What's next in the thrilling NBA conference semifinals?
After Boston CelticsCenter Robert Williams IIIIt was a late scratch Monday night. Al HorfordThe team picked up the pieces with a playoff-record-high 30 point win in Game 4 over the Atlanta Hawks. Giannis AntetokounmpoThe Milwaukee Bucks.
The team shot 9-for-37 at 3-point range. Golden State WarriorsLately, the team rallied to take a commanding 3-1 Series lead over the competition. Memphis GrizzliesWho is there to hope? Ja MorantCan return to the game after sustaining a knee injury.
Below 31 points James HardenPart two of the triumphant return Joel EmbiidThe concussion and fractured orbital bone caused by a concussion meant that he missed the first two games. Philadelphia 76ersTheir showdown was won by the Miami Heat. The health of guard is important for top-seeded Miami. Kyle LowryThis series has had a lot of questions.
In Dallas, Phoenix Sunsguard Chris PaulAfter committing seven turnovers in Game 3, he had to foul out in the fourth quarter. This was his second consecutive bizarre performance in a loss. Dallas' role-players stepped up on Sunday. Luka DoncicThey hit 19 of 20 3-pointers, with eight assists from Dorian Finney-SmithAnd four more from Davis Bertans.
There are three series that have been tied and one featuring the No. With three series tied and a fourth featuring the No.
Lowry was conscious that his left hamstring was not at 100% when he returned to the East semifinals. The veteran point guard knew Miami needed him, even though he had a 2-0 lead. As the series moved back to Miami, Lowry was unable to play.
Lowry, 36, gave it his best shot but it was clear that he won't be able to keep up with himself through Games 3 and 4.
Lowry answered, “Yes, I'm going try and play,” after Miami's Game 4 loss. Lowry's basketball intelligence was all that kept him going through the injury against Miami in the first round. Atlanta HawksThat cost him his next four matches.
Lowry played 55 minutes in Games 3 & 4, before he injured his hamstring in Game 4. He was then forced to sit the last 9 minutes and 42 seconds of Game 4. This was a reminder that Miami was excited to have Lowry come to South Florida and thought he would make a great fit in the “Heat Culture.”
Lowry's ability to play with any sort of speed on the court was rare, if at all. His injury has had a negative impact on his shooting, which saw him shoot 3-for-14 from the line and 0-for-8 at 3-point range.
Lowry's counterpart, James HardenThe same situation was faced by, a year ago. Harden, then at the Brooklyn NetsReturn from HisHamstring injury against the Milwaukee BucksIn the 2021 East semifinals, the average time for the last three games was 46.3 minutes. However, it was difficult to move during this period.
Lowry, like Harden last season has managed to deliver a few memorable moments. In the second quarter, he ignited one of Miami’s most memorable Game 4 periods. He somehow forced Joel EmbiidHe was a foot taller then him and tried to botch a post up opportunity.
However, for a team that purchased Lowry to increase half-court offense during the playoffs, it is a serious injury.
Even though the Heat won at home, Miami’s offense wasn't convincing. It was then cushioned by both Bam AdebayoHe got what he wanted DeAndre Jordan Paul ReedInside, with Embiid sidelined and Philadelphia going a total of 14-for-64 starting from 3.
Lowry was the first to know this. That is why he returned and played the last two games with a hamstring that wasn't right. It's also why, if Lowry can't give Miami any more in Game 5, the Heat could easily be eliminated when this series heads to Philadelphia for game 6. ET, ESPN).
— Tim Bontemps
Suns 2, Mavericks 2CP3's previous two games were a fluke.
Paul isn't the same player since turning 37 – that was four days ago.
He was at his most “Point God” during the Suns' 2-0 series lead at Home, especially in his 14-point run early in the fourth quarter to win Game 2.
Paul, however, had an unusually poor birthday weekend. He had nine turnovers and ten fouls. This was in addition to two road losses that the Mavs lost.
Paul's difficulties can be attributed to his uncharacteristic sloppiness. As he did in Game 1, he won't likely have another seven-turnover half. He made a huge mental error by picking up his fourth foul in the second half while chasing an offensive rebound that he had very little chance of grabbing.
We must give credit to Dallas for his assistance to Father Time.
“Just making it difficult for him, picking up him full-court,” Mavs forward Dorian Finney-SmithPostgame. “Just make sure he's tired. We're trying to make him tired.
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Tim Legler cannot explain Chris Paul's Game 4 woes, but he expects Paul will bounce back in Game 5.
Reggie BullockPaul's 94-foot run is largely the Maverick's fault. Bullock, 31, isn't exactly a spring chicken according to NBA standards. However, he is young enough that he considers Paul a mentor having played for his AAU program when a teenager.
Bullock stated between Games 3 and 4 that “Hopefully, I have a little more fuel in my tank than him,”
Dallas is determined to stop Paul from operating within his comfort zone in the half court. The Mavs are determined to force him out of the NBA. He is an exception. InInstead of watching him launch midrange jumpers, he prefers to play in the paint. Paul was 10-of-15 at the midrange in his first two games. In Dallas, he was only 3-of-6.
The Mavs also took a few pages from the CP3 playbook to use against him. Dallas also took a swipe at Paul after he snatched Doncic in Game 2. Even though he's an elite defender throughout his career and the 6-foot Paul can't deal with Doncic, the 6-foot Doncic is a formidable opponent.
Paul had to accept the Mavs' attempts at a few tricks when he was in trouble.
Did Doncic make a mistake on Paul's fourth foul of Game 4? Paul asked Doncic if he really pushed him so hard. Doncic replied sly, “No, it wasn't that hard, but it was a clever play.” Paul grumbled, “Yeah I know,”
Jason Kidd, the Mavs coach, stated that they are being taught by Jason Kidd (one of the most skilled point guards in history) how to do certain things. “That's quite cool at this time of year.”
— Tim MacMahon
Another win for the Celtics after a late scratch. Boston should do this more often.
Before game 2, Marcus SmartHe was diagnosed with a right quad contusion 90 minutes before tip off; the Celtics won. 109-86. Before Game 4, Robert Williams III90 minutes before tip off, he was suffering from left knee pains. The Celtics won. 116-108.
Coach Ime Udoka wants his full team of players at all times. However, Boston has found that shortening his rotations works to his advantage.
Udoka was essentially seven against seven in Game 2. Udoka briefly went on Monday with Daniel TheisAs the eighth man, he was only played 91 seconds into the second half. He stayed with a seven player group for most of the remaining quarters.
Jayson Tatum, Al HorfordSmart and Smart both exceeded the 40-minute mark. Jaylen BrownHe might have been able to join them, if he wasn't seated during large portions of the game because of foul trouble.
It seems like the more physical team has won each match, but this style has begun to take its toll.
Smart stated postgame that “the whole team was exhausted.” “But, we wanted to ensure that we weren’t the more tired team. We wanted to keep going, no matter how tired.
Giannis AntetokounmpoHe was visible gassed during the fourth quarter. After one difficult finish, he lay down on his stomach staring at Fiserv Forum ceiling.
Antetokounmpo played at least 38 minutes each game in this series, and reached a high of just over 41 minutes on Monday. Udoka, who won Game 4, said that while he knows Milwaukee is trying to get Tatum and Brown to work defensively, the Celtics want to do the exact same with Antetokounmpo.
It could come down to who has more gas.
— Andrew Lopez
Despite valiant efforts, Monday's game 4 was won without an injured star. Ja MorantThe Grizzlies will need to win again in order to prolong what has been a wonderful season.
Memphis went 20-5 without Morant during their regular season, and they were able to lead throughout this game using the same formula. As expected, the Grizzlies were unable to score without their top scorer, but they compensated by playing solid defense, taking advantage of the Warriors slow start. They had 11 turnovers, and shot an unbelievable 2-of-20 from 3-point range during the first half.
Memphis held its opponents to 8.6 points on 100 possessions in 25 games without Morant. This was a record that would have led NBA by a large margin.
Also, poor opponent shooting has been a hallmark of the Grizzlies' success without Morant. The teams that shot 3 pointers against Memphis were just 31.5%. Golden State finished at 24% (9-of-37) despite crucial late 3s. Stephen Curry Otto Porter Jr. — Yet, the Warriors managed to find just enough offense for the complete comeback.
All eyes will be on Morant's injured knee in Game 3 of the Warriors' blowout win. Memphis will continue to rely on defense and scoring timely if Morant is unable to play.
The Grizzlies are able to feel good about their decision. Steven AdamsThey had only played seven minutes in the first round of their series against the. Minnesota Timberwolves.
Adams might find Golden State's smaller lineup a better matchup. Adams spent some time in the NBA's safety and health protocols before being cleared to play in Game 3. Adams' large frame created issues for the Warriors on offensive glass. Adams played 27 minutes. He was able to finish with 10 points and 15 boards.
Memphis will want to revisit guard shot selection. Dillon BrooksBefore a must-win match. Brooks made his last two shots, including a 3-pointer at 38 feet from the buzzer. Brooks was 5-of-19 despite making difficult attempts.
Brooks was under more pressure to create offense because Morant was not there, but it is not a new problem. This does not include Game 2, where he played for three minutes before being dismissed for flagrant foul. Gary Payton IIBrooks shot a worse than 30% field goal percentage Monday in his fifth game of the postseason. Brooks' performance will help the Grizzlies extend their season.
— Kevin Pelton
