about 2 months ago

Alperen Sengun Didn't Think Deandre Ayton Would Get Ejected For His Flagrant Foul

JJ defended Ayton's elbow to Sengun's face while Udoka called it "intentional". Sengun agrees with Udoka's later comments on it being "soft" by refs to eject him for it. "I don't want to like make the officials crazy but I didn't expect him to be ejected. I think it was a little bit soft. I'm glad they called it."

By Samir Mehdi

Other articles from NBA

about 2 months ago

Iman Shumpert Believes Joel Embiid's Return Stalled Philadelphia's Flow

Shumpert said Embiid was too important not to start, but felt Sixers should have reacted sooner once the offense bogged down in Game 4. He pointed to Tyrese Maxey taking only three first-half shots and said Philadelphia slipped into “pass and stand around to see what the next guy can do.” Shumpert warned they must avoid that in Game 5.

By Raahib Singh

about 2 months ago

LeBron James' Game 4 Fade Looked a Lot Like Playoff Load Management

Alan Hahn said LeBron's low-volume Game 4 “kind of shows you” this “wasn’t going to be a game where he was going to throttle down.” Hahn called it “load management in the playoffs” looks like, noting James took only nine shots after averaging 41 minutes and 19 attempts through three games. Lakers now head home for Game 5 up 3-1.

By Raahib Singh

about 2 months ago

Joe Johnson Frames James Harden's Playoff Heat Through a Lamar Jackson Lens

Johnson compared the pressure on Harden to the way Lamar gets judged every postseason. “They scrutinize James because they know the situations he’s been in,” Johnson said, adding, “it’s like when you look at Lamar Jackson and know he’s going to be great during the regular season.” The real question, he said: “can he win us some games in postseason?”

By Raahib Singh

about 2 months ago

Paul Pierce Warns Nikola Jokic Can't Escape Blame for Denver's Collapse

Pierce said Denver’s no-show will change the conversation around Jokic. “If Denver is to lose this series... something has to be said,” he warned, especially with Minnesota missing Edwards and DiVincenzo. Pierce said, “If we’re saying you’re the best player in the league,” then failing to get past a wounded Wolves team would put “a lot of this... on Joker.”

By Raahib Singh

about 2 months ago

Stephen A. Smith Sees LeBron's Game 4 as Fatigue, Not a Warning Sign

Smith called LeBron James’s rough Game 4 “a complete aberration,” blaming fatigue after three heavy-lift games at age 41. He noted James had no Luka Doncic or Austin Reaves beside him, while Houston played with desperation facing elimination. Smith expects “a level of normalcy” in Game 5, saying the extra rest should leave LeBron “much, much more ready.”

By Raahib Singh

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