Basketball Daily Dose: Dose: Welcome to the Playoffs
Welcome to the 2016 NBA Playoffs, everybody.
Stephen Curry’s ankle is again a topic of discussion, “Playoff Paul” George is back in the postseason picture, Avery Bradley’s hamstring injury could be a crippling blow to Boston’s chances vs. Atlanta and the Thunder appear ready to make it rain all over the Mavericks.
Indiana @ Toronto: Pacers 100, Raptors 90
Studs: Paul George; Cory Joseph
Duds: Ian Mahinmi, George Hill; Kyle Lowry, DeMar DeRozan, Norman Powell, DeMarre Carroll
Injuries: None.
Toronto has built their successful season on the shoulders of Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan, but both All-Star guards struggled mightily in Game 1, combining for just 25 points on a putrid 8-of-32 shooting (25%). Lowry was especially bad, dishing out seven assists compared to a whopping six turnovers, and both guys are going to have to play a lot better if the Raptors want to avoid another disappointing playoff exit. Jonas Valanciunas enjoyed a big first quarter en route to an inefficient double-double with 12 points and 19 boards, but he struggled with foul trouble and was limited to just 21.5 minutes. Patrick Patterson (nine points, six boards, one block) and Bismack Biyombo (six points, eight rebounds, two blocks) saw solid run off the bench, but Cory Joseph was the story with a team-high 18 points to go along with three dimes, three rebounds, a steal and a triple on 5-of-6 shooting in just 24 minutes. Joseph is someone to think about as a sneaky DFS play since Dwane Casey shows no hesitation in pairing him alongside Lowry, and the Pacers found success playing small-ball in this one. Norman Powell started ahead of DeMarre Carroll—who is still on a minutes limit—but DC finished with more time on the court (19 minutes) than the rookie (17), a trend that is likely to continue as Carroll’s health improves.
After a so-so first half performance, Paul George was spectacular in the final two quarters, carrying his team to an impressive Game 1 road victory. Finishing with 33 points, four rebounds, six assists, four steals, two blocks and four triples on 12-of-22 from the field, PG-13’s R-rated game was too much to handle despite no other Pacer surpassing the 15 points scored by Monta Ellis, who added five dimes, three steals and three treys. Ian Mahinmi struggled with foul trouble, limiting his role and paving the way for Myles Turner to chip in 10 points, five boards and five big blocks in his 26 minutes on the bench. Although George Hill didn’t do much offensively, his defense on Lowry was a big reason why Indiana came away with the surprising win.
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Houston @ Golden State: Warriors 104, Rockets 78
Studs: Draymond Green, Stephen Curry
Duds: Harrison Barnes; James Harden, Patrick Beverley, Michael Beasley
Injuries: Stephen Curry (right ankle)
In a contest that was a blowout before the halftime horn sounded, the biggest storyline to watch heading into Game 2 is undoubtedly Stephen Curry’s right ankle. After leaving the first half early in order to get re-taped and treated, Curry only made it through three minutes of the third quarter before departing for the day, finishing with an impressive 24 points, seven rebounds, five triples and three steals in his 20 minutes. It is worth noting that Curry’s ankle is the one he had surgically repaired, and the Warriors will not jeopardize his availability in any way by having him play through the pain in a series they could easily win without him. For now, Curry is being listed as questionable for Monday’s Game 2. Draymond Green’s stat-stuffing double-double (12 points, 10 boards, four assists, two steals, four blocks) was the only other fantasy-friendly line on Golden State’s side of the box score with both Harrison Barnes (seven points, 3-of-12 FG) and Andre Iguodala (two points, seven assists, 1-of-6 FG) underwhelming, while Klay Thompson did a little bit of everything (16 points, five rebounds, four assists, two 3-pointers, 4-of-14 FG) on a poor shooting night. If Curry is forced to miss any time, Thompson, Green and Shaun Livingston (nine points, three boards, three assists, one steal, one block) will all have to step up in a big way.
Houston’s summary is simple: The Rockets won’t have a chance to snatch a single game in this series if James Harden and Dwight Howard play like they did in Saturday’s defeat. Failing to attempt a single free throw, Harden had more shot attempts (19) than points scored (17) with six turnovers, and D12’s cheap double-double (14 points, 11 rebounds) was further devalued by his five giveaways and a 4-of-11 performance from the charity stripe. Patrick Beverley and Corey Brewer—who drew the start at small forward—scored five points on a combined 2-of-15 from the floor, and although Trevor Ariza struggled shooting the ball, he salvaged his night with nine points, eight rebounds, two triples and four steals. Given Houston’s big men off the bench (Donatas Motiejunas, Josh Smith, Michael Beasley and Clint Capela) don’t look like they’ll provide the Rockets anything they can count on in this series, expect Ariza to play big minutes for as long as his team can survive.
