Jazz Face Nuggets Looking To Close Series Out
The Utah Jazz face the Denver Nuggets in Game 5 of the 2019-20 Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Orlando on Monday. Utah currently leads the series by a 3-1 advantage.
The Jazz are 48 minutes away from moving into the Western Conference Semifinals, and they have looked quite good on both ends of the court even if we consider their Game 1 loss. With a better execution in the series opener, the Jazz could've already notch a spot in the next round of the postseason. Most of the credit of what they've done should go to Donovan Mitchell's stellar series, though, as the star shooting guard has been playing the best basketball of his career since the playoffs started -- he is averaging 39.5 points per game while shooting 56.3 percent from the field and 51.4 percent from three-point range in four games against Denver. Mitchell can't do everything on his own, but if the Jazz deliver another sound performance defensively like they did in Game 4, then they should have a strong chance to reach the next round.
Ed Davis (knee) and Justin Wright-Foreman (not injury related) are out for the remainder of the series, while Bojan Bogdanovic (wrist) is out until next season.
The Nuggets worked hard all season long to finish in third place of the Western Conference standings -- which is quite an accomplishment -- and now they are just one game away from suffering an early playoff exit at the hands of the Jazz. Jamal Murray (28.0 points, 6.5 assists, 6.0 rebounds per game in the series) and Nikola Jokic (25.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists per game) have been spectacular for Denver in the series, but Denver has struggled with health and depth during the series, missing key contributors such as Gary Harris and Will Barton while receiving poor individual performances from Michael Porter Jr., who was relegated to the bench in Game 4. Denver must tighten things up defensively Tuesday because, if they don't, their stance at Orlando won't last longer.
Harris (hip) has been listed as a game-time decision for Tuesday, while Barton (knee) and Vlatko Cancar (foot) are both out for the remainder of the season.
The Jazz are 48 minutes away from moving into the Western Conference Semifinals, and they have looked quite good on both ends of the court even if we consider their Game 1 loss. With a better execution in the series opener, the Jazz could've already notch a spot in the next round of the postseason. Most of the credit of what they've done should go to Donovan Mitchell's stellar series, though, as the star shooting guard has been playing the best basketball of his career since the playoffs started -- he is averaging 39.5 points per game while shooting 56.3 percent from the field and 51.4 percent from three-point range in four games against Denver. Mitchell can't do everything on his own, but if the Jazz deliver another sound performance defensively like they did in Game 4, then they should have a strong chance to reach the next round.
Ed Davis (knee) and Justin Wright-Foreman (not injury related) are out for the remainder of the series, while Bojan Bogdanovic (wrist) is out until next season.
The Nuggets worked hard all season long to finish in third place of the Western Conference standings -- which is quite an accomplishment -- and now they are just one game away from suffering an early playoff exit at the hands of the Jazz. Jamal Murray (28.0 points, 6.5 assists, 6.0 rebounds per game in the series) and Nikola Jokic (25.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists per game) have been spectacular for Denver in the series, but Denver has struggled with health and depth during the series, missing key contributors such as Gary Harris and Will Barton while receiving poor individual performances from Michael Porter Jr., who was relegated to the bench in Game 4. Denver must tighten things up defensively Tuesday because, if they don't, their stance at Orlando won't last longer.
Harris (hip) has been listed as a game-time decision for Tuesday, while Barton (knee) and Vlatko Cancar (foot) are both out for the remainder of the season.
Mavericks and Clippers Meet for Pivotal Game 5
The Dallas Mavericks take on the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 5 of their Western Conference quarterfinal-round series in Orlando on Tuesday night. The series is tied 2-2.
Despite the fact the Clippers (2-2) came into the series as solid favorites, the Mavericks (2-2) have shown an ability to not only compete when they have their full arsenal, but to also win even when they're hampered by injuries to their most important players. Sunday's 135-133 instant classic Game 4 overtime victory for Dallas was a prime example, as the coach Rick Carlisle's squad was forced to play without Kristaps Porzingis (knee) and a hurting Luka Doncic (ankle). The rollercoaster contest saw the Mavericks roar back from an early deficit with a dominant effort in the middle quarters before Los Angeles came back and forced overtime. In the extra period, Doncic then provided the miracle finish with a game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer.
The final bucket capped a 43-point, 17-rebound, 13-assist triple-double for Doncic that also included two steals and a block. Trey Burke drew a start and followed with 25 points, five rebounds, one assist and two steals. Tim Hardaway provided 21 points, five boards and one assist. Seth Curry poured in 15 points, while Boban Marjanovic tallied 10 points and seven rebounds.
The Mavericks will list Doncic (ankle) and Burke (ankle) as probable for Tuesday's game. Porzingis (knee) will be listed as a game-time decision.
The Clippers were led by Lou Williams' 36 points, which he complemented with five assists, four rebounds and one steal. Kawhi Leonard followed with 32 points, nine boards, four assists, two steals and one block. Ivica Zubac and Reggie Jackson delivered 15 and 14 points, respectively, while also pulling down four rebounds apiece.
The Clippers will list Patrick Beverley (calf) as a game-time decision for Tuesday's game.
Tuesday's game marks the eighth overall meeting between the teams this regular season and postseason. The Clippers own a 5-2 edge, as the Mavericks' only wins have come in the current series.
Despite the fact the Clippers (2-2) came into the series as solid favorites, the Mavericks (2-2) have shown an ability to not only compete when they have their full arsenal, but to also win even when they're hampered by injuries to their most important players. Sunday's 135-133 instant classic Game 4 overtime victory for Dallas was a prime example, as the coach Rick Carlisle's squad was forced to play without Kristaps Porzingis (knee) and a hurting Luka Doncic (ankle). The rollercoaster contest saw the Mavericks roar back from an early deficit with a dominant effort in the middle quarters before Los Angeles came back and forced overtime. In the extra period, Doncic then provided the miracle finish with a game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer.
The final bucket capped a 43-point, 17-rebound, 13-assist triple-double for Doncic that also included two steals and a block. Trey Burke drew a start and followed with 25 points, five rebounds, one assist and two steals. Tim Hardaway provided 21 points, five boards and one assist. Seth Curry poured in 15 points, while Boban Marjanovic tallied 10 points and seven rebounds.
The Mavericks will list Doncic (ankle) and Burke (ankle) as probable for Tuesday's game. Porzingis (knee) will be listed as a game-time decision.
The Clippers were led by Lou Williams' 36 points, which he complemented with five assists, four rebounds and one steal. Kawhi Leonard followed with 32 points, nine boards, four assists, two steals and one block. Ivica Zubac and Reggie Jackson delivered 15 and 14 points, respectively, while also pulling down four rebounds apiece.
The Clippers will list Patrick Beverley (calf) as a game-time decision for Tuesday's game.
Tuesday's game marks the eighth overall meeting between the teams this regular season and postseason. The Clippers own a 5-2 edge, as the Mavericks' only wins have come in the current series.