Knicks Close Things Out, Eliminate Cavaliers
The New York Knicks defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers, 106-95, at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in the First Round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs on Wednesday. The Knicks won the series by a 4-1 score.
The Knicks closed the deal on the road, and as has been the trend all series long, they used their excellent defense to slow down the Cavaliers. New York enjoyed an excellent start and raced to a 33-26 start, a lead the Knicks would extend to double figures following a 28-25 score in the second quarter. Cleveland tried to mount a comeback in the second half, but the team failed to click on offense. Instead, the Knicks won the third quarter and outscored the Cavs by a 26-24 score. The Cavaliers won the final 12 minutes by a 20-19 score, but it was not enough. The Knicks easily closed the deal and advanced to the second round of the NBA Playoffs just for the second time in the last 22 years.
Jalen Brunson led the way for the Knicks with 23 points, four rebounds, four assists and two blocks. RJ Barrett posted 21 points, four rebounds and four assists. Julius Randle notched 13 points, six assists and four boards. Mitchell Robinson recorded 13 points, a whopping 18 rebounds, three blocks and two steals. Josh Hart only scored four points, but he also added 12 rebounds. Immanuel Quickley added 19 points and two rebounds off the bench. Obi Toppin had 12 points.
Donovan Mitchell had 28 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two steals to lead the Cavaliers. Darius Garland notched 21 points, four assists and two rebounds. Caris LeVert delivered 17 points, five boards and four assists. Evan Mobley had six points, nine rebounds and four dimes. Jarrett Allen recorded four points and added four boards.
The Knicks closed the deal on the road, and as has been the trend all series long, they used their excellent defense to slow down the Cavaliers. New York enjoyed an excellent start and raced to a 33-26 start, a lead the Knicks would extend to double figures following a 28-25 score in the second quarter. Cleveland tried to mount a comeback in the second half, but the team failed to click on offense. Instead, the Knicks won the third quarter and outscored the Cavs by a 26-24 score. The Cavaliers won the final 12 minutes by a 20-19 score, but it was not enough. The Knicks easily closed the deal and advanced to the second round of the NBA Playoffs just for the second time in the last 22 years.
Jalen Brunson led the way for the Knicks with 23 points, four rebounds, four assists and two blocks. RJ Barrett posted 21 points, four rebounds and four assists. Julius Randle notched 13 points, six assists and four boards. Mitchell Robinson recorded 13 points, a whopping 18 rebounds, three blocks and two steals. Josh Hart only scored four points, but he also added 12 rebounds. Immanuel Quickley added 19 points and two rebounds off the bench. Obi Toppin had 12 points.
Donovan Mitchell had 28 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two steals to lead the Cavaliers. Darius Garland notched 21 points, four assists and two rebounds. Caris LeVert delivered 17 points, five boards and four assists. Evan Mobley had six points, nine rebounds and four dimes. Jarrett Allen recorded four points and added four boards.
Grizzlies Thump Lakers, 116-99
The Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Los Angeles Lakers, 116-99, at FedEx Forum in Game 5 of their Western Conference quarterfinal-round series. The Lakers lead the series, 3-2.
The Grizzlies (2-3) came out up to the task of the do-or-die circumstances of the night, forging a 38-24 lead through one. The Lakers (2-3) managed to chop five points from their deficit prior to halftime, but when Memphis managed to double its advantage to 18 points in the third, the game was essentially decided.
Anthony Davis led the Lakers with 31 points, adding 19 rebounds, one assist, two blocks and one steal. Austin Reaves furnished 17 points, eight rebounds, six assists and one steal. LeBron James generated a 15-point, 10-rebound double-double that included five assists, two steals and one block. D'Angelo Russell delivered 11 points, 10 assists, four boards and one steal.
Desmond Bane paced the Grizzlies with 33 points, supplementing them with 10 boards and five assists. Ja Morant generated a 31-point, 10-rebound double-double that included seven assists and one steal. Jaren Jackson supplied 18 points, 10 rebounds, two blocks and one steal.
The series shifts back to Los Angeles for Game 6 on Friday night.
The Grizzlies (2-3) came out up to the task of the do-or-die circumstances of the night, forging a 38-24 lead through one. The Lakers (2-3) managed to chop five points from their deficit prior to halftime, but when Memphis managed to double its advantage to 18 points in the third, the game was essentially decided.
Anthony Davis led the Lakers with 31 points, adding 19 rebounds, one assist, two blocks and one steal. Austin Reaves furnished 17 points, eight rebounds, six assists and one steal. LeBron James generated a 15-point, 10-rebound double-double that included five assists, two steals and one block. D'Angelo Russell delivered 11 points, 10 assists, four boards and one steal.
Desmond Bane paced the Grizzlies with 33 points, supplementing them with 10 boards and five assists. Ja Morant generated a 31-point, 10-rebound double-double that included seven assists and one steal. Jaren Jackson supplied 18 points, 10 rebounds, two blocks and one steal.
The series shifts back to Los Angeles for Game 6 on Friday night.
Heat Stun Bucks To Close Out First-Round Series
By Dan Bruno
The Miami Heat defeated the host Milwaukee Bucks, 128-126, in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference First-Round Playoffs at Fiserv Forum on Wednesday evening
The game got out to a high-scoring start as the Heat led 36-33, through one quarter. The Bucks turned up their play in the second and outscored the visitors, 36-27, to claim a six-point advantage by halftime. They kept the pressure on in the third and pushed it to a 16-point game heading into the final frame, but the Heat came up clutch in the fourth, outscoring the hosts, 32-16, to force overtime. The Heat took the first lead in the extra period and stayed in front the rest of the way to close out the road win and complete the series upset.
Jimmy Butler led the way for the Heat with 42 points, eight rebounds, four assists, two steals and a block, in 46 minutes. Gabe Vincent followed up with 22 points and six assists, while Bam Adebayo logged 20 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, two steals and a block. The Heat shot 45.5 percent from the field, including 17-of-45 from deep.
Meanwhile, Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 38 points, 20 rebounds and three assists, in 42 minutes. Khris Middleton followed up with 33 points, six rebounds and six assists, while Brook Lopez added 18 points, 10 rebounds, a steal and a block. The Bucks shot 46.2 percent from the field, including 14-of-33 from long range.
The game got out to a high-scoring start as the Heat led 36-33, through one quarter. The Bucks turned up their play in the second and outscored the visitors, 36-27, to claim a six-point advantage by halftime. They kept the pressure on in the third and pushed it to a 16-point game heading into the final frame, but the Heat came up clutch in the fourth, outscoring the hosts, 32-16, to force overtime. The Heat took the first lead in the extra period and stayed in front the rest of the way to close out the road win and complete the series upset.
Jimmy Butler led the way for the Heat with 42 points, eight rebounds, four assists, two steals and a block, in 46 minutes. Gabe Vincent followed up with 22 points and six assists, while Bam Adebayo logged 20 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, two steals and a block. The Heat shot 45.5 percent from the field, including 17-of-45 from deep.
Meanwhile, Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 38 points, 20 rebounds and three assists, in 42 minutes. Khris Middleton followed up with 33 points, six rebounds and six assists, while Brook Lopez added 18 points, 10 rebounds, a steal and a block. The Bucks shot 46.2 percent from the field, including 14-of-33 from long range.
Warriors Defeat Kings in Game 5, 123-116, Up 3-2
The Golden State Warriors defeated the host Sacramento Kings, 123-116, in Game 5 of the Western Conference First-Round Playoffs at Golden 1 Center on Wednesday.
Golden State leads this series, 3-2.
There were only two ties and five lead changes in this game, with Golden State maintaining the lead for the final 20 minutes. They outscored the Kings in the middle quarters, 66-54, and finished the game on a 12-6 run over the final four minutes. The Warriors shot 52 percent from the field while holding the Kings below 47 percent shooting. Golden State also recorded 33 assists to 14 turnovers, while Sacramento had 22 assists to 19 turnovers.
The Warriors (3-2) were led by Stephen Curry, collecting 31 points, two rebounds and eight assists. Klay Thompson tallied 25 points and two rebounds. Andrew Wiggins amassed 20 points, four rebounds, two steals and two blocks, while Draymond Green led the bench with 21 points, four rebounds, seven assists and four steals. Kevon Looney had four points, 22 rebounds and seven assists.
The Kings (2-3) were led by De'Aaron Fox, finishing with 24 points, seven rebounds, nine assists and two steals. Domantas Sabonis generated 21 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and three steals. Harrison Barnes totaled 13 points, three rebounds and two steals, while Malik Monk led the bench with 21 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals.
The Game 5 winner has gone on to win 82 percent of the series in NBA history. Game 6 will be played in Golden State on Friday.
Golden State leads this series, 3-2.
There were only two ties and five lead changes in this game, with Golden State maintaining the lead for the final 20 minutes. They outscored the Kings in the middle quarters, 66-54, and finished the game on a 12-6 run over the final four minutes. The Warriors shot 52 percent from the field while holding the Kings below 47 percent shooting. Golden State also recorded 33 assists to 14 turnovers, while Sacramento had 22 assists to 19 turnovers.
The Warriors (3-2) were led by Stephen Curry, collecting 31 points, two rebounds and eight assists. Klay Thompson tallied 25 points and two rebounds. Andrew Wiggins amassed 20 points, four rebounds, two steals and two blocks, while Draymond Green led the bench with 21 points, four rebounds, seven assists and four steals. Kevon Looney had four points, 22 rebounds and seven assists.
The Kings (2-3) were led by De'Aaron Fox, finishing with 24 points, seven rebounds, nine assists and two steals. Domantas Sabonis generated 21 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and three steals. Harrison Barnes totaled 13 points, three rebounds and two steals, while Malik Monk led the bench with 21 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals.
The Game 5 winner has gone on to win 82 percent of the series in NBA history. Game 6 will be played in Golden State on Friday.