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NBA Playoffs Day 7 Breakdown

By Jared Mueller

Apr 22, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) works the ball against Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) and forward Kent Bazemore (24) during the fourth quarter in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. The Celtics defeated the Hawks 111-103. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 22, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) works the ball against Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) and forward Kent Bazemore (24) during the fourth quarter in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. The Celtics defeated the Hawks 111-103. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /
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The NBA Playoffs are chugging along like the little engine that could. Breaking down Day 7.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are shooting for a return to the NBA Finals and hopes of an NBA Title. That means every game in the NBA Playoffs could impact them. As such, we got you covered.

A look back at Friday night’s games and how each could impact the Cavs Championship run.

Cavaliers Vs Pistons

The Cavs and Pistons are having a fun series. The teams are staying close through the first half before the Cavs figure out how and when to pull away in the 2nd. Not the blowouts that many expected, the Pistons are giving the Cavs all they have with good outside shooting and some good interior play by Andre Drummond. The Cavs have figured out how to bottle up Reggie Jackson for most of the series, which seems to be key.

The Big 3 have had a great start to the NBA Playoffs. Even with LeBron James having an off night shooting, they all still had at least 20 points each. There is a certain air and energy about how the Cavs are winning. The tight games seem to be binding them together as a unit. Ty Lue is making good adjustments and has figured out how to get Drummond out of the game at important times.

The Cavs look to sweep their series Sunday night. Only the Spurs also have a 3 – 0 lead in their series, the Clippers and Heat can go to 3 – 0 tonight.

Series: 3 – 0 Cavaliers

Hawks VS Celtics

The Hawks had torched the Celtics in the first two games but Boston was intent on not letting that happen again. They had a huge 37 point first quarter and closed out the game with another 32 points in the 4th. Led by Isaiah Thomas‘ 42 points, the Celtics have enough talent around Thomas when he explodes. Their dependence on him will likely be their downfall.

Watching a guard explode on the Hawks has to excite Cavs fans who know what Kyrie Irving can do. The Hawks got good contributions from Kent Bazemore and Dennis Schroder but Paul Millsap and Al Horford struggled greatly to score and Jeff Teague was not overly efficient.

The Celtics can tie the series up at home, forcing the Hawks into a long series before one of the two matches up with the Cavs in the 2nd Round of the NBA Playoffs.

Series: 2 – 1 Hawks

Spurs Vs Grizzlies

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The final score doesn’t do justice to the game that Memphis gave to San Antonio last night. The Grizz led going into the 4th quarter but then just ran out of gas. Opposite of the Celtics, Memphis played bad to open and close the game, 18 and 16 points respectively, but their middle quarters were impressive. Led by their defense and a lull from the Spurs, Memphis was up 1 before losing by 9.

The Spurs should get to rest a little bit after finishing off Memphis. Kawhi Leonard just continues to play a great all around game for San Antonio who look to match-up with the Oklahoma City Thunder in the next round. The Thunder dropped a shocking game to the Mavericks but the series between the Thunder and Spurs should be a good one.

The bigger question is which team has a better shot of knocking off the Warriors in the Western Conference Finals?

Series: 3 – 0 Spurs

What did you take away from the NBA Playoffs Day 7? How exciting was that Cavs game?