Rookie of The Year Announced
TORONTO 104 – BOSTON 103
A determined Kyle Lowry was on his game from tip off as well as OG Anunoby but Boston controlled the first half and led 57-47 to start the 3rd quarter. The second half was pretty even throughout as Lowry who had 31 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists on the night got some help from Fred VanVleet (25 points).
The game was tied at 101 with one second left when Boston’s Kemba Walker worked his magic and brilliantly found Daniel Theis under the basket and the Celtics went ahead 103-101. With only 0.5 seconds left it looked like game over. Only it wasn’t.
With an incredible pass from one end of the court to the other Lowry found Annouby at the corner 3 point spot and Anunoby sunk the 3 and won the game. Boston was as stunned as the Raptors were jubilant. Anunoby had only 12 points on the night but his presence was felt as he gave 100% effort.
Coach Nurse went with an 8- man rotation which meant heavy minutes for all players. Lowry 46.29, VanVleet 40.51 and Anunoby 45.28. Kemba Walker had 29 points for the Celtics, Jaylen Brown added 19. Game 4 is Saturday at 6:30pm
LA CLIPPERS 120 – DENVER 97
Game one of this semifinals was no contest. Kawhi Leonard totally in playoff mood romped through every defence and scored at will. He had 29 points at the end of 3 quarters and with the score 91-67 his work was done for the night. Denver coming off an emotional game 7 win in round one against Utah we’re just plain tired. Jamal Murray was held to 12 points, Nikola Jokic to 15 and with a Clippers team at full health strength this game was over almost from the start. Paul George and Marcus Morris Jr. we’re steady with 19 and 18 points. Game 2 is Saturday at 9pm EST.
ROOKIE OFTHE YEAR 2019-2020
Memphis guard Ja Morant received 99 out of a possible 100 first place votes and won the NBA KIA Rookie of the Year award. Morant with a total of 498 points overall outdistanced Miami guard Kendrick Dunn (204 points) and New Orleans forward Zion Williamson (140 points). Williamson was awarded the lone first place vote that didn’t go to Morant. Voting was conducted based on regular season games played through March 11. Games played during the restart season did not count. Morant was the #2 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. He played college ball at Murray State University. He led Memphis to a first ever play-in game against Portland for the last spot in the West playoffs. He joins Pau Gasol (2002) as the only Memphis players to win this award.
