NBA playoffs on Apr. 15: 76ers take vengeance, GSW lose after big lead

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Round one of the NBA Playoffs continued with two games on Monday. In the Eastern Conference, the Philadelphia 76ers took vengeance on the Brooklyn Nets, 145-123, at the Wells Fargo Center, tying the series 1-1. Across the country, the Golden State Warriors suffered a humiliating loss to the Los Angeles Clippers 135-131 at Oracle Arena, after leading by 31 points at one point.

76ers vs. Nets: it's all about 3-pointers

D'Angelo Russell #1 of the Brooklyn Nets shoots in the game they lose to the Philadelphia 76ers 145-123 at the Wells Fargo Center, April 15, 2019. /VCG Photo

Philadelphia had six players score double-digit points. Joel Embiid had the most, with 23 points plus 10 rebounds while Ben Simmons dropped a triple-double with 18 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists. Tobias Harris and J.J. Reddick each scored 19 and 17 points. And Boban Marjanovic and Mike Scott contributed respectively 16 and 15 points from the bench.

Only one of Brooklyn's starting lineup put down over 10 points: D'Angelo Russell who had 16. The team's bench players played quite well – partly because the fourth quarter became garbage time. Spencer Dinwiddie and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson claimed respectively 19 and 15 points. Caris LeVeet and Shabazz Napier both contributed 13 points.

Joel Embiid #21 of the 76ers and Jarrett Allen #31 of the Nets compete for jump ball in the game, April 15, 2019. /VCG Photo

Though the game ended with a point difference of 22 points, it was actually a close game in the first half. The Nets continued their winning style from Game 1, seeking 3-pointers after a screen, and it worked as the team buried in total of 10 shots from the 3-pt line in the first half.

On the other side of the court, the 76ers learned a lesson from their loss two days ago. Instead of betting on their unstable 3-pointers, Philadelphia kept assaulting Brooklyn's paint and used the big size of Embiid and Marjanovic to create open perimeter shots for teammates.

Both sides did what they were good at and the first half ended with the 76ers leading by one point (65-64).

Ben Simmons #25 of the 76ers drives toward the rim in fast break in the game against the Nets, April 15, 2019. /VCG Photo

The game took a miserable turn for Brooklyn in the third quarter. The Nets kept missing 3-pointers, giving Simmons opportunities to lead fast breaks. In four minutes, Philadelphia launched a 20-2 run to extend their lead beyond 20 points. Though Brooklyn tried to resist, somehow they just could not put the ball into the basket from the 3-point line. In the end, the 76ers claimed 51 points in the third quarter, tying the NBA playoff record for the most points scored in a quarter since the Los Angeles Lakers did it in 1962.

The game thus became a foregone conclusion before Philadelphia took the win at home.

Before going back to the Barclays Center, Brooklyn should learn something from this loss. Three-pointers are their lifeline and they have to make as many as possible. Unlike their opponent, the Nets only have one weapon and this is it. At least in this series, the team's fate is tied up with their ability to make three-balls.

Warriors vs. Clippers: a typical 'GSW-style' loss

Patrick Beverley #2 of the Los Angeles Clippers steals the ball from Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors in the game at the Oracle Arena, April 15, 2019. /VCG Photo

Lou Williams again dominated the game by scoring a game-high 36 points and 11 assists. His scoring partner on the bench, Montrezl Harrell got a double-double with 25 points and 10 rebounds. Danilo Gallinari scored 24 points while Landry Shamet, Patrick Beverley and JaMychal Green contributed 12, 10 and 13 points respectively.

Four of Golden State's starting five claimed in the double digits: Stephen Curry (29), Kevin Durant (21), Klay Thompson (17) and Draymond Green (14). Kevon Looney and Quinn Cook each contributed 19 and 11 points off the bench.

Lou Williams #23 of the Clippers shoots in the game against the Warriors, April 15, 2019. /VCG Photo

When Durant made his 3-point play at the 7:31 mark in the third quarter, the Warriors were leading by 31 points (94-63). Usually that would be the beginning of garbage time, because barely nobody would expect the trailing side to come back. Well, the Clippers were the exception and they did it.

In the following quarter, Williams scored 26 points, including five in the last two minutes. He was joined by Gallinari who got 10 and Harrell who had 17.

Kevin Durant of the Warriors in the game against the Clippers, April 15, 2019. /VCG Photo

By contrast, GSW committed four turnovers, including two offensive fouls by Durant in the last four minutes of the game. Durant had in total of nine turnovers in the game, while playing against Beverley, who is 26 centimeters shorter.

As shocking as the loss is, Warriors fans should not be surprised at it because this has been how the defending champions lost in the past two seasons. When they stay focused, Golden State could destroy any opponent. However, with a double-digit lead, they usually end up getting careless on the court with casual passing and upsetting shooting choices. When they realize they are trailing in the last minutes of the game and try to take charge again, it's already too late.

DeMarcus Cousins #0 of the Warriors lies on the ground in the game against the Clippers, April 15, 2019. /VCG Photo

Another piece of bad news for GSW was that DeMarcus Cousins, was knocked out of Game 2 after falling on the ground. According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Warriors was significantly concerned that Boogie suffered a torn left quad. Nothing will be confirmed until an MRI on Tuesday, while the team hopes it's just a strain.