NBA Playoffs 2021
The 2021 NBA post season started on Saturday May 22nd with thrilling ties in the first round of playoff games. Each team with a chance to take a 1-0 lead in the series and seeing the crowds back plays a key role as teams will look to utilize home court advantage that has been missed for an extended period.
Playoffs Round 1 recap,
Khris Middleton’s clutch jump shot in overtime gave the Bucks a narrow 109-107 win over the Miami Heat after Jimmy Butler had leveled the score at the buzzer. A very intense match up with top plays on both ends of the court and many lead changes throughout the encounter.
Brooklyn Nets stars Kyrie Irving, James Harden & Kevin Durant out performed the Boston Celtics team frustrating Jason Taitum and Kemba Walker to walk away 104-103 winners and lead the series 1-0. Only the 9th game with the 3 stars sharing the court, a lot more to see from this series.
Damian Lillard led Portland trial blazers to a 123-109 win over the Denver Nuggets with his classic three point shooting. MVP finalist Nikola jokic couldn’t pull his team out of the bag this time and will have to prove himself in game two of the series.
Furthermore, MVP finalist Joel Embiid gave A+ performances on both ends of the court as Philadelphia held on to a 125-118 win against the wizards who kept in the game till the last shots. After watching this game, the series surely won’t be any easier for the 76sixers against Westbrook and Bradley Beal.
Even with a fully unstable Chris Paul over the game, Record-braking (34pts) Devin Booker held on to lead the Suns to a 99-90 win over the former Champions Lakers. Anthony Davis struggled to make shots the entire evening, he will be looking to do better in game two of the tie.
Young Stars In the making,
Luca Doncic’s triple double (31pts,10rbs,11ast) led the Dallas Mavericks to a 113-103 win over the LA Clippers. All stars Kawhi and Paul George did not have enough answers for the exciting youngster opening the series to a possible tense ending.
Another rising star in Trae Young silenced the New York Nicks home crowd with a clutch floater off the dribble with the last possession of the game to win a highly contested tie 107-105. This is one of the closest ties in the playoffs in the post season, surely one to watch with Julius Randle and Derrick Rose proving a point this season.
Last but not least, Ja Morat the sensational point guard leading the “undergods” Memphis Grizzlies to a 112-109 win over the team with the best record in the NBA this season Utah Jazz. D. Brooks dropped 31pts to lift the Grizzlies but Utah will hope to have Donovan Mitchell back to help out the team in the playoffs.
Round 1 Playoffs delivered the expected intense and exciting games and with crowds coming back to the arenas, more thrills are to be displayed on court.