NBA Playoffs 2019: Winners and Losers from April 16th

Loser: Augustin’s Follow-Up

My shock and awe at D.J. Augustin’s 25-point explosion on Saturday left me with one response: a small chuckle. I would employ the cliche that Augustin “turned back the clocks,” but, well, he was never even a starting point guard, much less someone expected to score 20+ in a playoff game. So that doesn’t apply.

I’m not completely sure about the detailed changes Nurse made in his scheme against Augustin, but I’d wager it was along the lines of “he sucks and can’t possibly play that well again.” In which case, he was right, because Augustin looked like Augustin tonight: the most average backup point guard in the league.

Except he’s a starter and a starter for a playoff team staring a ravenous vengeful Raptors squad directly in the eyes. He wound up 1-6 from the field and tallied just 9 points. That’s the D.J. I came to love this year on League Pass!