Bucks Aim For Third Straight Win Over Magic
The Milwaukee Bucks will play the Orlando Magic in Game 4 of the 2019-20 Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs at Orlando on Monday. Milwaukee currently leads the series by a 2-1 advantage.
The Bucks suffered a devastating loss in Game 1, but they have turned things around since then. Giannis Antetokounmpo, who had one of his best individual performances in quite some time in Game 3 after posting 35 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists, two steals, and a block, has led the Bucks to back-to-back wins and now seem to be in complete control of the series, although the bounce-back performance from Khris Middleton in Game 3 also lifted the Bucks. Middleton had 17 points after two subpar performances in the opening games of the series, and he needs to be at his best if Milwaukee wants to close the series quickly. Milwaukee shot 56.1 percent from the field in Game 3, including 45.9 from three-point range, and it's hard to lose when making shots at such a high percentage.
Milwaukee is at full strength ahead of Game 4 on Monday, and there shouldn't be changes to Mike Budenholzer's starting lineup.
The Magic might have hoped for an upset against the Bucks following their Game 1 win, but have crashed down back to earth since then with two straight losses -- and now it seems unlikely that they'll win another game before getting eliminated. Nikola Vucevic was Orlando's best player once again in Game 3, as the Montenegrin big man notched 20 points and five rebounds despite making just eight of his 19 field-goal attempts, but the rest of the team needs to step it up. The other four starters combined for just 25 points, and 13 of those came thanks to Evan Fournier. There might be a few changes, though, especially after seeing Terrence Ross and D.J. Augustin combine for 44 points off the bench in Game 3. Either way, Orlando must shake things up if they don't want to get eliminated sooner than later.
Michael Carter-Williams (foot), Aaron Gordon (hamstring) and Melvin Frazier (back) are all questionable -- at best -- for Game 4, and a potential return of Gordon would boost Orlando on both ends of the court. Chuma Okeke (knee), Mo Bamba (illness), Jonathan Isaac (knee) and Al-Farouq Aminu (knee) are all out for the remainder of the 2019-20 season.
The Bucks suffered a devastating loss in Game 1, but they have turned things around since then. Giannis Antetokounmpo, who had one of his best individual performances in quite some time in Game 3 after posting 35 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists, two steals, and a block, has led the Bucks to back-to-back wins and now seem to be in complete control of the series, although the bounce-back performance from Khris Middleton in Game 3 also lifted the Bucks. Middleton had 17 points after two subpar performances in the opening games of the series, and he needs to be at his best if Milwaukee wants to close the series quickly. Milwaukee shot 56.1 percent from the field in Game 3, including 45.9 from three-point range, and it's hard to lose when making shots at such a high percentage.
Milwaukee is at full strength ahead of Game 4 on Monday, and there shouldn't be changes to Mike Budenholzer's starting lineup.
The Magic might have hoped for an upset against the Bucks following their Game 1 win, but have crashed down back to earth since then with two straight losses -- and now it seems unlikely that they'll win another game before getting eliminated. Nikola Vucevic was Orlando's best player once again in Game 3, as the Montenegrin big man notched 20 points and five rebounds despite making just eight of his 19 field-goal attempts, but the rest of the team needs to step it up. The other four starters combined for just 25 points, and 13 of those came thanks to Evan Fournier. There might be a few changes, though, especially after seeing Terrence Ross and D.J. Augustin combine for 44 points off the bench in Game 3. Either way, Orlando must shake things up if they don't want to get eliminated sooner than later.
Michael Carter-Williams (foot), Aaron Gordon (hamstring) and Melvin Frazier (back) are all questionable -- at best -- for Game 4, and a potential return of Gordon would boost Orlando on both ends of the court. Chuma Okeke (knee), Mo Bamba (illness), Jonathan Isaac (knee) and Al-Farouq Aminu (knee) are all out for the remainder of the 2019-20 season.
Thunder Look To Build Off Huge Win In Game 3
By Dan Bruno
The Houston Rockets play the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 4 of the Western Conference first-round playoffs on Monday at Orlando.
After falling behind 2-0 in the series, the Thunder came up with a massive win in Game 3, as they forced overtime and then dominated the extra frame. Chris Paul was a major factor in the win, with 26 points, five assists, a steal and a block, but it was Dennis Schroder who led the Thunder, with 29 points, five rebounds, five assists and two steals, in 39 minutes. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander came up huge with a three-pointer that put the Thunder up by one late in regulation time, and he totaled 23 points, seven rebounds, six assists, four steals and a block. Danilo Gallinari chipped in 20 points and seven rebounds, to make it four players with at least 20 points in the great team win for OKC. The Thunder also used great defense to hold of the high-powered Rockets in Game 3, as they held the Rockets to 41 percent shooting, including 15-of-50 from long range. Although he did not show up huge on the stat sheet Luguentz Dort played a key role, especially on the defensive end, with nine points, eight rebounds and three blocks, in 36 minutes.
Meanwhile, James Harden still managed to put up 38 points, eight assists, seven rebounds and a steal, in 38 minutes of action in Game 3, while Jeff Green followed up with 22 points, seven rebounds, three assists, two blocks and a steal. However, Eric Gordon struggled shooting, going 8-of-24 from the field, on his way to 18 points. Danuel House Jr. was the only other player to score in double digits, with 15 points to go with 10 rebounds. The Rockets had fared very well through the first two games despite missing Russell Westbrook, but the depth of top-quality guards on the Thunder may be wearing on the Rockets as the series goes on. Westbrook (quad) is set to remain out through Game 4, and the Rockets will need to find a way to get more on both ends from guys like Austin Rivers and Eric Gordon, who can help divert some of the play making and defensive attention from Harden.
After falling behind 2-0 in the series, the Thunder came up with a massive win in Game 3, as they forced overtime and then dominated the extra frame. Chris Paul was a major factor in the win, with 26 points, five assists, a steal and a block, but it was Dennis Schroder who led the Thunder, with 29 points, five rebounds, five assists and two steals, in 39 minutes. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander came up huge with a three-pointer that put the Thunder up by one late in regulation time, and he totaled 23 points, seven rebounds, six assists, four steals and a block. Danilo Gallinari chipped in 20 points and seven rebounds, to make it four players with at least 20 points in the great team win for OKC. The Thunder also used great defense to hold of the high-powered Rockets in Game 3, as they held the Rockets to 41 percent shooting, including 15-of-50 from long range. Although he did not show up huge on the stat sheet Luguentz Dort played a key role, especially on the defensive end, with nine points, eight rebounds and three blocks, in 36 minutes.
Meanwhile, James Harden still managed to put up 38 points, eight assists, seven rebounds and a steal, in 38 minutes of action in Game 3, while Jeff Green followed up with 22 points, seven rebounds, three assists, two blocks and a steal. However, Eric Gordon struggled shooting, going 8-of-24 from the field, on his way to 18 points. Danuel House Jr. was the only other player to score in double digits, with 15 points to go with 10 rebounds. The Rockets had fared very well through the first two games despite missing Russell Westbrook, but the depth of top-quality guards on the Thunder may be wearing on the Rockets as the series goes on. Westbrook (quad) is set to remain out through Game 4, and the Rockets will need to find a way to get more on both ends from guys like Austin Rivers and Eric Gordon, who can help divert some of the play making and defensive attention from Harden.
Pacers and Heat Square Off in Game 4
The Indiana Pacers take on the Miami Heat in Game 4 of their Eastern Conference quarterfinal-round series in Orlando on Monday evening. The Heat leads the series, 3-0.
The Pacers (0-3) upped their offensive efficiency significantly in the Game 3 loss and were as close as within two points with 2:21 left before Miami pulled away for what may prove to be a crushing victory for Indiana's chances of coming back in the series. Malcolm Brogdon led the Pacers with 34 points, complementing them with 14 assists, seven rebounds and two steals. T.J. Warren supplied 23 points, six boards, two assists, five steals and one block. Victor Oladipo registered 20 points, four boards, one assist and one steal. Myles Turner generated a 15-point, 12-rebound double-double that also included one assist and three blocks. Aaron Holiday paced the bench with 10 points.
The Pacers are expected to continue without Domantas Sabonis (foot) for Monday's game.
The Heat (3-0) may have snuffed out any hopes of a Pacers comeback with their Game 3 performance Saturday afternoon, as they showed enough mettle to withstand Indiana's best shot in the fourth quarter and still emerge with a 124-115 win. Jimmy Butler paced the Heat with 27 points, supplementing them with eight boards, four assists, three steals and one block. Goran Dragic managed 24 points, six assists, two rebounds and three steals. Bam Adebayo generated a 22-point, 11-rebound double-double that included five assists and one steal. Tyler Herro contributed 20 points, three rebounds and one assist off the bench. Duncan Robinson supplied 15 points, while Jae Crowder overcame an ankle injury to post 11 points, eight boards, one assist and two steals.
The Heat will list Derrick Jones (ankle), Andre Iguodala (hip), Chris Silva (groin) and Crowder (ankle) as questionable for Monday's contest.
The Heat now owns a 5-1 advantage in head-to-head matchups with the Pacers this regular season and postseason. Miami is averaging 115.3 points per game in the current series while holding the Pacers to 105.3 points per contest.
The Pacers (0-3) upped their offensive efficiency significantly in the Game 3 loss and were as close as within two points with 2:21 left before Miami pulled away for what may prove to be a crushing victory for Indiana's chances of coming back in the series. Malcolm Brogdon led the Pacers with 34 points, complementing them with 14 assists, seven rebounds and two steals. T.J. Warren supplied 23 points, six boards, two assists, five steals and one block. Victor Oladipo registered 20 points, four boards, one assist and one steal. Myles Turner generated a 15-point, 12-rebound double-double that also included one assist and three blocks. Aaron Holiday paced the bench with 10 points.
The Pacers are expected to continue without Domantas Sabonis (foot) for Monday's game.
The Heat (3-0) may have snuffed out any hopes of a Pacers comeback with their Game 3 performance Saturday afternoon, as they showed enough mettle to withstand Indiana's best shot in the fourth quarter and still emerge with a 124-115 win. Jimmy Butler paced the Heat with 27 points, supplementing them with eight boards, four assists, three steals and one block. Goran Dragic managed 24 points, six assists, two rebounds and three steals. Bam Adebayo generated a 22-point, 11-rebound double-double that included five assists and one steal. Tyler Herro contributed 20 points, three rebounds and one assist off the bench. Duncan Robinson supplied 15 points, while Jae Crowder overcame an ankle injury to post 11 points, eight boards, one assist and two steals.
The Heat will list Derrick Jones (ankle), Andre Iguodala (hip), Chris Silva (groin) and Crowder (ankle) as questionable for Monday's contest.
The Heat now owns a 5-1 advantage in head-to-head matchups with the Pacers this regular season and postseason. Miami is averaging 115.3 points per game in the current series while holding the Pacers to 105.3 points per contest.
Blazers and Lakers Duel on Monday
The Portland Trail Blazers play host to the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 4 of the Western Conference first-round playoffs in Orlando on Monday.
The Lakers (2-1) were the talk of NBA circles when they started this series with an upset defeat but they've quieted a lot of notions since then. They've had two big wins over the Blazers since that surprising loss, with Anthony Davis and LeBron James carrying the load. In fact, those two combined for 67 points, 23 rebounds, 16 assists, five steals and three blocks in that 116-108 win over the Blazers on Saturday. Those are the superstar performances we have been waiting for and it's becoming evident that they had no interest in performing in the play-in games. It's GO time now and if those two continue to produce like that going forward, they will remain one of the favorites to reach the NBA Finals.
The Trail Blazers (1-2) looked to be a seriously dangerous squad when they took down Game 1 against the Lakers but the last couple of games have really brought them back down to earth. What's becoming evident is the fact that this team is getting tired. They've essentially been playing playoff-basketball for close to a month now and it's tough to maintain that will when you have to face the best team in the Western Conference seven times. It led to a drastic change in Game 3 too, with Portland deciding to start Hassan Whiteside and Jusuf Nurkic together. It's unclear if that can work with both of those guys clogging the paint but it's worrisome that they combined for just 18 points, 15 rebounds and one block in this updated lineup in Game 3. Either of those guys can post those numbers by themselves and one has to wonder where this team is headed in terms of their rotations.
It looks like everyone will be healthy here, after Damian Lillard (finger) suited up in Game 3. There is some talk that Rajon Rondo will make his long-awaited return here as well.
The Lakers (2-1) were the talk of NBA circles when they started this series with an upset defeat but they've quieted a lot of notions since then. They've had two big wins over the Blazers since that surprising loss, with Anthony Davis and LeBron James carrying the load. In fact, those two combined for 67 points, 23 rebounds, 16 assists, five steals and three blocks in that 116-108 win over the Blazers on Saturday. Those are the superstar performances we have been waiting for and it's becoming evident that they had no interest in performing in the play-in games. It's GO time now and if those two continue to produce like that going forward, they will remain one of the favorites to reach the NBA Finals.
The Trail Blazers (1-2) looked to be a seriously dangerous squad when they took down Game 1 against the Lakers but the last couple of games have really brought them back down to earth. What's becoming evident is the fact that this team is getting tired. They've essentially been playing playoff-basketball for close to a month now and it's tough to maintain that will when you have to face the best team in the Western Conference seven times. It led to a drastic change in Game 3 too, with Portland deciding to start Hassan Whiteside and Jusuf Nurkic together. It's unclear if that can work with both of those guys clogging the paint but it's worrisome that they combined for just 18 points, 15 rebounds and one block in this updated lineup in Game 3. Either of those guys can post those numbers by themselves and one has to wonder where this team is headed in terms of their rotations.
It looks like everyone will be healthy here, after Damian Lillard (finger) suited up in Game 3. There is some talk that Rajon Rondo will make his long-awaited return here as well.