Toronto Raptors v Boston Celtics (Celtics lead 3-2)
The Raptors had a chance to keep their repeat chances alive in game six against the Celtics, but they would need to have a complete mindset change in game 5 when they got thoroughly embarrassed. Well, this was not that game because these two teams had the game of the playoffs. The game started with the Raptors still feeling that game five loss as they went down 21-25, heading into the second quarter. The Raptors came back and matched the Celtics bucket for bucket but couldn’t take the lead down and headed into the half down 52-48.
The Raptors needed to come out huge and show that they wanted to win. They did just that as they smacked the Celtics in the face, taking the lead in the third quarter 81-77. The Celtics didn’t want to blow another chance against these Raptors and could come back in a defensive dogfight of a quarter to force overtime with the score tied at 98.
Overtime was an all-out battle with big shots being made by both teams. The Raptors had a huge chance to win the game but missed their three-point shot at the buzzer and went into a second overtime tied at 106. Both teams kept grinding and making shot after shot even though they were wiped out. Marcus Smart missed his last-ditch effort to hit a three, and the Raptors survived to force a game seven with their thrilling 125-122 victory.
Players who need to step up to win game seven.
Celtics: G Kemba Walker (2-11FG 1-6 3PT 5PTS 4REB 7AST 3TO) can’t have another low-scoring game if the Celtics hope to take down the Raptors in game 7. Walker needs to fill in as the third option for the Celtics to go along with Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. Otherwise, they will be leaving the bubble, and their season will be over.
Raptors: F Pascal Siakam (5-19FG 0-5 3PT 2-4FT 12PTS 8REB 6AST 2STL 3TO) played the most minutes of any player in this game, which is about the only good thing he did. Kyle Lowry has taken over as the leader of this team after the departure of Kawhi Leonard, but what helped the Raptors look better than last year was Siakam’s much-improved game. Siakam will need a much better game to keep the repeat dreams alive.
Los Angeles Clippers v Denver Nuggets (Clippers lead 2-1)
Game three of this series was the only competitive game so far, but game four made it clear that it was a fluke. The Clippers walloped the Nuggets to take the series lead, 3-1. The Clippers ended this game after the first 12 minutes with their lockdown defense. They only allowed the Nuggets to score 12 points in the first quarter. The Clippers just killed the soul of these Nuggets as they lost 96-85.
Even if the Nuggets managed to come back as they did in game two, I don’t think it will matter. The Clippers have found their groove on both ends of the court, and there is nothing the Nuggets can do to beat them. Kawhi Leonard (30PTS 11REB 9AST 4STL 2BLK) lead the Clippers along with six other players who scored in the double digits. The Clippers simply have the deepest roster of any team in the playoffs. The Nuggets should get those bags ready because this series is over.