Second night of the playoffs in the Orlando health bubble and two big surprises on the floors installed in the Disney park: the favorites Lakers and Bucks, seeds N.1 in the West and in the East, fell entry Tuesday, respectively facing Orlando and Portland (N.8).
Lillard faithful to the time
For his first playoff match in the Lakers jersey, LeBron James did well in achieving a triple-double (23 pts, 17 rebounds, 16 assists), the defeat was at the end (100-93). Anything but illogical as Portland, which has played its matches as finals since the resumption of the season, seemed better in rhythm and was able to rely on its certainties in the end of matches played on the line.
Thus, despite the signs of obvious fatigue halfway through the 4th quarter, although led by six lengths, the Blazers could still count on the famous “Dame Time”, the hour of Damian Lillard.
The leader (34 pts, 5 assists) then took two shots very far behind the arc to regain the advantage and then attract James and Anthony Davis (28 pts, 11 rebounds) to him, to better offer an assist to Carmelo Anthony, author of another fatal three-point basket in LA
In a match where the address was woefully low Lakers sides (35.1%, 15.6% long distance), barely less bad in the face (39.2%, 38.2%), the confidence was in the Portland camp. In Los Angeles not to doubt too long.
Milwau-who?
The series is obviously far from over, but the Bucks will have to recover very quickly under penalty of facing a very huge disappointment, because they were irrelevant against the Magic (122-110).
Apart from Giannis Antetokounmpo (31 pts, 17 rebounds, 7 assists), he lacked everything in Milwaukee to hold his place: first of all the defensive impact, then this collective fluidity which, usually, is also his strength.
Under these conditions, the Magic, in the wake of Nikola Vucevic (35 pts, 13 rebounds), enjoyed themselves, delivering a real playoff match. “We have to play harder. You have to learn lessons and be more aggressive in the second game, ”said Antetokounmpo.
Successful launch for the Rockets
Without Russell Westbrook, still injured (thigh), Houston disposed of Oklahoma City (123-108), much more quietly than imagined, totally overwhelmed in defense and very clumsy in attack.
Quite the opposite of James Harden (37 pts to 12/22, 11 rebounds), well helped by Jeff Green out of the bench (22 pts) in a rotation limited to only eight players, until in the last seconds offered to the third knives.
On the Thunder side, only Danilo Gallinari survived (29 pts) against a very dissuasive Texan rearguard. “Strange as it sounds, we can do even better on this point,” said Harden, ironic to those who doubt his team’s ability to defend well.
The Heat already hot
Contrary to its bad habits this season when its matches are tight, Miami was able to demonstrate total control in the last quarter to win over Indiana (113-101), thanks to Jimmy Butler and Goran Dragic.
The first scored ten of his 28 points in the last four minutes, finishing the job of the second who scored 14 of his 24 points earlier in the final quarter. Bam Adebayo (17 pts, 10 rebounds, 6 assists) was also valuable.
Opposite, without Victor Oladipo left at the end of the first quarter after being hit in the eye, ultimately without gravity, TJ Warren and Malcolm Brogdon made their match (22 pts each), but without succeeding in raising their level of gambling in the money-time.
