NBA playoffs The Celtics, Lakers, and Spurs all snatched Game 3 wins, and each one really changed the shape of their series. Let’s just say, some teams found momentum while others fell flat on their faces.
The NBA playoffs? They pulled off the kind of comeback that you only see in movies. Now they’re up 3-0 against the Rockets, and honestly, Houston looks like they’re falling apart. At this point, history’s clear—no team has ever come back from that kind of hole in the NBA playoffs. The Lakers are cruising.
On the other side, both Boston and San Antonio grabbed back home-court advantage. The Spurs now lead Portland 2-1 after dropping 120 on them. Meanwhile, the Celtics squeaked past Philly, grabbing a 2-1 lead in that series too.
So who owned the night, and who got exposed? Here’s what stood out.
Winner: Celtics’ Three-Point Barrage
Boston keeps banking on their three-point strategy, and it works. Even when they bombed from deep in Game 2, they stuck to their guns. Game 3? Different story. The Celtics hit 20 threes at a crazy 43% clip, while Philly managed just 12. That gap basically decided the game…Read more
Philly’s hot shooting in Game 2? It always felt like lightning in a bottle. They weren’t a strong three-point team all season, so expecting them to stay hot never made sense. The stats are on Boston’s side.
By the second half, Boston already had more threes than they did the entire last NBA playoffs game. This roster is built for long-range attacks—players who create and drain threes. Ten different Celtics drilled one. The Sixers? Not so much.
Even with all those makes, the NBA playoffs game stayed tight late. Philly had shots to tie, but clutch buckets from Payton Pritchard and Jayson Tatum put it away. That’s Boston for you—so many shooters, it’s tough to slow them down.
Loser: Sixers’ Rebounding Collapse
Boston’s edge came from grabbing second-chance points, and Philly’s rebounding, honestly, just fell apart. The Celtics kept snagging offensive boards, scoring off them and getting extra threes up.
Fourth quarter was where it really hurt. Philly missed key defensive rebounds, letting Boston stretch out possessions and cash in. In the end, Boston had 15 offensive boards for 22 extra points. Philly got some, but not enough. In close playoff games, those extra chances make the difference, and Philly handed over too many.
Winner: The James Family
LeBron had one of his “I’m still here” nights—29 points, 13 rebounds, six assists, clutch steal, clutch three. Now the Lakers are up 3-0, and this feels like another epic LeBron chapter. He doesn’t have to carry every possession anymore, but nobody matches his leadership.
Plus, Bronny James made his mark, snagging his first playoff points and holding his own during critical minutes. He even got a late-game look—a sign the Lakers trust him already. Sure, people want him to be LeBron 2.0, but Bronny’s starting to show he can build his own path.
Loser: Reed Sheppard
Reed Sheppard’s season keeps stuttering, and Game 3 didn’t help. He’s one of Houston’s better shooters, but his night was pretty rough. He helped with spacing for teammates, but his shots didn’t fall and he coughed up turnovers—one handed the Lakers a basket that hurt.
His defense? Still a problem. The Lakers picked on him and Houston looks desperate for offense, but Sheppard’s inconsistency hangs over every NBA playoffs game.
Winner: Spurs’ Young Guns (Minus Wembanyama)
With Wembanyama out, the Spurs’ youngsters showed up big. Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper combined for 60, pouring in points and dominating at times.
Castle played like a seasoned pro—calm, steady, making smart plays. Harper just exploded in the second half, taking control when it counted most.
San Antonio’s future is looking brighter by the day. Their kids are stepping up under playoff pressure, and this team feels set for a long run.
To sum it up: Friday night proved you need depth, execution, and serious composure in the NBA playoffs. Some teams nailed it, others had big gaps exposed—and we’re only getting started with the drama…Read more
