• In the fourth game between Phoenix and Minnesota, the score difference did not exceed six points for a moment. At the beginning of the second half, the “Suns” took a 66-60 lead, however, the Timberwolves were in the lead for most of the decisive quarter, reaching 117-111 from 107-107 and protecting the victory.
• Anthony Edwards (3p. 7/13) led Minnesota with 40 points, nine rebounds and six assists, while Karl-Anthony Towns had 28 points and 10 rebounds. Devin Booker’s 49 points (1p. 20/21) and Kevin Durant’s 33 points did not save the home team.
• It’s the Timberwolves’ first winning streak since 2004, when they beat the Denver Nuggets 4-1 to reach the conference finals, and just the third in team history. Phoenix had made it past the first round in three consecutive seasons.
• The New York “Knicks” also won on the road, overcoming a 10-point deficit in the third quarter and beating the Philadelphia “76ers”, taking the series 3-1. Jalen Branson scored 47 points and 10 assists, Ouji Anunoubi had 16 points and 14 rebounds, and Joel Embiid, the leader of the home team, had 27 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and three steals.
• The Indiana “Pacers” also took a step from the second round, defeating the weakened Milwaukee “Bucks” (3-1) with 126:113 at home, who played without leaders Giannis Adetokunbo and Damian Lillard and lost Bobby Portis due to intemperance already in the first quarter. Miles Turner 29 points, Tyrese Halliburton 24 points.
• Dallas “Mavericks” overcame a 31-point deficit (24:55) at home, including 11 points in the fourth quarter (86:97) and even regained the lead for a moment (105:104), but in the end Los Angeles “Clippers” with 116:111 tied the series (2-2).
• In the absence of Kawhi Leonard, Paul George (3p. 7/10, 8rp, 6ab, 4pb) and James Harden (7rp, 6ab) forged the victory with 33 points. Kyrie Irving had 40 points, seven rebounds, five assists and seven turnovers, while Luka Doncic had 29+10+10 and 1/9 from long range.
Round 1 of the NBA Playoffs
| East | 1. sp. | 2nd sp. | 3rd sp. | 4th sp. | 5th sp. | 6th sp. | 7th sp. | Series |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| [1.] Celtics – [8.] Heat | 114:94 | 101:111 | 104:84 | 2-1 | ||||
| [2.] Knicks – [7.] 76ers | 111:104 | 104:101 | 114:125 | 97:92 | 3-1 | |||
| [3] bucks – [6.] Pacer | 109:94 | 108:125 | 118:121 P | 113:126 | 1-3 | |||
| [4.] Cavaliers – [5.] Magic | 97:83 | 96:86 | 83:121 | 89:112 | 2-2 | |||
| West | 1. sp. | 2nd sp. | 3rd sp. | 4th sp. | 5th sp. | 6th sp. | 7th sp. | Series |
| [1.] Thunder – [8.] Pelicans | 94:92 | 124:92 | 106:85 | 3-0 | ||||
| [2.] Nuggets – [7.] Lakers | 114:103 | 101:99 | 112:105 | 108:119 | 3-1 | |||
| [3.] Timberwolves – [6.] Dog | 120:95 | 105:93 | 126:109 | 122:116 | 4-0 | |||
| [4.] Clippers – [5.] Mavericks | 109:97 | 93:96 | 90:101 | 116:111 | 2-2 |
Resources used:
ESPN – Serving Sports Fans. Anytime. Anywhere.
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