Intrigue,
excitement, and anticipation are the emotions fans, commentators and analyst
had during the 2018-19 National Basketball Association (NBA). The hope now is
we get a replication of that and then some when the so-called real season, the
2019 NBA playoffs start today where a plethora of questions are waiting to be
answered by the 16 participants. That and many more will be tackled in the
J-Speaks 2019 NBA Playoff preview.
Eastern
Conference
Season
Series: Bucks won 4-0.
All-time
Postseason Record:
Pistons defeated Bucks 4-0 in the 1989 East Semifinals.
We
have a matchup of two teams from the Midwest part of the country where one is
looking to make serious run at the NBA title, while the other is literally and
figuratively limping into just their second playoff appearance in a decade.
The
Milwaukee won 60 games for the fifth time in franchise history and for the
first time since this blogger was born in 1981. They have the possibly Kia MVP
to be and a serous Kia Coach of the Year.
When
it comes to consistency, there was no team more consistent than the Bucks under
new head coach Mike Budenholzer, who put his stamp on a basketball team that
went from a low assists team last season to tied for No. 7 at 26.0 per game.
They went from a team that was one of the worst three-point shooting teams a
season ago to one of the most prolific in “The Association,” ranking No. 2 in
makes per game at 13.5 and in attempts at 38.2.
Those
two things along are a big reason why the Bucks finished No. 1 in the league
averaging 118.1 points per contest led by “The Greek Freak” Giannis
Antetokounmpo, who rose his game to an even higher level this season leading
the Bucks in scoring (27.7-3rd NBA), rebounding (12.5-7th
NBA), assists (5.9), while ranking second on the team in block shots per game
at (1.5).
The
continued emergence of the Kia MVP to be along with the incredible pay of
first-time All-Star Khris Middleton (18.3 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 4.3 apg, 37.8 3-Pt.%),
Eric Bledsoe (15.9 ppg, 5.5 apg, 4.6 rpg, 1.5 spg, 48.4 FG%), and Brook Lopez
(12.5 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 2.2 bpg-4th NBA, 45.2 FG%, 36.5 3-Pt.%).
“We’re
just trying to soak it all in right now,” Bledsoe said of the team’s stellar
regular-season after the 127-116 loss in their regular-season finale versus the
Thunder on Wednesday. “We went through a lot of adversity to get to this point.
I’m really proud of this group.”
While
the Bucks have grown by leaps-and-bounds compared to where they were just four
years ago where they won just 15 games this by all accounts has been a stellar
season.
That
said, that was just the regular season. Can they duplicate this outcome in the
playoffs?
Since
coming within one game of reaching the NBA Finals back in 2001, they have had
eight straight First-Round exits, with five of those being decided in six or
seven games.
“As a team we know what our goal is,”
Antetokounmpo said. “And, you know, as you said we haven’t been recently out of
the First-Round. So, we got to take it step-by-step. We got to win the first
game on Sunday and then we can move on. But definitely, one of our goals is to
get out of the First-Round.
The
Bucks also come into this series banged up with the likes of Tony Snell (6.0
ppg, 45.2 FG%, 39.7 3-Pt.%) and Nikola Mirotic (15.2 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 36.5
3-Pt.%), who the Bucks acquired at the trade deadline from the New Orleans
Pelicans dealing a left ankle sprain and fractured right thumb respectably that
cost them to miss games in the final weeks of the regular season.
Mirotic
is expected to be ready for the start of the postseason, but Snell is not
expected to be in uniform once the playoffs begin.
“You
need everybody come playoff time. So, we’ll welcome him back and for some
reason he can’t play in Game 1 we feel good about who we do have and whose been
healthy, and whose ready to go,” Coach Budenholzer said on Friday about
Mirotic’s availability to start the series.
The
one player the Bucks will not have until the Semifinals if they get there is
Malcolm Brogdon (15.6 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 50.5 FG%, 42.6 3-Pt.%, 92.8 FT%) who joined
an exclusive club of players of the 50/40/90 club in terms of field goal
percentage, three-point percentage and free throw percentage. That exclusive
club features perennial All-Stars and either current or future Hall of Famers
in Steve Nash, Larry Bird, Reggie Miller, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Dirk
Nowizki and Mark Price.
The
former Virginia Cavalier, whose nickname is “The President” for his great
character and work ethic both on and off the hardwood has been out since being
diagnosed with a plantar fascia tear in his right foot in late March, which was
scheduled to keep him on the shelf for 6-8 weeks.
There
is a possibility that he may return for the Semifinals if the Bucks get there.
Until then though, the likes of George Hill, Pat Connaughton, Ersan Ilyasova,
Sterling Brown, Tim Frazier and D.J. Wilson will have to pick up the slack,
which they have proven coming down the stretch of the regular season they are
capable of.
The
boys from the “Motor City” limped into this postseason going 4-7 in their last
11 games and needed a come from behind victory and a wire-to-wire wins over the
draft lottery bound Memphis Grizzlies and New York Knicks their last two games
of the regular-season just to reach the playoffs.
The
one possible advantage they come into the series is down low with their two
dynamic front court players in All-Stars Blake Griffin (24.5 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 5.4
apg, 46.2 FG%, 36.2 3-Pt.%), who has really expanded his game as a perimeter
shooter this season and rebounding machine Andre Drummond (17.3 ppg, 15.6
rpg-Led NBA, 53.3 FG%, 1.7 spg-Led team, 1.7 bpg-8th NBA).
Griffin
though has been dealing with a bum left knee that has shelved him in four of
the last seven games, including in the Pistons regular-season finale at the New
York Knicks (17-65), which they did win 115-89 to clinch the final playoff spot
in the East.
They
are going to need both of them to really put in work in this series especially
scoring in the paint to somehow slow down Antetokounmpo, who production will be
better than what he averaged of 20.8 points, 8.8 rebounds, 7.0 assists and 2.0
steals, on 58.3 FG% in the four-game regular-season series against the Pistons.
If
Griffin can be the productive player for head coach Dwane Casey prior to him
dealing with his bum knee, the Pistons will need for the likes of starting lead
guard Reggie Jackson (15.4 ppg) who has been very inconsistent with his
shooting this season making only 42.1 percent of his shots, but has had his
moments from three-point range hitting 36.5 percent of his chances.
“We
have to start with Game 1. Come out and try to be physical. Set the tone. Play
our pace, play our style and let the chips fall where they may,” Jackson told
the media on Friday about what the team needs to do against the Bucks.
He
added, “It’s all about the little things. It’s all about being discipline.
Getting back on defense. About the little details. It’s really about care.
Caring to take care of your teammates. Caring to go out there and prove and
give your all every night.”
They
will also need production from is understudy Ish Smith (8.9 ppg, 3.6 apg),
Wayne Ellington, who the team picked up after he was waived earlier in March by
the Miami Heat, Luke Kennard, Langston Galloway, and Thon Maker.
During
the regular season, the Pistons made nearly 200 three-pointers more than they
surrendered to the opposition, while allowing opponents to shoot 40 percent
from distance just 18 times, including just once in four meetings against the
Bucks.
“It’s
a playoff series,” Coach Casey said on Friday. “You know, we have to go play
hard and play loose. Again, nobody on this planet that’s an NBA fan is going to
expect us to win. That’s great. That’s good. I think a lot of our guys have
been underdogs all their lives. I’ve been an underdog all my life and our owner
been an underdog all his life and look what he’s done for himself.”
“That’s
the approach we’re taking. Nobody expects to be here anyway. So again, play
basketball.”
Last
season, the Bucks to the eventual East runners-up the Boston Celtics to seven
games in the opening round before falling. They have a feel of it is
Finals-or-bust coming into this postseason.
The
other thing on the Bucks side starting these playoffs is history, of the four
previous seasons the Bucks won 60 or more games, they did advance past the
opening round. They lost in the Semifinals in 1972-73 and 1980-81 seasons when
they won 60 games. They lost in the then Western Conference Finals in the
1972-73 seasons after 63 wins. When they won a franchise record 66 games in the
1970-71 season, which ended with them winning the NBA title.
If
that was not enough, the Bucks who became the eighth team with 45 regular
season victories by double-digits in a season. The previous seven that
accomplished this won the Larry O’Brien trophy.
While
the Pistons will come into this series loose and confident, the Bucks handled
them quite easily during the regular season, sweeping them as mentioned 4-0 and
possibly could do that in the playoffs in their quest to win the franchise’s
second title in franchise history.
Prediction: Bucks in five games.
(4)
Boston
Celtics versus (5) Indiana Pacers
(49-33) (48-34)
Season
Series:
Celtics won 3-1.
All-time
Postseason Record:
Celtics lead 3-2.
Two
old Eastern Conference rivals who have played each other in the postseason
before meet once again with a new crop of players as one team which
underachieved in the minds of many prognosticators against a team of
overachievers who rose to the moment even with the loss of their two-time
All-Star.
After
their incredible march in the 2018 Playoffs that left them one game short of
reaching The Finals last spring, the Boston Celtics in a LeBron James-less East
were predicted.
Due
to inconsistency and an inability to find the right cohesion amongst All-Stars
Kyrie Irving (23.8 ppg, 6.9 apg, 1.5 spg, 48.7 FG%, 40.1 3-Pt.%) and Gordon
Hayward (11.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 46.6 FG%) and breakout youngsters in the 2018
postseason in Jayson Tatum (15.7 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 45.0 FG%, 37.3 3-Pt.%), Jaylen
Brown (13.0 ppg, 46.5 FG%, 34.4 3-Pt.%) and Terry Rozier (9.0 ppg, 3.9 rpg,
35.3 #-Pt.%), the Celtics who ever year improved their win total under head
coach Brad Stevens had a disappointing regular season for a team rich with
talent, depth and versatility.
The
Celtics last season were able to come within one game of beating James and the
eventual four-time defending East champion Cleveland Cavaliers because they
10-1 at home. That one loss though at TD Garden was Game 7 of the Eastern
Conference Finals to the Cavaliers, where they showed their youth going 7 for
34 from three-point range.
Without
Irving or Hayward to bring offensive stability the Celtics lost. Now with the
two All-Stars back in the fold alongside the steady veteran big man in Al
Horford (13.6 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 4.2 apg, 53.5 FG%, 36.0 3-Pt.%) and grit and
toughness of Marcus Morris (13.9 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 44.7 FG%, 37.5 3-Pt.%) the
Celtics can still reach their goal of representing the East in The Finals.
It
will not be easy however without their heart and soul in perimeter defensive
ace Marcus Smart (8.9 ppg, 4.0 apg, 1.8 spg, 36.4 3-Pt.%), who will be out 4-6
weeks at least due to a torn left oblique sustained in the C’s 116-108 loss
versus the Orlando Magic on Sunday night.
While
it is likely that Brown will take the spot of Smart in the starting lineup, the
likes of youngsters Semi Ojeleye and Brad Wanamaker to bring that energy and
grit, especially defensively that will be absent without Smart on the floor.
“In
the playoffs, it doesn’t matter if you’re starting, coming off the bench, or
sweeping the floor, you just want to be out there in playoff time, especially
with the Celtics, because it’s one of the best environments probably there is
in the NBA,” Brown told the media on Friday.
Another
player that will be counted on to make a difference is big man Aron Baynes, who
late in the season was inserted into the starting lineup at the power forward
spot in place of Morris. That resulted in a 5-1 mark from Mar. 29-Apr. 7, which
included two wins against the Pacers, which gave them home court advantage to
start this series.
Perhaps
the biggest development for the Celtics to close the season is that Hayward,
who missed nearly all of last season because of a devastating leg injury
sustained in last season’s opener at the Cavaliers has shown signs of being the
player he was prior with averages of 16.9 points on 62 percent from the field
his last seven games.
While
the sample size of big games Hayward has been small, they are 6-0 this season
when he scores 29 or more this season.
While
the Celtics will be without Smart to begin the 2018 Playoffs, the Pacers will
be without two-time All-Star Victor Oladipo, who was lost to a season-ending right
knee injury in the team’s 110-106 win versus the No. 2 Seeded Toronto Raptors,
more on them in a moment.
Last
season as the No. 5 Seed the Pacers came very close to ending the seven-year
reign of James and the Cavaliers as Kings of the East falling in seven games,
where they were outscored by 40 points.
Head
Coach Nate McMillan’s squad had their sights on taking the next step this
season but those plans initially went up in smoke when two-time All-Star
Victory Oladipo (18.8 ppg-Led team, 5.6 rpg, 5.2 apg, 1.7 spg), who missed
11-games because of injury earlier in the season lost him to a season-ending
right knee injury in their 110-106 win versus the No. 2 Seeded Toronto Raptors
on Jan. 23.
After
an 0-4 to start after losing Oladipo, the Pacers picked themselves off the pavement
and went 15-15 to close the season and were 23-23 overall without him for those
46 games, going 11-6 at home but just 5-13 on the road.
The
Pacers were able to not fall complete out of the East player picture which many
predicted after Oladipo went down because of a stingy defense and offensive
balance.
Forward
Bogan Bogdanovic (18.0 ppg, 49.7 FG%, 42.5 3-Pt.%) really stepped to close this
season averaging 23.1 and 21.8 points on 54.6 and 51.0 percent from the field
on 41.4 and 45.5 percent from three-point range in February and March. Sixth
Man of the Year candidate Domantas Sabonis (14.1 ppg, 9.3 rpg-Led team, 59.0
FG%, 52.9 3-Pt.%), who had 30 double-doubles off the bench this season brought
scoring and rebounding off the bench. Starting forward Thaddeus Young (12.6
ppg, 6.5 rpg, 1.5 spg, 52.7 FG%, 34.9 3-Pt.%) and starting center Myles Turner
(13.3 ppg, 7,2 rpg, 2.7 bpg-Led NBA, 48.7 FG%, 38.8 3-Pt.%) and starting lead
guard Darren Collison (11.2 ppg, 6.0 apg-Led team, 46.7 FG%, 40.7 3-Pt.)
provided a steadiness and focus that kept the team in high spirits when Oladipo
was lost.
The
Pacers have also gotten big time contributions off the bench for Cory Joseph
(6.5 ppg, 3.9 apg), Tyreke Evans (10.2 ppg, 35.6 3-Pt.%), Doug McDermott (7.3
ppg, 49.1 FG%, 40.8 3-Pt.%) and recently from youngsters TJ Leaf, who had a
career-high of 28 points with 10 rebounds on 12 for 19 shooting in the Pacers 135-134
win on Wednesday at the Hawks and rookie guard Aaron Holiday.
“I’m
definitely going to be aggressive,” Evans tweeted @TyrekeEvans on Friday
morning. “It’s going to be an exciting playoff run. I’m excited, our team is
excited…This is what we’ve played for all season.”
What
ultimately will give the Pacers a chance in this series is their ability to
play the kind of defense they did during the regular season where they ranked
No. 1 in points allowed at 104.7; No. 6 in opponent’s field goal percentage at
45.0; No. 3 in steals and No. 5 in forced turnovers at 14.9.
They
especially have to keep the Celtics out of transition, as they averaged 26.8
points in the four meetings, getting at least 22 points in those contests,
which is the most the Celtics have averaged against any team during the
regular-season and the most the Pacers gave up to an opponent.
In
the Celtics 114-112 win versus the Pacers on Mar. 29, the Pacers had a 91-89
lead entering the fourth quarter but were outscored 25-21 in the final period
where Young missed a driving layup in the final minute and Irving, who led the
way with 30 points made his with 00.5 seconds left.
In
the rematch one week later on ESPN, the Celtics took down the Pacers in their
own house 117-97 outscoring them 67-47 in the middle two quarters after
trailing27-24 after the opening period. The Celtics shot 52.2 percent on the
night with 27 assists on 48 made field goals; had just 11 turnovers; tied the
points in the paint 54-54; had 26 fast break points to the Pacers 16 and
out-rebounded them 56-52.
Hayward
had 21 points off the bench on a perfect 9 for 9 from the field. Tatum led the
way with 22 points, while Irving had 17 with six assists. Horford had 11 points
while Baynes had 11 points and 11 rebounds with two block shots. Morris also
had 11 points.
“An
aggressive G is the X-Factor for this team,” Irving said after the win.
The
Celtics also averaged seven players scoring in double figures against the
Pacers with Irving leading the balance attack with a 16.9 average. That was
followed by Tatum (16.8), Brown (16.7), Morris (15.8), Horford (12.5), Hayward
(12.5) and Baynes (10.0).
The
problem for the Pacers entering this First-Round tilt against the Celtics is
that they will be playing a team that is well over .500 and after the loss of
Oladipo, they were just 5-14 against playoff teams, which includes losing their
final two matchups against the Celtics, compared to an 11-1 mark against
non-playoff teams. In nine of those 14 defeats, the Pacers were within five
points in the last five minutes but without their go-to guy in Oladipo they
were unable to pull those games out of the fire.
To
put this into clearer context, with Oladipo in those situations, the Pacers
went 11-4. Without him, they were 12-14.
If
Oladipo were not on the shelf, the Pacers would have a serious chance in this
series and it would have provided a classic match as in the past that featured
the likes of Hall of Famers and perennial All-Stars in Larry Bird, Kevin McHale
and future Hall of Famer Paul Pierce along with the likes Robert Parrish,
Antoine Walker and the late Reggie Lewis of the Celtics and Reggie Miller of
the Pacers and one of the best sharp shooters in the game in Chuck Person, Ron
Artest, Jermaine O’Neal and many others.
While
the Celtics will not have Smart and they have had trouble being consistent and
cohesive both on the floor and in the locker room during the season, they are
still talented and deep and they have a proven player in the clutch in Irving.
The Pacers have been scrappy and resilient all season but they do not have
their best player in Oladipo and their inability to win games on the road and
win close games will doom them in this series.
“It
was a big win, but like I said there going to play a lot better when the
playoffs come around and there going to be able to knock down more shots. So,
we’re gonna have to lock in even more. Keep guarding them. That’s going to be
the No. 1 key,” Hayward said.
Prediction: Celtics in five games.
(2)
Raptors versus (7) Orlando Magic
(58-24) (42-40)
(58-24) (42-40)
Season
Series:
Tied 2-2
In
a First-Round tilt of Division champions, we have one team whose is making
their return to the postseason after a seven-year absence while the team they
are facing is on a mission to win a championship, especially after they made
some drastic moves last summer.
After
a 126-117 loss versus the Oklahoma City Thunder on Jan. 29, the Orlando Magic
were 11 games under .500 with a 20-31 record. It appeared that after a 12-12
beginning that their dreams of ending their playoff drought were fading fast.
The
Magic kicked things into high gear going 22-9 since that setback, including a
11-2 finish to the season to pass both the Miami Heat and Detroit Pistons to
not only win their first Southeast Division title since 2010 but earn their
first postseason appearance since 2012, the last season’s for then head coach
Stan Van Gundy, who now is a studio analyst for ESPN and eight-time All-Star
center Dwight Howard.
A
big part of that is their ability to defend, especially from three-point range,
only giving up 32 percent from the three-point line to the opponent during
their hot streak starting back in February.
This
moment is one of great joy and pride for the front office of President of
Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman, General Manager John Hammond and Kia Coach
of the Year candidate in first-year Steve Clifford, who was an assistant when
the Magic last appeared in the playoffs seven seasons back and was an assistant
when the team made it to The Finals in 2009 losing to future Hall of Famer Kobe
Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers 4-1.
“I
feel like we’ve done it the right way,” Coach Clifford said after his team
clinched a playoff berth by winning at the Celtics, 116-108 on Sunday. “We’ve
played our best in the last 30 games and we’ve made good progress all year.”
“To
have the right care factor and to withstand some stretches that were
difficult-and they stayed with it and kept getting better—it was obviously a
big-time (accomplishment).”
The
Magic are back in the postseason in large part to the stellar play of All-Star
center Nikola Vucevic (20.8 ppg-Led team, 12.0 rpg-Led team, 51.8 FG%, 36.4
3-Pt.%), who will be making his playoff debut; Terrence Ross (15.1 ppg, 38.3
3-Pt.%), who will going against the team that drafted him No. 8 overall out of
the University of Washington in 2012; Evan Fournier (15.1 ppg, 3.6 apg) and
veteran lead guard D.J. Augustin (11.7 ppg, 5.3 apg-Led team, 47.0 FG%, 42.1
3-Pt.%).
“This
is perfect man. Great timing,” Ross, the former Raptor said after his team’s
122-114 win at the Charlotte Hornets to close their regular season on
Wednesday. “We couldn’t ask for more in this position right now. It about
carrying that (over) and making sure we’re ready to play.”
For
the Magic getting to this point is an accomplishment in of itself and a major
building block for the future.
For
the Toronto Raptors, the Atlantic Division champions who reached the playoffs
for the sixth consecutive season, the third longest current streak in the NBA
their goals for this are very different and that is for them to reach The
Finals.
While
they have won their division in five of the last six seasons and won 50-plus
games for four consecutive seasons, the last two seasons have ended in
embarrassing fashion getting swept for the second straight season by the
Cleveland Cavaliers and their arch-nemesis in four-time Kia MVP LeBron James,
who also ended their season in the 2016 Eastern Conference Finals.
Those
frustrating setbacks cost Coach of the Year in 2018 in head coach Dwane Casey
his job at the end of last season, replaced by assistant coach Nick Nurse and
saw DeMar DeRozan traded to the San Antonio Spurs breaking up the starting
backcourt of him and Lowry.
In
return for DeRozan the Raptors acquired 2014 Finals MVP, All-Star and two-time
Kia Defensive Player of the Year Kawhi Leonard (26.6 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 1.8 spg,
49.6 FG%, 37.1 3-Pt.%), who has a career averaged of 25.3 points in 22 career
playoff game with former team the Spurs, who he help guide to the their fifth
title in franchise history five postseasons back.
The
edition of Leonard along with Danny Green (10.3 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 46.5 FG%, 44.2
3-Pt.%) who came in the trade from the Spurs and another season under the
offensive system of Nurse that is predicated on ball movement and three-point
shooting has worked.
Also,
the Raptors were very cautious with Leonard this season as he sat out 22 games
this season for load management. The team went 17-5 in those games.
“I
think all of us want to win, get to that promise land,” Leonard, who had 20
points in the Raptors 120-100 regular-season finale win at the Minnesota
Timberwolves on Wednesday. “That’s a great group of guys here that are
unselfish, want to win, want to play defense, want to do the right things on
the floor.”
Leonard
and Green, who was also a part of that 2014 Spurs title team also made the
Raptors a better defensive team and a solid fit next to All-Star lead guard
Kyle Lowry (14.2 ppg, 8.7 apg-2nd NBA, 4.8 rpg, 34.7 3-Pt.%), who at
first was very upset that his best friend and starting backcourt mate in recent
years DeRozan was dealt but warmed up to the change, especially when the
offensive load was taken off his shoulders.
What
has also made the Raptors a serious player to represent the East this June is
their depth starting with stellar play of Kia Most Improved Player candidate in
Pascal Siakam (16.9 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 54.9 FG%, 36.9 3-Pt.%), who went from a
reserve to a fixture at the starting small forward spot. At the other forward
spot Serge Ibaka (15.0 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 52.9 FG%) has been solid as a scorer,
rebounder, perimeter shooter and shot blocker. All-Star and former Kia
Defensive Player of the Year Marc Gasol (13.6 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 4.4 apg, 44.8 FG%,
36.3 3-Pt.%), who was acquired from the Grizzlies at the Feb. 7 trade deadline
has provided size, skill, and high basketball IQ to the team.
The
Raptors also have a bench unit in the likes of Fred VanVleet (11.0 ppg, 4.8
apg, 37.8 3-Pt.%), Norman Powell (8.6 ppg, 48.3 FG%, 40.0 3-Pt.%), Jeremy Lin
(9.6 ppg, 3.1 apg), OG Anunoby, Patrick McCaw and Jodie Meeks that can change
the complexion of the game when they come in.
The
pieces simply fit together better than they ever have for the Raptors during
this recent run of playoff appearances and they hope it is enough to get them
at least to The Finals for a shot at a title.
“Since
I’ve been in the league these last three years, we’ve been one of the top teams
in the league, top teams in the East,” VanVleet said after win at the
Timberwolves. “There’s a lot that comes with that. You should take pride in
that.”
Unfortunately,
the Raptors will not have Anunoby as he underwent an emergency appendectomy to
close the week. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, he will be out at least
until the Conference Finals.
The
Raptors not only lost a guy who can make perimeter shots coming off the bench
but the second-year swingman out of Indiana is a versatile defender.
Based
on the playoff experience between the principal starters for the two teams, the
Raptors have the advantage with 33 playoff games combined for Augustin (28),
Fournier (4) and Vucevic (1) compared to the 417 amongst the Raptors starting
quintet of Ibaka (109), Green (100), Leonard (87), Lowry (62) and Gasol (59).
The
two teams split their four-game regular-season series with the games very
scattered between November 2018 and April.
When
the Magic defeated the Raptors 116-87 on Dec. 28, 2018, they outscored them
91-58 the final three quarters, out-rebounding them 69-55; registering 29
assists on 44 made field goals and outscoring them 52-26 in the paint. Vucevic
had 30 points, 20 rebounds and eight assists in the victory, while Augustin had
17 points and Isaac had 14 points, eight boards and two block shots. Magic held
the Raptors to 29.5 percent shooting, the fifth lowest the Magic have allowed
ever against an opponent.
When
the Magic won at the Raptors 113-98 on Feb. 24, they led 25-15 after the one
and never looked back. They out-rebounded them again 60-50, including 12-6 on
the offensive glass; had 29 assists on 42 made shots; recorded eight block
shots; scored 20 points off 13 Raptors turnovers and held them to 41.8 percent
shooting, including 11 for 28 from three-point range.
Coach
Clifford said after the victory at the Hornets that it is time for his team to
“lock into” studying the Raptors in all phases of the game.
“They
know us well and we need to know them well, so it’s having an offensive plan
and a defensive plan and everyone knowing what we are trying to do at both ends
of the floor,” he added.
For
the Magic, making the playoffs represents for them a job well done for this
season and a major point to build from heading into next season and beyond. For
the Raptors, this is what they hope is a lead up to their greatest playoff run
in franchise history, especially with their biggest obstacle in LeBron James no
longer in their path.
Their
future depends on them making a serious run to The Finals with Leonard set to
be an unrestricted free agent on July 1. For the Raptors they hope that end is
in at least The Eastern Conference Finals.
“I
know it’s my first shot in the NBA, but I’ve been in a lot of playoff series,”
Coach Nurse told Sportsnet in Toronto earlier this week. “And I feel good about
being able to read the game and then feel what the next one might be like and
the one after that against the same team.”
“It
doesn’t get any better than this as a coach.”
Prediction: Raptors in five games.
(3)
Philadelphia
76ers (6) Brooklyn Nets
(51-31) (42-40)
Season
Series:
Tied 2-2
All-Time
Postseason Record: Tied 1-1.
Just
two years ago the Philadelphia 76ers and Brooklyn Nets had the two worst
records in the Eastern Conference. Now having taken two different paths they
meet in the No. 3 versus No. 6 opening round tilt.
Three
seasons back, the 76ers won just 10 games as they were in the middle of their
rebuild dubbed “The Process.” Just 14 months ago they were 25-25 in a tie for
the No. 8 and final playoff spot in the East. They finished the 20171-8 season
27-5, which included a franchise record 16 consecutive wins to close the season
and won a playoff series for the first time since 2012 defeating the Miami Heat
4-1 in the First-Round.
While
the team’s two biggest stars in first-time All-Star back in February Ben
Simmons (16.9 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 7.7 apg-T-6th NBA) and two-time All-Star
Joel Embiid (27.5 ppg-4th NBA, 13.6 rpg, 2nd NBA, 1.9
bpg-6th NBA, 48.4 FG%)-are just 22 and 25 years of age respectively,
the Sixers led by general manager Elton Brand felt this was the time to go all
in and compete for a title.
That
is why earlier in the season they acquired Jimmy Butler (18.7 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 1.9
spg, 46.2 FG%, 34.7 3-Pt.%) from the Minnesota Timberwolves and two days before
the Feb. 6 trade deadline acquired the likes of Tobias Harris (20.0 ppg, 7.9
rpg, 48.7 FG%, 39.7 3-Pt.%) from the Los Angeles Clippers along with Boban
Marjanovic (7.3 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 61.5 FG%), and Mike Scott while also acquiring in
other moves at the deadline James Ennis III and Jonathon Simmons to fortify the
bench alongside Furkan Korkmaz, Amir Johnson, T.J. McConnell the recently added
veteran big man Greg Monroe.
“Star
players win in the playoffs and that’s what we’re built for,” Brand said before
the team’s 125-109 win in their regular-season finale versus the Chicago Bulls
(22-60). “I like our chances against any team.”
The
quintet of Embiid, Harris, Butler, JJ Redick (18.1 ppg, 39.7 3-Pt.%) is as
talented and offensively potent a starting unit this side of the defending
back-to-back champion Golden State Warriors, more on them later but they only
played just 10 of 28 games together since the acquisition of Harris back on Feb.
6, compiling an 8-2 mark in that sample size.
In
2013, Celtics fleeced the Nets getting their First-Round picks in 2014, 2016
and 2018 for aging future Hall of Famers Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce, both
now retired that put them behind the eight ball years later. It led to their
inability to improve the team via the draft and led to three straight
non-playoff seasons of sheer misery. Thanks to some bold moves made by GM Sean
Marks and having a player development coaching staff led by head coach Kenny
Atkinson the Nets from 20-62 two seasons back to their first winning record
since the 2013-14 season, where they reached the Semifinals and lost in five
games to the Heat.
“Isn’t
that the great thing about the NBA? They did it one way and we did it the
other,” Nets head coach Kenny Atkinson described how both teams executed their
turnarounds. “That’s the beauty of the NBA. There’s a lot of different ways to
skin a cat.”
One
of those bold moves was acquiring D’Angelo Russell (21.1 ppg, 7.0 apg-10th
NBA, 36.8 3-Pt.%) from the Lakers, who went from basically a bust as the No. 2
overall pick in 2015 into a First-time All-Star during this regular-season.
He
closed out the regular-season by hitting at least one three-pointer in the Nets
last 61 games, the longest streak in not just Nets NBA history but the longest
in the league this season, and the longest of his career. He has averaged 21.0
points and 7.3 assists against the 76ers this season.
The
Nets took a chance as well on Spencer Dinwiddie (16.8 ppg, 4.6 apg) two seasons
back and the No. 38 overall pick by the Pistons in 2014 went from an unknown,
to a Kia Most Improved candidate last season, to a Kia Sixth Man of the Year
candidate this season.
Other
players the Nets took flyers via free agency or the draft on the last couple of
seasons include Joe Harris (13.7 ppg), who this season ranks No. 1 in the
league in three-point percentage during the regular season at 47.4; Caris
LeVert (13.7 ppg, 3.9 apg); Jared Allen (10.9 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 1.5 bpg-Led team,
59.0 FG%-8th NBA) and rookie Rodions Kurucs (8.5 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 45.0
FG%). All of them along with Russell have flourished under Coach Atkinson and
his staff, who are No. 5 in three-pointers attempted at 36.2 and in makes at
12.8.
In
their 122-97 win on Nov. 4, 2018, where they Nets outscored the 76ers 71-50 in
the second half, the Nets had 27 assists on 50 made shots to the 76ers 16
assists and they forced 28 turnovers that resulted in 39 Nets points. They
outscored the 76ers 16-8 in fast break points and 70-40 in the paint.
In
the Nets 127-124 win at the 76ers on Dec. 12, 2018 the Nets were 14 for 28 from
three-point range; 37 for 43 from the charity stripe and forcing 17 turnovers
that resulted in 20 Nets points. They won even though they were dominated in
the paint by the 76ers getting outscored 64-46; getting out assisted 31-20 and
getting outscored in transition 16-7.
What
has also helped the Nets rise to the postseason is the veteran leadership that
was added back in the off-season in the likes of Ed Davis (5.8 ppg, 8.6 rpg,
61.6 FG%-Led team), Jared Dudley, DeMarre Carroll (11.1 ppg, 5.2 rpg) Shabazz
Napier (9.4 ppg) and the longest tenured Net Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (8.9 ppg,
5.3 rpg).
If
the 76ers have plans on doing damage this postseason, Embiid, who has missed
five of the last seven games and 14 of the last 24 to close the regular season
due to a combination of a troublesome left knee and load management has to be
healthy.
The
76ers went 43-21 with Embiid in the lineup this season averaging 116.4 points
and giving up 111.6 points to the opponent. They went just 8-10 without him
this season averaging 110.9 points in those games and surrendering an average
of 115.7 points to the opposition.
“It’s
frustrating,” Embiid, who missed the first two games of their opening round
series versus the Heat last season said on Friday. “That’s the second time-last
year it happened. It’s extremely but you can only control what you can and
that’s the work I put in everyday. How I treat my body and I take it from there
and I guess the work is going to follow. You got to work through it and see if
the pain is not as bad as it was.”
The
last time Embiid, Simmons, Harris, Butler and Redick were on the floor together
was Mar. 28 ironically enough against the Nets because of injury or in the case
of Embiid, who averaged 30.0 points, 14.3 rebounds and five assists on 60.0 FG%
in the four-game regular-season series against the Nets load management.
To
put that into perspective, the likes of JaVale McGee of the Lakers had 33
points and 20 rebounds in game against the Nets this season; John Collins of
the Hawks had 33 points and 19 rebounds and the game that Nurkic suffered his
season-ending leg injury on Mar. 25 he had 32 points and 16 rebounds. These big
games by the opposing team’s big men all occurred in the next to last month of
the season.
The
76ers are the clear favorite in this matchup, especially with the talent they
bring to the table. The Nets are pretty talented themselves but the fact they
reached the postseason and that there will be playoff basketball in the New
York Tri-State area is a victory on its own. If Embiid plays in this series and
plays well, this will be a short one. If he misses any time and the Nets bring
it, the Sixers could be in for a long series and their hopes of making it to
possibly The Finals would be in serious jeopardy.
“I
would feel like a coward sitting in front of you all saying, ‘My goal is to
lose in the Second Round.’ It has to be (The Finals),”76ers head coach Brett
Brown said. “We get how hard it is to be the last man standing. We get how hard
it will be coming out of the East. We understand the lack of consistency we
have been able to generate with our starting five. We understand we are still
searching for a bench…but to me, the goal can’t change, and that’s the way it
is.”
Prediction: 76ers in five games.
Western
Conference
(1)
Golden
State Warriors versus (8) Los Angeles Clippers
(57-25) (48-34)
Season
Series:
Warriors won 3-1.
All-Time
Postseason Record:
Clippers defeated Warriors 4-3 in First-Round of 2014 Playoffs.
The
last time the Golden State Warriors did not reach the NBA Finals was back in
the 2014 postseason when the Los Angeles Clippers beat them in seven games in
the opening round. Since then they have won two straight titles, led by perhaps
the three best sharp shooters in NBA history and three in the last four
seasons. They hope led by the best starting five in “The Association” this
series against a versatile, well-coached superstar-less Clippers squad whose
back in the playoffs after a one-year absence.
The
Warriors entering the postseason, as the No. 1 Seed for the fourth time in the
last five seasons with a sense of calm, focus and determination, especially
with what lays down the pike when their season ends hopefully with another
Larry O’Brien trophy.
That
is because two-time Finals MVP Kevin Durant and one-half of the “Splash
Brothers” duo in fellow perennial All-Star Klay Thompson will be unrestricted
free agents this summer as well as All-Star DeMarcus Cousins come July 1.
What
head coach and eight-time NBA champion Steve Kerr, counting the five he won as
a player with the Chicago Bulls and San Antonio Spurs favor is that they have
gone 16-2 in the Quarterfinals on his watch and his team’s understanding of who
they are competing against, despite the fact that the Clippers have beaten the five-time
reigning Pacific Division champions once in each of the last two regular-seasons.
“It
is a good matchup for us geographically for us,” Kerr said of their series
against the Clippers, who they defeated by an average of 22.5 points the last
two wins. “But it’s a hell of an opponent.”
Durant
(26.0 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 5.9 apg, 52.1 FG%, 35.3 3-Pt.%) and Thompson (21.5 ppg,
46.7 FG%, 43.7 3-Pt.%) along with two-time Kia MVP Stephen Curry (27.3 ppg, 5.2
apg, 5.3 rpg, 47.2 FG%, 43.7 3-Pt.%) are two big reasons for that along with
there swiss army knife and heartbeat of the squad in All-Star Draymond Green
(7.4 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 6.9 apg).
They
understand that if they want to win another title, they have to take care of
the Clippers quickly, like they did during the regular season taking three of
the four meetings, with the last one by 27 points (131-104) in their final
regular season home game at Oracle Arena.
“To
be honest, I know the historical context and we talk about it, and we want to
chase it and understand how unprecedented it is what we’re trying to do,” Curry
said on Friday.
“But
I haven’t honestly thought about years past in the last week or so. This is the
here and now.”
Kerr
echoed those same sentiments saying about the Warriors quest to become the
third team in NBA history to win four titles in five seasons, “I’m interested
in let’s get after it. Let’s play our best.”
“Let’s
play with a ton of energy and focus, and discipline. And when we do that, we’re
usually pretty good.”
No
one should feel a sense of urgency more than Cousins (16.3 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 3.6
apg, 1.5 bpg, 48.0 FG%), who missed out his first appearance in the 2018
postseason with the New Orleans Pelicans after rupturing his Achilles that
required season-ending surgery, which also cost him on cashing in during free
agency.
Well
“Boogie” Cousins signed a one-year, $1.5 million veteran minimum deal with the
Warriors for the sole reason of not only winning a ring but to show potential
suitors that he is not only healthy but a lot more mature than at the start of
his career with the Sacramento Kings. He has looked sharp at the close of this
season and is ready and prime for his first taste of the postseason.
Coming
into the season many did not believe the Clippers would be the team from the
“City of Angels” to make the playoffs, especially after the 16-time NBA
champion Lakers signed LeBron James back in the summer of 2018. The picture
seemed even tougher when leading scorer Tobias Harris was traded to the 76ers
on Feb. 6.
Behind
the dynamic bench duo of Lou Williams (20.0 ppg-Led team, 5.4 apg-Led team,
36.1 3-Pt.%) and Montrezl Harrell (16.6 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 61.5 FG%-5th
NBA); a healthy and dynamic sharp shooting Danilo Gallinari (19.8 ppg, 6.1 rpg,
46.3 FG%, 43.3 3-Pt.%) and the high energy defensive pit bull Patrick Beverly
(7.6 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 3.8 apg, 39.7 3-Pt.%) the Clippers are in the playoffs and a
tumultuous season by the Lakers has them home for the sixth straight
postseason.
“We
got a battle ahead of us and it’s about locking in,” Harrell, who had 24 points
and seven boards in the Clippers 143-137 win versus the Utah Jazz on Wednesday
night on ESPN said. “We can’t be in awe.”
Beverly
added, “The pressure is on them, of course. Understanding we have to do
everything the right way to beat this team.”
Three
players who have played a major role in the Clippers success this season and
will be a big part of their future are rookies Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (10.8
ppg, 47.6 FG%, 36.7 3-Pt.%) and Landry Shamet (9.1 ppg, 42.2 3-Pt.%) and
second-year center Ivica Zubac (8.9 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 55.9 FG%), who the Clippers
basically poached from the Lakers for basically a pack of gum and some potato
chips.
“Not
a lot of teams that ever have had two rookies starting going into the playoffs,
but we do,” Coach Rivers said of Shamet and Gilgeous-Alexander. “And Zube is
like a rookie. So that experience for them is gonna be amazing, and we want
them to have a great experience.
“They’re
gonna have to grow up fast, but I think they will.”
The
Clippers have also gotten major contributions from veteran swingman Garrett
Temple and JaMychal Green (9.4 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 48.3 FG%, 40.3 3-Pt.%), who they
acquired from the Grizzlies and they have proved grit and defense off the bench
from Kia Coach of the Year candidate Glenn “Doc” Rivers.
No
matter how prepared the Clippers will be for this First-Round tilt, the
Warriors are too talented, too experienced and two focused on the task at hand
of winning a third straight Larry O’Brien trophy. The Clippers will give them a
fight but will the Warriors will be ready.
“It’s
a whole new season,” Coach Rives said after the Clippers win versus the Jazz.
“Time to get going.”
Prediction: Warriors in four games.
(4)
Houston Rockets versus (5) Utah Jazz
(53-29) (50-32)
(53-29) (50-32)
Season
Series:
Season series tied 2-2.
All-Time
Postseason Record:
Rockets Lead all-time 3-2
In
the weeks leading up to the close of this season, the Houston Rockets have
preached to anyone that would listen that they are team to take down the
back-to-back defending champion Warriors, especially being so close last postseason.
For them to even have a crack at the Warriors, in the Semifinals they first
have to get past a very tough Utah Jazz team, whose looking for revenge of
their own against a team that ended their season a year ago in the Semifinals.
A
last second loss in their regular-season finale (112-111) on Tuesday night
against the Oklahoma City Thunder on TNT coupled with a 99-95 win by the Denver
Nuggets versus the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Portland Trail Blazers
136-131 win versus the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night is how the Rockets
dropped from being possible as high as the No. 2 Seed to the No. 4 Seed and a
opening round tilt against the best defensive team in the Western Conference in
the Jazz, who they split four meetings with during the regular season.
For
the Rockets finished the regular season with a 20-4 record to register their
third straight season of 50-plus wins, led by leading MVP candidate not named
Giannis Antetokounmpo in James Harden (36.1 ppg-Led NBA, 7.5 apg, 6.6 rpg, 2.0
spg-2nd NBA, 36.8 3-Pt.%), who single handedly kept the Rockets back
on track even with injuries to nine-time All-Star Chris Paul (15.6 ppg, 8.2
apg-3rd, NBA, 4.6 rpg, 1.9 spg-3rd, NBA, 35.8 3-Pt.%) and
starting center Clint Capela (16.6 ppg, 12.7 rpg-5th NBA, 1.5
bpg-Led team, 64.8 FG%-2nd NBA) early in the season.
“No
matter what we weathered the storm,” Harden said on Friday about the Rockets
overcoming the hurdles they faced this season. “With injuries, guys leaving the
team, new guys coming to the team. No matter what we held our head high and
tried to rack up as many wins as we can and put ourselves in position.”
Along
with the play of Harden, the Rockets got major contributions to addition to
their roster during the season like Austin Rivers (8.1 ppg) and Kenneth Faried
(10.4 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 58.9 FG%) off the waiver wire; G-League callup Danuel
House, Jr. (9.4 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 46.8 FG%, 41.8 3-Pt.%) at the trade deadline Iman
Shumpert (7.5 ppg, 34.8 3-Pt.%).
Those
additions alongside Eric Gordon (16.2 ppg, 36.0 3-Pt.%), PJ Tucker (7.3 ppg,
5.8 rpg, 37.7 3-Pt.%) and Gerald Green (9.2 ppg, 35.4 3-Pt.%) have added
serious depth that was lacking early on in the season for the boys from “Clutch
City.”
The
Rockets as they have been for three seasons under head coach Mike D’Antoni an
offensive power house that is centered around high volume three-point shooting
and getting to the foul line consistently.
This
season, the Rockets set a new NBA record for threes made in a single-season
knocking down 1,323 triples.
The
question is can consistently rely on making jump shots, especially from
three-point range in the playoffs.
In
Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals, which the Rockets lost versus the
Warriors, they were just 7 for 44 from three-point range, which included 27
straight misses at one point.
In
their dominant 125-98 win at the Jazz on Feb. 2, Harden scored 43 points with
12 rebounds, five assists, six steals and four block shots on 12 for 22
shooting, with four threes and a perfect 15 for 15 from the foul line. Green
had 25 points off the bench on 7 for 12 from three-point range. Rivers had 16
points off the bench with five assists and two steals, while Faried also had 16
points with 12 rebounds. The Rockets went 15 for 39 from three-point range and
were 30 for 37 from the foul line.
While
they were out-rebounded 64-56 by the Jazz, the forced 23 turnovers that led to
25 points and outscored them in the paint 44-36. While Mitchell had 26 points
on 10 for 11 from the free throw line, he was just 7 for 24 shooting, including
2 for 10 from three-point range.
It
will not be easy scoring from the perimeter against the stingy defense of the
Jazz who did pose some problems against the Rockets in their five-game
Semifinal series last spring as well as this season.
In
the Jazz 100-89 win at the Rockets on Oct. 24, 2018, the Rockets shot just 40.2
percent overall from the field, including 11 for 40 (27.5 percent) from
three-point range. They out-rebounded the Jazz 62-46 and outscored them in the
paint 48-36.
In
their 118-91 victory versus the Rockets at home on Dec. 6, 2018, head coach
Quin Snyder’s squad took control in the third period outscoring them 38-11 in
the third quarter, holding them to 38.6 percent shooting from the field,
including 8 for 36 from three-point range. Out-rebounded them 59-48; had 26
assists on 45 made baskets; scored 33 points off 23 forced Rockets turnovers
and dominated them in the paint to the tune of 70 points to 42. They also held
Harden in check, limiting him to 15 points on 5 for 16 shooting with seven
turnovers.
While
Harden averaged 33.5 points against the Jazz during the regular season, he had
the worst assists/turnover ratio (19/24), his worst against any opponent.
For
the Jazz, their top offensive threat is second-year guard Donovan Mitchell
(23.8 ppg-Led team, 36.2 3-Pt.%), who was dominant in Game 5 of last season’s
semifinals with 24 points and nine assists on 9 for 17 shooting before getting
injured his team lost the game and the series 112-102.
He
will not be enough for the Jazz to have a chance to beat the Rockets and make it
to the Semifinals for a third straight season. They will need their frontcourt
duo of Rudy Gobert (15.9 ppg, 12.9 rpg-4th NBA, 2.3 bpg-3rd NBA,
66.9 FG%-Led NBA) and Derrick Favors (11.8 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 58.6 FG%), who missed
four of final five games to close the season because of back spasms to be
dominant in the paint on both ends and defensively on the perimeter,
particularly when it comes to pick-and-roll situations with Paul and Capela or
Harden and Capela.
They
will also need their perimeter players in Ricky Rubio (12.7ppg, 6.1 apg-Led
team), whose been battling a left quadriceps contusion, Joe Ingles (12.1 ppg,
5.7 apg, 44.8 FG%, 39.1 3-Pt.%), Jae Crowder (11.9 ppg, 4.8 rpg) and veteran
sharp shooter Kyle Korver (8.6 ppg, 39.7 3-Pt.%), who been battling right knee
soreness to add some offensive punch next to Mitchell.
The
Jazz will also need some offensive from the likes of second-year guard Royce
O’Neale, Thabo Sefolosha and possibly rookie guard Grayson Allen.
Someone
else who will factor in how the Jazz play in this series is reserve guard Raul
Neto, who will likely see time as guard Dante Exum will be absent after having
knee surgery recently.
This
series has featured some epic Hall of Famers in John Stockton, Karl Malone for
the Jazz and Hakeem Olajuwon, Charles Barkley and Clyde Drexler, Robert Horry,
Kenny Smith for the Rockets in the 1990s. In the 2000s it featured the likes of
Hall of Famers Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming for the Rockets and the likes of
Carlos Boozer and Deron Williams for the Jazz.
In
this latest installment we have the likes of Harden, Paul and Capela for the
Rockets and Mitchell and Gobert for the Jazz.
They
have shown there are capable with their ability to make threes that they can
run anybody they play right out of the gym and with the leadership they have
with Harden and Paul, who remember how they came up one game short of the
reaching The Finals for the first time since 1995 want another shot at the
Warriors. They understand that they have to take down a game Jazz team and
their star player in Mitchell who is eager to show that he is a young player to
be reckoned with.
Prediction:
Rockets in six
games.
(2)
Denver
Nuggets versus (7) San Antonio Spurs
(54-28) (48-34)
Season
Series:
Season Series tied 2-2.
All-Time
Postseason Record:
Spurs lead all-time 4-1.
It
is a clash of the up and comers versus the perennial participants in the No. 2
versus the No. 7 tilt in the West, with the young team holding home court
advantage against a team with a championship coach.
While
the Denver Nuggets, who won 50-plus games for the ninth time in their 42nd
season in the NBA are making their first playoff appearance since 2013, head
coach Michael Malone’s group will not necessarily suffer from stage fright
against a San Antonio Spurs team making their 22nd consecutive
playoff appearance, tying them with the Syracuse Nationals/Philadelphia 76ers
from 1950-71.
“It’s
going to test us,” Murray, whose team has gone 5-5 in their last 10 games to
close the season said of the postseason matchup against the seasoned Spurs. “Disciplined
team.”
While
veteran forward Paul Millsap (12.6 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 48.4 FG%, 36.5 3-Pt.%) is the
only player with significant playoff experience with 87 games, as does Mason
Plumlee (27 games) and Will Barton (seven games) for the Nuggets, they have
kept a high profile because of their “Big Three” in Nikola Jokic (20.0 ppg-Led
team, 10.8 rpg-Led team, 7.2 apg-T-9th NBA 51.1 FG%), Jamal Murray
(18.2 ppg, 4.8 apg, 36.7 3-Pt.%) and Gary Harris (12.9 ppg), who are going to
get their first taste of the NBA’s second season.
While
Isaiah Thomas has 25 career postseason games under his belt, he is not expected
to get any significant court time in this series.
If
“The Joker,” and Murray bring their A+ game along with Harris and Barton (11.5
ppg, 4.6 rpg), Malik Beasley (11.3 ppg, 47.4 FG%, 40.2 3-Pt.%), Monte Morris
(10.4 ppg, 3.6 apg, 49.3 FG%, 41.4 3-Pt.%), Trey Lyles (8.5 ppg, 3.8 rpg),
Plumlee (7.8 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 59.3 FG%) and Torrey Craig bring serious production
off the bench it could be a long series for the Spurs.
“It’s
going to be an all-out brawl,” Barton said. “Every minute, every second, every
quarter, it’s going to be a fight. Every game. And we got to be ready to have
that mentality from the beginning. We can’t wait like we do sometimes in the
regular-season.”
The
Spurs, who went 15-5 their last 20 games of the regular season bring their own
dynamic one-two punch in perennial All-Stars LaMarcus Aldridge (21.3 ppg-Led
team, 9.2 rpg-Led team, 51.9 FG%) and DeMar DeRozan (21.2 ppg, 6.2 apg-Led team
and 6.0 rpg, 48.1 FG%).
For
the five-time NBA champions though, how they do in this series will depend on the
production they get from veterans Rudy Gay (13.7 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 50.4 FG%, 40.2
3-Pt.%), Marco Bellinelli (10.5 ppg, 37.2 3-Pt.%) and Patty Mills (9.9 ppg,
39.4 3-Pt.%), and their young guys in Bryn Forbes (11.8 ppg, 45.6 FG%, 42.6
3-Pt.%), Derrick White (9.9 ppg, 3.9 apg, 47.9 FG%), Davis Bertans (8.0 ppg,
3.5 rpg, 45.0 FG%, 42.9 3-Pt.%) and Jakob Poeltl (5.5 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 64.5 FG%).
They
will especially need for Poeltl to have an impact alongside Aldridge to
neutralize Millsap, Plumlee and Jokic.
“Everyone
here is hungry, even the young guys,” Forbes told the San Antonio Express-News earlier this week. “We all want to prove
people wrong who didn’t even have us in the playoffs at the beginning of the
season. We want to win it all. We want to prove everybody wrong and do what we
know we are capable of doing.”
There
will be two big X-factors that will decide this series. The Spurs being able to
win in the gym against the team with the best home record in “The Association”
at 34-7, while the Spurs had a poor record on the road at 16-25, losing both
their visits to Pepsi Center, the latest being a 113-85 setback on Apr. 3.
The
other X-factor is Spurs future Hall of Fame head coach Gregg Popovich, who has
coached in 277 postseason games. There is no better coach entering the 2019
playoff who will have his team ready with a game plan that will give them a
legitimate chance to not just steal a game in the “Mile High City” but to win
this series.
“Gregg
Popovich has five rings,” Coach Malone said after the team’s 99-95 victory in
their season finale at the Timberwolves on Wednesday night.
The
other thing that is in the Nuggets favor is the fact that their two visits to
the Spurs they only lost by eight (111-103) on Dec. 26, 2018 and by one
(104-103) on Mar. 4, where they rallied from 21 points down and came up short
because they missed three straight shots and had a turnover in the final 16.2
seconds. The Nuggets last win at the Spurs was exactly seven years ago on this
exact date.
The
Nuggets after coming one game short of the postseason the last two years worked
two hard to let a golden, no pun intended opportunity to slip through their
fingers. They won at a high level for much of this season where they were in
the mix with the Warriors for the top spot in the West. The Spurs and Coach
Popovich will make the Nuggets work for sure but if they can take care of
business at home and try to steal one on the road, they can win their first
playoff series since they advanced to the 2009 Western Conference Finals.
“I
don’t think they will compete for a championship,” ESPN NBA color analyst Doris
Burke said after the Nuggets 119-110 win versus the Portland Trail Blazers on
Apr. 5 about the Nuggets chances of advancing during the 2019 Playoffs. “I do
think they are just a little bit too young for that.”
“I
think this is a mentally fatigued Denver team we have seen over the last
several weeks. I do believe they can win a playoff series. I do not think they
will go to an NBA Finals.”
Prediction: Nuggets in seven games.
(3)
Portland
Trail Blazers versus (6) Oklahoma City Thunder
(53-29) (49-33)
Season
Series: Thunder
won 3-1.
All-Time
Postseason Record:
First ever postseason meeting.
For
these Northwest Division rivals, they enter this No. 3 versus No. 6 matchup
with something to prove after disappointing opening round flameouts a
postseason ago.
For
the second straight season, the Portland Trail Blazers are the No. 3 Seed
entering with four more victories than they had this time in 2018.
They
are out to prove that what happened last season, getting swept by the No. 6
Seeded New Orleans Pelicans 4-0, which they are still dealing with entering
these playoffs.
No
one is more pumped to right the wrong that took place than the starting
backcourt of All-Star Damian Lillard (25.8 ppg-Led team, 6.9 apg, 4.6 rpg, 36.9
3-Pt.%) and CJ McCollum (21.0 ppg, 45.9 FG%, 37.5 3-Pt.%), who had
disappointing performances against the Pelicans and are eager to prove that
they can carry the franchise to the next level of competing for a Conference
championship.
“They
did even pick us to be a playoff team period,” Lillard told reporters on Friday
about the prognosticator’s predictions for the Trail Blazers at the start of
this season. “So, we didn’t value their opinion when they chose that and we
don’t value it now.”
Unfortunately
for the Trail Blazers, they will be without starting center Jusuf Nurkic and
his 15.6 points and 10.4 rebounds due to a broken leg sustained in the team’s
148-144 double overtime win versus the Nets on Mar. 25.
His
presence on both ends of the floor will be especially missed in this series
against the Thunder’s starting center Steven Adams (13.9 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 1.5 spg,
59.5 FG%-6th NBA), who knows Kanter’s tendencies being a former
teammate of his.
That
makes it even more important that head coach Terry Stotts gets serious
production from Enes Kanter (13.7 ppg, 9.8 rpg, 54.9 FG%), who has registered
five double-doubles in his eight starts in place of Nurkic.
The
big thing for Kanter is will be able to hold up defensively whether in
pick-and-roll situations or in the paint when Thunder players drive to the
basket.
That
is why backup bigs in in Zach Collins (6.6 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 47.3 FG%) and Meyers
Leonard, who had a double-double of 19 points and 11 rebounds in the Trail
Blazers 136-131 victory in their regular-season finale on Wednesday versus the
Sacramento Kings (39-43) will also need to be productive on both backboards and
defensively in the paint and on the perimeter.
“I
joined this team in February but the whole team been working really hard the
whole season to get here and I think we finished the season pretty good,” Kanter
the former Thunder player said on Friday. “So, from now on it’s the fun part, you
know. It’s the playoffs. You win or you go home.”
He
added about holding up at the defensive end, “The defense is all about communication,
trust and it’s not just one guy. So, five guys out there. So, I think we communicate
and if you trust each other I think we should be fine.”
Along
with Kanter, the Trail Blazers will need solid performances on both ends of the
floor from Rodney Hood (11.2 ppg, 35.6 3-Pt.%), Al Farouq-Aminu (9.4 ppg, 7.5
rpg), Moe Harkless (7.7 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 48.7 FG%), Seth Curry (7.9 ppg, 45.6 FG%,
45.0 3-Pt.%-3rd NBA), Jake Layman (7.6 ppg, 50.9 FG%) and Evan
Turner (6.8 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 3.9 apg, 46.0 FG%).
There
production will be especially important because McCollum who missed 10 games
during a recent stretch because of an injured knee.
Perennial
All-Stars Russell Westbrook (22.9 ppg, 10.7 apg-Led NBA, 11.1 rpg-Led team, 1.9
spg-4th NBA), the 2017 Kia MVP, who for the third consecutive season
averaged a triple-double and Paul George (28.0 ppg-2nd NBA, 8.2 rpg,
4.1 apg, 2.2 spg-Led NBA) are also coming into this series like Lillard and
McCollum in search of a series victory after their six-game flop against the
No. 5 Seeded Jazz in their first postseason together.
They
are clearly one of the best dynamic duos in the league, that do it on both ends
of the floor capable of getting a triple-double on any given night.
The
question is can they produced at the level they did during a stellar regular
season, where in the case of George he was in the MVP discussion for much of
this season.
A
lot of how the head coach Billy Donovan’s team fairs in these playoffs depends
on the health of the shoulder of George, which has bothered him for much of the
second half of this season.
George,
who averaged 38.0 points, 10.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists on 45.9 three-point
percentage in the four games against the Trail Blazers in the regular-season
looked okay in the Thunder’s next to last game of the regular-season where he
hit the game-winning three-pointer as the Thunder won late against the Rockets
112-111 Tuesday night on TNT.
That
is why the supporting cast of the Thunder in the aforementioned Adams, Dennis
Schroder (15.5 ppg, 4.1 apg, 34.1 3-Pt.%). Jerami Grant (13.6 ppg, 5.2 rpg,
49.7 FG%, 39.2 3-Pt.%), Terrance Ferguson (6.9 ppg, 36.6 3-Pt.%), Markieff
Morris (9.4 ppg, 4.6 rpg), Nerlens Noel and Raymond Felton got to bring it if
the Thunder are going to win their first playoff series since 2014 Kia MVP and
fellow perennial All-Star Kevin Durant left in free agency two summer ago.
While
the Thunder swept all four games against the Trail Blazers during the regular
seasons, the games were decided by two, nine, nine and eight points.
Two
major reasons for that is the Thunder are the ranked No. 28 in free throw
percentage during the regular season at 71.3 percent; tied with the Pistons for
22nd in three-point percentage at 34.8.
On
top of that the Thunder did not play well in the second half of the season
going 12-13 since Feb. 22.
Both
of the Trail Blazers and Thunder enter their 2019 First-Round tilt with
something to prove. The Trail Blazers are not only trying to end a 10-game
playoff losing streak but they are trying to show that they can advanced led by
the dynamic backcourt of McCollum and Lillard, who have really played well
together the past few seasons.
Ever
since Durant left in free agency in the summer of 2017, he has helped the
Warriors win two straight titles and two straight Finals MVPs, and while
Westbrook has had success individually, he and the Thunder have not advanced
past the opening round. This is his best chance for him and his team to make a
serious run to not just past this round but to the Western Conference Finals.
This
has all the makings of a terrific seven-game series that features some of the
most competitive stars in the NBA in Lillard and Westbrook and two teams where
the loser of this series could look significantly different next season.
Prediction: Thunder in seven games.
Information,
statistics and quotations are courtesy of the stats and schedule sections of
all 16 NBA playoff teams via www.espn.com; www.espn.com/nba/statistics; 4/8/19 1 a.m. edition of NBATV’s
“Gametime,” presented by Kia with Rick Kamla, Dennis Scott and Greg Anthony; 4/12/19
3 p.m. “NBA: The Jump: Playoff Preview,” on ESPN, presented by Kia with Jorge
Sedano, Stan Van Gundy, Amin Elhassan, and Richard Jefferson; 4/12/19 3:30 p.m.
“Woj & Lowe: NBA Playoffs Special,” on ESPN with ESPNs Senior NBA writer
Zach Lowe and ESPN Senior NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski; 4/12/19 6 p.m.
edition of ESPN’s “Sportscenter” on ESPN 2 with Zubin Mehenti; 4/12/19 9:30
p.m. edition of NBATV’s “The Starters: The Playoff Preview,” presented by Jack
Daniel’s No. 7 and Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey with Tas Melas, J.E. Skeets,
Leigh Ellis and Trey Kerby; the twitter accounts of all 16 playoff teams; Game 1 previews and
series previews by Steve Aschburner, Sekou Smith, Shaun Powell, and John
Schuhmann via www.nba.com; https://www.nba.com/games/20190410/OKCMIL#/recap; and https://www.nba.com/games/20190410/UTALAC#/recap.
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