FULL NBA Review From May 13, 2021

With only a couple games left in the regular season, 19 of the 20 postseason positions have been secured. Chicago defeated Toronto, and are still barely in the running, two games behind Washington. Sacramento lost in Memphis, eliminating the Kings for a record-tying 15th straight season. The defeat clinched a spot for San Antonio, despite their loss to New York where they blew a double-digit second-half lead. Alec Burks had a season-high 30 points for New York as they aim to host a first-round series.

The closest game of the night was in Phoenix, where Devin Booker’s two free throws with 2.4 seconds left sealed the victory over Portland despite a 41-point effort from Damian Lillard. In the highest-scoring matchup, Giannis Antetokounmpo had a 40-point double-double to help Milwaukee defeat Indiana on the road. Miami completely shut down Joel Embiid, and Bam Adebayo had a double-double in a big night on both ends to give them the victory.

Nikola Jokic had 16 of his 31 points in the first quarter as Denver went on to beat Minnesota. The LA Clippers crushed Charlotte, handing them their fourth loss in their last five games as LA gears up for a postseason with championship aspirations. Atlanta defeated Orlando easily, and are looking to host a first-round playoff series as well, thanks to Nate McMillan turning their season around.

Here are the best NBA highlights, facts, performers, and takeaways from May 13th, 2021:

FINAL RESULTS

GAME OF THE DAY

Portland Trail Blazers (117) vs. Phoenix Suns (118) [GW-FTs]

[Highlights] @SUNS (-151; $14.41) d. BLAZERS (+133; $11.18) 118-117 (GW-FTs) [POR +3 | u236]

[Highlights] @KNICKS (-201; $17.90) d. SPURS (+174; $12.21) 102-98 [SAS +5 | u216.5]

[Highlights] @GRIZZLIES (-334; $12.23) d. KINGS (+278; $11.17) 116-110 [SAC +8 | u228.5]

[Highlights] BUCKS (-468; $9.44) d. @PACERS (+375; $8.83) 142-133 [IND +9.5 | o241.5]

[Highlights] NUGGETS (-137; $10.76) d. @TIMBERWOLVES (+120; $8.45) 114-103 [DEN -2.5 | u230]

[Highlights] @HEAT (-142; $8.86) d. 76ERS (+124; $11.34) 106-94 [MIA -2.5 | u217.5]

[Highlights] @BULLS (-544; $10.29) d. RAPTORS (+425; $6.47) 114-102 [CHI -10.5 | u216.5]

[Highlights] CLIPPERS (-359; $10.73) d. @HORNETS (+296; $15.04) 113-90 [LAC -8.5 | u219.5]

[Highlights] @HAWKS (-887; $13.60) d. MAGIC (+629; $6.54) 116-93 [ATL -12.5 | u221]

NBA Game Odds via Vigit App

NBA Stock Prices via FANDEX

INTERESTING FACTS

The last time the Kings were in the postseason, LeBron had 0 Finals appearances & CP3 just won ROY

Sacramento Kings have the t-longest playoff drought (15 years) in NBA history, matching the 1977-91 Clippers

Domantas Sabonis was putting on a passing clinic in the 1st half of the Pacers game

Most AST (13) during a 1st half in Indiana Pacers franchise history

This kind of all-around production hasn’t been seen since Charles Barkley

Giannis is the 1st player with 40+ PTS/15+ REB/5+ AST/75+ FG% during 1 GP since Charles Barkley in 1988

BEST HIGHLIGHTS

Coby rising up on the Raptors

Coby White RISING UP 😳 pic.twitter.com/RNchHzRbB0
— NBA TV (@NBATV) May 14, 2021

Only Giannis can do this

GIANNIS SLAM 💥 pic.twitter.com/92VrRUJM2M
— NBA TV (@NBATV) May 14, 2021

What a pass from KAT

KAT showing off the vision 👀 pic.twitter.com/CWxNbbrBAD
— NBA TV (@NBATV) May 14, 2021

TOP PERFORMERS

[Highlights] F Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL (W @IND): 40 PTS (14-18 FG | 1-1 3P), 6 AST, 15 REB, 0 BLK, 1 STL, 1 TO

[Highlights] PG Damian Lillard, POR (L @PHX): 41 PTS (16-23 FG | 2-6 3P), 5 AST, 5 REB, 0 BLK, 1 STL, 3 TO

[Highlights] C Nikola Jokic, DEN (W @MIN): 31 PTS (14-21 FG | 0-3 3P), 4 AST, 14 REB, 1 BLK, 1 STL, 2 TO

[Highlights] F Stanley Johnson, TOR (L @CHI): 35 PTS (12-22 FG | 6-13 3P), 5 AST, 10 REB, 0 BLK, 3 STL, 0 TO

[Highlights] G Jrue Holiday, MIL (W @IND): 20 PTS (8-14 FG | 0-4 3P), 14 AST, 4 REB, 4 BLK, 0 STL, 1 TO

NBA TOP PERFORMERS

MAIN TAKEAWAY

THE MIAMI HEAT ARE BUILT TO BEAT ANY TEAM IN THE EAST

The Miami Heat are the reigning Eastern Conference champions and have shown recently that they can beat any team in the East, just like they did last year. They currently sit in fifth, half a game back from Atlanta. They are in a good position right now because they have a potential first-round matchup with either the Hawks or Knicks, who are considered to be two of the weakest teams in the entire postseason field as unproven teams located towards the top of the standings, that are poised to be upset.

When it comes to some of the top teams in the conference, Miami can hang with the best of them. They beat Philadelphia on Thursday night and held Joel Embiid to only six points and two boards. This is the fewest rebounds he’s ever had when playing 25+ minutes in a game. Bam Adebayo is an elite defender in this league and can shut down some of the East’s largest threats. He proved this Thursday and when Giannis Antetokounmpo was put in check last year on their way to a series victory over Milwaukee in five games.

Additionally, Brooklyn already has the most risk of any contender, given their injury concerns and lack of continuity their star trio has been able to develop. This shows that Miami has the ability to match up well and potentially defeat these top Eastern Conference squads. With their talented and proven roster along with the leadership of Jimmy Butler, the Heat have what it takes to beat any team in the East. MIA showed that last season and are displaying it once again as they enter the 2021 postseason red-hot.

COLORS KEY | FULL HEAT OUTLOOK