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2020 NBA Playoffs, September 9 Open Thread

Chat about Wednesday’s games here

By Kevin Broom
Boston Celtics v Toronto Raptors - Game Five
The Toronto Raptors face an elimination game tonight against the Boston Celtics.
Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

The Miami Heat ousted the Milwaukee Bucks in five games last night, completing the decimation of the team most had favored to win the championship this season. Today’s schedule features another Eastern Conference elimination game, as well as a chance for the Los Angeles Clippers to take a commanding 3-1 series lead on the Denver Nuggets.

The Boston vs. Toronto series has been a defensive contest that has laid bare the Raptors’ season-long struggle to generate offense in the half court. The biggest culprits in the series so far are Fred VanVleet (ortg 94 on a usage rate of 24.3%) and Pascal Siakam (ortg 93; 21.7% usage).

The Raptors have been unable to contain Kemba Walker (ortg 122 on a 22.1% usage rate) but are still in the series because of subpar offensive performances from Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart.

The Clippers-Nuggets series has a “better team methodically taking care of business” vibe to it. Denver took game two but don’t feel like a serious threat to actually win the series.

Today’s schedule:

  • Game 6: Toronto Raptors vs. Boston Celtics (2-3) — 6:30 p.m. — ESPN
  • Game 4: Los Angeles Clippers (2-1) vs. Denver Nuggets — 9:00 p.m. — ESPN