BBNBA: Booker explodes in Game 1 win, Sixers fold to Hawks

On3 imageby:Wynn McDonald•06/21/21•

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Photo: Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images

The red seas are parting in the NBA playoffs, and it couldn’t come at a better time for Devin Booker and the Suns. This past weekend saw the no. 1 seed in the West, the no. 2 seed in the East and the no. 1 seed in the East each fall, leaving a “final four” where the Suns are the brightest star still shining. And after Sunday’s performance, they look ready to seize the opportunity. Let’s talk about it.

RECAP

No Paul, No problem: Booker, Suns light up Clips for 1-0 lead

Amidst the drama just about everywhere else in last week’s conference semifinals, Phoenix’s 4-0 sweep of the Nuggets left little doubt about their legitimacy. But when news broke on Wednesday that Chris Paul was out indefinitely after entering the league’s COVID-19 health and safety protocols, questions arose: how would Devin Booker & the upstart Suns keep momentum without their veteran leader?

If yesterday’s Game 1 is any indication, the answer looks like: pretty easily, it turns out. With Paul absent, the Suns took every punch from the Clippers and responded in turn, winning 120-114 to grab a 1-0 series lead. Booker finished with a monstrous line of 40 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists, the first triple-double of his career — regular-season or playoffs. He scored 29 points in the second half alone, helping Phoenix build a double-digit lead in the fourth quarter and making the right plays down the stretch to fend off a late rally from Rajon Rondo and the Clippers.

Rondo had five points, three rebounds and an assist in the final two minutes as Los Angeles leaped back from down 10 to within a bucket with 22 seconds remaining. But on the ensuing possession, he allowed Booker to get behind him for an easy layup off the inbounds pass that effectively put the game out of reach. Fifteen seconds later, he added two free throws to hit 40 points for the second time in the playoffs.

For L.A., who recently lost Kawhi Leonard to a potentially season-ending injury, it was Paul George who led the way with 34 points. Rondo finished with eight and seven assists. But the most surprising performance came from none other than Boogie Cousins, who got off the bench and made an immediate impact once again. He finished third on the team with 11 points, four rebounds, one blocked shot and one ferocious poster:

Though Cousins has only played in three of the Clippers’ 14 games this postseason, he’s scored at least six points every time. The latest performance was his best yet, proving that the big man can still get it done after all his injuries. Whether this is the game that finally earns him a spot in the regular rotation remains to be seen, but the BBN is rooting for him.

The biggest story for Phoenix going forward is the availability of Paul, who is reportedly symptom-free and expected back soon. The Suns video team captured him FaceTiming Booker after the game, congratulating him on his unselfish performance:

Game 2 is tomorrow night in Phoenix, with a 9:00 tip on ESPN. Drink plenty of coffee, ’cause you don’t want to miss this one.

Hawks eliminate Maxey, Sixers during tense Game 7

Heading into last night’s do-or-die Game 7, the top-seeded Sixers were desperate for one thing: a little production from Ben Simmons. What they got instead were a few flashy passes, a brutal passed-up layup and a season-ending defeat. The loss wasn’t all on Simmons, but his inability to contribute offensively certainly did not help.

Philadelphia and Atlanta traded leads for much of the night, with the Hawks keeping pace rather easily despite just 5-23 shooting from star Trae Young. Joel Embiid was effective, leading all scorers with 31 points, but a late turnover helped seal the Sixers’ fate. Atlanta pulled away in the final minute sparked by a Young three and three free throws from Kevin Huerter, who finished with 27, to win 103-96 — eliminating “The Process” in the process.

After his huge game on Friday with Simmons sitting, many (including me) speculated that Tyrese Maxey could see an increased role on Sunday. He did not. The rookie played 14 minutes and missed his only two shots, finishing with just two points. Doc Rivers opted to stick with Simmons down the stretch this time, and it did not pay off. While he did have 13 assists and eight rebounds, the Australian All-Star took just five shots in 36 minutes.

After the game, even Embiid admitted that Simmons’ refusal to shoot the ball proved costly. Rivers was asked if he believed Simmons could be the point guard of a championship team, and he said “I don’t know the answer to that right now.” Not exactly a ringing endorsement.

The Hawks were led by Huerter and Young, who finished with 21 despite his poor shooting. They’ll advance to face the Bucks in the conference finals starting Wednesday. It’s the first ECF appearance for Atlanta since 2015.

STATISTICS

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2024-04-19