All the questions going into the playoffs were about one of the Los Angeles teams, and how shaky they looked in the remaining 8 games of the season.
Those questions weren’t about the Clippers who now face elimination against a Denver team who has no clue how to quit.
The Nuggets have now forced a game 7 in back to back series, the first trailing 3-1 to Utah, and now once again going down 3-1 to the Clippers, only to force a game 7 that no one saw coming.
The Clippers led by as many as 19 points early on in the 3rd term, and all basketball fans were salivating at the thought of LBJ v Kawhi in a match up to make the NBA Finals. Now the Clippers have to find a way to kill off this “never say die” Denver Nuggets team, led by superstar Nikola Jokic, who is having his way against the Clippers big men.
The Clippers do not look like a team united right now, and are not getting the production they were getting all season long from the likes of Lou Will and Montrezl Harrell off the bench.
Denver have played with the “nothing to lose” attitude this entire series, and even in losses, have looked extremely resilient.
If Jamal Murray and Jokic both fire tomorrow, the Clippers may be on the first flight home out of Orlando, and Laker Nation will rejoice at the thought of not having to go through Kawhi and “Playoff P”.
The Eastern Conference Finals also begin tomorrow, with the Miami Heat finally getting their opponent in the Boston Celtics, who were able to overcome a veteran Toronto Raptors team, who just like Denver, never gave up the entire series.
In a series that’ll be remembered for the incredible shot-making, with OG Anunoby’s ridiculous game-winner in Game 3, to some amazing shot making across both overtimes in Game 6, the series will largely be remembered by the big-time defensive play by Marcus Smart with 30 seconds remaining in regulation.
Marcus Smart chased down a block on Normal Powell, a block that’ll be replayed in Boston bars for many years to come, and one that would eventually send the reigning champions packing.
Miami have been resting for a little while now, and Jimmy Butler looks like he’s playing with a chip on his shoulder, wanting to show the world that he can be the guy to carry this young Miami team to an NBA Championship.
Jimmy has found some help in the playoffs, with 2nd-year stud Bam Adebayo a force on the defensive end, and Goran Dragic has found his form of old (and has a very favourable matchup against Kemba Walker in this series).
Tyler Herro and Jae Crowder have been deadly from the three (just about the best duo in the bubble from behind the arc), and Miami will need them to fire again against a potent Boston offence.
Tomorrow is going to be an amazing day of Basketball!
Let me know your thoughts and predictions in the comments below.
Bauky