NBA Playoffs Roundup: Luka still out, Raptors beat up; Can the Nuggs respond?
Heading into Monday night’s NBA Playoff slate, we explore three of the big headlines.
After an action-packed opening first couple of days of the NBA Playoffs, there’s a trio of huge Game 2’s slated for Monday night.
Let’s explore three big talking points from each of these games.
Luka Doncic still out
The Dallas Mavericks made the final score interesting but it was clear that they’re not going to have much of a chance to beat the Utah Jazz in a seven-game series without Luka Doncic.
And at least the early indications are that he’s expected to be out again for Game 2. The latest updates on Luka suggest he’s closer to a potential return to the floor but will likely still miss Game 2.
If that is indeed the case, the Mavs are going to need a big performance to try to avoid going down 2-0 before the series shifts to Utah. Tonight is a big game, especially considering that this was supposed to be the year that Luka and the Mavs were finally going to make it out of the first round.
The Raptors are beat up heading into Game 2
Down 1-0, the Toronto Raptors are going to have to steal homecourt away from the Philadelphia 76ers with a beat-up roster. The expectation is that the Raptors will be without Scottie Barnes, Gary Trent Jr., and Thaddeus Young.
Raptors coach Nick Nurse says Scottie Barnes will not play tonight, Gary Trent remains doubtful and Thaddeus Young is “probably doubtful,” but is going to try to work with the training staff to get his sprained thumb in a place where he can play.
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) April 18, 2022
Despite the Raptors being a trendy pick to upset the Sixers in the first round, Philadelphia looked mightily impressive in their Game 1 victory. They looked confident, comfortable, and dominant. Even with a beat-up roster, I still wouldn’t count out the Raptors.
If there’s one thing they’ve proved all season long is resiliency, even without some key contributors throughout the season.
Can the Denver Nuggets bounce back?
The Golden State Warriors wasted little time to assert their dominance in Game 1 against the Denver Nuggets. They looked more like the first half of the season version of themselves than the most recent version that struggled toward the end of the regular season.
The big question heading into tonight’s Game 2 is whether the Nuggets have any fight left. It still seems unlikely that Jamal Murray will return this season and if Denver can’t make this a series, there’d be no reason for him to.
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The Nuggets need to show some fight and bounce back in Game 2. That might be easier said than done against this Warriors team.