Written by Titan Frey
Before we get started with the game recaps, I want to let you know an award was given out.
The 2021 NBA MVP was awarded to Denver Nuggets big man, Nikola Jokić. He received 91 out of the 100 first place votes that were cast by selected media members.
Jokić season averages looked like this:
- Points per game (26.4)
- Rebounds per game (10.8)
- Assists per game (8.3)
- Blocks per game (0.7)
- Steals per game (1.3)
- Field Goal percentage (56.6%)
It’s safe to say the NBA got the MVP right this year. Congratulations, Nikola Jokić.
- HAWKS 102
- SIXERS 118
The question on everyone’s mind coming into this game 2 between the Atlanta Hawks and the Philadelphia 76ers was, “Can the Sixers slow down Trae Young?”
Well, NBA fans. In game 2, Philadelphia gave you their answer… It was a “yes”, if you were wondering.
The Sixers defense held Young to 21 points on 6-16 shooting and a dismal 1-7 from deep. So, yes, the Sixers did their job defensively.
Now, let’s talk about the Sixers. Did their star player show up? Or did his knee injury hold him down?
Joel Embiid was not held down by anything or anyone in this game. He scored 40 while grabbing 13 boards.
Embiid became the first Sixer to score 40+ points and grab 10+ rebounds in a playoff game since Billy Cunningham in 1970.
Now, Joel Embiid wasn’t the only Sixer to have a stat that hasn’t been done in a long time.
Shake Milton had a +/- of +15 in only 14 minutes of playing time.
This +15 by Milton is the highest +/- for a Sixer player who played under 15 minutes in a playoff game since 1997.
Milton scored 14 points in his 14 minutes of action… it’s safe to say, Milton hit the Hawks with that SHAKE, baby! (sorry, terrible joke)
Friday, June 11th at 7:30 PM Eastern Standard Time will be game 3 in Atlanta… get ready, folks.
- CLIPPERS 109
- JAZZ 112
Game 1, the Los Angeles Clippers vs the Utah Jazz. One team just came off of a game 7 win and only one day off.
The other team had 5 days off to prepare for this game… which team will be ready?
The answer to that question is, both teams. Each team came out playing hard. It appeared the rest helped the Jazz and the constant playing helped the Clippers keep a good rhythm.
The big difference in this game would be Utah’s Donovan Mitchell. He scored 45 on 16-30 shooting.
Mitchell’s play was huge. He alone outscored the Clippers two star players (Kawhi Leonard and Paul George) 45 to 43. The Clippers need their two-headed monster to play better, especially Paul George.
George shot a horrible 4-17 from the field. That’s not going to get it done, and I’m not sure George can overcome this.
Paul George has a history of underperforming in the playoffs. As you might know, George once gave himself the nickname “Playoff P”. Fans, on the other hand, gave him a different nickname during last year’s playoffs… “Pandemic P”
Even with Mitchell’s amazing performance, the Clippers had a chance to tie the game with a three with about 2 seconds to go, but the possible defensive player of the year, Rudy Gobert, came up with a huge block on Marcus Morris Sr.
Can the Clippers bounce back and steal a game in Utah? Game 2 will be played on Thursday, June 10th at 10:00 PM Eastern Standard Time.
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