With each series 4 games in I decided to recap how each series stands.
Sixers-Celtics, series tied 2-2
The Celtics have been the better team throughout the series, the reason this series is tied is due to two masterpieces by James Harden, and a few bad mistakes by Boston. Game 1 was a Harden masterpiece with 45 points and a game winning dagger, it was a vintage Harden performance. In game 2, Jaylen Brown took on the assignment of guarding James Harden and though Jayson Tatum put up a stinker, 7 points, 1-7 from the field, and lots of foul trouble, the Celtics handled Philly by 34 points. After a stinker in game 2, James Harden delivered another stinker in game 3, and Boston won that game by 12. In game 4 the Sixers built a lead up to as many as 16 points in the third quarter, the Celtics battled all the way back to take a late lead with Joel Embiid being locked up by Al Horford and Tyrese Maxey being ineffective. After a PJ Tucker offensive rebound and an and one put back, overtime was needed where in the final seconds, Joel Embiid found James Harden wide open after Brown left him to double Embiid and the Celtics failed to get a last second shot off because they did not get into their set quick enough.
The Celtics are the better basketball team, if they would just stop being weirdos in the final few minutes of games they would be up at least 3-1 in the series. In both games 1 and 4 the defense was bad and the execution late in the game was bad but this has been an issue dating back to Ime Udoka and even Brad Stevens in the bubble. I think Boston pulls it out but not before making it harder than necessary.
Suns-Nuggets, series tied 2-2
Which star to start with? Devin Booker has been on the heater of all heaters over the entire postseason at one point having made 32 of his last 40 shot attempts. He can’t miss and has looked like the best player on the team that has Kevin Durant on it. Nikola Jokic was simply incredible on Sunday night as well with 53 points and 11 assists, and is showing us all why he is a back to back MVP. Lastly Kevin Durant was awesome in game 4 as he and Booker combined for 72 points in Phoenix’s win.
I thought Denver was going to handle Phoenix after the first 2 games of the series but with the heater that Booker is on and Durant lurking, Phoenix has a real chance to win the series. One thing they need is Deandre Ayton to be better, and I am not sure that is going to happen. Ayton has not been good all series and was out played by Jock Landale in game 4. Another adjustment the Suns made besides Devin Booker and Kevin Durant being awesome was they committed to just having shooters around the two stars on the court taking Torry Craig and Ish Wainright out of the rotation and going to Damion Lee, Terrence Ross, and T.J. Warren and an increased role to Landry Shamet. While I still think Denver wins the series, I really like the adjustments Monty Williams has made to give the Suns a chance… and Devin Booker too, he is awesome.
Heat-Knicks, Miami leads 3-1
After the Heat stole game 1, the 2 teams split the next 2, both winning at home. It was a series where game 4 would most likely decide the series, and the Knicks laid an egg. The effort was not where it needed to be and Julius Randle even said it after the game, “maybe they want it more.” For a team that out hustled most teams in the regular season and out hustled the Cavaliers in round 1, getting out hustled last night was inexcusable. I can’t believe the Heat keep winning games with this roster. Cody Zeller and Haywood Highsmith are playing real playoff minutes for them and yet they still keep finding ways to win, for a team that was on the brink of elimination against the Bulls in the play-in, it is truly a remarkable turnaround.
You have to assume a Jimmy Butler masterclass knockout punch is coming in game 5, so how does New York withstand that? It has to start with better effort but they also need Julius Randle to step up to the plate. He has been bad throughout the playoffs and the 22% from 3 point range in this series is inexcusable for a player that shot 34% in the regular season. The production from Jalen Brunson and RJ Barrett has been there, Barrett has been particularly good averaging 22.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.5 assists while shooting 46% from the floor and 42% from 3. The Knicks season is on the line Wednesday night and they need Randle to step up.
Lakers-Warriors, LAL leads 3-1
Getting your dynasty packed up by Lonnie Walker has to be tough. Walker was logging DNP-CD’s for most of the games post All-Star break and recently re-joined the Lakers rotation and after scoring 15 4th quarter points in game 4, I don’t think he will be out of said rotation anytime soon. The disappearance of Jordan Poole this season has been eye opening, and besides game 1 of this series, he has looked unplayable in these playoffs. The Warriors season has been a mess since Poole was punched in the face by Draymond Green in training camp and now, their title defense is on the ropes.
This series is not over, the Lakers should try and close out this series in game 5, even with the game in San Francisco because when you can kill the champs, you have to kill them. If Golden State wins game 5 and the series shifts back to Los Angeles for game 6, game 6 Klay might show up and have the monster game we have all been waiting for in these playoffs or maybe Steph Curry goes into a mode where he cannot be stopped. These are the champs, when you have your foot on their neck ready for the kill punch you have to deliver it, and LeBron James knows this.
With each series through 4 games I decided to recap where each series is and look ahead to what might happen.
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