FULL NBA Review From April 22, 2021

In the six games across the league, there were three matchups between two playoff teams. Milwaukee outdueled Philadelphia behind a strong first quarter, closing the gap between them to only 2.5 games for the No.1 seed in the East. Anthony Davis made his return for the Lake show with restricted minutes, but it wasn’t enough to lift them over Dallas. The Mavs are now 2.5 games behind LAL, who are in fifth. Boston proved they are to be taken seriously, defeating Phoenix with 32 points from Kemba Walker.

The non-playoff matchups all ended in dominant victories. San Antonio snapped their five-game win streak with their wire-to-wire dub over Detroit. Chicago crushed Charlotte behind a double-double from Nikola Vucevic who had a season-high 16 boards. The most lopsided game of the night was in Orlando, where New Orleans came into town and left with a 35-point thrashing.

Here are the best NBA highlights, facts, performers, and takeaways from April 22th, 2021:

FINAL RESULTS

GAME OF THE DAY

Dallas Mavericks (115) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (110)

[Highlights] @MAVERICKS (-152) d. LAKERS (+134) 115-110 [DAL -3 | o216]

[Highlights] @BUCKS (-264) d. 76ERS (+226) 124-117 [MIL -6.5 | o225.5]

[Highlights] @CELTICS (+104) d. SUNS (-120) 99-86 [BOS +1.5 | u220.5]

[Highlights] @SPURS (-544) d. PISTONS (+427) 106-91 [SAS -10.5 | u216.5]

[Highlights] @BULLS (-115) d. HORNETS (-105) 108-91 [CHI -1 | u210]

[Highlights] PELICANS (-449) d. @MAGIC (+362) 135-100 [NOP -9.5 | o219.5]

NBA Game Odds via Vigit App

INTERESTING FACTS

Giannis’ versatile production is so consistent, no other Bucks player can keep up

37 more GP (41) with 25+ PTS/15+ REB/5+ AST than any other Bucks player since 1980

BEST HIGHLIGHTS

Another banger by Bridges

MILES BRIDGES, MY GOODNESS 😳 pic.twitter.com/5CfFmHkXEN
— NBA TV (@NBATV) April 23, 2021

Smart showing off his swift moves

Marcus Smart getting fancy with it 👀 pic.twitter.com/ASYXxUlgyB
— NBA TV (@NBATV) April 22, 2021

Keldon held nothing back

KELDON JOHNSON POSTER pic.twitter.com/Oz1etG9lEZ
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) April 23, 2021

CP3 looking like Kyler with the TD

CP3 dropping a full-court DIME 😯 pic.twitter.com/v88WDe8QHb
— NBA TV (@NBATV) April 23, 2021

Satoransky went right at the rim

Tomas Satoransky greets the rim. pic.twitter.com/OVbcgJImSN
— NBA (@NBA) April 23, 2021

TOP PERFORMERS

[Highlights] F Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL (W v.PHI): 27 PTS (8-15 FG | 1-2 3P), 6 AST, 16 REB, 1 BLK, 2 STL, 3 TO

[Highlights] G Derrick White, SAS (W v.DET): 26 PTS (8-17 FG | 2-8 3P), 8 AST, 7 REB, 3 BLK, 1 STL, 1 TO

[Highlights] G Luka Doncic, DAL (W v.LAL): 30 PTS (9-21 FG | 3-9 3P), 8 AST, 9 REB, 0 BLK, 3 STL, 5 TO

[Highlights] PG Kemba Walker, BOS (W v.PHX): 32 PTS (11-17 FG | 5-11 3P), 4 AST, 4 REB, 1 BLK, 0 STL, 4 TO

[Highlights] G Dennis Schroder, LAL (L @DAL): 25 PTS (9-13 FG | 2-3 3P), 13 AST, 2 REB, 0 BLK, 0 STL, 4 TO

NBA TOP PERFORMERS

MAIN TAKEAWAY

BOSTON CAN BEAT ANYBODY WHEN KEMBA WALKER PLAYS LIKE AN ALL-STAR

Boston has now won seven of their last eight games, and Kemba Walker’s recent uptick in production is a large reason why. Against a top-two team in the West on Thursday, Jayson Tatum struggled from the field (3-17 FG) but Boston was still victorious, thanks to Walker’s contributions. The month of April has been kind to the Guard, who is averaging 17.7 PPG on 46% FG during this span. Additionally, the C’s are 8-1 when he plays for them this month, with their only loss coming against the East-leading Philadelphia 76ers.

Boston and Kemba’s success this month hasn’t been due to a weak schedule. They’ve beaten premier teams like Phoenix, Denver, Golden State, Portland, New York, and the LA Lakers all within the last three weeks. An 8-2 record in their last 10 contests has pulled them to within half a game of the top four in the East, putting them close to earning home-court advantage in the first round.

With Kemba’s stellar performances recently, Boston has made it clear they aren’t afraid of anyone. They’ve beaten top teams night in and night out, and have proven they can beat anyone when they’re at their best. A Cardiac Kemba with All-Star numbers along with the promising duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown is a recipe for great success. If the 4x All-Star continues to play well, Boston will re-emerge as legitimate contenders this season, despite earlier periods of poor results this season.

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