Saturday’s Game Summaries

Milwaukee 121 Orlando 107

Two-Point Pct: Milwaukee 64%, Orlando 42%
Three-Pointers: Milwaukee 17/37, Orlando 19/40
Free Throws: Milwaukee 12/17, Orlando 12/14
Rebounds: Milwaukee 44, Orlando 35
Turnovers: Milwaukee 18, Orlando 17
Pace: 103.2 possessions
Pointspread: Milwaukee by 12.5, total of 225

Though scoring was up from more made three-pointers, this was stylistically very similar to Milwaukee’s 15-point win back in Game Two. Pace was only three-tenths of a possession faster. In those Milwaukee victories, it won two-point shooting 56-43% and 64-42% and rebounding 57-42 and 44-35; but the Bucks were very turnover prone with 20 and 18, and didn’t get to the free throw line much with just 16 and 17 attempts. The playbook for beating Orlando is now very clear to them. They’ll need fewer giveaways and more free points to cover pointspreads in later rounds. . 

Miami 124 Indiana 115

Two-Point Pct: Indiana 57%, Miami 50%
Three-Pointers: Indiana 12/33, Miami 13/33
Free Throws: Indiana 21/28, Miami 43/52
Rebounds: Indiana 37, Miami 46
Turnovers: Indiana 14, Miami 16
Pace: 102.8
Pointspread: Miami by 4.5, total of 213.5

Refs were a bit whistle-happy. Today’s 80 combined free throw attempts was a big jump from 47 and 48 in the first two games. Some of that was caused by a late FT parade for Miami. The Heat led 114-112 with 1:39 to go, then went 10/10 from the stripe as Indiana fouled in desperation. Miami now leads the series 3-0, having won fourth quarters by a combined 83-69. Pacers have faded in crunch time (just 23 points per fourth quarter). 

Oklahoma City 119 Houston 107 (F/OT)

Regulation Score: Houston 104, OKC 104
Two-Point Pct: Houston 55%, OKC 53%
Three-Pointers: Houston 15/50, OKC 14/41
Free Throws: Houston 16/23, OKC 23/34
Rebounds: Houston 46, OKC 54
Turnovers: Houston 16, OKC 15
Pace: 103.5 possessions per 48 minutes
Pointspread: Houston by 2, total of 223

Big night for OKC’s starters, four of whom had plus/minuses of +10 or greater. Chris Paul was +15. Houston’s Eric Gordon was a stunning -29 in 41 minutes. Two other Rockets’ starters were down double digits (though James Harden was +6 in a 12-point loss). The Thunder finally forced some turnovers after overly passive defense in the first two games (takeaways 7-7-16 by game). Rebounding continued to be an OKC strength (positive board differentials of 10-7-8 by game). While Thunder fans should be happy about the win, it’s bad news for OKC that the defense HAS to force a lot of turnovers AND hope Houston hits only 30% of its treys for a game to be close in the final minutes. 

LA Lakers 116, Portland 108

Two-Point Pct: Lakers 60%, Portland 45%
Three-Pointers: Lakers 10/30, Portland 12/35
Free Throws: Lakers 28/43, Portland 18/19
Rebounds: Lakers 55, Portland 38
Turnovers: Lakers 17, Portland 11
Pace: 102.9 possessions
Pointspread: Lakers by 7.5, total of 224.5

LeBron James and Anthony Davis attacked the rim relentlessly. They combined to shoot 18 of 26 on two-point shots and 19 of 31 on free throws because they were fouled so often (most teams aren’t earning 31 FTs in postseason games). They also combined for 23 rebounds and 16 assists. That’s a superstar steamroller few opponents can stand up to. Portland did enough to threaten a cover, but not enough to scare the Lakers straight up in the second half.