We can’t stop the Rockets anymore! Passed very close to the exit after a series against the Thunder, finally won (4-3) thanks to a last second against James Harden, they won (112-97) against LA Once again in relying on the efficiency of their star (36 pts, 13/20 on shots, 5 assists) and on a fierce defense, their new trademark in these play-offs.
“Defense was the key. When we stopped, it allowed us to quickly get the ball out and get the shots we wanted. It was a real team effort. Our defense is what will lead us to where we want to go ”said “The Beard”.
PTS for @ JHarden13 in the @HoustonRockets Game 1 W! #NBAPlayoffs
Game 2 Sun. (9/6) at 8:30pm/et on ABC pic.twitter.com/a2fdubEn2s
– NBA (@NBA) September 5, 2020
As often happens when an already qualified team awaits their future opponent, it was also the somewhat rusty Lakers who sorely lacked rhythm, speed and percussion against Texans carried by a certain euphoria and who led. already eight points at the break.
Their 15 losses of balls and the 13 successful interceptions by the Rockets illustrate their lack of collective fluidity. And, the individual exploits of LeBron James (20 pts, 8 rebounds, 7 assists), author in particular of an overpowered dunk on Russell Westbrook, or the late awakening of Anthony Davis (25 pts, 14 rebounds) were not enough. . Quite simply because apart from Alex Caruso (14 pts) no other Californian player has been able to take over.
However, James Harden was not alone as he could / wanted to be so often in the past. Westbrook (24 pts, 9 rebounds, 6 assists) showed he was coming close to his thigh injury, Eric Gordon brought in 23 valuable points and PJ Tucker was a tireless watchdog on James.
It’s up to them to maintain this pace and push back the fatigue, as Los Angeles will make adjustments for the N.2 game on Sunday.
The Bucks have cracked
Who would’ve believed that ? Here is Milwaukee, contender for the title, to a defeat of an early elimination, beaten for the third time in a row by Miami (115-100). It is a collapse in order of which the Bucks were guilty, at the worst time of the game, after having finally seemed to gain the upper hand. Despite a 12-point lead, they lost the fourth quarter 40-12 and with it virtually all hope of continuing their journey in these play-offs.
But it would be a huge failure for this team, promised to touch the tops of the NBA or at least which showed all the potential, during a regular season dominated head and shoulders, in the wake of Giannis Antetokounmpo .
But once again on this series, the « Greek Freak » (the green monster) did not scare any player opposite, limited to 21 points (16 rebounds, 9 assists). It is even somewhere the opposite which occurred since the winger abused, without success of the shots behind the arc (0/7), blocked that he was to reach the opposing painting.
Still led 91-80 at 9:40 to play, Miami then succeeded in the image of Jimmy Butler’s 17 points out of his 30 in total. The full-back, helped by Bam Adebayo’s 20 points and 16 rebounds, was once again the Heat leader on both sides of the field.
“I think the whole world should be surprised to see us lead widely. But not us. We have so much scam, we never give up, we always give ourselves a chance to win ”, he said. Everything that Milwaukee is missing right now.
– .
