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The Best of the Day: April 2nd, 2021
See the best of the day in sports from April 2, 2021 including TOR thrashing GS by 53 points, Giannis's monster efficient night vs. POR, and more!
Kevin Sabitus/NBAE via Getty Images
The ‘Best of the Day’ is a daily PSO original series showcasing the most significant stories, highlights, and facts going on in the land of the NFL, NBA, & MLB every day. Get a recap on EVERYTHING that happened on 4/2 here.
The NBA world was shocked to witness the Golden State Warriors get absolutely run off the court by the Toronto Raptors on Friday. The thrashing was Toronto’s largest margin of victory in franchise history and highlights how different this Warriors team is from the dominant team that played the Raptors in the 2019 NBA Finals less than two years ago.
Also, Robert Williams III is flashing his potential that could make him a core piece in Boston for years to come, Giannis had a historic game in the Bucks’ road win over Portland, and PSO remembers baseball legend Ichiro Suzuki 20 years after his legendary rookie year.
Here is the best of the day from April 2, 2021:
Raptors record a franchise-record 53-pt win over the Steph/Draymond-less Warriors
The Toronto Raptors walloped the Golden State Warriors 130-77 Friday night, as the 53-point win was Toronto’s largest margin of victory in franchise history. Leading the way for the Raptors was Pascal Siakam, who went off on his 27th birthday for 36 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and two steals.
The Raptors beat the Warriors by 53 points tonight.
— StatMuse (@statmuse) April 3, 2021
The biggest victory in Raptors history. pic.twitter.com/kCaRJZuRMS
The Raptors outscored the Warriors by 32 points in the 3rd quarter, their best point differential in any quarter in franchise history.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) April 3, 2021
It is the first time the Warriors were outscored by 30 points or more in a quarter in the shot-clock era (since 1954-55). pic.twitter.com/3d53CK1q1D
While it doesn’t excuse losing by such a ridiculous margin, Golden State was without both Steph Curry and Draymond Green due to minor injuries. Even with Klay Thompson out for the year, the Warriors were still expected to be a playoff team this season.
However, they have been extremely inconsistent and now find themselves sporting a disappointing 23-26 record, barely hanging on for the 10th and final play-in spot. This squad is unrecognizable compared to the Warriors dynasty that won three titles in five seasons from 2015-19, and will need to figure things out quickly if it wants to even qualify for the postseason in a loaded western conference.
Related: Stories of the Day
ROBERT WILLIAMS III IS SHINING AS THE STARTING CENTER IN BOSTON
Robert Williams III has developed into a very effective and efficient performer for Boston this season. For the majority of the season, BOS started Daniel Theis at the Center spot, and Williams was getting solid backup minutes. Since Theis went to Chicago, Williams has emerged as the starter in his place, at least while Tristan Thompson remains out. TT might not get the starting job even upon his return since the “Time Lord” has done a great job, and is really coming into his own as potential core player for the Celtics.
During Friday’s outing against Houston, Williams posted an impressive stat line of 20 points, his career-high, nine rebounds, and eight assists, which was also a career-high. He was one rebound and two assists shy from a triple-double. Not only was he effective in almost all aspects of the game, he also shot a perfect 9-9 from the field, showing how efficient of a player he can be in this offense catching lobs, getting put-backs, and being a menace down in the paint.
To trade away Theis, the Celtics must’ve had faith in Williams’ ability to step up, not just in the future, but right now. That assumption is proving to be a good one so far, as he has demonstrated that he can be a valuable contributor to a contending Celtics team with high-quality play on both sides of the ball.
At just 23 years old, he gives this already promising young core another piece that can help get them over the top in the coming years once they all reach their peak. If he continues to develop, there is no reason to believe he can’t be this team’s starting Center for the foreseeable future.
COLORS KEY | FULL CELTICS OUTLOOK
Robert Williams tonight:
— StatMuse (@statmuse) April 3, 2021
20 PTS
9 REB
8 AST
9-9 FG
He joins Nikola Jokic and Wilt Chamberlain (3x) as the only centers with a 20/8/8 game on 100% shooting in NBA history. pic.twitter.com/WaH4zCDHVP
Related: NBA Takeaways of the Day
The snag & slam from Hayes
JAXSON HAYES 😳 pic.twitter.com/IvxzkxK6DM
— NBA TV (@NBATV) April 3, 2021
Related: NBA Highlights | 5 Best Plays
PF Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL (W @POR): 47 PTS (18-21 FG | 0-3 3P), 2 AST, 12 REB, 3 BLK, 1 STL, 4 TO
#PlayerOfTheDay (4/2/21) - F Giannis Antetokounmpo
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) April 3, 2021
TOP FACTS:
- Season-high 47 PTS while missing only 3 shots (18-21)
- 1st GP of 45+ PTS/10+ REB/85%+ FG since Wilt in '67
- 1st GP w/ 45+ PTS & 85%+ FG since 1983
KEY STATS:
47 PTS, 12 REB, 3 BLK, 18-21 FG (85.7%) https://t.co/A7C0zRqBpI
Related: Players of the Day
Utah Jazz (113) vs. Chicago Bulls (106)
[Highlights] @JAZZ (-973; $13.29) d. BULLS (+667; $11.02) 113-106 [CHI +12.5 | u223.5]
Related: Games of the Day
Related: Facts of the Day
Remembering Ichiro’s legendary rookie season 20 years after his MLB debut
April 2, 2001: During his debut for the Seattle Mariners, OF Ichiro Suzuki became the 1st Japanese-born position player in MLB history https://t.co/7sk7LXJjxx
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) April 2, 2021
Ichiro’s legendary 2001 rookie season:
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) April 3, 2021
- 1st Japanese position player in MLB history
- AL batting champion, Rookie of the Year, and MVP
- Only player to win batting title, ROY, & MVP in same year
- Led MLB in Hits (242) and SB (56)
- MLB record 116 Wins
pic.twitter.com/uCw8Vc2FWi
Related: Latest PSO Posts
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