During the pandemic, the NBA has decided to resume the basketball season. And with this “bringing back basketball” there are some regulations. Just as all the games being played in Florida which is stated as the “bubble.” After an exciting quarter-final, there are only two teams left (in the playoffs) in each conference. In the Western Conference Lakers vsNuggets. In the Eastern ConferenceCeltics vs Heat. There’s a lot of entertainment in both conferences, so bring your popcorn and soda because there’s a lot of that. 

 Lakers vs Nuggets

Game 1- In the first quarter, the Lakers and the Nuggets were neck-in-neck. In the second quarter, both the Lakers and the Nuggets had some leads but in the end, the Lakers had an 11 point game lead. In the third quarter, The Lakers dominated the third quarter, by making opportunities to get around the Nuggets and it helped them get points which gave the Nuggets a hard time catching up. In the last quarter, the Lakers delivered good enough points but the Nuggets started to play “catch up” and ended the game with a final score of 114-126. The Lakers did an extremely great job against the Nuggets by keeping up with the points. In my opinion, it felt kind of predictable that the Nuggets lost to the Lakers since the last match they barely won against the Clippers. 

Game 2- In the first quarter the Nuggets played well while the Lakers struggled until Lebron’s first basket which helped the team focus take the lead away from the Nuggets. In the second quarter, the Nuggets did a little “catch up.” Until the Lakers started to create an incredible series of baskets. In the 3rd quarter, Nuggets made improvements compared to the last 2 quarters and caught up to the Lakers. In the last quarter of the game, the Lakers and the Nuggets were neck and neck, it was uncertain who would win the game, but at the cliff end of the game, the Nuggets were in the lead but then, Davis’s basket helped the Lakers make a cliff-hanging win! They called it the “Mamba mentality.”

Game 3- In the first quarter, both teams were neck to neck but the Nuggets found a way to keep the lead from the Lakers. In the second quarter, the Lakers played pretty slow which gave them an advantage, but when Lebron made his first basket of the quarter, they started to play better. In the second quarter, the Lakers lost the majority of their momentum which gave the Nuggets an advantage. In the last quarter, the Lakers played excellently in the start with Lebron and Davis baskets which created an excellent comeback, but sadly it wasn’t enough for the Nuggets to dominate the rest of the game, and the game ended with 106-114. 

Game 4-  In the first quarter, the Nuggets played pretty well in the beginning, but with the Lakers’ dominance they took over the lead. In my opinion, Dwight Howard’s dunk was the play of the second quarter. In the third quarter, the Lakers played very well but the Nuggets started to catch up and ended the quarter with the Lakers leading by one. In this game, the Lakers did a better job and managed to make their third win of the match, one more game for the Lakers and they made it to the finals.

Game 5- In the first quarter, both teams were neck and neck, both teams were very competitive, but the Lakers barely made a lead at the end of the quarter. In the second quarter, the Lakers continued their lead with some great baskets, for example, Davis’s great basket dunk. In the third quarter, the Nuggets made a comeback against the Lakers, but it was not enough because right in the last second, Davis made a basket and made the Lakers barely kept the lead. In the last quarter, the Lakers managed to out basket the Nuggets, and their star player Lebron James made 6 baskets which ended the match with a Lakers win 117-107. The Los Angeles Lakers move onto the Finals.

Celtics vs Heat

Game 1- In the first quarter, the Celtics did a great job getting around the Heat and had a good amount of points. In the second quarter, the Heat made a comeback and was in the lead for the first time in the game. In the third quarter, the Heat may have done a good job but the Celtics managed to make a comeback and take the lead from the Heat. In the fourth quarter, the Heat made a huge comeback which made both teams, neck in neck, both teams ended the quarter with a tie once again and must get to overtime. In overtime, both teams continued to be neck and neck. Heat’s star player Jimmy Butler’s basket that gave the Heat the lead.  In the game, both teams played very well but the Celtics need to step up if they want to get into the finals.     

Game 2- In the first quarter, It was a back and fourth quarter, but the Celtics made the lead with Jayson Tatum’s basket. In the second quarter, the Celtics kept the lead throughout the quarter, this gave the Heat a tough break. In the third quarter, the Heat made a great comeback and took the lead from the Celtics but only by a few points, In the fourth quarter, the Celtics and the Heat were neck-in-neck once again, the last minute of the game had twists and turns and the game ended with the Heat’s victory of the match by 106-101. It’s pretty uncertain who would make the finals since both of the teams have a chance of making it.

Game 3- In the first quarter, The Celtics took the lead but it can still be anyone’s game. In the third quarter, both teams made great shots like Jayson Tatum’s dunk for the Celtics and Tyler Herro for the Heat. In the 3rd quarter, it felt too similar to the 2nd quarter because the Celtics are still in the lead and both teams made good baskets. In the last quarter, the Celtics made a ton of baskets which led them to a lot of points, meanwhile, the Heat made a small comeback but the Celtics managed to keep the lead, which led to a Celtics win by 117-106. Both teams did pretty well and the Celtics prove themselves that they are a worthy opponent to the Heat.

Game 4- In the first quarter, both teams were neck in neck with each other but the Heat managed to get away with the lead at the end of the quarter. In the second quarter, it was just like the first quarter except for the fact that the Heat kept the lead throughout the game. In the third quarter, the Celtics made a comeback, but they nearly took the lead from the Heat, but I give them credit for Tatum’s basket at the last minute. In the last quarter, it’s a very competitive quarter, especially at the last minute when both teams made baskets immediately, but the Heat won the game.

Game 5- In the first quarter, the Heat is the first team of the match to take the lead, meanwhile the Celtics were slow in the first quarter. In the second quarter,  the Celtics are doing better unlike the first quarter but it’s not enough because the Heat still managed to keep the lead throughout the quarter. In the third quarter, the Celtics made a comeback 9which helps them to take the lead) especially that Jason Tadem’s ton of baskets which took a while for the Heat to respond, eventually the Heat responded at the end of the quarter, but the Celtics still had the lead. In the last quarter, the Celtics kept the lead throughout along with its great baskets, the Heat were playing ok, but the problem is that they don’t look motivated which gave the Celtics to take the win by 121-108. 

Game 6- In the first quarter, the Heat and the Celtics were neck-in-neck, at the end of the quarter, The Heat managed to get ahead of the game. In the second quarter, it was completely backward from the last quarter, at first the Heat managed to be in the lead, but at the end of the match, the Celtics made the Heat become neck in neck, but the quarter ended with the Heat by 2 points. In the third quarter, the Heat still had the lead (well at the start), the Celtic managed to make a comeback and the quarter ended with a tie. In the fourth quarter, the Celtics were the first team to be in the lead of the quarter with Jaylen Brown’s basket, since then both teams were neck in neck, until when the Heat managed to take the lead and win with a 12 point lead. The Heat won its fourth match which means that they made the finals, and the Celtics were eliminated from the playoffs.

The Lakers and the Heat are going to play against each other in the finals, meanwhile, the Celtics and the Nuggets are eliminated from the playoffs. I have to say that it was an interesting branch this year. I am certain that the Lakers will not disappoint their fans this year, and bring the 17th championship home.