Cavaliers Cruise To Game 1 Win Over Magic
The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Orlando Magic, 97-83, at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on Saturday afternoon in Game 1 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
The Cavaliers were the better team from start to finish and fully deserved the victory over the Magic in the series opener Saturday. The Cavaliers quickly established their terms and raced to a 33-26 lead in the first quarter, and a 20-15 score in the second quarter gave Cleveland a double-digit lead break at halftime. The Magic struggled on offense and experienced major woes at the free throw line, which resulted in the team being limited to under 20 points in the third quarter as well, so the Cavs held a 15-point lead with only 12 minutes left. The Magic won the final quarter by a 25-24 score, but the game was already decided by that time. Cleveland secured an easy win and now hold a 1-0 lead in the series. Game 2 will be played at this very same venue Monday.
Donovan Mitchell led the way for the Cavaliers with 30 points, three assists and three steals. Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley recorded double-doubles. Allen had 16 points and 18 rebounds, while Mobley recorded 16 points and 11 boards. Mobley also had three blocks. Darius Garland posted 14 points, eight assists and three boards. The Cavaliers shot 44.4 percent from the field and 26.7 percent from three-point range.
Paolo Banchero notched 24 points, seven rebounds and five assists to lead the Magic. Franz Wagner had 18 points, seven rebounds, three assists and three blocks. Jonathan Isaac posted 10 points, five rebounds, three steals and three blocks. Jalen Suggs notched 13 points, four boards and four dimes. Moritz Wagner chipped in with 10 points and five boards off the bench. The Magic shot 32.6 percent from the field and 21.6 percent from deep.
The Cavaliers were the better team from start to finish and fully deserved the victory over the Magic in the series opener Saturday. The Cavaliers quickly established their terms and raced to a 33-26 lead in the first quarter, and a 20-15 score in the second quarter gave Cleveland a double-digit lead break at halftime. The Magic struggled on offense and experienced major woes at the free throw line, which resulted in the team being limited to under 20 points in the third quarter as well, so the Cavs held a 15-point lead with only 12 minutes left. The Magic won the final quarter by a 25-24 score, but the game was already decided by that time. Cleveland secured an easy win and now hold a 1-0 lead in the series. Game 2 will be played at this very same venue Monday.
Donovan Mitchell led the way for the Cavaliers with 30 points, three assists and three steals. Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley recorded double-doubles. Allen had 16 points and 18 rebounds, while Mobley recorded 16 points and 11 boards. Mobley also had three blocks. Darius Garland posted 14 points, eight assists and three boards. The Cavaliers shot 44.4 percent from the field and 26.7 percent from three-point range.
Paolo Banchero notched 24 points, seven rebounds and five assists to lead the Magic. Franz Wagner had 18 points, seven rebounds, three assists and three blocks. Jonathan Isaac posted 10 points, five rebounds, three steals and three blocks. Jalen Suggs notched 13 points, four boards and four dimes. Moritz Wagner chipped in with 10 points and five boards off the bench. The Magic shot 32.6 percent from the field and 21.6 percent from deep.
Timberwolves Thump Suns, 120-95
The Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Phoenix Suns, 120-95, at Target Center on Saturday afternoon in Game 1 of their Western Conference quarterfinal-round series. The Timberwolves lead the series, 1-0.
The Timberwolves (56-26 reg. season, 1-0 postseason) surprisingly came into the series as underdogs, and through one quarter, it appeared the Suns (49-33 reg. season, 0-1 postseason) were indeed prepared to give their hosts yet another tough battle after beating them in all three games of the regular-season series. However, Phoenix's one-point lead after one devolved into a 10-point deficit by halftime. Minnesota then doubled up its advantage during the third quarter, essentially making the final period a formality.
Kevin Durant led the Suns with 31 points, adding seven rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block. Devin Booker supplied 18 points, five assists, two rebounds and one steal. Bradley Beal registered 15 points, six assists, two rebounds and three steals. Royce O'Neal furnished 14 points and four rebounds.
Anthony Edwards paced the Timberwolves with 33 points, complementing them with nine rebounds, six assists and two steals. Karl-Anthony Towns registered 19 points, seven rebounds, four assists and one steal. Rudy Gobert generated a 14-point, 16-rebound double-double that included two assists. Naz Reid managed 12 points, two rebounds, two assists and one steal.
The two teams reconvene at Target Center for Game 2 on Tuesday night.
The Timberwolves (56-26 reg. season, 1-0 postseason) surprisingly came into the series as underdogs, and through one quarter, it appeared the Suns (49-33 reg. season, 0-1 postseason) were indeed prepared to give their hosts yet another tough battle after beating them in all three games of the regular-season series. However, Phoenix's one-point lead after one devolved into a 10-point deficit by halftime. Minnesota then doubled up its advantage during the third quarter, essentially making the final period a formality.
Kevin Durant led the Suns with 31 points, adding seven rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block. Devin Booker supplied 18 points, five assists, two rebounds and one steal. Bradley Beal registered 15 points, six assists, two rebounds and three steals. Royce O'Neal furnished 14 points and four rebounds.
Anthony Edwards paced the Timberwolves with 33 points, complementing them with nine rebounds, six assists and two steals. Karl-Anthony Towns registered 19 points, seven rebounds, four assists and one steal. Rudy Gobert generated a 14-point, 16-rebound double-double that included two assists. Naz Reid managed 12 points, two rebounds, two assists and one steal.
The two teams reconvene at Target Center for Game 2 on Tuesday night.
Knicks Hold Off 76ers In Game 1
By Dan Bruno
The New York Knicks defeated the visiting Philadelphia 76ers, 111-104, in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference First-Round Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on Saturday evening.
The 76ers jumped out to a strong start and led, 34-25, after one quarter. The Knicks turned things around in the second and outscored the visitors, 33-12, to earn a 12-point advantage heading into the break. The Sixers came out strong again in the third and rallied to reclaim a three-point edge entering the final quarter. The scoring hit a lull to start the fourth, but the Knicks came up clutch down the stretch, including three three-pointers within the span of 55 seconds, to establish a seven-point lead with one minute left on the clock. The hosts stayed in control the rest of the way and secured the 1-0 series lead.
Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart delivered 22 points each to lead the way for the Knicks. Miles McBride followed up with 21 points, three rebounds, four assists and a steal, while Bojan Bogdanovic tallied 13 points and seven rebounds.
Meanwhile, Tyrese Maxey led the 76ers with 33 points, two rebounds, four assists and two blocks, in 44 minutes of action. Joel Embiid followed up with 29 points, eight rebounds, six assists and two steals, while Kyle Lowry totaled 18 points, four rebounds, two assists, a steal and a block.
Game 2 is scheduled for Monday in New York.
The 76ers jumped out to a strong start and led, 34-25, after one quarter. The Knicks turned things around in the second and outscored the visitors, 33-12, to earn a 12-point advantage heading into the break. The Sixers came out strong again in the third and rallied to reclaim a three-point edge entering the final quarter. The scoring hit a lull to start the fourth, but the Knicks came up clutch down the stretch, including three three-pointers within the span of 55 seconds, to establish a seven-point lead with one minute left on the clock. The hosts stayed in control the rest of the way and secured the 1-0 series lead.
Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart delivered 22 points each to lead the way for the Knicks. Miles McBride followed up with 21 points, three rebounds, four assists and a steal, while Bojan Bogdanovic tallied 13 points and seven rebounds.
Meanwhile, Tyrese Maxey led the 76ers with 33 points, two rebounds, four assists and two blocks, in 44 minutes of action. Joel Embiid followed up with 29 points, eight rebounds, six assists and two steals, while Kyle Lowry totaled 18 points, four rebounds, two assists, a steal and a block.
Game 2 is scheduled for Monday in New York.
Nuggets Defeat Lakers in Game 1, 114-103
The Denver Nuggets defeated the visiting Los Angeles Lakers, 114-103, in Game 1 of the Western Conference First-Round Playoffs at Ball Arena on Saturday.
Los Angeles had a team-high 12-point lead in the second quarter, but Denver ripped off an 18-8 run to tie the game just before the half. That run set the foundation for a dominant third quarter, with the Nuggets riding a 13-0 run at the end of a 32-18 third quarter to their win. They led by at least six points for the closing 15 minutes after that 13-0 spurt. The Nuggets shot 36 percent from three-point range (15-of-42), while the Lakers shot 28 percent (8-of-29). Denver also recorded 27 assists to four turnovers, while LA had 22 assists to 12 turnovers. While there were only two lead changes, there were 11 ties in this competitive Game 1.
The Lakers (0-1) were led by Anthony Davis, accruing 32 points, 14 rebounds, five assists and four blocks. LeBron James collected 27 points, six rebounds and eight assists. D'Angelo Russell missed 14 of his 20 shots but had 13 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals. Austin Reaves registered 13 points, four rebounds and three assists.
The Nuggets (1-0) were led by Nikola Jokic, finishing with 32 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists and two steals. Jamal Murray amassed 22 points, six rebounds and 10 assists. Michael Porter Jr provided 19 points, eight rebounds and two blocks, while Aaron Gordon generated 12 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists.
These teams will return to action on Tuesday for Game 2 in Denver.
Los Angeles had a team-high 12-point lead in the second quarter, but Denver ripped off an 18-8 run to tie the game just before the half. That run set the foundation for a dominant third quarter, with the Nuggets riding a 13-0 run at the end of a 32-18 third quarter to their win. They led by at least six points for the closing 15 minutes after that 13-0 spurt. The Nuggets shot 36 percent from three-point range (15-of-42), while the Lakers shot 28 percent (8-of-29). Denver also recorded 27 assists to four turnovers, while LA had 22 assists to 12 turnovers. While there were only two lead changes, there were 11 ties in this competitive Game 1.
The Lakers (0-1) were led by Anthony Davis, accruing 32 points, 14 rebounds, five assists and four blocks. LeBron James collected 27 points, six rebounds and eight assists. D'Angelo Russell missed 14 of his 20 shots but had 13 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals. Austin Reaves registered 13 points, four rebounds and three assists.
The Nuggets (1-0) were led by Nikola Jokic, finishing with 32 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists and two steals. Jamal Murray amassed 22 points, six rebounds and 10 assists. Michael Porter Jr provided 19 points, eight rebounds and two blocks, while Aaron Gordon generated 12 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists.
These teams will return to action on Tuesday for Game 2 in Denver.