Michigan Basketball: Jordan Poole, Warriors denied finals berth for now

The Golden State Warriors and former Michigan basketball player Jordan Poole seem destined to reach the NBA finals but Dallas at least avoided a sweep. 

It was another solid, but not spectacular performance from Jordan Poole as the Golden State Warriors failed in their attempt to sweep the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference Finals.

Poole scored 14 points in the loss for Golden State off the bench and finished 5-for-10 from the field, as well as 2-of-5 from 3-point range. He also continued to show off his playmaking skills and dished out four assists compared to just one turnover.

The truth is that no one on the Warriors scored above 20 points in this game. Luka Doncic scored 30 points and just sort of willed the Mavs to a win as he grabbed 14 rebounds and had nine assists, finishing just short of a triple-double.

For Poole, it was the second straight game where he was held under 20. But in Game 3, the former Michigan basketball standout drilled a clutch 3-pointer late to help seal the road win, which is still the difference in the series at this point.

If Dallas had won that game and held serve on its homecourt, the series would be 2-2 headed back to Golden State. In part because of Poole’s big shot, it’s not.

Game 5 is set for Thursday night.

Will Duncan Robinson get more run?

After being a starter for nearly two years for the Miami Heat and knocking down eight 3-pointers in the opening playoff game against Atlanta, Duncan Robinson has seen his minutes dwindle. There have been numerous games this postseason where he didn’t even play.

However, on Monday night in the Celtics’ Game 4 win over the Miami Heat, Robinson got on the floor for 23 minutes and knocked down 4-of-8 shots from deep and 5-of-11 overall.

The series is tied 2-2 and Game 5 is tonight in Miami. I’m guessing the Heat are down on Robinson because of his defense and he didn’t shoot the ball as well this year. But he’s still a clutch shooter and maybe he can give the Heat a spark.