game win against the Nuggets because they were not prepared to play Saturday.
The Nuggets were led by their two stars, C Nikola Jokic (10-17FG 4-5 3PT 2-2FT 26PTS 18REB 4AST 3BLK 6TO 37MIN), and G Jamal Murray (10-21FG 3-8 3PT 4-5FT 27PTS 3REB 6AST 2STL 1BLK 3TO 40MIN). They played like the superstars they are in this dominant win. The Nuggets defense was the most significant change in this game.
Head coach Mike Malone switched Jerami Grant onto Kawhi Leonard, and he was able to guard Leonard better than anyone else over the past two years. The Nuggets only allowed the Clippers to shoot 28% from the three-point line. This really took the Clippers out of their gameplan as they don’t have a great half-court offense. This helps the Nuggets capitalize on rebounds and run the great fast-break offense they have.
The Nuggets were not ready for the Clippers after their seven-game battle with the Utah Jazz. They took a huge knockout punch from the Clippers and were able to counter back and take the second game with a big blow of their own. The Clippers will need to recoup now that the Nuggets came ready to play a full series. This isn’t going to be a cakewalk for either team.