NBA Playoffs scores: Kings outlast Warriors in epic opener to nice sequence. Sixers win 121-101 over Nets behind late 15-2 run. Philly acquired strong scoring outputs from Joel Embiid (26), James Harden (23), and Tobias Harris (21), and the Sixers received comparatively simply.
They received each quarter and by no means trailed, utilizing a 15-2 run from the two:14 mark within the third working till the 8:01 mark within the fourth. That run, punctuated by a Paul Reed and-one reverse dunk, signaled a 20-point lead for the Sixers.
NBA Playoffs scores: Kings outlast Warriors in Epic Opener to nice sequence
On the opposite aspect, the previous Suns supplied most of Brooklyn’s offense. Mikal Bridges, initially a Sixers draftee and from Philly (along with his mother employed by the workforce), scored 23 of his 30 factors (12-18 FG) within the first half, which was additionally his first half as a real #1 possibility within the playoffs.
Cam Johnson was second in factors on the Nets with 18 on 7-11 capturing. The 2 mixed for 48 on 65.5% capturing whereas the remainder of the workforce shot 48.8% on their option to 53 factors.
The Sixers will look to take a agency 2-0 lead after they end out this homestand on Monday at 7:30.
Celtics keep away from historic collapse in 112-99 victory over Hawks
Most individuals across the league didn’t — and nonetheless don’t — count on this to be a lot of a sequence. Boston comes into the sequence as among the finest groups all through the complete common season.
Furthermore, they are hungry to observe up final yr’s Finals run with a Finals win this year. Atlanta however is coping with the tumult of a star duo with some bumps within the street and a still-new head coach, who’s slowly getting his workforce to purchase in.
After a 29-19 first quarter with the Celtics getting the early benefit, issues went from dangerous to worse for the Hawks, giving up 45 factors within the second. Jayson Tatum set the tone within the first with 13 factors, however Derrick White took the reins within the second with 12. They completed the sport with 25 and 24 factors respectively.
Issues practically turned from nice to catastrophic for Boston after they noticed a 32-point lead early within the third crumble to only 12 at a couple of factors within the fourth quarter.
They have been capable of maintain on sufficient to tug out the sport one win, doubtless extra desirous about a 48-minute efficiency in recreation two, which is able to come on Tuesday at 7 within the Backyard.
Knicks preserve management over Cavs in 101-97 win
New York was 3-1 in opposition to Cleveland throughout the common season with the one loss coming in October and two of the wins coming by double-digits. They’ve had the Cavs’ quantity and that continued on this one; Knicks solely trailed as soon as within the second half.
Famous Knicks fanatic Stephen A. Smith talked on the ESPN halftime present for one of many video games about how the Knicks nonetheless have a number of room to play higher on this sequence.
More so, that’s an concept I can get behind, particularly when you think about Julius Randle, who performed in his first recreation since Mar. 29, ending with 19 factors on 7-20 FG. RJ Barrett could possibly be a lot better as properly; he had simply seven factors on 2-12 capturing.
Jalen Brunson and Donovan Mitchell went toe-to-toe, particularly within the fourth, with Mitchell successful the person battle however Brunson successful the warfare; Brunson scored 9 of his 27 within the fourth whereas Mitchell scored 14 of his 38 within the fourth. Mitchell and the Cavs look to bounce again and choose up a house win on Tuesday at 7:30 earlier than heading to MSG.
Fox scores second-most ever in a playoff debut, Kings win wild one over Warriors, 126-123
I’ll echo the identical vitality that Steve Kerr had in his postgame media availability: this got here down to 2 groups enjoying rather well down the stretch however the Kings simply performed a little bit bit higher. There are many issues you’ll be able to parse via to make sense of it, however on the finish of the day, each side simply tip their caps.
As for issues I believe will stick via the sequence, De’Aaron Fox confirmed up in such an enormous means with 38 factors, the second-most factors in a playoff debut. The favourite for Clutch Participant of the Yr scored eight of his 38 in clutch time to assist seal the deal.
I additionally suppose Steph Curry being an unlimited swing will stick. He was +11 within the 37 minutes he was on the ground, and the Warriors have been -14 within the 11 he didn’t, which features a 13-4 run by Sacramento in roughly two minutes to shut the third when the Kings took a one-point lead.
As for the flukier elements to this recreation, I don’t suppose Domantas Sabonis will probably be as ineffective offensively (simply two second half factors on 1-5 capturing) and conversely, I don’t suppose Malik Monk will probably be as efficient (I’ll wager the home that he doesn’t have 32 factors on 13 pictures once more this postseason).
Even be looking out for higher nights from Andrew Wiggins, who shot simply 7-16 (1-8 3P) in his first recreation again from a protracted absence as a consequence of private causes. He nonetheless performed 28 minutes and was principally strong.
But when he can spherical again into kind from final summer season’s Finals run, be careful for a possible repeat. Within the short-term, search for an thrilling recreation two on Monday at 10, the place the Kings will attempt to end the homestand 2-0.
