There
are a number of things that the 2019 NBA Playoffs has revealed so far. It is
always nice to have a star player(s) that can deliver, especially late in
games. When you can make shots, especially from three-point range, you will
give yourself a great chance to win. Perhaps above all when you enter the
postseason with some adversity whether it be internal or external, you learned
a lot about yourself and the team you have. Also, when you are in it for the
first time or there are different expectations for you then before, you will
either rise to the moment or it will humble you. Each of the 16 teams this
postseason has experienced this and what has been learned is the teams that
have the ability and talent to rise to the moment are up in their First-Round
series.
Eastern
Conference
1)
Milwaukee
Bucks versus 8) Detroit Pistons
Bucks
leads series 2-0
Coming
into the 2019 NBA Playoffs as the No. 1 Seed in the East, the question was were
the Milwaukee Bucks ready to rise up to the level it was going to take for them
to the last team standing when it was all said and done. Led by the leading
candidate for Kia MVP and the fact they are going against a team without their
best player that answer so far has been a loud sounding yes.
In
Game 1 last Sunday night on TNT, the Bucks took down the Detroit Pistons 121-86
led by their All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 24 points and 17 rebounds,
despite shooting just 5 for 12 from the free throw line. He was aided by the 16
points off the bench from George Hill; 15 points and five assists from Eric
Bledsoe; 14 points each from fellow All-Star Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez,
who also had 4 block shots.
The
Bucks, whose 35-point margin of victory was the third largest in franchise playoff
history played as they did all season long shooting 48.9 percent from the
field, registering 31 assists on 44 made field goals. They went 15 for 43 from
three-point range; had 22 fast break points and outscored the Pistons in the
paint 52-38.
“I
don’t know if they were ready for us,” Antetokounmpo said after the win. “But
we just try to focus on ourselves. We just try to play with pace, run to our
spots and try to make plays.”
What
has made the difference from past seasons for first-year head coach Mike
Budenholzer’s squad is at the defensive end and it showed in Game 1. While the
Pistons, who lost all four games against the Bucks during the regular-season
held their own on the boards getting out-rebound by only six (61-55), they shot
just 38 percent from the field, going 8 for 27 from three-point range and
really felt the absence of six-time All-Star Blake Griffin who was sidelined
due to left knee soreness.
The
only real moment when the Bucks felt the Pistons in this one is when All-Star
center Andre Drummond, who had 12 points and 12 rebounds in the loss shoved
Antetokounmpo to the floor with both hands late in the third period with the
team down by 41 points.
Drummond
was assessed a flagrant two foul and sent to the showers and blew a kiss to the
Fiserv Forum audience as he was escorted off the hardwood.
“We
were all over the map defensively and didn’t get anything done,” Pistons
first-year head coach Dwane Casey, whose team allowed 70 points in the opening
half and trailed by 27 (70-43) at intermission. “We have another level we have
to get to with our intensity and physicality, because they’re coming through
there with balance, Euro-stepping, throwing elbows and stuff like that.
The
Pistons in Game 2 on Wednesday night on NBATV did bring there intensity level
up but it was for only one quarter as they outscored the Bucks 32-20 in the
second period to lead 59-58 at intermission, after trailing 38-27 after the
opening stanza.
Things
changed in the second half as the Bucks outscored the Pistons 62-40 in the
second 24 minutes which included outscoring them 35-17 in the third quarter to
win 120-99 and to take a 2-0 series lead for the first time since being up 2-0
in the 2001 Semifinals against the Charlotte Hornets.
While
Antetokounmpo had another strong performance scoring 13 of his 26 points in the
third quarter to go along with 12 rebounds and two block shots on 11 for 18
shooting, the Bucks got stellar performances from Bledsoe with 27 points, six
assists and three steals on 11 for 19 from the floor with three triples and 24
points from Middleton with eight assists.
Perhaps
the biggest equalizer for the Bucks in this one was the energy and intensity
that reserve guard Pat Connaughton brought to Game 2 with not just 18 points
off the bench but nine rebounds and four block shots on 8 for 10 shooting.
When
you are a team that is playing against an inferior opponent the most important
thing you want to do is not give them any sort of hope they can beat you,
especially in your own building.
The
Bucks in the opening half did that but got themselves back on the right footing
in the second half behind thanks to Antetokounmpo scoring the team’s first
seven points of the third.
“We’ve
done a great job responding all year and I think coach trust us,” Antetokounmpo
said after the win. “We know when we’re not putting enough effort. So, he just
comes in (at halftime). He looks at our faces. We all pissed off and mad and
he’s like, ‘Okay. You guys go out there and do your job.”
The
other reason the Bucks are playing with a sense of urgency is they want to get
this series over as quickly as possible because of the fact they are
shorthanded with key contributors in starters Malcolm Brogdon and Tony Snell
and veteran reserve Pau Gasol out due to injury.
They
as Antetokounmpo said done their job to this point and can continue by winning
Game 3 on Saturday night and be one step closer to winning their first playoff
series since 2001.
For
the Pistons, who lost their 12th straight playoff game on Wednesday
night, which tied for the second longest in NBA postseason history can get
themselves off the canvas as they play their first home playoff game since
2016, their first in Little Cesar’s Arena for Game 3 on Saturday night on ESPN.
Unless they get Blake Griffin back on the floor and not just getting technical
fouls while wearing a suit on the bench their second playoff appearance in the
past decade will be a short one.
“I
thought we set the tone in the second quarter,” Coach Casey said. “Our
challenge has been extending hard play, not getting bored with the
fundamentals, not getting bored kicking the ball out, doing those things
offensively.”
4)
Boston
Celtics versus 5) Indiana Pacers
Celtics
leads series 3-0
For
the Boston Celtics, the back-to-back Eastern Conference runner’s-up the last
two postseasons, they entered the 2019 Playoffs with two specific questions.
Could they find any consistency that was lacking throughout this past
regular-season on both ends? Also, how engaged is their perennial All-Star
floor general, who missed all of their epic postseason run that had them one
game away from the NBA Finals last spring? They have found some consistency and
they leader has been fully engaged and productive as he has been in playoffs
past.
With
their 104-96 win in Game 3 at the scrappy and gritty Indiana Pacers on Friday
night on ABC, the Boston Celtics took a commanding 3-0 lead in the Best-of-7
First-Round series and are one victory away from moving on to the Semifinals.
For
the Celtics it has come down to some basic principles as to why they are on the
door step of sweeping the Pacers, which they can do this Sunday afternoon.
First,
All-Star Kyrie Irving has been spectacular throughout this series, especially
in the last two games. After an uneven performance in the Celtics 84-74 victory
in Game 1 last Sunday on TNT, where he had 20 points with seven assists, five
boards and two steals, but shot just 6 for 17 from the field, Irving had a
sparkling 37 points with seven assists, six rebounds and two block shots, on 15
for 26 shooting, including 6 for 10 from three-point range in the Celtics come
from behind 99-91 victory in Game 2 on Wednesday night on TNT.
“It’s
been a long journey,” Irving said about missing the 2018 postseason because of
knee surgery. “From having those two knee surgeries and watching the team last
year and finally getting a chance to lace them up for the Boston Celtics in the
NBA playoffs—it’s nothing like it.”
As
impressive as Irving was, it was the output from the rest of the team, which
has been a hard balance at times this season from Irving getting his while
making sure to include his teammates.
Second-year
forward Jayson Tatum, who was key in the Celtics fourth quarter comeback as the
C’s outscored the Pacers 31-12 had 10 of his 26 points in the frame, going 11
for 20 from the field on the evening, including 3 for 6 from three-point range.
All-Star Gordon Hayward, who missed all but a few minutes of last season
because of a serious ankle injury had 13 points and five rebounds off the
bench.
What
has especially made the difference for these two squads in this series is the
Pacers inability to consistently put the ball in the basket, thanks in large part
to the Celtics defense and the Pacers inopportune mistakes at key points in the
first three contests.
In
the Game 1 loss at the Celtics last Sunday afternoon, the Pacers after leading
45-43 at intermission, were outscored 26-8 in the third period, going 2 for 19
from the field, including 0 for 8 from three-point range and had no fast break
points to the Celtics 10.
Despite
forcing 20 Celtics turnovers and holding them to 36.4 percent from the field
and outscoring them in the paint 36-24, they shot just 33.3 percent, including
6 for 27 from three-point range on the afternoon.
Head
Coach Nate McMillan’s squad came out much better in Game 2 and after outscoring
the Celtics 29-16 in the third quarter to lead 69-68 entering the fourth
quarter. Reserve swingman Tyreke Evans three-pointer gave the Pacers an 82-70
lead early in the fourth period. Unfortunately, they went 7:42 without a point
at one stretch in the quarter without a point, missing 10 consecutive shots
during the Celtics 16-0 run, consisting of eight straight points by Irving that
put them up 86-82 with 5:04 left in the game.
The
Pacers however did not fold as a three-pointer by Wesley Matthews and then two
triples by Bojan Bogdanovic ignited a 9-3 run that put the Pacers up 91-89 with
2:16 remaining.
The
Celtics would finish the game on a 10-0 run that sealed a 2-0 series lead,
which began with a Tatum three-pointer that put them up by one and then a layup
off a nice cut to the basket by Hayward thanks to a Tatum that put the Celtics
up 94-91.
After
shooting 65 percent in the opening stanza, the Pacers were just 7 for 20 (35
percent) in the second quarter, including 0 for 7 from three-point range and
trailed 52-50 at intermission. While the Pacers went 4 for 8 from three-point
range in the fourth period, they were just 4 for 17 overall shooting as they
were outscored 31-12 in the final quarter.
With
12.1 seconds left, the Pacers had a chance to cut the deficit to one or tie it
up with a three, but Matthews threw an inbounds pass right into the Celtics
bench. That was followed by a Tatum who scored on a two-handed throw down off a
Horford pass that he was fouled on. Tatum completed the three-point play.
After
falling behind 41-28 after the first to the Celtics in Game 3, going 8 for 10
from three-point range in the period, the Pacers outscored them 33-18 in the
second quarter to take a 61-59 at the half.
The
Pacers shooting struggles re-emerged as they went 5 for 23 in the third,
including 1 for 9 from three-point range getting outscored by the C’s 21-12 as
well getting outscored 45-35 in the second half as they fell 104-96 to be one
game away from their second four-game sweep in the last three seasons. Prior to
this, the Pacers had never been swept in a best-of-seven series prior.
“In
the third quarter, we lost our patience,” Coach McMillan, whose team went 2 for
15 from three-point range after halftime following an 8 for 15 mark in first
half said. “We took quick shots, bailed them out, and lost our rhythm.”
While
Irving was solid again for the Celtics with 19 points and 10 assists, Jaylen
Brown was huge with a game-high 23 points, going 8 for 9 shooting, including 4
for 5 from three-point range with seven rebounds. Tatum had 18 points with
seven boards and Horford had 16 points and eight rebounds, going 3 for 6 from
distance. Marcus Morris had 11 points and seven rebounds off the bench.
When
you have two even matched teams going against each other, it is the little
things that make all the difference. The Celtics have a star player who can
score and make plays for others in Kyrie Irving and the Pacers top player in
two-time All-Star Victory Oladipo has been out since a season-ending knee injury
on Jan. 23. Without him the Pacers have had serious scoring and shooting
droughts that has costed them in these three playoff losses.
In
NBA playoff history, teams down 0-3 in best-of-seven series are 0-132. When the
Celtics are up in a best-of-seven series 2-0 they are 37-1 all-time, while the
Pacers who are down 0-2 in a best-of-seven are 0-6 all-time.
After
all the ups-and-downs the Celtics have been through during the regular season,
they are poised to move on to the Semis and continue their quest for the
franchise’s 18th NBA title but are not overlooking their scrappy and
gritty opponent, who they can close out in Game 4 this Sunday afternoon on ABC.
“We
got one more tough game and if we want to close this out, but we understand
this is still a tough Indiana team and we got to earn it,” Irving said to
ESPN/ABC’s Israel Gutierrez after the win on Friday night.
2)
Toront
Raptors versus 7) Orlando Magic
Raptors
leads series 2-1
The
Toronto Raptors entered this postseason with a lot of pressure, especially
since this one will make all the difference in how the teams is next season and
beyond. Things got off to a very shaky start especially for their perennial
All-Star floor general but they righted the ship against a team making their
first playoff appearance in seven seasons.
The
No. 2 Seeded Toronto Raptors were upset by the lower seeded Orlando Magic in
Game 1 of their best-of-seven tilt 104-101 one week ago on ESPN thanks to the
eventual game-winning three-pointer by veteran lead guard D.J. Augustin, who
finished with a game-high tying 25 points, with six assists on 4 for 5 from
three-point range.
“We
just came in with an attitude man ready to fight from start to finish,”
Augustin, who led his team to their 23rd win in their last 32 games
dating back to the regular-season said to ESPN’s Jorge Sedano after the win.
“That’s a great team over there. They got some great players. We knew it would
be a team effort and that’s what we did tonight.”
On
the other side, Raptors All-Star guard Kyle Lowry went scoreless on 0 for 7
shooting, including 0 for 6 from three-point range.
To
put into context the kind of loss this was for the Raptors to start this
postseason, they fell to 2-14 all-time in Game 1’s. Only the Minnesota
Timberwolves have a worst postseason record in Game 1’s. It was the Raptors 10th
Game 1 setback of a postseason series in their last 11 chances.
For
Lowry it marked the first time an All-Star went scoreless in a playoff game
since 2008 when Hall of Famer and two-time NBA champion Ray Allen did it.
To
put into context how important Lowry’s scoring has been to the Raptors in
recent postseasons, they are 0-10 in the playoffs when he scores 10 points or
less. They are just 1-9 their last 10 Game 1s that Lowry has played in.
In
meeting with the press before Game 2, Lowry said that while he did not score
that he did not have an impact on the game with his seven rebounds and eight
assists.
One
person who was not buying it was NBA on TNT studio analyst and Hall of Famer
Charles Barkley.
“You
can’t say just because ‘I didn’t score,’ don’t mean you had an impact on the
game,” he said. “No! A starting guard in the NBA Playoffs can’t go a game and
not score, and say, ‘I made an impact on the game.’”
Lowry
and the Raptors responded in Game 2 with a Magic 111-82 win on Tuesday night versus
the Magic on TNT to tie the series at 1-1, behind the 37 points from All-Star
Kawhi Leonard on 15 for 22 shooting, including 4 for 8 from three-point range.
Lowry himself bounced back with 22 points on 8 for 13 from the field with seven
assists and two steals. Reserve big man Serge Ibaka had 13 points, eight boards
and two block shots off the bench.
What
was lost in the shuffle of the Raptors Game 1 loss, thanks in large part to
Lowry’s scoreless performance was the 24-point, nine-rebound performance by
starting forward Pascal Siakam. The leading candidate for Kia Most Improved
Player had another strong performance in Game 2 with 19 points and 10 rebounds.
After
giving up 14 for 29 shooting from three-point range in Game 1, the Raptors held
first-year head coach Steve Clifford’s team to 9 for 34 from distance in Game 2
and forced them into 17 turnovers that resulted in 26 points. They also
outscored them in the paint 52-36 and after keeping them to 40 percent overall
from the floor in the Game 1 loss held the Magic to 37 percent in Game 2.
The
Raptors in the first two games have really put the clamps down on the Magic’s
top offensive player in first-time All-Star Nikola Vucevic, who after having
just 11 points on 3 for 14 from the floor in Game 1 had just six points on 3
for 7 shooting in Game 2.
“They
did a good job taking way a lot of my strengths,” Vucevic, who averaged
career-highs of 20.8 points and 12.0 rebounds (8th NBA) during the
regular-season, which led the Magic said after the loss. “I’ve just got to
figure out a way to be more aggressive, be more efficient offensively.”
In
their first home playoff game since 2012, reserve forward Terrence Ross led the
way with 24 points going 5 for 13 from three-point range, while Vucevic was
back to his productive self with 22 points 14 rebounds, six assists on 7 for 13
from the field with two made threes. It was not enough as the Raptors won at
the Magic 98-93 on Friday night on ESPN to take a 2-1 series lead.
The
Raptor defense once again did the job holding the Magic to 29.5 percent from
the field, including 13 for 44 from three-point range. While Ross and Vucevic
had effective shooting nights, the combination of starters Aaron Gordon,
second-year forward Jonathan Isaac, Augustin and Fournier had 38 points on 12
for 40 from the field. Fournier had a nightmare of a performance with just
seven points on 1 for 12 shooting, with his only field goal being a made
three-pointer.
Siakam
was great again scoring a career-high tying 30 points and 11 boards on 13 for
20 shooting, including 3 for 4 from three-point range. Leonard also had a
double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds, despite going just 5 for 19
shooting. Sharp shooting vet Danny Green had 13 points hitting three of his
seven triples and Lowry had a double-double of his own with 12 points and 10
assists.
While
the Magic made some big plays to cut a 17-point deficit down to three at 96-93,
it was the Raptors that made two key plays in the closing seconds that were the
difference. Siakam made a floating shot that kept the Raptors on the lead. Then
Green ran down a huge offensive board with about 15 seconds left that extended
a crucial possession.
“It
was really what I thought it was going to be tonight,” Raptors first-year head
coach Nick Nurse said after the Raptors win, their sixth in their last seven
road games dating back to the regular-season. “I really thought this was going
to be a tough atmosphere to play in.”
When
you are a team playing with expectations there are two things you can do,
especially after what happened to the Raptors in Game 1 of this series. You can
let the feelings of disappointment fester or face them head on. The Raptors
faced the loss of Game 1 head on and Lowry has risen to play well the last two
games. The team as a whole has risen it’s play, especially defensively. The
question now is can they continue? For the Magic, can they come back and tie
this series to make it a best two-of-three? We will find out in Game 4 on
Sunday night on TNT.
“It’s
2-1,” Coach Clifford said after the loss on Friday night. “It’s not like it’s
3-0…Handling disappointment is a huge part of NBA basketball and it’s a bigger
part of playoff basketball.”
3)
Philadelphia
76ers versus 6) Brooklyn Nets
76ers
leads series 2-1
Trash
talk, three-point shooting, focus and imposing your will are all major parts of
NBA Playoff basketball and those things have been a major part of this
best-of-seven tilt between a team that has high hopes of making it to The
Finals in June and a team making its first playoff appearance since 2015.
The
Philadelphia 76ers prospects of representing the East in The Finals did not get
off to a great start as the Brooklyn Nets stunned them winning 111-102 last
week on ESPN.
They
had no answers for guards D’Angelo Russell, who had 26 points on 10 for 25 shooting;
Caris LeVert’s 23 points on 8 for 18 from the floor and Spencer Dinwiddie’s 18
points. Veteran big man Ed Davis had 12 points and 16 rebounds off the bench,
while Joe Harris had 13 points, making three of his four triples and DeMarre
Carroll had 11 points.
While
they made just 43.2 percent overall from the field, the head coach Kenny
Atkinson’s were 11 for 26 from three-point range and were 24 for 26 from the
free throw line and got 59 points from the bench, a new franchise playoff
record.
“I
trust our offense,” Russell said after the Nets first playoff road win since
2014. “Coach set us up earlier this season with a routine and recipe for the
offense, and its been flowing ever since.”
The
76ers were led by 22 points, 15 rebounds and five blocks from two-time All-Star
Joel Embiid, but he was just 5 for 15 from the field and 12 for 18 from the
free throw line.
Even
though the 76ers got what they did from Embiid and Jimmy Butler led them with
36 points, nine boards, two steals and two block shots on 11 for 22 shooting
and 13 for 15 from the free throw line, the trio of reigning Kia Rookie of the
Year Ben Simmons, Tobias Harris and JJ Redick combined for just 18 points on 8
for 23 from the floor.
The
76ers as a team were just 3 for 25 from three-point range in the Game 1 loss.
Their
dismal performance, coupled with Embiid being questionable up to the final
moments of pregame because of a knee injury; the 76ers faithful booing the team
after the final buzzer as they left the floor and that head coach Brett Brown
had to answer questions about veteran big man Amir Johnson being seen with a
cell phone on the bench which he called “completely unacceptable.”
Simmons,
who had nine points, seven rebounds, three block shots said after the loss
about the fans booing “If you’re going to boo, then stay on that side.”
The
76ers turned those boos into cheers two nights later as they routed the Nets
145-123 on Monday night on TNT to tie the series at 1-1.
In
route to scoring the most points in a single-game in franchise playoff history,
the 76ers tied a franchise record for points in a quarter with 51, outscoring
the Nets 51-23 in the third period turning a one-point lead (65-64) at
intermission to a 116-97 lead after the third. The 76ers were 18 for 24
shooting in the period, including 4 for 6 from three-point range with 11
assists and 10 second chance points. Defensively they held the Nets to 8 for 21
shooting in the third, including 0 for 6 from three-point range, just three
assists and two second chance points.
Embiid
had 13 of his game-high 23 points in the third with 10 boards. Harris had 19
points and five rebounds. Simmons had a triple-double with 18 points, 12
assists and 10 rebounds on 8 for 12 shooting, while Redick had 17.
While
the Nets had 80 bench points, with most of them coming with the result decided,
the 76ers got 61 points from their reserves, with Boban Marjanovic had 16
points and eight rebounds off the bench and Mike Scott contributed 15 points
off the pine as well, going 3 for 5 from three-point range.
While
they shot a little better from three-point range in Game 2 going 9 for 23, they
shot a glistening 56.1 percent overall from the floor and were 26 for 32 from
the charity stripe. They out-rebounded the Nets 62-41, including 15-12 on the
offensive glass; had 29 assists on 55 made shots; scored 29 points off 14 Nets
turnovers, which consisted of eight steals and outscored them in the paint
62-48.
Like
Game 2 however what anyone was talking about after the game was the flagrant
foul Embiid was whistled for the elbow he threw on Nets’ center Jarrett Allen
late in the first-half.
“I’m
got him pretty good and I’m sorry about it,” Embiid said to the press after the
loss while laughing at the pseudo apology along with Simmons.
LeVert
said of the Sixers dynamic duo laughing about that, “We didn’t really like
that. We thought that was kind of disrespectful, especially after the elbow he
threw. It is what it is. There’s no love lost. It’s a playoff series. We expect
that.”
After
a rough Game 1, Simmons responded with a triple-double and said after the game
about being booed after the loss one week ago with a smile, “I was thinking
about the boos from the last game. I have a lot of love for this city.”
He
showed that love in the 76ers’ 131-115 win in Game 3 at the Nets on Thursday
night with a playoff career-high of 31 points on 11 for 13 shooting with nine
assists, three block shots and two steals.
Harris
also had a playoff career-high with 29 points and 16 rebounds on 11 for 20 from
the field, including 6 for 6 from three-point range. Redick had 26 points going
5 for 9 from three-point range, while Butler had 16 points, seven assists and
two steals and Marjanovic had 14 points and eight boards off the bench.
In
between Games 2 and 3, Nets veteran forward Jared Dudley said this about Ben
Simmons: “Ben Simmons is a great player in transition. And once you get him
into half-court, he’s average.”
Those
remarks were made about the inability for the reigning Kia Rookie of the Year
to make jump shots consistently, which became a hot-button topic after the Game
1 loss. In the victory on Thursday night, Simmons was 9 for 11 shooting in the
half court and said of Dudley’s comment, “It’s coming from Jared Dudley. I
don’t really have energy for it.”
Coach
Brown added after the win about Simmons, “I thought it was one of Ben’s just
most dominant games.”
“We
forget he’s 22 years old. Whether he’s getting booed or there’s something else
going on, he’s incredibly confident within himself. I give him a tremendous amount
of credit. We needed it all tonight, especially without Joel.”
One
other dominant topic in this series is the health of Embiid who missed 14 of
the final 24 games of the regular season while dealing with tendinitis in his
left knee. While he soldiered through the first two games of this series, he
did not play in Game 3 and is questionable for Game 4 today.
Along
with what Marjanovic did two nights ago, recent addition to the 76ers in
veteran Greg Monroe filled in with nine points and 13 rebounds.
What
shifted the game in the 76ers favor was Redick scoring 16 of his 26 points in
the third quarter and the 76ers never looked back.
“Ben
and I have an amazing thing and it’s very organic,” Redick said after the win.
“We don’t really call plays. We just get into stuff. Talk about it in the
huddle. If we see something that the team is doing and if we can exploit it.
There were three to four plays tonight where we did that.”
The
Nets who were effective from three-point range to start the series were just 8
for 39 from distance in Game 3; gave up 21 points off of 16 turnovers, nine of
which were steals; had just 12 assists to the 26 by the 76ers and shot just
40.6 percent overall from the field.
To
put what has happened for the 76ers since their Game 1 loss, Harris, Simmons,
and Redick combined as previously mentioned for 18 points to begin the series.
They combined for 54 points in Game 2 and 76 points in Game 3, which marked the
first time since 1978 where three 76er players scored 25-plus when Hall of Famers
Julius “Dr. J.” Erving, George McGinnis, and World B. Free did it. This game
was also the first time the 76ers had consecutive playoff games of 130-plus
points since 1967.
This
series had been very full of back-and-forth trash talking. High octane offense,
especially from three-point range and a lot of postgame drama. The 76ers have
regained the edge and considering what Coach Brown said after the game about
how he saw Butler, Redick and Harris in a very engaging conversation on the
bench they want to put a strangle hold on this series in Game 4 this Saturday
afternoon and close it out in five games at the start of next week.
“Pros
talking to pros,” Brown referred to what he saw on the bench. “I mean, isn’t
that the holly grail of a team.”
Western
Conference
1)
Golden
State Warriors versus 8) Los Angeles Clippers
Warriors
leads series 2-1
The
quest for that rare three-peat by the back-to-back defending NBA champion
Golden State Warriors began against the team that was the last to beat them in
the postseason in 2014 before their title run of three Larry O’Brien trophies
in the last four years. The champs flexed their championship muscles in the
opener of this First-Round tilt, the lines were already drawn led by the
Clippers emotional leader against the two-time Finals MVP of the Warriors and
they stole Game 2 in dramatic fashion. They champs though led by said MVP
bounced back in a major way and seemed poised to finish their Southern
California neighbors off.
While
the Warriors took down the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 1 of their
opening-round series 121-104 last week on ABC, the Clippers simply got under
the Warriors skins or as head coach Steve Kerr said in the days leading up to
the series opener to not “take the bait.”
That
bait was the Clippers Patrick Beverly and he brought to 2014 Kia MVP and two-time
NBA Finals MVP Kevin Durant all game and at the 4:41 mark of the fourth quarter
both were ejected on double-technical fouls by referee Ed Malloy after Durant
stripped the ball from Beverly and he proceeded to fall right into the scorer’s
table.
The
talk after the game was not about the stellar game by two-time Kia MVP Stephen
Curry who had 38 points on 11 for 16 shooting, including 8 for 12 from
three-point range with career-high of 15 rebounds and seven assists.
“You
know what he’s going to bring to the table, just the physicality, mucking up
the game a little bit with his physicality, his talking, everything. That’s
what he brings to each team he plays on. That’s his identity,” Durant who had
23 points before being ejected late in the fourth. “For me, I know that coming into
the series. I thought it was fun tonight.”
One
person who did not have fun of what took place on the court was Clippers head
coach Glenn “Doc” Rivers who felt the Warriors got away with a lot expletive
language at the officials and one of his players in Danilo Gallinari got a tech
for not saying much.
“All
Gal said where was the foul. If one of our guys is going to get a tech after
what I witnessed in the first half from two of their guys, that was
disgusting,” Rivers said after the loss. “To get a tech in a playoff game for
saying ‘what foul’ after I saw a couple of guys on the other team cussing,
swearing, pointing, yelling and nothing is just not right. We have to be
consistent.”
That
consistency did not come at the start of Game 2 on Monday night on TNT as the
trailed by 31 points with 7:31 left in the third quarter.
For
most teams they would have packed it in and starting mentally preparing for
Game 3. Not this year’s Clippers.
They
simply battled back to where after trailing 73-50 at halftime outscored the
Warriors 85-58 in the second half to rally from said 31-point deficit to win
135-131 tying the series at 1-1.
Leading
the charge was the Sixth Man duo off the bench in Kia Sixth Man of the Year
candidates in Lou Williams, who had a playoff career-high of 36 points and 11
assists on 13 for 22 shooting and 8 for 10 from the free throw line and
Montrezl Harrell had 25 points and 10 rebounds on a perfect 9 for 9 from the
field. Gallinari had 24 points and six assists going 3 for 6 from three-point
range and Beverly had 10 points and five assists.
The
comeback was sealed thanks to rookie Landry Shamet’s go-ahead three-pointer,
his fourth of the night with 16.5 seconds left that put Clippers ahead for good.
That shot came off a pass from fellow rookie guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
“I
loved the end of the game. Shamet made a shot off a Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
pass late in the game. Those are two of our rookies down the stretch of the
game. I loved it,” Coach Rivers said after the win.
The
31-point comeback by the Clippers topped the 29-point comeback by the Los
Angeles Lakers in Game 4 of the 1989 Western Conference Semifinals at the then
Seattle Supersonics.
It
topped the 25-point comeback the Clippers had back on Feb. 2 at the Pistons and
the 28-point comeback win at the Celtics seven days later.
“You
just love this group. They just don’t give in,” Coach Rivers said after the
win. “They allow you to coach them. They allow you to sub them without drama,
you know.”
He
added about the epic comeback, “We were just looking for a lineup tonight. They
were beating us in every facet of the game. We kept searching (for a lineup)
and we kind of stumbled on one that we liked.”
“We
changed a couple of things offensively and defensively in the fourth, or in the
3rd on the fly and it worked out for us.”
Those
changes led an 8 for 14 effort from three-point range in the second half by the
Clippers with 10 steals, 34 points in the paint and 29 points off Warriors turnovers.
For
the game, the Clippers got 34 points of 22 Warrior turnovers, with 14 coming on
steals; outscored them 50-42 in the paint and shot 56.5 percent on the evening.
As
happy as Coach Rivers was after the win, Coach Kerr was as unhappy as Rivers was
after the Game 1 loss.
“We
stopped playing,” he said. “We kind of got disconnected kind of mid third
quarter and lost our defensive edge. I mean they scored 85 points in second
half.”
“We
kind of messed wit the game a little bit and we you do that you’re in some
trouble, especially in the playoffs.”
It
got worse when the Warriors lost All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins in the first
quarter to what would be revealed after an MRI on Tuesday a injured left
quadricep.
While
surgery will not be needed, he first postseason stint in his NBA career is
likely over and this over a year after coming back from a devastating Achilles
injury he sustained as a member of the New Orleans Pelicans last season.
Also,
in the Game 2 loss, Durant who had 21 points, had more turnovers (9) than shot
attempts as he went 5 for 8 from the floor.
In
the lead up to Game 3, there was a debate between Durant and Kerr through the
media of what the he needed to do as the scene shifted to L.A.
Durant
said that he did not want to take 20 shots or more. That he felt when there is
balance amongst the team that makes things better.
“I’m
not going to go out there and shoot 20 to 30 shots, you know,” he said. “I
don’t play like that.
Kerr
though said that an aggressive Durant at the offensive end where he takes 20 to
30 shots is a lot better.
A
happy medium was reached in the Warriors 132-105 win in Game 3 on Thursday
night in the Clippers’ house on TNT, where Durant scored 38 points on 14 for 23
shooting and 7 for 8 at the charity stripe with seven assists. Curry had 21
points hitting 4 for 6 from three-point range. The Finals MVP for 2015 Andre
Iguodala had 15 points off the bench, hitting 3 for 4 from three-point range,
while reserve big man Kevon Looney had 10 points also off the pine.
Starting
in place of the injured Cousins was a familiar face in Andrew Bogut, who had
eight points, 14 rebounds and five assists.
One
thing was for sure after the Game 2 loss that the Warriors were going to bounce
back and the best example of this is what the other half of the “Splash
Brothers” in All-Star Klay Thompson said about the team turning their anger
leaving the floor of Oracle Arena.
“If
channeled right it will be and I think we will,” he said about them bouncing
back. “We got a lot of experience…I know we’ll bounce back. Too prideful not
to.”
That
bounce back consisted of the Warriors outscoring the Clippers 41-24 in the
first period and never letting go of the rope in their fourth straight road
playoff win and Durant as mentioned led the way.
“He
was aggressive from the start at both ends,” Coach Kerr said after the win. “He
attacked. He said yesterday he’s Kevin Durant and he showed everybody who Kevin
Durant (is).”
When
you have won as much as the Warriors have the past four seasons, it takes a lot
to sometimes to get your attention. The Clippers got the Warriors attention and
they show no signs of letting up. The Clippers will not back down to the
back-to-back champs, especially with Patrick Beverly, Lou Williams and Montrezl
Harrell on the team. We shall see if it is enough to extend by first trying to
tie things up at 2-2 Sunday afternoon on ABC.
4)
Houston
Rockets versus 5) Utah Jazz
Rockets
leads series 2-0
As
mentioned at the start of this blog post when you have a star player who can
take over a game, you chances of winning in the playoffs are exceptional,
especially when that player is motivated to be great. The Houston Rockets have that
star player and he has been a big problem for the Utah Jazz to deal with so
far.
Last
Sunday night, reigning Kia MVP James Harden nearly had a triple-double with 29
points, 10 assists and eight boards in the Rockets 122-90 win in Game 1 versus
the Jazz on TNT.
Harden
recorded his third career postseason triple-double three nights later registering
32 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists, going 11 for 24 from the field,
including 6 for 13 from three-point range as the Rockets won Game 2 over the Jazz
118-98 on TNT, holding serve at home with a 2-0 series lead.
The
other advantage the Rockets have had in winning the first two game of this
series is that they have made a stand in a specific quarter that tilted the game
in their favor. In Game 1 it was the fourth period where they outscored the
Jazz 39-19. They had that same output in the opening frame of Game 2 with 39-19
advantage, with Harden scoring 17 of those 39.
“What
he did in that first quarter was ridiculous,” Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni
said after the Game 2 win. “Just dicing everybody up. When he gets it rolling
nobody’s better?”
What
has also helped the Rockets is that they continue to be prolific from three-point
range as they did during the regular season going 32 for 83 (38.6 percent) from
distance in the first two games.
Coach
D’Antoni’s squad has also played solid at the defensive end holding the Jazz to
39.4 percent from the field in the first two games and 23.1 percent from
three-point range.
Coming
into this series, it was the Jazz that were supposed to be the great defensive
team and they have simply had no answers for the Rockets offensive attack led
by Harden.
On
the flipside their top offensive weapon in second-year guard Donovan Mitchell
has struggled the first two games of this series averaging just 15.0 points on
32.4 percent, including just 5 for 15 from three-point range.
“We
didn’t show up,” Mitchell, who was just 5 for 19 shooting in Game 2 said after
the loss. “Simply put. And that can’t happen.”
Speaking
of inconsistent defense, reigning Defensive Player of the Year in starting
center Rudy Gobert has yet to record a block shot so far in the series as the
Rockets have been putting him in constant pick-and-rolls with Harden and Clint
Capela, which has taken Gobert away from the rim and that has led to constant
layups by Capela at the rim or Kenneth Faried.
It
is clear that as the scene shifts to Salt Lake City, UT that the Jazz need to make
a serious adjustment, especially how to slow down Harden. That will be easily
said than done because the Rockets have another star player that can take over
in nine-time All-Star Chris Paul who can take over a game, and sharp shooters
in Eric Gordon, PJ Tucker, Austin Rivers, Gerald Green and Danuel House, Jr.
who can strike a match from distance at a moments notice.
Along
with getting a more efficient offensive output from Mitchell the Jazz for more
consistent and impactful scoring from Derrick Favors, Joe Ingles, Ricky Rubio,
Jay Crowder, and Kyle Korver.
“We
have to play with more force offensively to get where we want to go,” Jazz head
coach Quin Snyder said after the Game 2 loss adding, “and when we did that, and
were able to get into the paint, and doing some things we want to do good
things can happen.”
“Hopefully
we can hit some more shots. We’re going home. They did what they needed to do
here and beat us soundly both games. But our group has been a group that’s always
responded and that’s what we have to do going home.”
The
Jazz said all the right things after Game 2, but they have to turn their words
into actual results beginning with Game 3 on Saturday night on ESPN.
“It’s
hard but we’re not going to quit and I’m not going to quit,” Rubio said after
Game 2 about trying to guard Harden. “We’re going to keep playing. Giving him
different looks.”
“He
has a lot of weapons. He can read the game real well and we give him different
looks in Game 1, but still it’s hard and we’re going to keep looking for ways
to stop him and we’re not going to quit.”
2)
Denver
Nuggets versus 7) San Antonio Spurs
Spurs
leads series 2-1
Entering
their first postseason in six years, the one question for the young Denver
Nuggets coming in would their lack of playoff experience be an hinderance. So far
that answer has been yes against a seasoned squad led by a future Hall of Fame
head coach.
Head
Coach Gregg Popovich and the San Antonio Spurs swiped home court advantage right
from the start a week ago when they beat the Nuggets in their gym 101-96 on
ESPN.
The
Spurs were led by the 18 points, 12 rebounds and six assists by All-Star DeMar
DeRozan. The offensive attack was also aided in that first game by youngsters Derrick
White with 16 points and five assists and Bryn Forbes’ 15 points and five boards
going 3 for 4 from three-point range.
“We
came out aggressive, on both ends,” DeRozan said to Gutierrez after the win. “We
knew it was going to be tough. It’s a great team. We understood if we came in
and played with the intensity that we know how to play with we can walk out of
here with a victory.”
As
remarkable as the Spurs were at the offensive end, hitting 46.7 percent of
their shots and went 7 for 15 from three-point range, they really put a squeeze
on the Nuggets at the defensive end holding them to 42.0 percent shooting,
including 6 for 28 from three-point range.
While
first-time All-Star Nikola Jokic had a triple-double, he only managed to score
10 points with his 14 rebounds and 14 assists and starting lead guard Jamal
Murray had just 17 points on 8 for 23 shooting, including 0 for 6 from
distance.
Even
with Murry struggles, he had a chance to put the Nuggets up late but he missed
a jumper and then needing a three to tie the score had the ball stolen from
behind by White with 06.9 seconds left, which led to a foul and he sank both
free throws.
In
Game 2 it did not get any better for the Nuggets as they trailed at one point
in the third quarter by 19 points and Murray could not get on track as he was 0
for 8 shooting heading into the fourth quarter and in danger of being in an 0-2
hole.
With
their season hanging in balance, Murray came through scoring 21 of his
team-high 27 points in the fourth period going 8 for 9 from the floor including
2 for 3 from three-point range as they Nuggets outscored the Spurs 39-23 in the
final frame to win 114-105 on Tuesday night on NBATV, to knot the series at
1-1.
“I
knew in my heart he needed to get these minutes,” Coach Malone said about
putting Murray back in game in the final period. “He needed to be out there. I
needed to show him that I believe in him. That’s powerful.”
He
added, “If I pull him, (he’d ask) ‘Does Coach believe really believe in me?
Does he have my back?’ So, I had to stay with Jamal make or miss because he’s
our guy and I care about him, and he came through in a big way. But never once
did I think about pulling him from the lineup.”
Murray
spectacular fourth quarter performance coupled with the 21 points, 13 boards
and assists by Jokic; the 23 points on 8 for 16 shooting by Gary Harris and the
20 points and seven boards from veteran Paul Millsap saved the Nuggets season.
The
question for them next was could they win at the five-time NBA champion’s
place, where they have not won since March 2012?
They
were right there trailing 88-84 entering the fourth quarter, but where
outscored 30-24 in the fourth and lost Game 3 118-108, their 14th
consecutive loss at the Spurs.
Leading
the way was White who had a career-high of 36 points on 15 for 21 shooting with
five rebounds, five assists and three steals. DeRozan chipped in with 25
points, while fellow All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge, after 24 points and eight
rebounds in Game 2, following just 15 points in Game 1 had 18 points, 11
rebounds and five assists. Rudy Gay also had 11 points and 11 rebounds off the
bench.
White
is another shining example of the Spurs exceptional player development that has
turned unheralded players into key contributors to their team. A player who
knows his role, steadily improves and is ready to play when called upon either
as a starter or off the bench.
“I
just had a chip on my shoulder,” White, who screamed, flexed his muscles, and
stomped the hardwood after every shot he made said after the win. “This is the
way I’ve played since I was young. Just try to go out there, compete and have
fun.”
After
the way Murray torched him in the fourth quarter of Game 2, it is easy to
understand that this Colorado native wanted to get back on the hardwood and
make an impact, which he also did at the defensive end holding Murray to six
points on 2 for 5 from three-point range and forcing him into four turnovers.
“There
is no doubt in my mind that Derrick White, the last couple of days, has been reminded
about Jamal Murray’s fourth-quarter performance,” Coach Malone, whose team is
now 3-13 all-time in the postseason at the Spurs. “Derrick White came out like
he hadn’t eaten in two days. He came out hungry, he came out (ticked) off and
he sent a very loud and clear message. I’m anxious to see our guys, how do we
respond to that.”
Coming
into the 2019 NBA Playoffs, the No. 7 Seed was 5-65 all-time against the No. 2
Seed in the opening-round of the playoffs. The Spurs have put themselves in
great position to be the sixth team in the No. 7 spot to beat a No. 2. We have
to remember though they are in the No. 7 spot because the West has been so stacked
this season but their championship level experience led by Coach Popovich and
their attention to detail on both ends of the court has them in this position.
They
are giving the Nuggets a real education on what it takes to win the postseason
and if they want their first postseason appearance to last longer than this
upcoming week, they have to handle their business in Game 4 this Saturday afternoon
on TNT.
3)
Portland
Trail Blazers versus 6) Oklahoma City Thunder
Trail
Blazers leads series 2-1
Coming
into the 2019 NBA Playoffs both the Portland Trail Blazers and the Oklahoma
City Thunder had some serious demons that needed to be vanquished. The Trail
Blazers entered this First-Round tilt with 10 straight playoff losses while the
Thunder have not advanced past the First-Round since Kevin Durant left to join
the now back-to-back defending champion Golden State Warriors in summer of
2016. The Trail Blazers quickly to control of the series behind their dynamic
starting backcourt but the Thunder showed on Friday night that they will not go
quietly into the postseason night.
Behind
the 30 points on 5 for 11 from three-point range from All-Star lead guard Damian
Lillard and the 24 points from CJ McCollum the Trail Blazers took Game 1 104-99
last Sunday afternoon on ABC, snapping their 10-game playoff losing streak.
“We
know how it feels to win again,” Lillard said after the game. “Now we can just
kind of move onfrom that and stay focused on this series.”
They
also got a major contribution from former Thunder big man Enes Kanter, who had
20 points and a playoff career-high 18 rebounds and two block shots, including
the eventual game clinching left handed layup in the closing seconds.
Kanter,
who signed as a free agent with the Trail Blazers before the All-Star break
back in February after being waived by the New York Knicks has been worth his
weight in gold starting in place of Jusuf Nurkic who broke his left leg back in
March against the Nets and was lost for the rest of the season.
In
just his ninth start with the Trail Blazers, Kanter joined Hall of Famer Bill
Walton, who had three such games and current Spurs big man LaMarcus Aldridge as
the only players in franchise history with at least 20 points and 18 rebounds
in a playoff game.
“He
gave us a lot of toughness inside,” Trail Blazers head coach Terry Stotts said.
“Obviously, his rebounding and scoring. I thought his conditioning was really
good. He maintained a high level of play for a long period of time.”
Kanter’s
performance along with what Lillard and McCollum overcame the ninth career
postseason triple-double of 24 points, 10 boards and 10 assists by 2017 Kia MVP
Russell Westbrook and the 26 points and 10 rebounds from fellow All-Star Paul
George, who was a game-time decision because of a sore right shoulder, which he
had covered in kinesiology tape.
While
the Thunder came back from a 19-point deficit to give them give themselves a chance
to take Game 1, their dismal 5 for 33 effort from three-point range did them
in.
Foul
trouble by Kanter limited him in to just six points and five boards in Game 2
on Tuesday night but Lillard and McCollum more than made up for it with 33 and
29 points scored respectably as the Trail Blazers outscored the Thunder 60-40
in the second half to earn a 114-94 win on Tuesday night on TNT, taking a 2-0
series lead.
Lillard
was 10 for 21 from the field, including 4 for 8 from three-point range with six
assists, three steals and two block shots, while McCollum went 12 for 22
shooting with three made triples, eight rebounds and five assists. Maurice
Harkless was the only other Trail Blazer in double figures with 14 points to go
along with nine rebounds.
While
George had a solid game with 27 points and eight rebounds on 11 for 20 shooting
for head coach Billy Donovan’s squad, Westbrook struggled scoring just 14
points on 5 for 20 shooting, including just 1 for 6 from three-point range as
the Thunder as a team was just 5 for 28 from long range.
“I’ve
got to play better,” Westbrook, who had 11 assists and nine rebounds said after
the loss. “Tonight, the loss, I’m going to take full responsibility of tonight
because the way I played was unacceptable. I’m going to be better.”
The
other headline of this series to this point has been the consistent jawing
back-and-forth between the teams, particular with Westbrook, Lillard and
McCollum.
“I
love it, that’s what I live for,” McCollum, who missed 10 games late in the regular
season because of knee strain said after the Game 2 win. “Just like playing on
the playground.”
As
big as the stars have played for both teams in this series so far, what separates
two evenly matched teams is which supporting cast can raise their level of
play.
The
Thunder supporting cast did exactly that in their 120-108 victory in Game 3 to
cut the series deficit to 2-1 on Friday night.
While
Westbrook had 33 points and 11 assists on 11 for 22 shooting, including 4 for 6
from three-point range, forward Jerami Grant had a playoff career-high of 18
points and two block shots, hitting 4 for 5 from three-point range and starting
center Steven Adams had 10 points and seven rebounds. Westbrook’s understudy in
Dennis Schroder, who had been silent the first two games in Portland, OR had 17
points, six assists and two steals off the bench while second-year guard
Terrance Ferguson had nine points on 3 for 4 from three-point range.
Grant,
Schroder, and Ferguson’s performances casted a shade over the rough shooting
night for George, who despite having 22 points, hitting 14 for 17 at the free
throw line made just 3 for 16 from the field, including 2 for 7 from distance
with six boards and six assists.
“He
led, we got behind him and he put us on his back,” George said.
After
going 10 for 61 (16.4 percent) from three-point range the first two games of
this series, the worst in a two-game span in NBA Playoff history with a minimum
of 50 attempts, went 15 for 29 from distance in the Game 3 victory.
“They’ve
been hitting shots all year,” Westbrook said about Grant and Schroder’s performance.
“I’m going to make the right play. The guys on the floor made the right play
and I’m going to continue to trust my teammates.”
As
good as Lillard and McCollum were in Game 3 scoring 32 and 21 points
respectably, the Trail Blazers need to get more consistent scoring from starting
forwards Harkless and Al Farouq-Aminu, who have been having tangle at the
defensive end with George and Westbrook. They also need Evan Turner, Seth
Curry, Jake Layman, Rodney Hood, Zach Collins, and Meyers Leonard to give them
something.
For
much of the season, the big question was who could be that consistent third
scorer for the Trail Blazers?
Nurkic seemed to be that until he went down and if they cannot find that player to strike a match at the offensive end this series will be 2-2 at the start of this upcoming week.
Nurkic seemed to be that until he went down and if they cannot find that player to strike a match at the offensive end this series will be 2-2 at the start of this upcoming week.
The
stars have shined in this series as expected. There has been a lot of uneasiness
and jawing in this series as well. What will swing this series to the either
the Trail Blazers to one step closer to ending this or the Thunder making this
a best two-of-three if they win on Sunday night is whose supporting cast will make
a serious contribution in the score book, with Game 4 on Sunday night on TNT.
Information,
statistics, and quotations are courtesy of the 16 NBA Playoff teams, schedules and
game information via www.espn.com and www.twitter.com; 4/13/19 10:30 p.m., “San
Antonio Spurs versus Denver Nuggets,” Game 1 on ESPN, presented by Mountain Dew
with Mark Jones, Hubie Brown and Israel Gutierrez; 4/14/19 1 a.m. edition of ESPN’s
“Sportscenter,” with Kevin Connors and Zubin Mehenti; 4/14/19 1 a.m. edition of
NBATV’s “Gametime,” presented by State Farm, with Chris Miles, Caron Butler and
Jason Terry; 4/14/19 1 p.m. “Indiana Pacers versus Boston Celtics,” Game 1 on
TNT with Kevin Harlan, Reggie Miller, and Rebecca Haarlow; 4/16/19, 1 a.m.
edition of “Inside the NBA,” presented by Kia on TNT with Ernie Johnson, Kenny
Smith, Charles Barkley, and Shaquille O’Neal; 4/17/18 3 p.m. “NBA: The Jump,”
on ESPN with Rachel Nichols, Tracy McGrady and Brian Windhorst; 4/17/19 8 p.m.
TNT ‘NBA Tip-Off,” presented by Autotrader with Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith,
Charles Barkley, and Shaquille O’Neal; 4/18/19 12 a.m. edition of “Inside the
NBA,” presented by Kia on TNT with Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley,
and Shaquille O’Neal; 4/18/19 10:30 p.m. “Golden State Warriors versus Los
Angeles Clippers,” on TNT with Brian Anderson, Kevin McHale, and Kristen Ledlow;
4/19/19 5:30 p.m. NBATV’s “The Starters,” presented by Jack Daniel’s No. 7 and Jack
Daniel’s Tennessee Honey with Tas Melas, J.E. Skeets, Leigh Ellis, and Trey
Kerby; 4/19/19 7 p.m. “Toronto Raptors versus Orlando Magic,” Game 3 on ESPN,
presented by Mountain Dew with Adam Amin, P.J. Carlesimo and Jorge Sedano; 4/19/19
8:30 p.m. “Boston Celtics versus Indiana Pacers,” Game 3 on ABC with Mark
Jones, Hubie Brown, and Israel Guiterrez; 4/19/19 1 a.m. edition of “Inside the
NBA,” presented by Kia on TNT with Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley,
and Shaquille O’Neal; and 4/20/19 1 a.m. edition NBATV’s “Gametime,” presented
by State Farm with Casey Stern, Grant Hill and Brendan Haywood.
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