Atlanta nonetheless respiration after 130-122 win over Boston
For the primary 11 or so minutes, this appeared in peril of ending up like the primary two video games after Boston constructed up a 37-28 lead with 52 seconds remaining within the first quarter. The Hawks responded with a 15-3 run, together with 5 unanswered to finish the quarter. Celtics by no means led by greater than a possession after the primary whereas the Hawks led by as a lot as 14 and 12 at totally different junctures.
Trae Younger and Dejounte Murray have been the offensive engines they have been designed to be, combining for 57 factors on 23-43 capturing, 12 rebounds, 14 assists (six turnovers), and two steals whereas Saddiq Bey and Bogdan Bogdanovic every added 15 factors (together with three threes) off the bench.
This collection nonetheless reeks of “gentleman’s sweep” (simple collection win in 5 video games) to me and Boston may take the subsequent step to that on Sunday at 7 p.m.
Knicks maintain defensive clinic in 99-79 win over Cavs
RJ Barrett got here alive for 19 factors, which is essentially the most he’s had this collection. The eight subject targets he made ties a playoff profession excessive and his 8-12 (66.7%) capturing is a playoff profession greatest. Barrett capitalized on quick break alternatives and didn’t hesitate on catch-and-shoot possibilities, teaming with an aggressive Jalen Brunson for a mixed 40-piece.
Tom Thibodeau was impressed, however not glad together with his Knicks holding the Cavs to 79, the bottom whole by any workforce all yr, postseason or not: “I assumed we had good general exercise [and] good depth. Guys have been linked, did an excellent job difficult photographs and ending… It’s one sport is what it’s, and so now the problem is prepare for sport 4.”
This was legitimately the perfect defensive efficiency of the NBA season:
After capturing under 40% general and simply barely over 20% from three, Cleveland is probably going anxious to get to sport 4 and get it within the rear view. Darius Garland and Caris LeVert have been two of the most important culprits on that entrance, combining to shoot 11-38 (28.9%) general and 4-18 (22.2%) from deep. They’ll have their shot to tie the collection on Sunday at 1 p.m. for sport 4.
Jokic builds legacy as Denver takes 3-0 lead over Minnesota with 120-111 win
The back-to-back MVP completed together with his thirtieth triple-double this season and first this postseason. Nikola Jokic now has seven playoff triple-doubles in his profession, behind solely Wilt Chamberlain’s 9, amongst facilities.
The Wolves began off fairly sturdy given how many of the collection has gone, however that solely lasted about eight or 9 minutes as a result of the Nuggets responded with a 25-12 run and maintained a roughly 10-point lead the remainder of the way in which. Anthony Edwards, who had 36 factors on 10-22 capturing, was the most important motive it was anyplace close to a sport, contributing 23 of his 36 within the second half.
Denver has an opportunity on Sunday at 9:30 p.m. to turn out to be the one Western Convention workforce to comb their first-round opponent. Philadelphia is the one different squad throughout the playoffs with a 3-0 lead going into their Saturday sport 4.
