Grizzlies Overcome Injuries To Defeat Lakers
The Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Los Angeles Lakers, 103-93, at FedExForum in Game 2 of the Western Conference First Round on Wednesday. The series is now tied 1-1.
The Grizzlies had their backs against the wall after losing the series opener. However, they delivered an excellent performance despite not having their star player, Ja Morant, due to a hand injury. However, Memphis’ role players stepped their game up when the team needed it the most. The Grizzlies enjoyed an excellent start to the game and raced to a 30-19 lead in the opening 12 minutes. Memphis bolstered its lead even further following a 29-25 score in the second quarter, so they held a 15-point lead at halftime. The Lakers showed signs of life in the second half, though. They won the third quarter by a 27-24 score and the fourth by a 22-20 tally. However, that was not enough to mount a comeback, and the Grizzlies secured the victory. The series is now tied 1-1. Game 3 is scheduled for Saturday at crypto.com Arena.
Xavier Tillman led the way for the Grizzlies with 22 points and 13 rebounds. Jaren Jackson finished with 18 points, nine rebounds, three assists and three blocks. Dillon Brooks had 12 points and three assists. Tyus Jones finished with 10 points, eight assists and six rebounds. Desmond Bane posted 17 points and four rebounds. Luke Kennard had 13 points.
LeBron James was the best player for the Lakers, finishing with 28 points, 12 rebounds and three assists. Anthony Davis had 13 points, eight rebounds, five blocks and three assists. Austin Reaves posted 12 points, five rebounds and four assists. Rui Hachimura had 20 points off the bench.
The Grizzlies had their backs against the wall after losing the series opener. However, they delivered an excellent performance despite not having their star player, Ja Morant, due to a hand injury. However, Memphis’ role players stepped their game up when the team needed it the most. The Grizzlies enjoyed an excellent start to the game and raced to a 30-19 lead in the opening 12 minutes. Memphis bolstered its lead even further following a 29-25 score in the second quarter, so they held a 15-point lead at halftime. The Lakers showed signs of life in the second half, though. They won the third quarter by a 27-24 score and the fourth by a 22-20 tally. However, that was not enough to mount a comeback, and the Grizzlies secured the victory. The series is now tied 1-1. Game 3 is scheduled for Saturday at crypto.com Arena.
Xavier Tillman led the way for the Grizzlies with 22 points and 13 rebounds. Jaren Jackson finished with 18 points, nine rebounds, three assists and three blocks. Dillon Brooks had 12 points and three assists. Tyus Jones finished with 10 points, eight assists and six rebounds. Desmond Bane posted 17 points and four rebounds. Luke Kennard had 13 points.
LeBron James was the best player for the Lakers, finishing with 28 points, 12 rebounds and three assists. Anthony Davis had 13 points, eight rebounds, five blocks and three assists. Austin Reaves posted 12 points, five rebounds and four assists. Rui Hachimura had 20 points off the bench.
Bucks Blast Heat, 138-122
The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Miami Heat, 138-122, at Fiserv Forum in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference First Round Playoff Series on Wednesday night. The series is now tied 1-1.
The Bucks (1-1) came into the night already facing an uphill battle that went beyond already being behind in the series, as they also were down Giannis Antetokounmpo (back). However, Milwaukee sent an early message that it might be up to the challenge when it emerged from the first quarter with a 35-28 lead through one, and the hosts changed the dynamic of the game for good during a second quarter in which they outscored the Heat by a 46-27 margin. Miami fell behind by another seven points during the third quarter before piling up some points in garbage time and making the final margin of defeat a bit more palatable.
Jimmy Butler led the Heat with 25 points, adding three rebounds, three assists and two steals. Bam Adebayo delivered 18 points, five boards, one assist and one steal. Gabe Vincent posted 16 points and three assists. Caleb Martin and Victor Oladipo produced matching 15-point tallies while recording six assists and five rebounds, respectively. Duncan Robinson registered 14 points, five rebounds and three assists.
Brook Lopez paced the Bucks with 25 points, supplementing them with four rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block. Jrue Holiday generated a 24-point, 11-assist double-double that included five rebounds and one steal. Pat Connaughton furnished 22 points, four rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block. Joe Ingles supplied 17 points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals. Khris Middleton compiled 16 points, seven assists and six rebounds. Grayson Allen matched Middleton's scoring and added two rebounds and one assist. Bobby Portis provided a 13-point, 15-rebound double-double that included five assists, two blocks and one steal.
The two teams reconvene at Kaseya Center in South Florida on Saturday evening for Game 3.
The Bucks (1-1) came into the night already facing an uphill battle that went beyond already being behind in the series, as they also were down Giannis Antetokounmpo (back). However, Milwaukee sent an early message that it might be up to the challenge when it emerged from the first quarter with a 35-28 lead through one, and the hosts changed the dynamic of the game for good during a second quarter in which they outscored the Heat by a 46-27 margin. Miami fell behind by another seven points during the third quarter before piling up some points in garbage time and making the final margin of defeat a bit more palatable.
Jimmy Butler led the Heat with 25 points, adding three rebounds, three assists and two steals. Bam Adebayo delivered 18 points, five boards, one assist and one steal. Gabe Vincent posted 16 points and three assists. Caleb Martin and Victor Oladipo produced matching 15-point tallies while recording six assists and five rebounds, respectively. Duncan Robinson registered 14 points, five rebounds and three assists.
Brook Lopez paced the Bucks with 25 points, supplementing them with four rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block. Jrue Holiday generated a 24-point, 11-assist double-double that included five rebounds and one steal. Pat Connaughton furnished 22 points, four rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block. Joe Ingles supplied 17 points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals. Khris Middleton compiled 16 points, seven assists and six rebounds. Grayson Allen matched Middleton's scoring and added two rebounds and one assist. Bobby Portis provided a 13-point, 15-rebound double-double that included five assists, two blocks and one steal.
The two teams reconvene at Kaseya Center in South Florida on Saturday evening for Game 3.
Nuggets Defeat T'Wolves in Game 2, 122-113
The Denver Nuggets defeated the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves, 122-113, in Game 2 of the Western Conference First-Round Playoffs at Ball Arena on Wednesday.
There were eight ties and 10 lead changes in this game, with Denver closing things behind a 35-24 fourth quarter. They were down 99-98 with 6:30 remaining but finished the game on a 24-14 run. Minnesota was down by 21 points in the second quarter but fought back thanks to a 40-23 third quarter. The Nuggets shot 54 percent from the field and 46 percent from three-point range. Denver also out-rebounded Minnesota, 47-40, while outscoring them in the paint, 56-44.
The Timberwolves (0-2) were led by Anthony Edwards, accruing 41 points, two rebounds, four assists, two steals and three blocks. Rudy Gobert generated 19 points, eight rebounds and four assists. Mike Conley collected 14 points and seven assists, while Karl-Anthony Towns tallied 10 points, 12 rebounds and two assists.
The Nuggets (2-0) were led by Jamal Murray, finishing with 40 points, three rebounds and five assists. Nikola Jokic had 27 points, nine rebounds and nine assists. Michael Porter Jr provided 16 points and six rebounds, while Aaron Gordon amassed 12 points, 10 rebounds and three assists.
These teams will return to action on Saturday in Minnesota.
There were eight ties and 10 lead changes in this game, with Denver closing things behind a 35-24 fourth quarter. They were down 99-98 with 6:30 remaining but finished the game on a 24-14 run. Minnesota was down by 21 points in the second quarter but fought back thanks to a 40-23 third quarter. The Nuggets shot 54 percent from the field and 46 percent from three-point range. Denver also out-rebounded Minnesota, 47-40, while outscoring them in the paint, 56-44.
The Timberwolves (0-2) were led by Anthony Edwards, accruing 41 points, two rebounds, four assists, two steals and three blocks. Rudy Gobert generated 19 points, eight rebounds and four assists. Mike Conley collected 14 points and seven assists, while Karl-Anthony Towns tallied 10 points, 12 rebounds and two assists.
The Nuggets (2-0) were led by Jamal Murray, finishing with 40 points, three rebounds and five assists. Nikola Jokic had 27 points, nine rebounds and nine assists. Michael Porter Jr provided 16 points and six rebounds, while Aaron Gordon amassed 12 points, 10 rebounds and three assists.
These teams will return to action on Saturday in Minnesota.