NBA Playoff Game 1 Recaps: Saturday’s Games

toddcast (48)in #nba • 7 years ago

Game 1: Golden State Warriors Vs San Antonio Spurs

Javale McGee set the tone early, effectively rolling to the basket and blocking shots. After years of abuse on Shaqtin A Fool he has finally become a difference maker. Andre Iguodala looked refreshed, Its as if the regular season is now just this mans vacation.

I was concerned about Klay Thompson a month ago, because he broke a bone on his shooting hand, but obviously he is back to being Splashy contributing 27 points on 11-13 (5 3’s).

There wasn’t much too love from the Spurs. Rudy Gay led the Spurs with 15 points off the bench as leading scorer LaMarcus Aldridge was limited to 14 points on 5-for-12 shooting.

I like the rookie Derrick White who came in during garage time. He will get more playing time as the series goes on. They just don’t have enough, Durant has 5 inches on his primary defender Danny Green.

Game 2: Toronto Raptors Vs Washington Wizards

The Raptors won their first ever home playoff series opener and are 11 + deep. These young players have finally matured.

Delon Wright scored 11 of his 18 points in the fourth quarter, CJ Miles made timely threes, and Lucas Noguera brought good energy. We know what Ibaka, Lowry, Derozan will bring to the game, but these young guys have matured and will be key in later rounds.

For the Wizards….there was a time this season when Satoransky was running point, the team was sharing the ball, Michael Porter & Kelly Oubre were playing great……..and now John Wall is back. He puts up great stats but everything runs through him and that doesn’t give other guys any confidence to get it going. As a basketball player, when you barely have your ball in the hands, it makes it difficult to get a feel for the game. John Wall simply hogs the ball, I don’t care if he gets assists or not.

Markieff Morris played great, but rolled his ankle late. He finished the game, but those injuries always hurt more the following days. We will see if it affects his Game 2.

Game 3: Philadelphia 76ers Vs Miami Heat

Joel Embiid outplayed Hassan Whiteside in Game 1. He was on the bench in street clothes, and Whiteside played 12 meaningless minutes. Check out my previous article here in case you haven’t already heard my Hassan thoughts.

https://steemit.com/sports/@toddcast/my-least-favorite-heat-player-ever-hassan-whiteside

Ersan Ilysaova won that matchup 17 points/ 14 rebounds and it wasn’t close.

The Heat had a strong first half, but couldn’t score in the second. Kelly Olynyk had a really nice game, he can stretch the floor and we have to do that against this team.

The 76ers ball movement is the real deal. They make great back cuts, and Redick/Belinelli are always running full speed off screens ready to shoot.

Game 4: Portland Trailblazers Vs New Orleans Pelicans

Damian & CJ struggled. At the 6:57 mark of the second quarter the game was 29-32. Lillard & Mccollum started 1-10 with 1 combined point.

The Trailblazers went deep into the bench, Napier, Connaughton. The Rookie Zach Collins looked good as he has officially taken all of Meyers Leonards minutes.

For the Pelicans, Playoff Rondo (17 assists) is playing chess out there. I may have to agree with @brandonp that no-one can stop Anthony Davis,as he poured in 35 & 15 en route to his first playoff game win.

Beardless Mirotic and Jrue Holiday made some great plays and rebounds. Everyone played well defensively. Ian Clark hit a very important 3 pointer to shift moment back to the Pelicans late when it looked like they were about to give up the lead.