BBNBA: Sixers blow it, Clippers take 3-2 advantage

(Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)

Last night was a tremendously fun night of NBA basketball. Let’s talk about it.

RECAP

Well, only two Wildcats saw action last night and neither scored a single point. Exciting stuff, right?

In the first game of the night, Tyrese Maxey played one minute and didn’t record a consequential stat as he watched his team puke all over itself down the stretch of a game Philadelphia mostly controlled.

The Sixers led the Hawks by 22 at halftime, 24 with 2 minutes left in the third quarter, and 15 with just over eight minutes to play. Yet they lost. They’re saying it’s worse than the fall of Rome. Just an utter collapse right in the face of thousands of fans.

In the final quarter, Trae Young and the Hawks stormed back into the game and melted the Sixers’ defense as Philly played hot potato on offense with only Seth Curry and Joel Embiid playing aggressive. In fact, they were the only two Sixers to MAKE a field goal in the second half. Unreal.

(Not a good look from Sixers twitter)

is this when we're supposed to feel tired? 🥱 pic.twitter.com/CgNkqUF55u

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) June 17, 2021

With the bitter loss, Philly falls to a 3-2 deficit as the series heads back to Atlanta with the Hawks able to put Philadelphia away in Game 6.

The other actionable ‘Cat yesterday was Rajon Rondo, who I barely noticed during his nine minutes on the court for the LA Clippers. As Luke Kennard and Reggie Jackson have emerged as dependable offensive options, Rondo seems to have waded by the wayside.

He’s been mostly surpassed on the rotation, but this Clippers team is incredibly shallow at the moment due to injuries to both Kawhi Leonard and Serge Ibaka so Rondo will still likely have his name called for a stint here and there as LAC continues its postseason run.

Last night was their most impressive postseason performance yet. Paul George absolutely came through in the biggest possible moment. Without his co-star — who owns two Finals MVP trophies — PG13 stepped onto enemy territory and dropped 37 points and 15 rebounds while leading his team to a crucial Game 5 victory in Utah over the Jazz.

Quite the statement performance after months of being verbally crucified for his lackluster play in the 2020 Playoff Bubble.

The Clippers have a 3-2 lead after winning in Utah last night and look to close things out Friday in Los Angeles.

That’s all for today, folks. Hawks and Clippers now lead their series 3-2 and tonight brings us Game 6 of Bucks-Nets. Tune in.