Update: 23/04/2024 10:19
Issued by: 23/04/2024, 07:39
New York – In the second game of the series of the 1st round of the NBA playoffs with the Los Angeles Lakers, the Denver basketball players overturned a 20-point deficit and thanks to a shot in the last second, they won 101-99 and claimed their second win. Also in the end, New York decided the duel against Philadelphia and won the second point after winning 104:101. Cleveland also added a second victory, beating Orlando 96:86.
Denver lost 15 points to the Lakers at halftime, the most in the game was twenty. Jamal Murray, the author of a total of 20 points and five assists, decided the triumph of the defending champions with a difficult shot in the last second, which prevailed over the blocking senior Anthony Davis.
Next to Murray, the hero of the Nuggets was Nikola Jokic, who collected a triple double for 27 points, 20 rebounds and 10 assists. Another 22 points and nine rebounds were scored by Michael Porter Jr. Denver succeeded, though they hit just eight of 34 three-pointers.
Davis led the guests with 32 points and 11 rebounds, D’Angelo Russell collected 23 points. Star LeBron James scored 26 points, 12 assists and eight rebounds. However, with sixteen seconds remaining, he missed a potentially game-winning three-pointer from the center and from a completely free position after breaking free over a defender.
After the game, James was angry with the referee. The leading scorer in NBA history was upset about a situation in the third quarter, when the referees called a foul on Porter, who hit Russell in the face during his drive. However, after a challenge from Denver and a video review, they overturned the decision. “I don’t understand what they’re doing with the video, to be honest. I said it last year and I’m saying it again. It doesn’t make sense to me and it pisses me off,” he said, adding a few profanities before walking out of the press conference in disgust.
Philadelphia led New York by five points with 27 seconds left, but then Jalen Brunson converted a difficult three-pointer. Donte DiVincenzo gave the Knicks the lead for good with 13 seconds left.
“It was crazy, hectic, but at that moment we had nothing left to lose. We went physical and it paid off,” said Josh Hart, who was the only New York player to play the full 48 minutes. He collected 21 points and 15 rebounds, Brunson had 24 points and eight rebounds and DiVincenzo had 19 points.
Hartenstein, the author of 14 points and eight rebounds, blocked Tyres Maxey in the end. On the other side, OG Annunoby made free throws and Joel Embiid missed a three with the horn. It was the fourth time since 1997 that someone trailed by at least five points with 30 seconds left to win a playoff game.
Not even Maxey’s 35 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds or Embiid’s 34 points and 10 rebounds helped the guests.
The most ambiguous duel was seen on Monday in Cleveland, where the home team led by up to 22 points and finally enjoyed a 96:86 triumph. Donovan Mitchell led them with 23 points and eight rebounds, Evan Mobley added 17 points and Jarrett Allen had 16 points and 20 rebounds. The Cavaliers succeeded despite a limited rotation of eight players.
“It’s great. It shows that we’re growing not only as individuals, but especially as a team. Of course, we all have weaker moments, but as a result, we’ve moved forward,” Allen was pleased. Magic was led by Paolo Banchero with 21 points, 18 by Franz Wagner and 14 by Garry Harris. Orlando never led in the game.
NBA Playoffs – Round 1:
Eastern Conference – 2nd Matches:
Cleveland – Orlando 96-86, series status 2-0; New York – Philadelphia 104:101, series status 2:0.
Western Conference – Game 2:
Denver – LA Lakers 101:99, series status 2:0.
