Magic Host Cavaliers Looking For Spark
The Orlando Magic will host the Cleveland Cavaliers at Kia Center on Thursday in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference quarterfinal-round series. The Cavaliers lead the series 2-0.
To say the Magic have not looked good in the series against the Cavaliers would be an understatement. In what has been a low-scoring series that resembles the playoff matchups of the 1990s, the Magic have yet to reach the 90-point threshold in the first two games. The Cavaliers have looked excellent on defense and have limited Orlando to shooting under 37 percent from the field in both contests. One of the few silver linings for the Magic has been the play of Paolo Banchero, who has scored over 20 points in the two games so far. He can’t do the heavy lifting all by himself, though. Unless other Orlando players step up, the Magic will have a hard time coming back from this deficit, especially since they’re getting bullied in the paint and have looked unable to slow Donovan Mitchell down.
The Cavaliers head to Orlando knowing they have a 2-0 series lead, and in the worst-case scenario, they’d return home with the series tied 2-2 and two games left at home. However, if the Cavaliers find a way to keep the same intensity they showed in the first two contests, then the series might not even return to Orlando. The Cavaliers have looked dominant on both ends of the court, and while Donovan Mitchell gets most of the praise, the defense has been carrying Cleveland so far. The play of Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley has been outstanding, and the Magic have not been able to match their physicality levels. If the Cavaliers can keep the momentum going on defense, and if Donovan Mitchell remains hot, then the Cavaliers could end the series sooner rather than later.
To say the Magic have not looked good in the series against the Cavaliers would be an understatement. In what has been a low-scoring series that resembles the playoff matchups of the 1990s, the Magic have yet to reach the 90-point threshold in the first two games. The Cavaliers have looked excellent on defense and have limited Orlando to shooting under 37 percent from the field in both contests. One of the few silver linings for the Magic has been the play of Paolo Banchero, who has scored over 20 points in the two games so far. He can’t do the heavy lifting all by himself, though. Unless other Orlando players step up, the Magic will have a hard time coming back from this deficit, especially since they’re getting bullied in the paint and have looked unable to slow Donovan Mitchell down.
The Cavaliers head to Orlando knowing they have a 2-0 series lead, and in the worst-case scenario, they’d return home with the series tied 2-2 and two games left at home. However, if the Cavaliers find a way to keep the same intensity they showed in the first two contests, then the series might not even return to Orlando. The Cavaliers have looked dominant on both ends of the court, and while Donovan Mitchell gets most of the praise, the defense has been carrying Cleveland so far. The play of Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley has been outstanding, and the Magic have not been able to match their physicality levels. If the Cavaliers can keep the momentum going on defense, and if Donovan Mitchell remains hot, then the Cavaliers could end the series sooner rather than later.
76ers Looking To Get Even At Home
By Dan Bruno
The Philadelphia 76ers play host to the New York Knicks in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference First-Round Playoffs at Wells Fargo Center on Thursday evening.
The Knicks own a 2-0 series lead after two hard-fought wins, including a wild rally to close out Game 2. They trailed by five points with 47 seconds left in the game, but they responded with a three-pointer, followed by a steal and another three to jump ahead and hang on for the comeback win at home.
Jalen Brunson had a rough shooting night as he led the Knicks in Game 2 with 24 points on 8-for-29 shooting, eight rebounds and six assists, in 38 minutes. Josh Hart followed up with 21 points, 15 rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks, while Donte DiVincenzo totaled 19 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals. Meanwhile, despite entering the game after being listed as questionable for action, Joel Embiid delivered a big-time performance with 34 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and a block. Tyrese Maxey also came up huge with 35 points, nine rebounds and 10 assists, while Tobias Harris was the only other Sixers player to score in double digits, with 10 points, nine rebounds, three assists, a steal and a block.
With their backs against the wall, the Sixers must bring their best effort yet in Game 3 to avoid falling into a 0-3 hole.
Both sides are dealing with a bit of injury trouble, as Mitchell Robinson (ankle) is listed as questionable for the Knicks. Joel Embiid (knee) and De'Anthony melton are listed a questionable for action, while Robert Covington (knee) remains out for the 76ers.
The Knicks own a 2-0 series lead after two hard-fought wins, including a wild rally to close out Game 2. They trailed by five points with 47 seconds left in the game, but they responded with a three-pointer, followed by a steal and another three to jump ahead and hang on for the comeback win at home.
Jalen Brunson had a rough shooting night as he led the Knicks in Game 2 with 24 points on 8-for-29 shooting, eight rebounds and six assists, in 38 minutes. Josh Hart followed up with 21 points, 15 rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks, while Donte DiVincenzo totaled 19 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals. Meanwhile, despite entering the game after being listed as questionable for action, Joel Embiid delivered a big-time performance with 34 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and a block. Tyrese Maxey also came up huge with 35 points, nine rebounds and 10 assists, while Tobias Harris was the only other Sixers player to score in double digits, with 10 points, nine rebounds, three assists, a steal and a block.
With their backs against the wall, the Sixers must bring their best effort yet in Game 3 to avoid falling into a 0-3 hole.
Both sides are dealing with a bit of injury trouble, as Mitchell Robinson (ankle) is listed as questionable for the Knicks. Joel Embiid (knee) and De'Anthony melton are listed a questionable for action, while Robert Covington (knee) remains out for the 76ers.
Lakers Host Nuggets in Game 2, Down 0-2
The Los Angeles Lakers play host to the Denver Nuggets in Game 3 of the Western Conference First-Round Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on Thursday.
Denver leads this series, 2-0.
The Lakers (0-2) were in control of Game 2 but completely collapsed in the second half. They led by 20 points midway through the third quarter but couldn't hold off the world champs in one of the failures of the season. What's sad is that they got some stellar performances from their stars. LeBron James has 26 points, eight rebounds and 12 assists, while Anthony Davis totaled 32 points and 11 boards. They also got 23 points and six assists from D'Angelo Russell, but it's clear this team can't get over the Denver hump. They'll have to figure things out soon because a loss here would mean a 3-0 deficit, and that's an impossible task when looking at the history of the NBA.
The Nuggets (2-0) had no right winning Game 2 but they were able to snatch that defeat in the final seconds. They trailed by 20 points in the third quarter of that critical Game 2 and prevailed behind a 32-20 fourth quarter. A game-winning shot from Jamal Murray was their only lead after the opening two minutes of that game, showcasing why this team took down the title last year. Murray scored 14 of the team's final 20 points, despite having another poor shooting night. Nikola Jokic is the one who carried the load, though, tallying 27 points, 20 rebounds and 10 assists in another masterful performance. Only four players have had at least 20 points, 20 rebounds and 10 assists in a playoff game, while Jokic has done that four times himself!
Denver had won 10 straight games over Los Angeles. Teams that lead 2-0 win over 75 percent of the seven-game series in NBA history.
Denver leads this series, 2-0.
The Lakers (0-2) were in control of Game 2 but completely collapsed in the second half. They led by 20 points midway through the third quarter but couldn't hold off the world champs in one of the failures of the season. What's sad is that they got some stellar performances from their stars. LeBron James has 26 points, eight rebounds and 12 assists, while Anthony Davis totaled 32 points and 11 boards. They also got 23 points and six assists from D'Angelo Russell, but it's clear this team can't get over the Denver hump. They'll have to figure things out soon because a loss here would mean a 3-0 deficit, and that's an impossible task when looking at the history of the NBA.
The Nuggets (2-0) had no right winning Game 2 but they were able to snatch that defeat in the final seconds. They trailed by 20 points in the third quarter of that critical Game 2 and prevailed behind a 32-20 fourth quarter. A game-winning shot from Jamal Murray was their only lead after the opening two minutes of that game, showcasing why this team took down the title last year. Murray scored 14 of the team's final 20 points, despite having another poor shooting night. Nikola Jokic is the one who carried the load, though, tallying 27 points, 20 rebounds and 10 assists in another masterful performance. Only four players have had at least 20 points, 20 rebounds and 10 assists in a playoff game, while Jokic has done that four times himself!
Denver had won 10 straight games over Los Angeles. Teams that lead 2-0 win over 75 percent of the seven-game series in NBA history.