Los Angeles Clippers V Denver Nuggets (Series tied 3-3)
I’m leading with the colossal disappointment of the 2020 NBA season. The Clippers’ effort was straight-up atrocious. They allowed the Nuggets to come back from 3-1 and blew their chance to get to their first Western Conference finals for the first time in franchise history. Instead, every single Clippers’ player came up lame. They came out and lifelessly went through the motions. The Nuggets deserve credit because they played their best in these elimination games, but the Clippers just quit on themselves in this shameful loss. The Clippers have a lot to mull over this offseason.
First, they need to figure out if Doc Rivers should stay on as the head coach. I used to be all-in on any team coached by Rivers, but this monumental collapse has me wondering if he has in him to push the Clippers to do something in the postseason. Rivers has only missed the playoffs once in his 8-year tenure as the Clippers’ head coach but has never made it past the conference finals.
Next, they need to figure out how to bring in some help. The Clippers gave away all their draft picks to acquire F Paul George, who did nothing to help them in the playoffs. This roster will still be considered one of the best rosters in the NBA, moves or no moves. Still, nobody knows how this devastating loss will affect them moving into next season. The Clippers should still have the talent to be a title contender, but it will be interesting to see how well they will work as a team.
The Denver Nuggets came back from a 3-1 deficit in back to back series, but if they get down 3-1 to the Lakers, they will not be coming back up. C Nikola Jokic (5-13FG 0-4 3PT 6-6FT 16PTS 22REB 13AST 2STL 3BLK 5TO 40MIN) messed around and got himself a triple-double. Jokic keeps on proving why he is the best center in the league and helped carry the Clippers back from their series deficit. The other person who helped take this series was G Jamal Murray (15-26FG 2-6 3PT 4-4FT 40PTS 4REB 5AST 1STL 5TO 45MIN). Murray played as a man possessed. The Nuggets won this game 104-89
The Nuggets had to exude a lot of energy to take this series after going down 3-1, so it will be interesting to see how they will look against a well-rested Lakers. If the Nuggets can play like they are down three games, every game, they might have a chance.
Boston Celtics V Miami Heat-Game 1 Eastern Conference Finals
The Celtics and the Heat played their butts off in what ended up being the headliner after the pathetic game seven between the Clippers and the Nuggets. This has been one of the best opening games ever in an Eastern Conference finals. The Miami Heat won the first battle 117-114 in a game that will be remembered for one of the best defensive stops to win a game.
“Bam!” Will forever echo in the Celtics’ minds as a reminder of their loss of game one of the 2020 Eastern Conference finals. C Bam Adebayo (5-12FG 8-11FT 18PTS 6REB 9AST 1STL 2BLK 3TO 43MIN) showed off an all-around game for the whole world to see. After three years in the NBA, he has become one of the very best centers in the league. Jimmy Butler (20PTS 5REB 5AST 2STL) and Goran Dragic (29PTS 7REB 4AST 1BLK) dominated the Celtics’ backcourt. And, rookie G Tyler Herro (12PTS 11REB 9AST) was a definite X-factor that the Celtics had no answer for.
The Celtics came off a tough seven-game series with the Raptors and looked a little tired. But young superstar F Jayson Tatum (10-24FG 4-12 3PT 6-6 FT 30PTS 14REB 5AST 3STL 2BLK 3TO 43MIN) did everything in his power to win the game. He even had a chance to tie this game and go into overtime but was met at the rim by Adebayo for a fantastic block to end the game. G Kemba Walker (6-19FG 1-9 3PT) has to start shooting a lot better for the Celtics if they want a chance against the Heat. The Heat have some great shooters, and Walker needs to match them.
So far this is the best Eastern Conference finals of all time.