Denver 135 Utah 125 F/OT
Denver gets a win and cover with a dominant overtime showing against an exhausted Utah team. The Nuggets improve to 2-0 SU & ATS against the Jazz in Orlando. Denver took a 134-132 double-overtime banger on August 8th.
Key Stats
Regulation Score: Utah 115, Denver 115
Two-Point Pct: Utah 60%, Denver 50%
Three-Pointers: Utah 16/47, Denver 22/41
Free Throws: Utah 17/23, Denver 15/18
Rebounds: Utah 52, Denver 41
Turnovers: Utah 15, Denver 11
Pace: 94.9 possessions per 48 minutes
Spread Result: Denver (-4.5, Over)
Utah was fantastic inside the arc, shooting an efficient 60.0% on all mid-range attempts despite taking just 25 percent of their attempts from there, according to the Cleaning The Glass boxscore. Utah made two more free throws (17-15) and dominated the boards (52-41). The Jazz totaled 16 offensive rebounds, posted a 35.2 offensive rebounding rate.
Denver had a surprising shooting night, making six extra made treys on six fewer attempts than Utah (DEN: 53.7% | UTA: 34.0%). The Nuggets shot 35.9 percent on 30.6 3PA per game during the regular season. This is shooting performance is a pretty big outlier for Denver.
Very slow pace, which was hidden by all the made treys and extra time. Utah only scored three fast break points all day (Denver 14).
Donovan Mitchell led Utah with 57 points. He was 13 of 18 on two-point attempts, 6 of 15 on treys, and a perfect 13 of 13 from the foul line. Three other Jazz players scored in double figures (Ingles, Clarkson, Gobert), but four others who logged minutes scored three or fewer points. Denver’s attack was much more balanced, with six players scoring in double digits (All of whom made at least two treys).
Toronto 134 Brooklyn 110
Two-Point Pct: Brooklyn 60%, Toronto 44%
Three-Pointers: Brooklyn 13/42, Toronto 22/44
Free Throws: Brooklyn 11/16, Toronto 32/33
Rebounds: Brooklyn 45, Toronto 47
Turnovers: Brooklyn 14, Toronto 11
Pace: 101.5
Pointspread: Toronto (-9.5, Over)
Toronto’s aggressive offense managed to finally find its flow after finishing 18th in the seeding games in offensive efficiency (106.9). The Raptors posted a 134.0 offensive rating against the Nets! Toronto worked to earn 17 more free throw attempts (+21 points) than Brooklyn. While they were not effective finishing at the rim (46.2%) they still drew five shooting fouls on 26 attempts within four feet.
The Raptors’ hot shooting continued against the Nets as well. They nailed 50.0% of their 44 bombs. Toronto shot 39.1% from deep in the seeding games, and is a 37.4% three-point shooting team on the season. This is something that is not out of character, unlike Denver. Brooklyn hit just 31.7% of its heaves. Toronto won scoring on treys and free throws by a whopping 98-50. No way Brooklyn could stay close even while shooting 70.8% at the rim (17/24) and 50.0% from mid-range (12/24).
Boston 109 Philadelphia 101
Two-Point Pct: Philadelphia 53%, Boston 48%
Three-Pointers: Philadelphia 9/27, Boston 10/31
Free Throws: Philadelphia 18/23, Boston 23/26
Rebounds: Philadelphia 50, Boston 43
Turnovers: Philadelphia 18, Boston 7
Pace: 90.4
Pointspread: Boston (-5.5, Under)
Boston trailed by four entering the fourth quarter due to a 13-0 run for Philadelphia over the final four minutes of the third quarter. The Celtics went on to dominate the final quarter, outscoring the 76ers 34-22 on the way to a cover.
Sixers shot more accurately inside the arc, most of that success coming at the rim where they shot 65.4% (17/26). Philadelphia won the rebounding battle (50-43) but really killed Boston on the offensive glass (37.8 OREB%). The 76ers were foiled by the 11 extra turnovers committed (18-7).
Insanely slow game, almost like a college game with the pace. The Celtics didn’t make a field goal in the final three minutes, but iced the win with 8/8 from the free throw line. Boston’s fundamentals are often a late-game kicker when pointspread winners are determined.
Los Angeles 118 Dallas 110
Two-Point Pct: Dallas 58%, Clippers 56%
Three-Pointers: Dallas 15/43, Clippers 13/38
Free Throws: Dallas 21/24, Clippers 15/20
Rebounds: Dallas 41, Clippers 45
Turnovers: Dallas 21, Clippers 11
Pace: 103.5
Spread Result: LA Clippers (-6, Under)
Big story tomorrow is going to be Kristaps Porzingis getting ejected after just 20 minutes of playing time (14 points, 6 rebounds). It was pretty soft…
The Mavericks stayed competitive the whole night anyway, enjoying “pointspread riding time” for all but a few minutes. Bettors have to feel salty about that non-cover by Dallas. Los Angeles’ cover in the nightcap gave favorites a perfect 4-0 ATS start to the postseason.
Statistically, the game got away from Dallas in the turnover category. The Mavericks had a seemingly great scoring evening, but posted a 104.8 offensive rating. It’s a trend that has plagued Dallas against Los Angeles this season, as they posted a 106.0 offensive rating in three meetings.
Los Angeles took care of the ball, committing just 12 turnovers too 21 for Dallas. Luka Doncic of the Mavs scored 42 points with 9 assists, but was also charged with 11 turnovers all by himself.
Extra Notes
- For the day, favorites were +28 in turnover differential.
- Totals split the day at 2-2
Hardwood Handicappers 