Last night, we had three games that proven a little something is their respective series. One team took a 2-1 lead after dropping Game Two. Two another teams avoided the dreaded 3-0 deficit with big wins in Game 3. Even though both need that Game Three win, only needed it more, but still is not off the hook.
New York Knicks vs. Atlanta Hawks Game 3
Atlanta, Georgia the site as the series between the Knicks and Hawks shifted to the Dirty South. Tied at 1-1 after the Knicks came back from a double-digit deficit to take Game 2. Just as important, it is the first game after a fan in New York split on Trae Young and was rightfully banned from the Garden indefinitely. You couldn't wait to see the atmosphere in the A for this game. After a tight 1st Quarter with the Knicks leading by 2 turned into the Hawks taking control and not looking back.
Outscoring the Knicks, 76-63 after the opening quarter to a 105-94 victory. Seven Hawks scored in double-figured and that balance of attack was too much for the Knicks. Trae Young led the way with 21 points and 14 assists. The Atlanta Hawks shot 52% from the field (42-81) and a 59.3% from the 3 (16-27) while the Knicks shot 35.8% from the field (29-81) and 30% from 3 (9-30).
The Knicks was awful last night, let's just be honest. Derrick Rose is leading this team through this series as of now. Rose had 30 points to lead the scoring for the game with 6 rebounds and 5 assists. RJ Barrett didn't show up only having 7 points in 29 minutes of play. Julius Randle was even more terrible going 2-15 from the field for 14 points and 11 rebounds. That's not going to cut it for Tommy T, Randle and Barrett MUST responded in Game 4 for the Knicks to take back home court and help D. Rose out.
Game 4 is Sunday afternoon at 1:00PM on ABC
Brooklyn Nets vs. Boston Celtics Game 3
The Brooklyn Nets and Boston Celtics shifted their series to Beantown after Brooklyn defended their home court well is Games 1-2. Game 3 was the game to see if Boston still had fight in them or was they going to fold because of the high power offense of the Nets was too much. Well it is safe to say that the Celtics are fighting.
Let me ask you this, if Kevin Durant scored 39 with 9 rebounds and James Harden scored 41 points with 7 rebounds and 10 assists, you think the Nets won and Boston is done in four, right? Well not on Friday night to begin Memorial Weekend.
Yes Durant scored 39 points with 9 boards and Harden dropped 41 points with 7 boards and 10 dimes but the series is 2-1 Brooklyn instead of 3-0 Brooklyn. Jayson Tatum explored with 50 POINTS, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists. Hitting 5 3-pointers, making fadeaway shots, driving and finishing in the paint, it did not matter Jayson Tatum was not losing Game 3 at home at TD Garden. Marcus Smart was the running mate last night adding 23 points and 6 assists. Evan Fournier chipped in with 17 points and Tristian Thompson gave the C's a double-double with 19 points and 13 boards.
The Boston Celtics win Game 3 125-119.
Game 4 Sunday evening at 7:00PM on TNT
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Dallas Mavericks
Game 3-Dallas, Texas. Mavs leading series 2-0.
The Clippers was the spotlight of last night, because they are the only two to lose both games at home and the iron fist of people are ready to get it to Kawhi Leonard and Paul George if they were to lose Game 3. Those people are smiling from ear to ear as the Dallas Mavericks built a 19-point in the 1st Quarter at 30-11. By the end of the quarter however, the Mavs lead was only 3 after the Clippers answered with a 14-0 run.
Luka Doncic did Luka Doncic things to lead Dallas, but the supporting cast didn't help out. Doncic had 44 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists. Tim Hardaway Jr. 12 points on 4-14 shooting. Kristaps Porzingis 9 points on 3-10 shooting. Maxi Kleber tried with 14 points, hitting 4 3-pointers, but last night was all about the LA Clippers.
Kawhi Leonard had 36 points and 8 rebounds to lead the Clips in scoring, but Paul George was the leader last night. PG13 scored 22 of his 29 points in the 1st half that allowed the Clippers to get back into the game but gave them their first lead of the game in the 2nd Quarter. Marcus Morris Sr. came alive in the 4th Quarter to help put the game away for LA hitting three 3-pointers on his way to 15 points.
The Los Angeles Clippers are not out of the line fire yet though because remember Dallas took both games in LA so the Clippers must return the favor in Game 4.
Game 4 Sunday evening at 9:30PM on TNT.