Timberwolves Grab 2-0 Series Lead Over Suns
The Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Phoenix Suns, 105-93, at Target Center on Tuesday. With the win, the Timberwolves have gone 2-0 up in the series.
The Timberwolves carried the momentum of their Game 1 win and quickly established their terms against the Suns in front of 19,310 fans. Minnesota grabbed a 24-21 lead in the first quarter, but Phoenix responded in the second quarter. A 30-26 score in the second period gave the Suns a one-point lead, and even though it looked like an upset was brewing, the Timberwolves recovered control in the second half. A 28-20 score in the third quarter restored Minnesota’s lead, and the Timberwolves closed things out with a 27-22 score over the final 12 minutes of action. With the win, the Timberwolves now hold a 2-0 lead in the series. Game 3 will be played in Phoenix on Friday.
Jalen McDaniels led the Timberwolves with 25 points, eight rebounds and three assists. Rudy Gobert and Mike Conley each had 18 points. Gobert also added nine rebounds, three steals and two assists, while Conley chipped in with four rebounds, four assists and two steals. Karl-Anthony Towns posted 12 points and eight rebounds. Anthony Edwards had 15 points, eight assists, five rebounds and three steals. The Timberwolves shot 44.9 percent from the field.
Devin Booker recorded 20 points, five assists and three rebounds. Kevin Durant recorded 18 points and six rebounds. Jusuf Nurkic notched 10 points and 14 rebounds. Bradley Beal posted 14 points, six assists and four boards. Eric Gordon added 15 points off the bench. The Suns shot 44.9 percent from the field.
The Timberwolves carried the momentum of their Game 1 win and quickly established their terms against the Suns in front of 19,310 fans. Minnesota grabbed a 24-21 lead in the first quarter, but Phoenix responded in the second quarter. A 30-26 score in the second period gave the Suns a one-point lead, and even though it looked like an upset was brewing, the Timberwolves recovered control in the second half. A 28-20 score in the third quarter restored Minnesota’s lead, and the Timberwolves closed things out with a 27-22 score over the final 12 minutes of action. With the win, the Timberwolves now hold a 2-0 lead in the series. Game 3 will be played in Phoenix on Friday.
Jalen McDaniels led the Timberwolves with 25 points, eight rebounds and three assists. Rudy Gobert and Mike Conley each had 18 points. Gobert also added nine rebounds, three steals and two assists, while Conley chipped in with four rebounds, four assists and two steals. Karl-Anthony Towns posted 12 points and eight rebounds. Anthony Edwards had 15 points, eight assists, five rebounds and three steals. The Timberwolves shot 44.9 percent from the field.
Devin Booker recorded 20 points, five assists and three rebounds. Kevin Durant recorded 18 points and six rebounds. Jusuf Nurkic notched 10 points and 14 rebounds. Bradley Beal posted 14 points, six assists and four boards. Eric Gordon added 15 points off the bench. The Suns shot 44.9 percent from the field.
Pacers Throttle Bucks in Game 2, 125-108
The Indiana Pacers defeated the Milwaukee Bucks, 125-108, at Fiserv Forum on Tuesday night in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference quarterfinal-round series. The series is tied 1-1.
The Bucks (1-1) had impressively overcome the absence of Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) in Game 1, but the Pacers (1-1) appeared intent on not missing the opportunity to press their advantage for a second straight game. Indiana built a four-point lead through one and was able to tack on another point by halftime, and the visitors then ensured there'd be no immediate second-half resurgence for Milwaukee with a 32-28 third-quarter advantage. The hosts then quickly narrowed their deficit with a 5-0 run to open the final period, but the Pacers outscored them 33-20 the rest of the way for a comfortable victory.
Pascal Siakam led the Pacers with 37 points, complementing them with 11 rebounds and six assists. Myles Turner furnished 22 points, seven rebounds, six assists and three blocks. Andrew Nembhard recorded 20 points, four boards and three assists. Tyrese Haliburton contributed a 12-point, 12-assist double-double that included four rebounds, one steal and one block. Aaron Nesmith registered 11 points, seven assists, five rebounds and one block.
Damian Lillard paced the Bucks with 34 points, supplementing them with five assists, four rebounds and one steal. Brook Lopez finished with 22 points, three assists, one rebound and two blocks. Khris Middleton posted 15 points, six assists and five rebounds. Bobby Portis turned in 14 points, 11 rebounds, two assists and one steal.
The two teams return to action for Game 3 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Friday afternoon.
The Bucks (1-1) had impressively overcome the absence of Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) in Game 1, but the Pacers (1-1) appeared intent on not missing the opportunity to press their advantage for a second straight game. Indiana built a four-point lead through one and was able to tack on another point by halftime, and the visitors then ensured there'd be no immediate second-half resurgence for Milwaukee with a 32-28 third-quarter advantage. The hosts then quickly narrowed their deficit with a 5-0 run to open the final period, but the Pacers outscored them 33-20 the rest of the way for a comfortable victory.
Pascal Siakam led the Pacers with 37 points, complementing them with 11 rebounds and six assists. Myles Turner furnished 22 points, seven rebounds, six assists and three blocks. Andrew Nembhard recorded 20 points, four boards and three assists. Tyrese Haliburton contributed a 12-point, 12-assist double-double that included four rebounds, one steal and one block. Aaron Nesmith registered 11 points, seven assists, five rebounds and one block.
Damian Lillard paced the Bucks with 34 points, supplementing them with five assists, four rebounds and one steal. Brook Lopez finished with 22 points, three assists, one rebound and two blocks. Khris Middleton posted 15 points, six assists and five rebounds. Bobby Portis turned in 14 points, 11 rebounds, two assists and one steal.
The two teams return to action for Game 3 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Friday afternoon.
Mavs Defeat Clips in Game 2, 96-93
The Dallas Mavericks defeated the host Los Angeles Clippers, 96-93, in Game 2 of the Western Conference First-Round Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday.
This series is tied, 1-1.
There were nine ties and 10 lead changes in this game, with neither team grabbing a double-digit lead. With that said, the Mavs maintained the lead for all but a handful of minutes, finishing the game on a 29-20 run to prevail. The Mavericks shot 42 percent from the field and 42 percent from three-point range (14-of-33) while holding the Clippers to 37 percent from the field and 27 percent from long range (8-of-30).
The Mavericks (1-1) were led by Luka Doncic, collecting 32 points, six rebounds and nine assists. Kyrie Irving tallied 23 points, six rebounds, three assists and three steals. PJ Washington provided 18 points, six rebounds and two blocks, while Derrick Jones had 10 points and seven boards. Dereck Lively led the bench with seven points and nine rebounds.
The Clippers (1-1) were led by James Harden, finishing with 22 points, six rebounds and eight assists. Paul George generated 22 points, two rebounds and four assists. Kawhi Leonard made his return and had 15 points, seven rebounds, two assists and four steals. Ivica Zubac totaled 13 points and 12 rebounds, while Russell Westbrook led the bench with seven points, nine rebounds and three assists.
These teams will return to action on Wednesday in Dallas.
This series is tied, 1-1.
There were nine ties and 10 lead changes in this game, with neither team grabbing a double-digit lead. With that said, the Mavs maintained the lead for all but a handful of minutes, finishing the game on a 29-20 run to prevail. The Mavericks shot 42 percent from the field and 42 percent from three-point range (14-of-33) while holding the Clippers to 37 percent from the field and 27 percent from long range (8-of-30).
The Mavericks (1-1) were led by Luka Doncic, collecting 32 points, six rebounds and nine assists. Kyrie Irving tallied 23 points, six rebounds, three assists and three steals. PJ Washington provided 18 points, six rebounds and two blocks, while Derrick Jones had 10 points and seven boards. Dereck Lively led the bench with seven points and nine rebounds.
The Clippers (1-1) were led by James Harden, finishing with 22 points, six rebounds and eight assists. Paul George generated 22 points, two rebounds and four assists. Kawhi Leonard made his return and had 15 points, seven rebounds, two assists and four steals. Ivica Zubac totaled 13 points and 12 rebounds, while Russell Westbrook led the bench with seven points, nine rebounds and three assists.
These teams will return to action on Wednesday in Dallas.