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The Best of the Day: June 20th, 2021
See the best of the day in sports from June 20, 2021, including the Hawks Game 7 victory, Devin Booker's 40-point triple-double, and more!
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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 6/20 here.
The Hawks advanced to the ECF after defeating the East’s top-seeded 76ers in 7 games. Devin Booker posted a 40-point triple-double in Game 1 of the WCF against the Clippers. Demarcus Cousins dunked on Dario Saric plus the foul. Jimmy Moreland is Washington’s breakout player candidate in 2021 while June 20th marks the 8th anniversary of Miami’s Big 3 winning Game 7 against the Spurs repeating as champions.
Here is the best of the day from June 20, 2021:
Hawks upset 76ers to advance to the Conference Finals adding to Doc Rivers awful playoff resume
The East’s one seed was eliminated as the Hawks upset the Sixers in Game 7 thanks to Kevin Huerter‘s career-high in the playoffs of 27 with 10-18 shooting. Despite shooting just 5-23, Trae Young showed up when it matters the most delivering clutch free throws to close out the 76ers, he shot 9-11 from the line. The Hawks win was also aided by some poor play by the Sixers, Ben Simmons scored only 5 points to cap off a terrible postseason from FT shooting just 34.2%.
Simmons also passed up on a wide-open dunk late in the fourth quarter when down by 2. With 54 seconds left down 4 points, the Sixers needed to come up with points, but Embiid turned over the ball leading to a Hawks dunk, essentially putting the game away. This loss adds to the horrendous list of postseason collapses with Doc Rivers at the helm, with many blown 3-1 leads, and this time a big upset by a team with 0 All-Stars this season including some historic blown leads.
Trae drills it from DEEP ♨️ pic.twitter.com/JBRn3L1ajD
— NBA TV (@NBATV) June 21, 2021
What a pass from Trae to Capela! #NBAPlayoffs @ATLHawks 60@sixers 60
— NBA (@NBA) June 21, 2021
WIN or GO HOME GAME 7 on TNT pic.twitter.com/t6H1NNyYlZ
Gallinari pokes it away and dunks it on the other end to extend the Hawks lead!@ATLHawks 98@sixers 92
— NBA (@NBA) June 21, 2021
41.5 left... WIN or GO HOME GAME 7 on TNT pic.twitter.com/Ww5Om02LKi
Lowest FT% in a single playoffs in NBA history (min 70 attempts):
— StatMuse (@statmuse) June 21, 2021
34.2 — Ben Simmons in 2021
37.4 — Shaquille O’Neal in 2006
38.0 — Wilt Chamberlain in 1968
Elite company. pic.twitter.com/s14R8cCSKm
Doc Rivers has five Game 7 losses at home, the most in NBA history.
— StatMuse (@statmuse) June 21, 2021
That’s more than twice the next closest coach (Pat Riley with 2).https://t.co/KtxOqb8YHe
Related: Stories of the Day
DEVIN BOOKER IS THE BEST SCORER REMAINING IN THE 2021 NBA PLAYOFFS
The Western Conference Finals tipped off in Phoenix, and it was a great opener. After a back and forth contest, ultimately Devin Booker was too much for the Clippers to handle. He had 40 points and his first triple-double ever, which couldn’t have come at a better time given it was the most important game of his career thus far. They were without their team’s MVP, Chris Paul, so DBook’s big game was even more crucial. Paul George continued to shine without Kawhi, scoring 34 but the red-hot Suns are now three wins away from the Finals.
Devin Booker played like he was a proven playoff veteran in Game 1. He recorded 40 points and his first career triple-double. DBook really got going in the third, scoring 12 points in the final 3:09 of the quarter on mostly mid-range jumpers. His teammates would clear out and let Booker handle the ball up top, and someone would come set a screen to set him loose, where he would eventually find space to create a great look. His ability to consistently do this is second to none of all players left this postseason and his wide range of bucket-getting capabilities makes him the best scorer still playing.
COLORS KEY | FULL SUNS OUTLOOK
BOOK. AGAIN. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/8XScFqDnah
— NBA TV (@NBATV) June 20, 2021
Suns Devin Booker is just the 2nd player in history with a 40-point Triple Double in the Conference Final in a winning effort.
— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) June 20, 2021
The other? The Suns Charles Barkley in Game 5 of the 1993 West Finals. #RallyTheValley pic.twitter.com/7Ujc49r8A9
Related: NBA Takeaways of the Day
Cousins with the dunk and the foul
BOOGIE THREW IT DOWN ON ‘EM 😤 pic.twitter.com/3BiRoVuICE
— NBA TV (@NBATV) June 20, 2021
Related: NBA Highlights
SG Devin Booker, PHX (W v.LAC): 40 PTS (15-29 FG | 3-7 3P), 11 AST, 13 REB, 0 BLK, 0 STL, 2 TO
#PlayerOfTheDay (6/20/21) - SG Devin Booker, PHX
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) June 21, 2021
TOP FACTS:
- 2nd with 40pt triple-double in Conf Finals win
- 1st Sun with playoff 40pt triple-double since 1993
- 3rd youngest with playoff 40pt triple-double
KEY STATS:
40 PTS, 13 REB, 11 AST, 15-29 FG (52%), 3-7 3P, 7-7 FT https://t.co/6HXkE4UryP
Related: Players of the Day
Los Angeles Clippers (114) vs. Phoenix Suns (120)
[Highlights] #2 @SUNS (-170; $14.78) d. #4 CLIPPERS (+149; $10.44) 120-114 [PHX -4 | o220] (PHX 1-0)
Related: Games of the Day
Related: Facts of the Day
DATE: June 20, 2013
SIGNIFICANCE: LeBron James led Miami to a Game 7 Finals victory over San Antonio
FULL story on LeBron James leading the Miami Heat to back-to-back titles in Game 7 OTD in 2013 https://t.co/QCl4gZNEfD
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) June 20, 2021
Related: Significant Sports History
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