With the NBA playoffs now in the second round, teams up their game to increase their odds of advancing. Matchups will play a critical role in determining which teams advance, particularly as players like Stephen Curry, Donovan Mitchell, and Jimmy Butler take center stage. With defensive strategies evolving and players facing both physical and mental challenges, the dynamics of this round promise to be compelling.
In the first round, Stephen Curry had a tough first-round matchup as Jaden McDaniels defended him for 161 possessions. Curry shot 53 times over McDaniels, though, with an effective field goal percentage of 53. This is an extraordinary stat considering that Curry’s season-low effective field goal percentage is 57%. As ever, the Golden State Warriors have fun things in store for round two. They’ll ask Jrue Holiday to take on those defensive assignments against Curry.
Stephen Curry’s Performance and Defensive Matchups
In Game 7 of the first round, Stephen Curry demonstrated his stamina by running 1.99 miles, contributing significantly to the Warriors’ victory over the Houston Rockets. While he did make an impact defensively, his shooting touch definitely wasn’t on display, as he ended the game 1-for-11 from deep. This performance does not bode well for his shooting consistency moving forward into the Elite 8.
Jaden McDaniels has have developed into a defensive anchor of sorts throughout the playoffs. He played wonderfully in the first round, dropping 17.4 points at 57% shooting over a two-week span. His ability to guard elite shooters like Curry could make or break the Timberwolves’ defensive strategy in the upcoming series. McDaniels will be the focus, though, as he tries to hold Curry to below his usual production while making an impact on the offensive end.
Donovan Mitchell’s Shot Selection and Team Performance
Specifically, Donovan Mitchell’s stellar opposite performance in Game 1 against the Pacers led to a completely different outcome on the other end. Sure, he scored 33 points, but it took him 30 shots to get there. As history would have it, this trend never played in the favor of his club. When Mitchell takes 30+ shots in a playoff game, their record is 1-5. This worrying stat calls into question his efficiency and decision-making skills as he heads towards what could be finally some real must-win playoff games.
Last season in a playoff game in Orlando, Mitchell went off for 50 points. It took him 36 shots to get there, ultimately costing his team the game. The challenge for him will be finding a balance between aggressive scoring and facilitating for his teammates to ensure collective success.
Key Players Impacting Their Teams
Instead, Jimmy Butler serves as an enduring example of what it looks like to deliver on the big stage. He posted an impressive stat line of 20 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists in the Warriors’ Game 7 win against the Rockets. Furthermore, Butler demonstrated his scoring prowess with 28 points in a Game 7 road win over Boston during the conference finals earlier this year. He turned in a phenomenal 42-point performance. That fantastic teamwork was instrumental in finishing off the Milwaukee Bucks in a 2020 playoff series.
Meanwhile, the Boston Celtics are going through their own issues with their superstars Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. Each player is working through ailments that have begun to affect their performance this month in the postseason. Their play will be key in staying competitive and finding wins over the course of their first few contests.
Leave a Reply