Jazz, Nuggets Start 2019-20 NBA Playoffs
The Utah Jazz will play the Denver Nuggets on Monday at Orlando in the first round of the 2019-20 Western Conference Playoffs.
The Jazz finished the regular season with a 44-28 record and ended in sixth place despite ending in a three-tie with the Houston Rockets and the Oklahoma City Thunder. Utah didn't look solid during the Orlando bubble, however, and they won just three of their eight games. Utah will try to make another deep playoff run this season -- names such as Donovan Mitchell (24.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.3 assists per game) and Rudy Gobert, a leading candidate for the Defensive Player of the Year Award who also scored 15.1 points per contest, will be pivotal for Utah -- especially since Mike Conley will miss at least the first few games of the series due to the birth of his baby.
Conley is not going to be the lone injury absentee for the Jazz, though. Ed Davis (knee) has been ruled out, while Emmanuel Mudiay (knee) and Nigel Williams-Goss (ankle) are questionable, so the Jazz could suffer from a lack of depth in the postseason.
The Nuggets ended the regular season with a 46-27 record and finished in third place of the Western Conference. Just like the Jazz, Denver also went 3-5 in the Orlando bubble and might have a fair share of question marks ahead of the postseason, most notably regarding the health of some of their top players. Nikola Jokic will be available, however, and the Serbian big man is undoubtedly the engine that keeps the Nuggets going on both ends of the court. The versatile center averaged 19.9 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 7.0 assists per game during the regular season.
Will Barton (knee), Gary Harris (hip) and Vlatko Cancar (foot) have all been ruled out for, at least, Game 1 of the series, and that could open the door for Michael Porter Jr. to remain in the starting lineup. Porter played 33.3 minutes per game in the seeding round and averaged 22.0 points, 8.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.9 blocks, while shooting 55.1 percent from the field, 42.2 percent from three, and 93.1 percent at the line.
These two teams met three times in the regular season, and the Nuggets came out on top each time.
The Jazz finished the regular season with a 44-28 record and ended in sixth place despite ending in a three-tie with the Houston Rockets and the Oklahoma City Thunder. Utah didn't look solid during the Orlando bubble, however, and they won just three of their eight games. Utah will try to make another deep playoff run this season -- names such as Donovan Mitchell (24.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.3 assists per game) and Rudy Gobert, a leading candidate for the Defensive Player of the Year Award who also scored 15.1 points per contest, will be pivotal for Utah -- especially since Mike Conley will miss at least the first few games of the series due to the birth of his baby.
Conley is not going to be the lone injury absentee for the Jazz, though. Ed Davis (knee) has been ruled out, while Emmanuel Mudiay (knee) and Nigel Williams-Goss (ankle) are questionable, so the Jazz could suffer from a lack of depth in the postseason.
The Nuggets ended the regular season with a 46-27 record and finished in third place of the Western Conference. Just like the Jazz, Denver also went 3-5 in the Orlando bubble and might have a fair share of question marks ahead of the postseason, most notably regarding the health of some of their top players. Nikola Jokic will be available, however, and the Serbian big man is undoubtedly the engine that keeps the Nuggets going on both ends of the court. The versatile center averaged 19.9 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 7.0 assists per game during the regular season.
Will Barton (knee), Gary Harris (hip) and Vlatko Cancar (foot) have all been ruled out for, at least, Game 1 of the series, and that could open the door for Michael Porter Jr. to remain in the starting lineup. Porter played 33.3 minutes per game in the seeding round and averaged 22.0 points, 8.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.9 blocks, while shooting 55.1 percent from the field, 42.2 percent from three, and 93.1 percent at the line.
These two teams met three times in the regular season, and the Nuggets came out on top each time.
Raptors, Nets Meet Again In First Round
By Dan Bruno
The Brooklyn Nets play the Toronto Raptors in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first-round playoffs on Monday at Orlando.
The two teams meet in the first round for the first time since the 2013-2014 season, where the Nets eliminated the Raptors in seven games. They also met four times through the regular season, all before the restart bubble, and the Raptors took the season series, 3-1.
Despite missing half their roster, the Nets put together a 5-3 record in the bubble and managed to overtake the Magic for hold of the seventh spot in the East. DeAndre Jordan, Wilson Chandler, Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Spencer Dinwiddie, Taurean Prince and Jamal Crawford are all on the Nets' roster but are unavailable for action. Of the group, Jamal Crawford is the only one with a potential return in sight. The Nets also await the end of Michael Beasley's suspension, so that he can join the team and contribute to their playoff run. Caris LeVert is the biggest offensive threat for the Nets, as he already dropped 37 points on the Raptors once this season, and he averaged 18.7 points per game through the regular season. The Nets shot an average of 34.3 percent from long range through the season, which was fifth worst in the league.
Meanwhile, the Raptors finished with a 7-1 record through the restart games and closed the regular season on a four-game winning streak. Unlike the Nets, the Raptors' roster is almost at full strength, while Serge Ibaka (knee) is questionable for action. The Raptors have had a very impressive season, out performing the expectations of many, as they finished second place in the East despite losing their Finals MVP from last season, Kawhi Leonard. The team proved that their success was thanks to more than a one-man show, as this season they became the first team in 46 years with five players averaging more than 15 points per game through the regular season. The Raptors are one of the best defensive teams in the league, as they held opponents to a league-low 106.5 points per game and held them to 42.8 percent shooting, which is second lowest in the league.
The two teams meet in the first round for the first time since the 2013-2014 season, where the Nets eliminated the Raptors in seven games. They also met four times through the regular season, all before the restart bubble, and the Raptors took the season series, 3-1.
Despite missing half their roster, the Nets put together a 5-3 record in the bubble and managed to overtake the Magic for hold of the seventh spot in the East. DeAndre Jordan, Wilson Chandler, Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Spencer Dinwiddie, Taurean Prince and Jamal Crawford are all on the Nets' roster but are unavailable for action. Of the group, Jamal Crawford is the only one with a potential return in sight. The Nets also await the end of Michael Beasley's suspension, so that he can join the team and contribute to their playoff run. Caris LeVert is the biggest offensive threat for the Nets, as he already dropped 37 points on the Raptors once this season, and he averaged 18.7 points per game through the regular season. The Nets shot an average of 34.3 percent from long range through the season, which was fifth worst in the league.
Meanwhile, the Raptors finished with a 7-1 record through the restart games and closed the regular season on a four-game winning streak. Unlike the Nets, the Raptors' roster is almost at full strength, while Serge Ibaka (knee) is questionable for action. The Raptors have had a very impressive season, out performing the expectations of many, as they finished second place in the East despite losing their Finals MVP from last season, Kawhi Leonard. The team proved that their success was thanks to more than a one-man show, as this season they became the first team in 46 years with five players averaging more than 15 points per game through the regular season. The Raptors are one of the best defensive teams in the league, as they held opponents to a league-low 106.5 points per game and held them to 42.8 percent shooting, which is second lowest in the league.
Celtics Host Sixers in Game 1
The Boston Celtics play host to the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first-round playoffs in Orlando on Monday.
The Sixers looked like one of the most dangerous teams at the beginning of the season but a lot has changed since then. Finishing sixth in the Eastern Conference is obviously indicative of how disappointing of a season its been and that's unacceptable from a team with so much talent. Injuries have surely played a huge factor in that, missing big pieces throughout the year. As of now, Ben Simmons is the guy who's currently injured and he's expected to be out the rest of the season because of a knee issue. He brings a lot to this team and it appears Shake Milton will start in his absence. It also puts the onus on Joel Embiid to play better, who had trouble staying healthy himself in the Orlando bubble.
The Celtics looked like one of the best teams in the bubble, winning four of their final five games. The only loss was actually the finale, in which they chose to rest their starters. That prior form looks even better when you consider that the Celtics won by an average of 18 points per game. That's the team we were waiting to see all season long and it's no surprise when you consider that they're healthy for the first time all year too. A starting five with Kemba Walker, Jaylen Brown, Gordon Hayward, Jayson Tatum and Daniel Theis is truly amazing and it has this team poised to make a deep run. This is actually one of only two teams who finished top-10 in both points scored and points allowed, showing the versatility on both ends of the floor. Many people are penciling in the Milwaukee Bucks into the NBA Finals but don't forget about this club.
These teams played four times this season, with Philly prevailing in three of four. They were all lopsided games, with three of them being decided by double-digit margins.
The Sixers looked like one of the most dangerous teams at the beginning of the season but a lot has changed since then. Finishing sixth in the Eastern Conference is obviously indicative of how disappointing of a season its been and that's unacceptable from a team with so much talent. Injuries have surely played a huge factor in that, missing big pieces throughout the year. As of now, Ben Simmons is the guy who's currently injured and he's expected to be out the rest of the season because of a knee issue. He brings a lot to this team and it appears Shake Milton will start in his absence. It also puts the onus on Joel Embiid to play better, who had trouble staying healthy himself in the Orlando bubble.
The Celtics looked like one of the best teams in the bubble, winning four of their final five games. The only loss was actually the finale, in which they chose to rest their starters. That prior form looks even better when you consider that the Celtics won by an average of 18 points per game. That's the team we were waiting to see all season long and it's no surprise when you consider that they're healthy for the first time all year too. A starting five with Kemba Walker, Jaylen Brown, Gordon Hayward, Jayson Tatum and Daniel Theis is truly amazing and it has this team poised to make a deep run. This is actually one of only two teams who finished top-10 in both points scored and points allowed, showing the versatility on both ends of the floor. Many people are penciling in the Milwaukee Bucks into the NBA Finals but don't forget about this club.
These teams played four times this season, with Philly prevailing in three of four. They were all lopsided games, with three of them being decided by double-digit margins.
Mavericks and Clippers Tangle In Opening Quarterfinal-Round Salvo
The Dallas Mavericks take on the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 1 of their Western Conference quarterfinal-round series in Orlando on Monday night.
The Mavericks (43-32) enter the postseason as the No. 7 seed and are coming off a 3-5 stint in their seeding games. Dallas dropped its final two games of the regular season, but it already had a playoff spot in hand played without some key pieces. Their most recent time on the court resulted in a 128-102 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Thursday. Boban Marjanovic, who started for Kristaps Porzingis (heel), and Luka Doncic co-led the Mavericks with 18 points, with Marjanovic adding 20 rebounds and three assists. Justin Jackson was the only other double-digit scorer for Dallas, contributing 13 points in 29 minutes off the bench. Seth Curry and Tim Hardaway had matching eight-point, two rebound tallies.
The Mavericks will list Porzingis (heel) as probable for Monday's game.
The Clippers (49-23) check into the playoffs in the No. 2 slot in the Western Conference after having forged a 5-3 record in their seeding games, and they'll get a pivotal infusion of talent in the form of Montrezl Harrell, who's returned to the Orlando bubble after previously exiting due to the death of his grandmother. Los Angeles toppled the Oklahoma City Thunder, 107-103, in their most recent game, despite playing with a makeshift roster. Terance Mann led the Clippers with 25 points, adding 14 rebounds, nine assists and two steals. Amir Coffey supplied 21 points, four assists, two rebounds, four steals and one block. Patrick Patterson generated a 17-point, 14-rebound double-double. JaMychal Green provided 13 points and eight boards, while Rodney McGruder and Joakim Noah each turned in nine points along with 11 and six rebounds, respectively.
The Clippers will list Patrick Beverley (calf), Landry Shamet (foot) and Harrell as questionable for Monday's contest.
Monday's game marks the fourth overall meeting between the teams this season and postseason. The Clippers won the season series by a 3-0 margin, notching 114-99, 110-107 and 126-111 victories on Nov. 26, Jan. 21 and Aug. 6, respectively.
The Mavericks (43-32) enter the postseason as the No. 7 seed and are coming off a 3-5 stint in their seeding games. Dallas dropped its final two games of the regular season, but it already had a playoff spot in hand played without some key pieces. Their most recent time on the court resulted in a 128-102 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Thursday. Boban Marjanovic, who started for Kristaps Porzingis (heel), and Luka Doncic co-led the Mavericks with 18 points, with Marjanovic adding 20 rebounds and three assists. Justin Jackson was the only other double-digit scorer for Dallas, contributing 13 points in 29 minutes off the bench. Seth Curry and Tim Hardaway had matching eight-point, two rebound tallies.
The Mavericks will list Porzingis (heel) as probable for Monday's game.
The Clippers (49-23) check into the playoffs in the No. 2 slot in the Western Conference after having forged a 5-3 record in their seeding games, and they'll get a pivotal infusion of talent in the form of Montrezl Harrell, who's returned to the Orlando bubble after previously exiting due to the death of his grandmother. Los Angeles toppled the Oklahoma City Thunder, 107-103, in their most recent game, despite playing with a makeshift roster. Terance Mann led the Clippers with 25 points, adding 14 rebounds, nine assists and two steals. Amir Coffey supplied 21 points, four assists, two rebounds, four steals and one block. Patrick Patterson generated a 17-point, 14-rebound double-double. JaMychal Green provided 13 points and eight boards, while Rodney McGruder and Joakim Noah each turned in nine points along with 11 and six rebounds, respectively.
The Clippers will list Patrick Beverley (calf), Landry Shamet (foot) and Harrell as questionable for Monday's contest.
Monday's game marks the fourth overall meeting between the teams this season and postseason. The Clippers won the season series by a 3-0 margin, notching 114-99, 110-107 and 126-111 victories on Nov. 26, Jan. 21 and Aug. 6, respectively.