Hobbled Heat Looking To Bounce Back At Home
By Dan Bruno
The Miami Heat play host to the Boston Celtics in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference First-Round Playoffs at Kaseya Center on Monday evening.
The Celtics lead the series, 2-1, after splitting their first two games at home but bouncing back for the road win in Game 3.
Despite losing Game 2 at home, the Celtics got out to a great start in Game 3, earning a nine-point lead after one quarter and a 24-point cushion at the break. The Heat had no answers in the third quarter and hardly managed to make a dent in the deficit before the final buzzer. Jayson Tatum totaled 22 points, 11 rebounds, six assists and a block, while Jalen Brown turned in 22 points, eight rebounds, three assists, two steals and a block to lead the Celtics in the win. Kristaps Porzingis added 18 points, five rebounds, two assists, a steal and two blocks, while Derrick White was the only other player to score in double digits, with 16 points, five rebounds and three assists. On the other side, Bam Adebayo led the Heat with 20 points, nine rebounds and three assists, while Nikola Jovic and Tyler Herro followed up with 15 points each.
The Heat owned a 22-19 home record during the regular season and have a chance to get back on track in Game 5 or face elimination on the road in Game 6. They must continue to battle through injury trouble, as Jimmy Butler (knee) and Terry Rozier (neck) will remain sidelined. Delon Wright (personal) missed the last game but is listed as probable for action on Monday. The Celtics enter the game with a clean bill of health and finished with a 27-14 road record this season.
The Celtics lead the series, 2-1, after splitting their first two games at home but bouncing back for the road win in Game 3.
Despite losing Game 2 at home, the Celtics got out to a great start in Game 3, earning a nine-point lead after one quarter and a 24-point cushion at the break. The Heat had no answers in the third quarter and hardly managed to make a dent in the deficit before the final buzzer. Jayson Tatum totaled 22 points, 11 rebounds, six assists and a block, while Jalen Brown turned in 22 points, eight rebounds, three assists, two steals and a block to lead the Celtics in the win. Kristaps Porzingis added 18 points, five rebounds, two assists, a steal and two blocks, while Derrick White was the only other player to score in double digits, with 16 points, five rebounds and three assists. On the other side, Bam Adebayo led the Heat with 20 points, nine rebounds and three assists, while Nikola Jovic and Tyler Herro followed up with 15 points each.
The Heat owned a 22-19 home record during the regular season and have a chance to get back on track in Game 5 or face elimination on the road in Game 6. They must continue to battle through injury trouble, as Jimmy Butler (knee) and Terry Rozier (neck) will remain sidelined. Delon Wright (personal) missed the last game but is listed as probable for action on Monday. The Celtics enter the game with a clean bill of health and finished with a 27-14 road record this season.
Pels Host Thunder in Game 4, Down 0-3
The New Orleans Pelicans play host to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 4 of the Western Conference First-Round Playoffs at Smoothie King Center on Monday.
Oklahoma City leads this series, 3-0. No team has ever overcome a 3-0 deficit in NBA history.
The Thunder (3-0) finished with the best record in the Western Conference and are showing it in this series. While Game 1 was tight, Oklahoma City has dominated New Orleans in the two most recent games, winning by at least 20 points in both of those. That's a scary sight for the rest of the NBA because this young core looks as dangerous as anyone in the league. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is one of the frontrunners for MVP, averaging 27.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 2.0 steals per game in this series. That's typical of what we've seen from this star all season, and he's also had some great performances from guys like Jalen Williams. Chet Holmgren and Josh Giddey. That young core should have OKC competing for championships throughout the next decade.
The Pelicans (0-3) knew they had an uphill battle without Zion Williamson but that hill has developed into a mountain in this 3-0 hole. Not many people expected New Orleans to get out of this series without Williamson but to get swept would be truly embarrassing. The guy they need more from is Brandon Ingram, finishing with just 19 points and two rebounds in the Game 3 blowout defeat. The best player was actually Larry Nance Jr, providing nine points, 13 rebounds and five assists off of the bench. If they can get more from BI, this team should be able to extend this series at least one game.
Oklahoma City leads this series, 3-0. No team has ever overcome a 3-0 deficit in NBA history.
The Thunder (3-0) finished with the best record in the Western Conference and are showing it in this series. While Game 1 was tight, Oklahoma City has dominated New Orleans in the two most recent games, winning by at least 20 points in both of those. That's a scary sight for the rest of the NBA because this young core looks as dangerous as anyone in the league. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is one of the frontrunners for MVP, averaging 27.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 2.0 steals per game in this series. That's typical of what we've seen from this star all season, and he's also had some great performances from guys like Jalen Williams. Chet Holmgren and Josh Giddey. That young core should have OKC competing for championships throughout the next decade.
The Pelicans (0-3) knew they had an uphill battle without Zion Williamson but that hill has developed into a mountain in this 3-0 hole. Not many people expected New Orleans to get out of this series without Williamson but to get swept would be truly embarrassing. The guy they need more from is Brandon Ingram, finishing with just 19 points and two rebounds in the Game 3 blowout defeat. The best player was actually Larry Nance Jr, providing nine points, 13 rebounds and five assists off of the bench. If they can get more from BI, this team should be able to extend this series at least one game.
Lakers and Nuggets Tangle in Game 5
The Los Angeles Lakers take on the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena on Monday night in Game 5 of their Western Conference quarterfinal-round series. The Nuggets lead the series, 3-1.
The Lakers (1-3) went into Saturday night's Game 4 facing the prospect of a series sweep at the hands of defending champions, but Los Angeles impressively managed to claw its way to a hard-fought 119-108 win with the help of a strong first half that netted a 13-point halftime lead. LeBron James paced the Lakers with 30 points, supplementing them with five rebounds, four assists, three steals and one block. Anthony Davis generated a 25-point, 23-rebound double-double that included six assists and one block. Austin Reaves and D'Angelo Russell generated matching 21-point efforts while recording six and four assists, respectively. Russell added four rebounds.
The Lakers will list Davis (wrist) and James (ankle) as probable for Monday's game. Jarred Vanderbilt (foot) will carry a questionable tag, while Cam Reddish (ankle) will remain out.
The Nuggets (3-1) slipped up Saturday night, but that could turn out to be a blessing in disguise since it now gives Denver a chance to advance in front of their home crowd Monday night. In Game 4, Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with 33 points, adding 14 rebounds, 14 assists, one steal and one block. Michael Porter Jr. furnished 27 points, 11 boards, one assist and one steal. Jamal Murray supplied 22 points, six rebounds, five assists and one block. Kentavious Caldwell-Cope registered 14 points, three assists, two rebounds and four steals.
The Nuggets will list Murray (calf) and Reggie Jackson (ankle) as questionable for Monday's game.
Monday's game marks the eighth meeting between the teams since the start of the regular season. The Nuggets have won six of the first seven encounters.
The Lakers (1-3) went into Saturday night's Game 4 facing the prospect of a series sweep at the hands of defending champions, but Los Angeles impressively managed to claw its way to a hard-fought 119-108 win with the help of a strong first half that netted a 13-point halftime lead. LeBron James paced the Lakers with 30 points, supplementing them with five rebounds, four assists, three steals and one block. Anthony Davis generated a 25-point, 23-rebound double-double that included six assists and one block. Austin Reaves and D'Angelo Russell generated matching 21-point efforts while recording six and four assists, respectively. Russell added four rebounds.
The Lakers will list Davis (wrist) and James (ankle) as probable for Monday's game. Jarred Vanderbilt (foot) will carry a questionable tag, while Cam Reddish (ankle) will remain out.
The Nuggets (3-1) slipped up Saturday night, but that could turn out to be a blessing in disguise since it now gives Denver a chance to advance in front of their home crowd Monday night. In Game 4, Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with 33 points, adding 14 rebounds, 14 assists, one steal and one block. Michael Porter Jr. furnished 27 points, 11 boards, one assist and one steal. Jamal Murray supplied 22 points, six rebounds, five assists and one block. Kentavious Caldwell-Cope registered 14 points, three assists, two rebounds and four steals.
The Nuggets will list Murray (calf) and Reggie Jackson (ankle) as questionable for Monday's game.
Monday's game marks the eighth meeting between the teams since the start of the regular season. The Nuggets have won six of the first seven encounters.