Raptors Look To Put Clamps On Nets
By Dan Bruno
The Toronto Raptors play the Brooklyn Nets in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first-round playoffs on Friday at Orlando.
After convincing win in Game 1, the Raptors got out to a shaky start in Game 2, as they trailed by as many as 14 points in the first quarter and by six points heading into the final frame. However, the Raptors took over in the fourth and outscored the Nets by 11 points in the quarter to complete the comeback win and earn a 2-0 series advantage. If they can stay focused and build on the momentum, they have a great chance at putting the clamps on the series with a 3-0 lead.
Fred VanVleet came up large again in Game 2, as he led the way with 24 points, 10 assists, five rebounds and a block, in 43 minutes. Norman Powell tallied 24 points, six rebounds, two assists and a steal, off the bench, while Kyle Lowry added 21 points, nine rebounds, three assists, two steals and a block. Pascal Siakam shot 6-of-14 from the field, and finished with 19 points, six rebounds, three assists, a steal and a block. The Raptors shot just 9-of-35 from deep and 19-of-28 from the foul in Game 2, which means that they have plenty of room for improvement heading into Game 3.
Meanwhile, despite the loss, the Nets put up a good effort in game Game 2, as six players scored in double digits. Garrett Temple was the high-point man with 21 points, three rebounds, three assists and a steal. Caris LeVert had another strong game with 16 points, 11 assists, six rebounds and a block, while Jarrett Allen totaled 14 points, 15 rebounds, five assists and three blocks. The Nets gave up 17 turnovers, which were converted in to 23 points in Game 2, which is an area they need to target for improvement before Game 3.
After convincing win in Game 1, the Raptors got out to a shaky start in Game 2, as they trailed by as many as 14 points in the first quarter and by six points heading into the final frame. However, the Raptors took over in the fourth and outscored the Nets by 11 points in the quarter to complete the comeback win and earn a 2-0 series advantage. If they can stay focused and build on the momentum, they have a great chance at putting the clamps on the series with a 3-0 lead.
Fred VanVleet came up large again in Game 2, as he led the way with 24 points, 10 assists, five rebounds and a block, in 43 minutes. Norman Powell tallied 24 points, six rebounds, two assists and a steal, off the bench, while Kyle Lowry added 21 points, nine rebounds, three assists, two steals and a block. Pascal Siakam shot 6-of-14 from the field, and finished with 19 points, six rebounds, three assists, a steal and a block. The Raptors shot just 9-of-35 from deep and 19-of-28 from the foul in Game 2, which means that they have plenty of room for improvement heading into Game 3.
Meanwhile, despite the loss, the Nets put up a good effort in game Game 2, as six players scored in double digits. Garrett Temple was the high-point man with 21 points, three rebounds, three assists and a steal. Caris LeVert had another strong game with 16 points, 11 assists, six rebounds and a block, while Jarrett Allen totaled 14 points, 15 rebounds, five assists and three blocks. The Nets gave up 17 turnovers, which were converted in to 23 points in Game 2, which is an area they need to target for improvement before Game 3.
Jazz, Nuggets To Play Pivotal Game 3
The Utah Jazz will play the Denver Nuggets in Game 3 of the Western Conference Playoffs First Round in Orlando on Friday. The series is tied 1-1.
The Jazz looked like a dominant team in Game 2, taking control of the contest in the second quarter and not looking back on route to a comfortable 124-105 victory over the Nuggets. Donovan Mitchell didn't repeat his 57-point performance from Game 1, but he still led the Jazz with 30 points and eight assists, and Jordan Clarkson notched 26 points, four rebounds and three assists from the bench. Rudy Gobert stuffed the stat sheet with 19 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two blocks for Utah, and the Jazz shot 51.7 percent from the field and 45.5 percent from the field from three-point range as a team. They delivered an impressive performance on both ends of the court and, unlike Game 1, they managed to close things out.
Mike Conley (personal) is expected to return for the Jazz in Game 3, giving the team a sizable boost in the backcourt. That said, Justin Wright-Foreman (not injury related), Ed Davis (knee) and Bojan Bogdanovic (wrist) have been ruled out -- Bogdanovic will miss the remainder of the season.
The Nuggets couldn't repeat their impressive comeback of Game 1 and looked unable to turn things around in the second half -- Utah led by as much as 31 points in Game 2, so there's no question Denver must tighten things up defensively to avoid going down in the series. Michael Porter Jr. and Nikola Jokic each scored 28 points for the Nuggets -- while the first-year forward also added six rebounds, the Serbian big man chipped in with 11 rebounds and six assists as well. Jamal Murray, who was Denver's hero in the first game of the series, only mustered 14 points while shooting 6-for-13 from the field. Denver shot 45.7 percent from the field and 48.1 percent from three, however, so their offense wasn't the issue during the loss in Game 2.
Vlatko Cancar (foot) and Will Barton (knee) have been ruled out for the remainder of the month. Meanwhile, Gary Harris (hip) remains out and doesn't have a clear timetable for his return.
The Jazz looked like a dominant team in Game 2, taking control of the contest in the second quarter and not looking back on route to a comfortable 124-105 victory over the Nuggets. Donovan Mitchell didn't repeat his 57-point performance from Game 1, but he still led the Jazz with 30 points and eight assists, and Jordan Clarkson notched 26 points, four rebounds and three assists from the bench. Rudy Gobert stuffed the stat sheet with 19 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two blocks for Utah, and the Jazz shot 51.7 percent from the field and 45.5 percent from the field from three-point range as a team. They delivered an impressive performance on both ends of the court and, unlike Game 1, they managed to close things out.
Mike Conley (personal) is expected to return for the Jazz in Game 3, giving the team a sizable boost in the backcourt. That said, Justin Wright-Foreman (not injury related), Ed Davis (knee) and Bojan Bogdanovic (wrist) have been ruled out -- Bogdanovic will miss the remainder of the season.
The Nuggets couldn't repeat their impressive comeback of Game 1 and looked unable to turn things around in the second half -- Utah led by as much as 31 points in Game 2, so there's no question Denver must tighten things up defensively to avoid going down in the series. Michael Porter Jr. and Nikola Jokic each scored 28 points for the Nuggets -- while the first-year forward also added six rebounds, the Serbian big man chipped in with 11 rebounds and six assists as well. Jamal Murray, who was Denver's hero in the first game of the series, only mustered 14 points while shooting 6-for-13 from the field. Denver shot 45.7 percent from the field and 48.1 percent from three, however, so their offense wasn't the issue during the loss in Game 2.
Vlatko Cancar (foot) and Will Barton (knee) have been ruled out for the remainder of the month. Meanwhile, Gary Harris (hip) remains out and doesn't have a clear timetable for his return.
Celtics Look for 3-0 Series Lead Over Sixers
The Philadelphia 76ers play host to the Boston Celtics in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first-round playoffs in Orlando on Friday.
The Celtics (2-0) looked like one of the best teams at the end of the regular season, winning four of their final five games. The only loss they did have was the finale in which they rested everyone. It's easy to call that Game 2 win impressive when you look at the 27-point spread, particularly when you take into consideration that they outscored the Sixers by 34 points across the final three quarters. Thay happened to do that without Gordon Hayward too, who appears to be out for the rest of the series with an ankle issue. They moved Marcus Smart into the starting lineup to take his spot and that's quite the luxury to have. Jayson Tatum was the star in that game though, providing 33 points, five rebounds and five assists. It appears he's ascended into that superstardom pace we've been waiting for and that's bad news for everyone else.
The Sixers (0-2) look lost without Ben Simmons. Where they're really missing him is on the defensive end of the floor. Simmons was the primary defender against Tatum in the regular season and it's becoming clear that they have no one else who can cover him. They could get a guy like Matisse Thybulle in there but that hampers this club way too much on the offensive end. The simple fact is, this team doesn't have enough depth to match up with this Celtics roster. Joel Embiid can only do so much and he'd need historic series' from Josh Richardson, Al Horford and Tobias Harris if they are to advance. What's funny is that we can technically call this a home game for Philly and that's a small silver-lining when you see that Philly is 31-4 at home and 12-25 on the road this season. That may be another reason why they are struggling but they just need to pretend like they're in their home building to get a little extra motivation.
The season series is now sitting at 3-3 between these teams.
The Celtics (2-0) looked like one of the best teams at the end of the regular season, winning four of their final five games. The only loss they did have was the finale in which they rested everyone. It's easy to call that Game 2 win impressive when you look at the 27-point spread, particularly when you take into consideration that they outscored the Sixers by 34 points across the final three quarters. Thay happened to do that without Gordon Hayward too, who appears to be out for the rest of the series with an ankle issue. They moved Marcus Smart into the starting lineup to take his spot and that's quite the luxury to have. Jayson Tatum was the star in that game though, providing 33 points, five rebounds and five assists. It appears he's ascended into that superstardom pace we've been waiting for and that's bad news for everyone else.
The Sixers (0-2) look lost without Ben Simmons. Where they're really missing him is on the defensive end of the floor. Simmons was the primary defender against Tatum in the regular season and it's becoming clear that they have no one else who can cover him. They could get a guy like Matisse Thybulle in there but that hampers this club way too much on the offensive end. The simple fact is, this team doesn't have enough depth to match up with this Celtics roster. Joel Embiid can only do so much and he'd need historic series' from Josh Richardson, Al Horford and Tobias Harris if they are to advance. What's funny is that we can technically call this a home game for Philly and that's a small silver-lining when you see that Philly is 31-4 at home and 12-25 on the road this season. That may be another reason why they are struggling but they just need to pretend like they're in their home building to get a little extra motivation.
The season series is now sitting at 3-3 between these teams.
Clippers and Mavericks Tangle In Pivotal Game 3
The Los Angeles Clippers take on the Dallas Mavericks in Game 3 of their Western Conference quarterfinal-round series in Orlando on Friday night. The series is tied 1-1.
The Clippers (1-1) came into Wednesday's Game 2 looking to take a commanding series lead over a team they had gone 4-for-4 against dating back to the regular season, but the Mavericks (1-1) roared back with a 127-114 victory. Kawhi Leonard paced the Clippers with 35 points, complementing them with 10 rebounds, two assists and one steal. Lou Williams poured in 23 points, supplementing them with seven assists, four rebounds and one steal. Paul George and Marcus Morris posted matching 14-point tallies while pulling down 10 and eight rebounds, respectively. However, George shot just 4-for-17 from the floor. Reggie Jackson filled in for the injured Patrick Beverley (calf) and delivered 11 points, four rebounds and one assist. Montrezl Harrell led the bench with 10 points over 22 minutes.
The Clippers will list Beverley (calf) as doubtful for Friday's contest.
Luka Doncic worked around second-half four trouble to pace the Mavericks with 28 points, adding eight rebounds and seven assists. Porzingis followed with 23 points, complementing them with seven rebounds and one block. Tim Hardaway, Jr. furnished 17 points, three assists, two rebounds and one steal. Trey Burke totaled 16 points, three boards, two assists, two steals and one block. Seth Curry supplied 15 points, three rebounds and three assists. Boban Marjanovic registered 13 points, nine rebounds and one assist.
The Mavericks will list Porzingis (heel) as probable for Friday's game, while Burke (ankle) will carry the same designation.
The 2019-20 series between the teams is now 4-1 in favor of the Clippers, with the Mavericks' win Wednesday marking their first win against Los Angeles this season and postseason.
The Clippers (1-1) came into Wednesday's Game 2 looking to take a commanding series lead over a team they had gone 4-for-4 against dating back to the regular season, but the Mavericks (1-1) roared back with a 127-114 victory. Kawhi Leonard paced the Clippers with 35 points, complementing them with 10 rebounds, two assists and one steal. Lou Williams poured in 23 points, supplementing them with seven assists, four rebounds and one steal. Paul George and Marcus Morris posted matching 14-point tallies while pulling down 10 and eight rebounds, respectively. However, George shot just 4-for-17 from the floor. Reggie Jackson filled in for the injured Patrick Beverley (calf) and delivered 11 points, four rebounds and one assist. Montrezl Harrell led the bench with 10 points over 22 minutes.
The Clippers will list Beverley (calf) as doubtful for Friday's contest.
Luka Doncic worked around second-half four trouble to pace the Mavericks with 28 points, adding eight rebounds and seven assists. Porzingis followed with 23 points, complementing them with seven rebounds and one block. Tim Hardaway, Jr. furnished 17 points, three assists, two rebounds and one steal. Trey Burke totaled 16 points, three boards, two assists, two steals and one block. Seth Curry supplied 15 points, three rebounds and three assists. Boban Marjanovic registered 13 points, nine rebounds and one assist.
The Mavericks will list Porzingis (heel) as probable for Friday's game, while Burke (ankle) will carry the same designation.
The 2019-20 series between the teams is now 4-1 in favor of the Clippers, with the Mavericks' win Wednesday marking their first win against Los Angeles this season and postseason.