It shook in Madison Square Garden; it rained popcorn in Wells Fargo Center. An overview of Wednesday in the NBA play-offs.
Long treatment: Russell Westbrook.
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New York Knicks – Atlanta Hawks 101:92
What makes the fans return to stadiums and arenas was particularly evident on Wednesday evening (local time) in Manhattan, where 15,000 frenetic supporters whipped their New York Knicks to their first play-off victory after eight years of drought. Exactly 2923 days after the victory against the Indiana Pacers, the team of coach Tom Thibodeau turned a 15-point deficit against the Atlanta Hawks and thus equalized the series.
After All-Star Julius Randle had been named “Most Improved Player” before the start of the game, the Hawks – especially Trae Young (30 points) – got off to a better start, but in the end they collapsed in the noise level of the Gardens. Derrick Rose towered over the bench with 26 points.
Philadelphia 76ers – Washington Wizards 120:95
From a sporting point of view, the second encounter between the 76ers and Wizards was a clearer affair than game one last Sunday. Philadelphia didn’t miss much against Washington and in the end won confidently by 25 points, Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons each contributed 22 points.
However, an action away from the stalls caused a stir. Russell Westbrook, who had previously received treatment, had to go down early after an unfortunate landing and anyway had an unlucky evening (2/10 hit, ten points) when he was on the way to the catacombs of a 76ers fan with popcorn was inundated and had to be held back by several security guards. “This shit is getting out of hand,” Westbrook later exclaimed. The fan had to leave the arena immediately.
Utah Jazz – Memphis Grizzlies 141:129
After the surprising win in game one, the Memphis Grizzlies drew the short straw in Utah on Wednesday, although youngster Ja Morant made franchise history with 47 points. Because all jazz starters scored double-digit points, Memphis conceded their first defeat in this year’s play-offs in the end. Now the series continues in Tennessee.
