Pasadena Star-News/SCNG
On a Saturday the NBA Playoffs begin at European times with the first two games, then continue into the night with the other two.
In the first, the Orlando Magic also dominated game 4 (after -38 in the previous match), despite the first half being entirely in favor of the Cavaliers. In the second half, however, the collapse of the guests who from +9 in the middle of the match found themselves 18 points down at the end of the third quarter with a spatial Franz Wagner, well supported by Isaac. If game 3 could have been a game to simply forget, given the way this defeat has developed, it risks having repercussions also in the next – at this fundamental point – game 5 scheduled in Ohio.
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS @ ORLANDO MAGIC 89-112 (SERIE 2-2)
CLE: Allen 21 (9 rimbalzi), Mitchell 18, Garland 14, E.Mobley 14
ORL: F.Wagner 34 (12 saves), Isaac 14, Fultz 12, Suggs 12, Carter jr
In the second game, the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Pelicans again for the third consecutive time, thus glimpsing the passage of the round. Compared to G2, New Orleans remained in closer contact even if the 18-4 run conceded at the end of the second period gave a good boost to the match, so much so that even in the third period NOLA never fell within single digits of the deficit . Then, in the last quarter, the Thunder enforced the law of the strongest, even flying beyond +20.
OKC THUNDER @ NEW ORLEANS PELICANS 106-85 (SERIE 3-0)
OKC: Gilgeous-Alexander 24, Giddey 21, J.Williams 21, Dort 12
NOLA: Ingram 19, McCollum 16, Jones 15, Murphy III 10, Nance jr 9 (13 rebounds)
After the home debacle of game 2, the Celtics were called to a test of strength in this match to prove that it was just a bad evening. And so it was. Total domination from the first half, which ended with a peremptory 63-39 at home to the Heat (still without Butler and Rozier). In the second half, coach Mazzulla’s boys controlled effortlessly and thus regained the home advantage of the series.
BOSTON CELTICS @ MIAMI HEAT 104-84 (SERIE 2-1)
BOS: Tatum 22 (11 rimbalzi), Brown 22, Porzingis 18, White 16, Horford 9
MIA: Adebayo 20, Jovic 15, Herro 15, Jacquez 12
A response was needed from the Lakers, who found themselves down 0-3 against the reigning NBA champions, and today it arrived thanks to an extraordinary Anthony Davis, but with excellent percentages also for LeBron James, Reaves and finally also Russell (after the 0/7 in the previous challenge). After having thrown out double-digit advantages in each of the first 3 games, the Lakers fly ahead again, even reaching +19 in the middle of the fourth period. The Nuggets return with Jokic and Porter jr up to -7 with just over a minute to play: Reaves with 4 straight points definitively closes the game and keeps the Lakers alive. Game 5 in Denver on Monday night.
DENVER NUGGETS @ LOS ANGELES LAKERS 108-119 (SERIE 3-1)
DEN: Jokic 33 (14 rebounds + 14 assists), Porter jr 27 (11 rebounds), Murray 22, Caldwell-Pope 14, Gordon 7
LAL: James 30, Davis 25 (23 rimbalzi), Reaves 21, Russell 21, Prince 9, Hachimura 9.
2024-04-28 19:12:46
#NBA #Playoffs #Orlando #beats #Cavs #Tests #strength #Thunder #Celtics #Lakers
