The Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers, the two number one seeds in the East and West lost their opening round game. Last night they bounced back to even up their best of seven series. That’s what it’s all about, getting up and bouncing back.
TODAY’S SCHEDULE:
1:30 Nets (0-2) – Raptors (2-0) NBA TV
4:00 Nuggets (1-1) – Jazz (1-1) TNT
6:30 76ers (0-2) – Celtics (2-0) TNT
9:00 Clippers (1-1) – Mavericks (1-1) TNT
Anthony Davis went off last night leading the Lakers to the 111-88 victory over the Trailblazers. Davis had 31 points and 11 rebounds. After shooting 0-5 from deep in game 1, A.D. went 3-4 last night. Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum had an off-night; Portland’s starting backcourt combined to shoot 2-12 from downtown.
It was LA’s first playoff win since May of 2012.
ESPN reported when LeBron James scored 23 points, had 15 rebounds and dished out 17 assists in game 1 that it was the first time it has ever been done in NBA playoff history. WOW!
Lillard dislocated the index finger on his left hand in the third quarter. Blazers said X-rays were negative. Hope he’s okay.
”It’s just sore,” Lillard said. ”A little bit tender to the touch. Dislocated it. A little bit sore, a little bit swollen. Uncomfortable.”
The Lakers made 14 three-point shots. Blazers just 8.
I love Wenyen Gabriel of the Blazers. Plays hard and with energy. He defends, he’s active, pursues missed shots at the offensive end, and goes after 50-50 balls.
The Bucks, like the Lakers stepped up their defense winning easily over the Magic 111-96. Giannis Antetokounmpo led the way with 28 points and 20 rebounds. ESPN posted a graphic during the game pointing out that in the playoffs for the Bucks, Kareem Abdul-Jabber scored 20 points or more and 20 rebounds or more in a playoff game 18 times. Last night was the first time Giannis had put up those numbers.
”There’s an urgency,” Antetokounmpo said. ”I’m not going to say there’s a fear factor – being down – but you know you have to be urgent.”
When you play ball with urgency, good things happen.
The Houston Rockets are 5-0 when they attempt 50 or more 3’s in a game. Speaking of the deep ball, so far in the 2020 playoffs, the team that makes the most 3’s in a game is 14-2.
James Harden does not get enough credit for his passing.
I wish basketball would eliminate the block/charge play.
Duncan Robinson shot 7-8 from distance yesterday in Miam’s 109-100 win over the Pacers to take a 2-0 lead. Do you realize Robinson averaged 9 points per game his senior year at Michigan? He went undrafted. The Heat made 18 three’s.
Utah Jazz evened up their series with the Denver Nuggets.
Former NBA player player Gerald Wilkins got into some trouble with the law. I hope he can turn the corner. ‘Dougie’ as his teammates called him used to hang out with us outside the Garden after Knicks games and shoot the breeze.
George Karl went at Mark Jackson on Twitter last night. Action Jackson made a comment on air about Carmelo Anthony’s defense saying there should be a “shared responsibility” for anyone who “allowed” Melo to play bad defense in the past. Karl fired back. “Heard Mark Jackson is taking shots at my defensive coaching during tonight’s broadcast. Remind me, how many all-star teams did you coach, Mark? How many DPOYs? How many Finals appearances? How many of my teams became dynasties right after I left?”
Hey look, Jackson is paid to analyze. Think Karl is wrong on this one.
They held the NBA draft lottery last night; Minnesota Timberwolves have the first pick in the 2020 draft. If I am the T-Wolves, I pick Obi Toppin from Dayton. He will be the best player in this draft.
Happy birthday Wilt Chamberlain.
QUOTE OF THE NIGHT FROM MARK JONES (on Nate McMillan)
“He is all about accountability. Not afraid to hurt his players feelings when he has to. It’s the reason they call him Sarge back in the day.”
Always play the right way…
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PLAY THE RIGHT WAY 