NBA
FULL NBA Review From April 9, 2021
See the full NBA Game Reviews from Friday, April 9, 2021 with entertaining highlights, interesting facts, valuable takeaways, and more!
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In Friday night’s nine matchups across the NBA, four ended in one possession games or went to overtime. The OT matchups included a 53-point career high from Jayson Tatum in a win over Minnesota, and a New York comeback to defeat Memphis at home. The one possession victories came from Washington, where Bradley Beal converted an and-one three-pointer to take the lead with six seconds left, and ultimately defeat Golden State.
Denver also grinded out a close one with San Antonio as Nikola Jokic led the way with another triple-double. Indiana built a 13-point halftime lead over Orlando, and rode it out to the end. Zach LaVine had his first career 50-point game, but it wasn’t enough for Chicago to hold off Atlanta and Trae Young’s 42 as the Hawks claimed the comeback victory.
Young star Zion Williamson was too much to handle for Philadelphia, as New Orleans went on to win by seven. Milwaukee played without all five of their normal starters, and it hurt them because they lost at home to Charlotte despite a strong fourth quarter. The Clips won their fourth in a row thanks to a 41-10 second quarter domination against Houston.
Here are the best NBA highlights, facts, performers, and takeaways from April 9th, 2021:
Washington Wizards (110) [GW-4PT] vs. Golden State Warriors (107)
[Highlights] WIZARDS (+171) d. @WARRIORS (-196) 110-107 (GW-4PT) [WAS +5 | u240]
[Highlights] @KNICKS (+101) d. GRIZZLIES (-119) 133-129 (OT) [NYK +1.5 | o216.5]
[Highlights] @CELTICS (-400) d. TIMBERWOLVES (+320) 145-136 (OT) [BOS -8.5 | o227.5]
[Highlights] @NUGGETS (-373) d. SPURS (+307) 121-119 [SAS +8.5 | o220.5]
[Highlights] PACERS (-248) d. @MAGIC (+211) 111-106 [ORL +6.5 | u224]
[Highlights] @PELICANS (+186) d. 76ERS (-220) 101-94 [NOP +5.5 | u229]
[Highlights] HORNETS (-130) d. @BUCKS (+110) 127-119 [CHA -2 | o218.5]
[Highlights] @HAWKS (-140) d. BULLS (+120) 120-108 [ATL -2.5 | o225]
[Highlights] @CLIPPERS (-675) d. ROCKETS (+505) 126-109 [LAC -11 | o220]
Jayson Tatum facts:
Zion Williamson facts:
Zach LaVine facts:
Beal's clutch 4-point play gave the Wizards the lead in crunch time 😤 pic.twitter.com/Wc3BZiTa9c
— ESPN (@espn) April 10, 2021
JA SAID NO ❌ pic.twitter.com/4pUpRly0d1
— NBA TV (@NBATV) April 10, 2021
TERRENCE ROSS TOOK FLIGHT ✈️ pic.twitter.com/FMYZRxMawT
— NBA TV (@NBATV) April 10, 2021
Josh Okogie throwin' it DOWN 💥 pic.twitter.com/V2ITBXb6Kw
— NBA TV (@NBATV) April 10, 2021
JALEN MCDANIELS. THROW IT DOWN. (via @hornets) pic.twitter.com/j6vTaidh4w
— SLAM (@SLAMonline) April 10, 2021
RJ BARRETT. CLUTCH. 🥶
— NBA TV (@NBATV) April 10, 2021
We've got OT in New York! pic.twitter.com/tVGYjbmI6X
Tough finish by D-Rose 🌹 pic.twitter.com/7bozfnBd7B
— NBA TV (@NBATV) April 10, 2021
Obi Toppin gettin' up for the putback 😤 pic.twitter.com/HnLZ1JFBQV
— NBA TV (@NBATV) April 10, 2021
Steph lobbed to Wiggins for this WILD bucket 😳 pic.twitter.com/Id0dS1RAv2
— NBA TV (@NBATV) April 10, 2021
[Highlights] F Jayson Tatum, BOS (W v.MIN): 53 PTS (16-25 FG | 6-10 3PT), 4 AST, 10 REB, 1 BLK, 0 STL, 5 TO
[Highlights] G/F Zach LaVine, CHI (L @ATL): 50 PTS (18-31 FG | 7-12 3PT), 5 AST, 8 REB, 0 BLK, 0 STL, 3 TO
[Highlights] PG Trae Young, ATL (W v.CHI): 42 PTS (15-25 FG | 1-6 3PT), 9 AST, 8 REB, 0 BLK, 0 STL, 4 TO
[Highlights] PF Zion Williamson, NO (W v.PHI): 37 PTS (15-28 FG | 0-1 3PT), 8 AST, 15 REB, 0 BLK, 0 STL, 2 TO
[Highlights] C Nikola Jokic, DEN (W v.SA): 26 PTS (9-17 FG | 2-2 3PT), 14 AST, 13 REB, 0 BLK, 1 STL, 6 TO
JAYSON TATUM IS ON HIS WAY TO BECOMING THE BEST CELTIC SINCE LARRY BIRD
Jayson Tatum was the third overall draft pick for the Boston Celtics in 2017 and has since blossomed into one of the top players of the league, receiving two All-Star nods during his first four seasons. Tatum has improved his scoring with each season, and collected a new career-high in points on Friday night, dropping 53 during an overtime win over Minnesota. He continues to validate the front office’s belief in him as their franchise player that rewarded him with a total 6y/$173M deal.
At only 23 years of age and with the promise Tatum has shown, he has the potential to be the best player to ever wear a Celtics jersey since Larry Bird himself. He has the promise to become a bigger name in Boston than players like Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and Rajon Rondo. With already two All-Star seasons at such a young age, and now racking up 25.1 PPG in just his fourth NBA season, it’s difficult to doubt what Tatum can obtain as part of one of the most storied franchises in sports.
In order to be considered on the same pedestal, or even possibly a higher one, Tatum will have to win titles for a town that expects titles, or MVP awards to validate himself amongst his peers. If Tatum ends his career missing titles and personal awards, the people of Boston and critics will look at his time in the league as one that was underwhelming. He certainly has the talent and skillset to be the best Celtic since Larry Bird, but it will all come down to whether he can add those exclusive pieces hardware to his trophy case.
COLORS KEY | FULL CELTICS OUTLOOK
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