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The Best of the Day: May 19th, 2021
See the best of the day in sports from May 19, 2021 including LeBron's incredible GW-3PM vs. Steph, PSO's 2020-21 All-NBA Teams, and more!
USA TODAY Sports
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 5/19 here.
LeBron James and Steph Curry renewed their postseason rivalry, as the two most defining players of this era went head-to-head in a classic showdown. It was LeBron who came out on top though, thanks to his improbable game-winning 3-pointer, as the Lakers punched their ticket to the postseason.
The other play-in game saw the Grizzlies take down the Spurs thanks in large part to a sensational two-way effort from the underrated Dillon Brooks. PSO released its official 2020-21 All-NBA Teams, and newly-minted HOFer Kevin Garnett willed the Timberwolves to their first ever WCF after defeating the Kings in Game 7 on this day in 2004.
Here is the best of the day from May 19, 2021:
LeBron led LA over Steph’s Warriors thanks to an improbable GW-3PM for play-in win
Despite playing on an injured ankle and getting poked in the eye late in the fourth quarter, LeBron James came up huge in clutch time for the Lakers. His incredible long-range, go-ahead 3-pointer, over Steph Curry no less, with 58.2 seconds remaining, secured a 103-100 win over the Warriors in the West’s 7-vs.-8 play-in matchup Wednesday night.
ALL-ANGLES of @KingJames' LONG DISTANCE GAME-WINNER! 🔥🤯@Lakers will be the West #7 seed in the #NBAPlayoffs and face #2 PHX in the First Round (Game 1 Sunday, 3:30pm/et on ABC) pic.twitter.com/CpEtashUc2
— NBA (@NBA) May 20, 2021
Los Angeles #Lakers F LeBron James hit the 2nd longest (34 feet) NBA postseason GW-FG in the final MIN since tracking shot distance data began 20 years ago, trailing only Damian Lillard (37 feet) in 2019
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) May 20, 2021
(h/t @getnickwright @FTFonFS1) pic.twitter.com/W4wIpOZfFi
This was nothing new for LeBron, who owns the second most game-tying and go-ahead FGM (97) during the final minute since play-by-play data began in 1996. He wound up finishing with 22 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists, and now sits just two triple-doubles behind Magic Johnson for most ever in the postseason.
👑 WILD Game-Winner
— NBA (@NBA) May 20, 2021
👑 22 PTS, 11 REB, 10 AST@KingJames lifts the @Lakers in the #StateFarmPlayIn! #LakeShow
#7 Lakers vs. #2 Suns - #NBAPlayoffs First Round Game 1 Sunday: 3:30pm/et on ABC pic.twitter.com/CFN1xpFOpz
Most game-trying/go-ahead FG in final minute in last 25 seasons:
— CBS Sports HQ (@CBSSportsHQ) May 20, 2021
1. Kobe Bryant 101
2. LeBron James 97
CLUTCH #LakeShow pic.twitter.com/XGvk5YTGLt
With the win, Los Angeles is now set to face the No. 2 seed Phoenix Suns in the opening round of the NBA playoffs. It will no doubt be tough matchup considering Phoenix finished with the second best record in the league this season (51-21). However, if there is anyone up for the challenge, it’s LeBron and the defending champs, as the Lakers are likely the most dangerous seventh seed ever.
Curry finished with a game-high 37 points in 41 minutes on 6-of-9 shooting from deep, but it wasn’t enough. Despite being the better team most of the contest and owning a 13-point halftime advantage, Golden State couldn’t hold on, as the Lakers were able to claw their way back to take their first lead of the game early in the fourth. It went back-and-forth from there until James’ game-winner. With the loss, the Warriors will now host the Memphis Grizzlies with their postseason lives on the line for the final playoff spot in the West.
Steph Curry drops 37 PTS for the @warriors in their #StateFarmPlayIn clash against LAL. #DubNation
— NBA (@NBA) May 20, 2021
Warriors will face the Grizzlies Friday at 9pm/et on ESPN to decide the West #8 seed. pic.twitter.com/6xfICqDIBs
Related: Stories of the Day
DILLON BROOKS IS EXTREMELY UNDERRATED AND VERY VALUABLE TO MEMPHIS
The Memphis Grizzlies sent the San Antonio Spurs home on Wednesday night, largely thanks to the efforts of Dillon Brooks on both ends of the floor. He had 24 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and two steals in their win, which is above his season average for all four categories. Although he had a huge impact on the offensive end, being the game’s highest scorer, his most impactful contribution came on the defensive end.
Brooks was given the task of guarding San Antonio’s leading scorer DeMar DeRozan, and he stepped up to the challenge big time. The mid-range expert was held to 0% FG in the first half and ended the game shooting about 25% below his season average, thanks to Brooks’ efforts. Although Memphis was up big early on, the game ended up coming down to a few possessions, and Brooks’ efforts on both ends was the key for the Grizzlies win and advancing them to the next play-in round.
Dillon Brooks’ standout performance against the Spurs was far from a fluke or flash in the pan. He doesn’t always look like an All-Star in the box score but Grizzlies fans have been witnessing Brooks’ high-quality play on both ends of the floor all year and it reached its peak with the world watching under the bright lights of the play-in game.
The Grizzlies granted themselves another opportunity to reach the playoffs by eliminating the Spurs and now have a Warriors team on deck that just beat them because of Steph Curry’s brilliance. Brooks will be Memphis’ No.1 reason for optimism in containing Curry and clinching the eighth and final postseason spot.
COLORS KEY | FULL GRIZZLIES OUTLOOK
WE FELT THAT, @dillonbrooks24 pic.twitter.com/MOMwjEtpOc
— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) May 20, 2021
Dillon Brooks and Ja Morant come up big in the @memgrizz #StateFarmPlayIn W! @dillonbrooks24: 24 PTS@JaMorant: 20 PTS, 6 REB, 6 AST
— NBA (@NBA) May 20, 2021
Grizzlies will face the Warriors Friday at 9:00pm/et on ESPN to decide the West #8 seed. pic.twitter.com/KyYv26RuMJ
Related: NBA Takeaways of the Day
LeBron clutched up for LA
ALL-ANGLES of @KingJames' LONG DISTANCE GAME-WINNER! 🔥🤯@Lakers will be the West #7 seed in the #NBAPlayoffs and face #2 PHX in the First Round (Game 1 Sunday, 3:30pm/et on ABC) pic.twitter.com/CpEtashUc2
— NBA (@NBA) May 20, 2021
Related: NBA Highlights
F LeBron James, LAL (W v.GSW): 22 PTS (7-17 FG | 2-4 3P), 10 AST, 11 REB, 1 BLK, 2 STL, 1 TO
#PlayerOfTheDay (5/19/21) - F LeBron James, LAL
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) May 20, 2021
TOP FACTS:
- Longest career go-ahead shot in final 3 min of a GP
- 2nd most go-ahead/tying FGM (97) in last min since '96
- 2 triple-doubles away from tying Magic's playoff record
KEY STATS:
22 PTS, 11 REB, 10 AST, 2 STL, 7-17 FG https://t.co/ATeEffWhTY
Related: Players of the Day
Golden State Warriors (100) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (103)
[Highlights] #7 @LAKERS (-225; $9.03) d. #8 WARRIORS (+190; $9.07) 103-100 [GSW +5.5 | u218.5]
Related: Games of the Day
Related: Facts of the Day
PSO released its official All-NBA Teams for the 2020-21 regular season
PSO's official 2020-21 All-NBA Teams:
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) May 19, 2021
1st: Steph, Russ, Giannis, Randle, Jokic
2nd: CP3, Dame, LeBron, Zion, Embiid
3rd: Luka, Beal, Kawhi, Sabonis, Adebayo
HM: Kyrie, Harden, LaVine, Tatum, Gobert pic.twitter.com/LoOKyiIf81
Related: Latest PSO Posts
DATE: May 19, 2004
SIGNIFICANCE: Kevin Garnett dropped 32 PTS/21 REB/5 BLK vs. SAC in Game 7 to lead MIN to its 1st ever WCF appearance
https://twitter.com/PSO_Sports/status/1395178312885018625
Related: Significant Sports History
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