The last two nights of playoff basketball are exactly what makes the playoffs so exciting. We saw a huge comeback, one of the coldest shooting halves in playoff history, an overtime winning three, and the betting favorite in the East getting eliminated. Let's talk about it!
Friday Night Game 6's
Cleveland Cavaliers at Toronto Raptors (CLE leads 3-2)
Let's start in Toronto. The game went exactly as expected. Both teams played four competitive quarters. The Cavs trailed for most of the game but locked in when they needed. Entering the fourth quarter down eleven, the Cavs suffocated the Raptors allowing just twelve points. The game would enter overtime, and again finish as expected. The Raptors trail by a point needing to force a turnover or foul and hope for a miss or two. They chose the first option. Mobley gets trapped near the sideline and turns the ball over. With just under seconds left potentially in the Raptors season they knew exactly what was needed to force a game seven. RJ Barrett inbounds to Scottie Barnes who drives straight to the free throw line, Mobley leaves his man Barrett at the top of the key to help on the drive. Barnes sees the open Barrett at the top of the arch. In an almost movie like ending, Barrett's shot hit the back iron and shot up straight up. After what felt like forever, Barrett's shot went straight through the hoop. With just over a second left the Cavs heave was unsuccessful. Game seven Sunday.
Detroit Pistons at Orlando Magic (ORL leads 3-2)
Orlando played one of their best first halves of the year following it up with their worst second half. This series was half way across the finish line with the Magic up twenty-two points at halftime. Detroit was not willing to let their season end without a fight. If you thought the Cavs giving up only twelve in the fourth to send their game to overtime was impressive, Detroit let up only eleven points in the third quarter. They enter the fourth down just nine points. Detroit scores eighteen of the next nineteen points in the game taking an eight point lead they would never give back. They allowed only EIGHT points in the fourth quarter. That is the dominance you expect to see when a top seed plays to their true potential. The Magic were getting good looks in the fourth quarter, they just couldn't get any to fall. They made just four field goals during the third and fourth quarters. The rest of their points game via the free throw. First half dominance by Orlando followed by complete control displayed by Detroit leads us to a game seven in Detroit on Sunday.
Saturday Night Game 7
Philadelphia 76ers at Boston Celtics (Series tied 3-3)
Game seven, just typing it can give you goosebumps. One game to determine if you play another four or start packing for vacation. Philly throws the early punch to start game seven. They got up nine to zero to start the game. They held that lead and added to it for the next ten minutes. First quarter ends with the 76ers up thirteen points. The Celtics answer back with a run of their own cutting the lead to five at the half. The third quarter was going to determine who won this game. The winner of the third quarter and eventually the game was the 76ers. They extended the lead to double digits early in the third and didn't look back. The Celtics never saw another lead. Philly ends the Celtics season and advance to play the Knicks.
Sunday Game 7's
Orlando Magic at Detroit Pistons - 3:30 pm EST on ABC
The first game seven of two today. What version of the teams will we see? Will the Magic be able to play four quarters like they did in the first two quarters on Friday? Will the Pistons play a full four quarters to the potential they showed late in game six? I think the answer to the questions are clear. I think Detroit wins and wins big. Being able to over come the collapse of game six is something that would be difficult for even one of the top teams in the playoffs. It is not something that I think the Magic can do. I think the Pistons take what they saw with Boston and realize they need to bring the best for four quarters or they will be heading home.
Pistons: 118
Magic: 89
Toronto Raptors at Cleveland Cavaliers - 7:30 pm EST on NBC
With the two seed out and the one seed on the ropes the East is wide open. A perfect Sunday for either of these teams would be a Magic win at 3:30 followed by a win tonight setting up a matchup with the eight seed. Who do I think will have a chance at the perfect Sunday? I have to stick with my champion pick, the Cleveland Cavaliers. I would love for this to be a stress free game where the Cavs win by double digits and the game is never in question. But it is game seven and unlike the Magic the Raptors will not lay down and die. I think we see a similar plot that game six had. A back and forth game, both teams have leads then give them up. This game will come down to the final two minutes just like many of the previous games. I think Mobley is called on to get the game winning bucket.
Cavaliers: 108
Raptors: 107
Stay tuned tomorrow morning for the look ahead article for round two of the NBA Playoffs!
As always Who Dey & Go Redlegs!
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