From Kawhi Leonard's supporting cast falling short to Luka Doncic's dominance taking the spotlight, mphoad breaks down five things we learned from the opening week of the NBAPlayoffs:
In what is now the norm, Kawhi Leonard has once again taken his game to another level during the playoffs. The two-time Finals MVP is averaging 33 points, 10 rebounds and five assists through the Los Angeles Clippers’ first four games against the Dallas Mavericks. Leonard is undoubtedly living up to his reputation and the huge contract he signed last summer.Paul George was acquired in a blockbuster trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder that helped woo Leonard home to southern California.
At just 21 years old, he’s also now the youngest player to hit a game-winning playoff buzzer-beater. It’s Luka’s world and we’re just living in it. Those Nuggets may have been swept if not for Canadian Jamal Murray. The Kitchener, Ont., native was exceptional in a Game 1 overtime win, finishing with 36 points and nine assists, going to-to-toe with Mitchell down the stretch. Murray did his best to match his Jazz counterpart in Game 4, totalling 50 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists but his squad came up short.
While the first round has been a bit of a dud, the conference semifinals figure to be electric. The Raptors and Celtics will finally meet in what has felt all season like an inevitable collision course. The two teams have never squared off in the playoffs and it’s shaping up to be can’t-miss television. Boston won the season series 3-1 with two of those victories being blowouts.
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