Analysis of Wizards @ Celtics and Jazz @ Warriors games

Wizards @ Celtics 

Game 2:

One of the most exciting, passionate and crazy games in the 2017 playoffs happened yesterday, with the Boston Celtics defeating for the second straight time the Washington Wizards in a late thriller, overtime basketball game at the TD Garden. John Wall and Isaiah Thomas were going at it, scoring bucket after bucket, assisting their teammates, and showing the true passion and characteristics of a leader. The final score (119-129) does not sum up the game, as, throughout the 4th quarters, both teams were fighting, and competing, even though the Wizards had taken a small early lead on the Celtics, throughout the game. On the 4th quarter, Mr 4th quarter himself showed up scoring 28 points in the 4th and overtime and leading his team to a second straight victory against a very tough opponent. 

Game 2 

The playoff intensity, the unstoppable offensive 'weapons' both teams had throughout the curse of the season, showed up last night in an unreal fashion, with Isaiah Thomas scoring 53 points (!!!), on the day his sister would have turned 23 years old, and leading his team, on the comeback, making sure they got a 2-0 lead against the Wizards. On the other hand, John Wall was also incredible last night, making plays for his teammates, himself, knocking down some threes, some open mid-range shots, and also taking it inside the paint, where he is the absolute best in his position. He finished with 40 points and 13 assists, but it wasn't enough, as the Celtics rallied back again, and in overtime finished the game strong, winning by 10 points. This game, had it all, unbelievable player performances from superstar players, high intensities, emotions, passion, and leadership from both leaders. As we've been saying before the series even begun, this could be the best second round series of the 2017 playoffs, and it will be, as it will go to six or seven games. The Wizards are a great team, with two unstoppable offensive players, they are going back to Washington hoping they can win both games in the capital of the country, and then everything will be open for games five to seven. 

Credit: NBA Facebook

Moreover, John Wall to get the two wins the Wizards need in the Verizon Center, must get more help from his team. Bradley Beal has to be able to knock down not only the open jumpers but some difficult, guarded shots as well. Last night he was only 4/15 from the field, shooting just over 26% for the game. A game the Wizards could have won, if the shots taken by Wall and Beal fall in the last seconds of regulation. Another important point for the Wizards to take into consideration for games three and four is their great start. In the two games played, the Wizards have taken a big lead, and yet they cannot find a way to keep this lead throughout the game. The Celtics on the other hand, have to find a way to stop John Wall from driving inside the paint, but also the thing we have been saying all along, rebound the basketball, especially in the first quarter of the game, where in the two games played the Wizards have come out on top with an early lead. 

Finally, yesterday's game was a gift from the two teams to watch, and all of us NBA fans are looking forward to the next games in these series, with a lot of emotion, intensity and passion from both teams going head to head. 

**Despite losing both games in the TD Garden, I'm sticking with my prediction and the Washington Wizards to advance to the Conference Finals.

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Jazz @ Warriors 

Game 1:

Another type of game occurred in the Bay area and the Oracle Arena, with the number one seeded Warriors taking on the number five seeded Utah Jazz. The Warriors despite having some trouble and problems with their coach in Steve Kerr and his back pain, were coached again by Mike Brown. Despite his latest injury, Kevin Durant played in yesterday's game, scoring 17 points and helping the Warriors beat the Jazz by a final of 12 points. Throughout the game, the Warriors had a steady lead which kept the Jazz back from challenging the game, and at some point, the Warriors led by 17 points. The final score shows an easy night for the Warriors, a game where they did not score 120-130 points, but 106 points, showing that the Jazz defensively can do a lot of work, while struggling offensively, against a very good defensive team in the Warriors. 

Game 1

Credit: NBA Facebook

Yesterday's game showed that even though the Warriors cannot put up 120 points a night against the Jazz, they can still control their own destiny of the next games on the defensive side of the floor against a mediocre offensive team in the Jazz. The Jazz, on the other hand, have to find ways of attacking the Warriors and play a game that fits their own style of play, old school basketball, a slow tempo with not having to worry about fast break opportunities and points. If the Warriors run throughout this series and get many open threes on fast break opportunities, it could result in a gentleman's 'sweep', but if the Jazz actually want to compete and want to challenge the Warriors, they have to slow the game down for the whole 48 minutes of the game. In my eyes, however, this series reminds me of the Raptors - Cleveland series, because, the Jazz, do not really believe they can challenge an unstoppable team in the Golden State Warriors. For game 2 coming up on Thursday, the Jazz have to watch some tape, watch their mistakes on the screen, and continue to challenge the splash brothers on three-pointers, as they did in game 1. One step is to challenge them from the three-point line, the other step is from the mid-range standpoint, and the other inside the paint where they have a shot blocker and one of the league's best defender in Rudy Gobert. If they can put it all together and try challenging open shots, not letting them get inside the paint, and slowing the game down in the tempo they like to play, then they can actually challenge the Warriors in winning a couple of game. 

However, to sum up, the Warriors on any given night can get you 120 points. If you are the Jazz you have to disallow it as you did yesterday, but you have to worry about the offensive side of the court as well, scoring more points. The second game is on Thursday and I believe it will be harder than game 1 for the Utah Jazz to pull the upset and beat the Warriors in Game 2. Finally, my prediction is the Warriors in five games. 

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