NBA playoffs on Apr. 21: Celtics sweep Pacers, OKC in serious danger
Li Xiang
["china"]
The Boston Celtics became the first team to make the NBA conference semifinals after they defeated the Indiana Pacers 110-106 at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Golden State Warriors, Toronto Raptors and Portland Trail Blazers all claimed victories over the Los Angeles Clippers (113-105), Orlando Magic (107-85) and Oklahoma City Thunder (111-98) respectively and are one win away from advancing.

Celtics vs Pacers: Gordon Hayward is the hero

Gordon Hayward of the Boston Celtics drives forward in the game against the Indiana Pacers at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse, April 21, 2019. /VCG Photo

Gordon Hayward of the Boston Celtics drives forward in the game against the Indiana Pacers at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse, April 21, 2019. /VCG Photo

For the fourth time in the series, the Pacers worked hard, played smart and managed to lead in the first half or into the third quarter until they fell into a scoring drought for lack of good talent. Then one of the All-Star-level players of the Celtics – Irving Kyrie or Jayson Tatum – would stand out to win the game with a remarkable performance.
This time Boston should thank Gordon Hayward who made seven of nine shots, including three three-pointers among his 20 points, for leading them to victory. Considering that they will probably meet the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern semifinals, having Hayward gradually find his best in offense back is definitely good news.
Bojan Bogdanovic #44 of the Pacers shoots in the game against the Celtics, April 21, 2019. /VCG Photo

Bojan Bogdanovic #44 of the Pacers shoots in the game against the Celtics, April 21, 2019. /VCG Photo

As for Indiana, this could be the last game for some of the team's players, or more specifically, seven players who will become free agents after this season. The seven are Darren Collison, Wesley Matthews, Bojan Bogdanovic, Thaddeus Young, Cory Joseph, Evans and Kyle O'Quinn. Actually, O'Quinn aside, four of them are starting members and the other two are key players on the bench. If the management does want Indiana's franchise to fall apart, there will be a lot of negotiating this summer.

Warriors vs. Clippers, defending champion aims for Rockets

Kevin Durant #35 and Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors high-five during their game against the Los Angeles Clippers at the Staples Center, April 21, 2019. /VCG Photo

Kevin Durant #35 and Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors high-five during their game against the Los Angeles Clippers at the Staples Center, April 21, 2019. /VCG Photo

Though they were still playing away at the Staples Center, Golden State seemed to be tired of slap fighting the Clippers and wanted to end this series as soon as possible. That should explain why Klay Thompson was on full power from the beginning to sink 12 of his 20 shots, including six for nine from the 3-pt line to get 32 points for GSW.
Kevin Durant was the other major contributor to the Warriors' victory. He shot down a match-high 33 points and made a three-pointer that extended their lead again to double digits (111-100) with less than two minutes to go in the game.
Stephen Curry of the Warriors sits on the ground in the game against the Clippers, April 21, 2019. /VCG Photo

Stephen Curry of the Warriors sits on the ground in the game against the Clippers, April 21, 2019. /VCG Photo

The only unpleasant news for Golden State was that their MVP Stephen Curry struggled with his shooting, again because of foul trouble. Curry was called two fouls in the first quarter and the third one when there were still four minutes in the second quarter. As a result, his time on the court was very incoherent while his retheme of the game was interrupted. Since the team's opponents in the Western semi-finals will likely be the Houston Rockets, how to protect Curry from the assault of Chris Paul and James Harden will be a real test for GSW.

Raptors vs. Magic: Toronto want to end series at home

Kawhi Leonard #2, Kyle Lowry #7 and Pascal Siakam #43 of the Toronto Raptors in the game against the Orlando Magic at the Amway Center, April 21, 2019. /VCG Photo

Kawhi Leonard #2, Kyle Lowry #7 and Pascal Siakam #43 of the Toronto Raptors in the game against the Orlando Magic at the Amway Center, April 21, 2019. /VCG Photo

When Kawhi Leonard plays like himself, Orlando can barely stop Toronto from winning, just like what happened in Game 4 at the Amway Center. Having made 12 of 20 shots, Leonard put down 34 points, six rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks in the game, almost taking down the Magic by himself.
As an outstanding isolation player who tries a lot of perimeter shots, Leonard's contribution in offense will decide how far the Raptors will go in the playoffs this season. The Raptors are known neither for rich offensive tactics nor the best spacing on the court. Therefore, they need someone who can produce points regardless of the opponent's defense as their solution when the game is on the line. Leonard is their best and only choice.
Aaron Gordon #00 of the Magic dunks in the game against the Raptors, April 21, 2019. /VCG Photo

Aaron Gordon #00 of the Magic dunks in the game against the Raptors, April 21, 2019. /VCG Photo

Though there's at least one game for the Magic to resist, this series is basically over for them. Having made the playoffs after seven years, the team have some work to do in a franchise upgrade if they want to go further next season. Orlando selected several good finishers including Aaron Gordon and Mohamed Bamba in the past drafts but they need a qualified, real orchestrator.

Trail Blazers vs Thunder: OKC one step from elimination

Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder talks to his teammates in the game they lose to the Portland Trail Blazers 111-98 at the Chesapeake Energy Arena, April 21, 2019. /VCG Photo

Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder talks to his teammates in the game they lose to the Portland Trail Blazers 111-98 at the Chesapeake Energy Arena, April 21, 2019. /VCG Photo

One of the reasons Oklahoma City defeated Portland at home last time was that they sent Paul George to defend Damian Lillard in the fourth quarter. As a result, Lillard only got four points in Q4 after claiming 25 in Q3. Therefore, coach Terry Stotts responded by giving Al-Farouq Aminu more usage of the ball, not just rights to shoot, but also rights to handle the ball and launch attacks.
This move worked as Aminu dropped 19 points and nine rebounds and buried four three-pointers. His strong body offered extra assault towards OKC's rim for Rip City when both sides were in desperate need for contributions from non-star players.
Damian Lillard #0 and C.J. McCollum #3 of the Trail Blazers confer in the game against the Thunder, April 21, 2019. /VCG Photo

Damian Lillard #0 and C.J. McCollum #3 of the Trail Blazers confer in the game against the Thunder, April 21, 2019. /VCG Photo

Of course, that's not everything behind Portland's win in G4. The team did what they had to do, including the five for nine 3-pts of C.J. McCollum, the 15 points by Lillard in Q3 alone and the team's lead in rebounds (49-44), blocks (8-4) and fast break points (20-17).
The Thunder contributed the rest. Though they made the same 15 three-pointers as the Trail Blazers did, OKC's field goal rate was only 37.5 percent overall. Westbrook was 5 for 21 in FGs, even worse than Game 2. The truth is, after he got 13 points in the first half, Westbrook only scored one point via free throws in the last two minutes of the game.
Paul George of the Thunder, wearing protection devices on his shoulders, in action against the Trail Blazers, April 21, 2019. /VCG Photo

Paul George of the Thunder, wearing protection devices on his shoulders, in action against the Trail Blazers, April 21, 2019. /VCG Photo

Then should Westbrook be blamed for shooting too much? The answer is "no." While George was suffering from shoulder injuries, Westbrook had to take those shots, even though he was as tired as his teammates. The Thunder's signature defense of double-teaming the ball hander in screen ball and their fast pace are extremely exhausting. 
It's quite clear that George is not that MVP candidate in the regular season after what happened to his shoulders. It's not the first time that Westbrook hasn't shot well either. Good news for Oklahoma City is that both of them will stay for a long time, meaning that the team will only need mending rather than rebuilding.