The Philadelphia 76ers made one of the biggest trades in the NBA this season when they acquired Jimmy Butler from the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Despite his reputation as a volatile personality, Philadelphia still brought Butler on in order to provide a different dimension in the playoffs. And Butler delivered in that regard as his clutch performance helped the Sixers to a big Game 2 win against the Toronto Raptors.
Meanwhile, the Denver Nuggets followed the Golden State Warriors’ lead by winning the first game of their second-round series against the Portland Trail Blazers at home. Game 1 was an offence-heavy shoot-out, which could point to a highly entertaining series for SBOBET basketball fans.
Philadelphia 76ers 94-89 Toronto Raptors (1-1)
Much like in their Game 1 loss to the Raptors, the 76ers did not shoot well nor could they stop Kawhi Leonard in Game 2. However, they were able to slow down the other Raptors, while Jimmy Butler came through with some clutch shots as the Sixers managed a split in Toronto.
After a quiet Game 1, Butler came up big with 30 points and 11 rebounds to lead the team. The Sixers needed Butler to take over, too. The big NBA 2019 news ahead of the game was that Joel Embiid was dealing with a stomach issue. The big man did play, but he was limited to just 12 points on 2-of-7 shooting with six turnovers.
Meanwhile, Ben Simmons and Tobias Harris also couldn’t get going as they combined for only 15 points. Harris has had a tough start to the series, shooting just 9-of-28 through the first two games.
The Sixers came out strong in Game 2 and were up by as many as 18 points in the first half. The Raptors roared back, though, and got to within two points a couple of times in the second half. But Butler’s eight points in the final three minutes were enough to see the Sixers hang on for the crucial win.
Leonard followed up his brilliant 45-point performance in Game 1 with 35 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists. However, Pascal Siakam came back to earth in a big way. While he had 21 points, he shot just 9-of-25 following his outstanding 12-of-15 shooting performance in the series opener.
Aside from Leonard, Siakam, and Kyle Lowry, the rest of the Raptors combined for just three baskets as the Sixers’ defence held Toronto to a horrific 36 per cent shooting from the field.
Through two games, the Toronto bench has scored a grand total of 15 points, which is somewhat concerning. As well as Leonard has been playing in the playoffs, the Raptors still need to support their superstar with more offence.
Portland Trail Blazers 113-121 Denver Nuggets (0-1)
Fresh off their Game 7 win over the San Antonio Spurs, the Nuggets drew first blood in their second-round series against the Blazers.
Both teams essentially traded baskets throughout a very tight first half as neither defence could make many stops. But the Nuggets were finally able to pull ahead in the second half, and they held the Blazers at bay for the remainder of the game.
Damian Lillard followed up his Game 5 dramatics to knock the Oklahoma City Thunder with another terrific showing as he dropped a team-high 39 points in 43 minutes. And despite a shoulder injury, Enes Kanter was highly effective as he finished with 26 points on 11-of-14 shooting. Rodney Hood also provided a big spark with 17 points off the Blazers bench.
But the Blazers just couldn’t keep up with Denver’s elite offence. All-Star big man Nikola Jokic burned Portland for 37 points on 11-of-18 shooting. Jamal Murray (23 points, 8-15 FG) and Paul Millsap (19 points, 7-12 FG) were also very efficient. And crucially, the rest of the Nuggets’ supporting cast out-produced Portland’s.
There isn’t an overwhelming favourite to win this matchup based on NBA 2019 predictions. And if Game 1 is any indication, this could be a long and highly competitive series.
But still, the Blazers will need a bit more offence to beat the Nuggets, who possess the superior firepower. It is unlikely that the likes of Kanter and Hood will continue to play quite as well as they did in Game 1, so others need to step up.
The Blazers desperately need much more out of their starting forwards, Al-Farouq Aminu and Mo Harkless, who combined for just four points in Game 1. Portland will need better production from those two moving forward to stand any chance in this series.
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