JWSport Jacek Waszak – Sport journalist
NBA: Milwaukee Bucks – Boston Celtics 116:91 (4-1), Golden State Warriors – Houston Rockets 104:99 (3-2), Philadelphia 76ers – Toronto Raptors 89:125, Portland Blazers – Denver Nuggets 140:137. (2-3),
Milwaukee Bucks – Boston Celtics 116:91 (4-1)
The Milwaukee Bucks have exposed all the weaknesses of the Celtics. Demons from the regular season have returned. No full engagement, no idea for the game, and above all – no leader. According to many, Kyrie Irving took away from Russell Westbrook the title of the greatest disappointment this spring. Bucks kept him at 35% of the game in the whole series and at a disastrous performance from a distance (22%).
After losing in the first match (90:112), the Bucks won four more and are in the final of the conference. After defeating the Detroit Pistons in the first round, Giannis Antetokounmpo and his teammates defeated Boston Celtics.
Defense. Today, the Bucks slowed down Brad Stevens’ team, preventing them from carrying out synthesised actions and keeping an eye on anyone who might be a threat. Throughout the series, they kept Jayson Tatum at 34% efficiency (45% in regular season). Gordon Hayward scored 9 points in the last two matches. Terry Roziera, who hasn’t played too much, also played 9 points in the last three games of the series. The effectiveness of Celtics in today’s match? 31% from the game. 17% from a distance.
Milwaukee was a better team throughout the match. Guests were not able to win a single quarter, even when several basic Bucks players were resting. Seven of them were able to throw at least 10 points. Malcolm Brogdon returned to the game and immediately strengthened this team, which was no longer available for Celtics this season.
Golden State Warriors – Houston Rockets 104:99 (3-2)
The Warriors beat the Rockets. This victory, however, was bought by a very serious weakness. Kevin Durant jumped out of the half distance in the third quarter, hit and immediately grabbed the leg. The star of GSW came off the pitch and went to the locker room. The first results indicate that he pulled the muscle of his right calf. However, he will have to undergo an MRI. Harden scored 31 points in the whole match. Eric Gordon added 19
Although Kevon Looney’s reserve center scored only 5 points, his offensive rebounds (5), especially at the beginning of the match, allowed the Warriors to score important points. He also counted an important assist to Klay Thompson 4.1 seconds before the end. The scoreboard showed the result 102:99, but Thompson scored in two.
We’re back in Houston for the sixth match again. Does this mean that we have a 7-match series ahead of us?
Philadelphia 76ers – Toronto Raptors 112:101 (3-3)
Brett Brown’s players had a knife on their throats for match number six of the series, but managed to cope with the challenge thrown by Toronto Raptors in a concert. Portland Trail Blazers also ran away from the axe, winning in front of their own audience. For match number seven they return to Colorado.
Philadelphia in this match had to throw on Toronto Raptors absolutely everything she had in her arsenal. The hosts quickly built up their advantage, mainly due to the brave attitude of Jimmy Butler. The score reached several times, but the Raptors led by Kawhi Leonard made up for the loss several times, forcing Sixers to regroup.
We have match number seven, which should be especially pleasing for the fans, because Game 7 is the absolute quintessence of basketball at this level. The teams are back in Toronto. The best score for Sixers was Butler, who finished with 25 points (9/18 FG, 7/7 FT), added 6 rebounds and 8 assists. 17 points and 12 rebounds from Joel Embiid. For the Raptors 29 points (9/20 FG, 0/4 3PT, 11/12 FT), 12 rebounds and 5 assists from Leonard.
Blazers were won by the trio of Lillard, McCollum and Hood. The latter plays a very good series confirming that it is a concrete reinforcement of Terry Stotts’ rotation. After all, it was Hood who hit the decisive throw in the match with four overtime events. Blazers built up their lead in the second and third quarters, and during the final 12 minutes they effectively controlled it. Seven minutes before the end of Seth Curry hit a threesome, which gave the PTB a 101:88 lead.
Portland Blazers – Denver Nuggets 140:137. (2-3)
The third semifinal meeting of the Western Conference between Portland Trail Blazers and Denver Nuggets required 4 overtime events to determine the winner. Eventually, the Blazers won 140:137.
It was an amazing match. So far, only once in the history of the NBA play-offs, it happened that the match had as many as 4 overtime games. After almost 3.5 hours C.J. McCollum, defender of Portland Trail Blazers, interrupted Denver Nuggets’ reopening and the team from Oregon could celebrate the victory. You can read more about the match itself in Patryk’s summary.
Portland had a few heroes in this match. First of all, McCollum, but also
