BBNBA: Hawks and Clippers win to even their series

Photo: David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images

Welcome to another edition of BBNBA recap. The only Wildcat who saw the court in the NBA Playoffs last night was Tyrese Maxey for the Philadelphia 76ers.

Maxey’s playing time has fluctuated game-to-game in the postseason and last night he only played for seven minutes; although he did nail his only shot from the field from beyond the arc.

Philly coach Doc Rivers leaned on his starting lineup for much of the game, playing four of his starters for over 35 minutes each as the bench got its opportunity in spurts. Atlanta coach Nate McMillan employed a similar game plan, using his seven most-trusted guys for almost the entire game.

Both teams trimmed their rotations as Game 4 swung back in favor of the Hawks. Atlanta previously jumped out to a 1-0 series lead but a dominating next two games from Philly seemed to have turned the tide. But yesterday, Atlanta figured out a way to slow down Joel Embiid as he made a putrid 4 of his 20 field goal attempts.

Meanwhile Trae Young further proved his playoff chops by playing through elbow soreness to collect a 25-point, 18-assist stat line while also picking up a vital Game 4 win at home.

The series is now tied at 2-2 as the East remains wide open.

In the other game last night, Rajon Rondo, DeMarcus Cousins and Patrick Patterson all sat out as the Clippers completed a two-game home sweep over Utah to even that series at 2-2 as well.

Cousins has seen sparse action in the Jazz series to help offset gargantuan Jazz center Rudy Gobert but otherwise hasn’t played much at all, and Patterson hasn’t been a factor whatsoever.

Rondo, though, has played consistently in the postseason and was mysteriously absent from the rotation last night. He showed up to the Staples Center in street clothes and was ruled inactive despite not suffering any kind of injury or physical setback. He simply wasn’t going to be played.

Strange decision after Clipper coach Tyronn Lue played Rondo quite a bit in the previous series. Anyway, here’s to hoping he and Cousins find their way back on the court.

Annnd that’s all we have for today.

TODAY IN THE NBA

8:30: Bucks @ Nets | Series tied 2-2