CELTICS 1, PACERS 0
This is yet another series which Indiana, despite not having homecourt advantage, should be able to win as the result of facing an injured opponent. They're saying that Porzingis may be back by Game 4, if the series goes that long (which it looks like will). But then, you know what I'm saying? You see how pitifully your boy Anunoby looked prematurely forcing his way, in vain, back onto the court. Like we NBA fans really don't need anymore of that shit.
With Kristaps out, the Pacers have the clear advantage of size. Myles Turner, based on his performance this postseason, may finally garner enough recognition to be an all-star next year. He should be feasting in the post with Porzingis out. But instead Siakim, who's pretty long himself, seemed to take advantage of the Celtics more inside. If both of those dudes attack the middle, I really don't see how Boston has much of a chance, unless their threes are really dropping like that.
And that's no disrespect to Al Horford. I've always had a lot of respect for him, being one of the pioneers of the "stretch 4" position. I still remember when Horford was on that Atlanta squad that sent four players to the All-Star Game. But you can't look at a dude who's almost 40, see that he's averaging 9pts and 7rpg and assume he can be relied on defensively. It's moments like these that the Celtics could use Robert Williams III, perhaps even more than Jrue Holiday, who he was traded for.
Also, it's like where TF is Xavier Tillman? Now they're saying, unfortunately, he had a death in the family and may be back for Game 2 or maybe not. But it ain't like Boston was really using him anyway.
That said, I can't close without giving a shoutout to Jaylen Brown for that three he made at the end of regulation. Imo, he single-handedly saved Boston's season with that shot. The Pacers should feel good about themselves after their Game 1 performance. But if they had actually won, then it's like they'd be super confident, and the mood in Boston would probably be a lot different.
MAVERICKS 1, TIMBERWOLVES 0
I was surprised that Dallas won this game. Earlier on, it appeared as if Minnesota had the athletic advantage. But as it wore on, the Mavs rather prevailed.
When they first acquired Irving, I criticized that move in large part because I felt Dallas needed help (at that time) in the frontcourt more. But as time progressed, I also recognized the potential genius in pairing him with Luka in that if one is hurt, the other could take his place. Or if they're both healthy, as luckily they are now, then you know, Kyrie may be cold, or Luka may be cold, but they're not going to be cold at the same time. That's nearly impossible, given their talent.
And speaking of Luka's talent, imo he's the best scorer in the NBA. So it doesn't look like this dude Jaden McDaniels is going to cut it trying to defend him. And that's a big problem, because I'm presuming he's the go-to perimeter defender for the Wolves.
But it's not like I'm writing them off. During Game 1, there was this announcer who said something like 'Anthony Edwards needs to be more aggressive on offense'. That's actually something I was thinking since they almost blew Round 2 to Denver.
Edwards has the Jordan potential, but he doesn't have the Mamba Mentality. MJ was drafted onto a team which, after a couple of seasons, gave him the keys to car. He wasn't playing alongside any other discernible stars, unless you consider Orlando Woolridge to be one.
Meanwhile Kobe, during his first few years, even if you surrounded him with two or three all-stars, he was still going to chuck regardless. Neither is the case with Anthony Edwards. He plays with a couple of perennial all-star level players, one of whom has been loyal to the Timberwolves for his entire career. Also, Anthony does not appear to be consumed by a desire to obliterate the enemy. Sometimes, it looks like he may even have health issues which start to nag somewhere around the late-third quarter.
But the Timberwolves need him to take it up a notch, like mentally. Even if he's not injured, this isn't likely to happen anytime soon because again, there's no clear leader of this team.
KAT is the past, Edwards is the future, but both of them are the present. So it's like Minnesota needs to have that LBJ + Wade + Bosh moment where dudes are like 'okay Anthony, you're the alpha', because the double-alpha thing may not work, and KAT already had enough leadership opportunities in the past.
And speaking of KAT, I'll admit that a few years back, when he decided he'd rather play on the perimeter than the post, I was very, very, very much against that decision, as well as Minnesota allowing him to do so. But now, they have Gobert to cover the middle, and KAT may well be the best three-point shooting bigman in the NBA. And in Game 1, at least the Mavs weren't able to put on an alleyoop exhibition like they did in the first two rounds.
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