Cavaliers Top Magic To Secure 2-0 Lead
The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Orlando Magic, 96-86, on Monday at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. With the win, the Cavaliers grabbed a 2-0 lead in the series.
The Cavaliers set the tone early in the Game 2 and grabbed the lead early in the first quarter following a 30-18 score. The Magic were unable to come from behind, and by the time the second quarter ended, Cleveland was leading by 14 points.
The Cavaliers kept the pressure in the third quarter and bolstered the lead even further, putting the game out of the reach. Orlando won the final quarter, but it was not enough to mount a comeback. With the win, the Cavaliers now hold a commanding 2-0 lead in the series.
Donovan Mitchell scored 23 points to lead the Cavaliers to victory, and he added eight rebounds and four assists. Jarrett Allen had 20 rebounds, including nine on the offensive glass, and finished with 16 points as well. Evan Mobley added 17 points and seven rebounds. Darius Garland recorded 15 points, four assists and three boards. The Cavaliers shot 41.5 percent from the field and 30.8 percent from beyond the three-point line.
Paolo Banchero scored 21 points while adding three rebounds and three assists. Franz Wagner added 18 for the Magic, and he also chipped in with seven boards. Gary Harris added 14 points and four boards. No other starter scored in double digits for the Magic. Moritz Wagner had 12 points and six boards off the bench. The Magic shot 36.3 percent from the field.
The Cavaliers set the tone early in the Game 2 and grabbed the lead early in the first quarter following a 30-18 score. The Magic were unable to come from behind, and by the time the second quarter ended, Cleveland was leading by 14 points.
The Cavaliers kept the pressure in the third quarter and bolstered the lead even further, putting the game out of the reach. Orlando won the final quarter, but it was not enough to mount a comeback. With the win, the Cavaliers now hold a commanding 2-0 lead in the series.
Donovan Mitchell scored 23 points to lead the Cavaliers to victory, and he added eight rebounds and four assists. Jarrett Allen had 20 rebounds, including nine on the offensive glass, and finished with 16 points as well. Evan Mobley added 17 points and seven rebounds. Darius Garland recorded 15 points, four assists and three boards. The Cavaliers shot 41.5 percent from the field and 30.8 percent from beyond the three-point line.
Paolo Banchero scored 21 points while adding three rebounds and three assists. Franz Wagner added 18 for the Magic, and he also chipped in with seven boards. Gary Harris added 14 points and four boards. No other starter scored in double digits for the Magic. Moritz Wagner had 12 points and six boards off the bench. The Magic shot 36.3 percent from the field.
Knicks Come Up Clutch For Game 2 Win
By Dan Bruno
The New York Knicks defeated the visiting Philadelphia 76ers, 104-101, in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference First-Round Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on Monday evening.
The Knicks came up with a wild rally in the final minute to comeback and complete the home win. The 76ers got out to a strong start in the game and led, 25-18, after one quarter. The hosts brought a better effort in the second but could only trim it to a four-point game at the break. The Knicks kept the momentum going in the third and overtook the visitors for a five-point advantage heading into the final frame. The Knicks maintained an edge for most of the fourth, but the 76ers mounted an 7-0 run to grab a five-point lead with 47 seconds left. The hosts bounced back with a three from Jalen Brunson, followed by a steal and then another three by Donte DiVincenzo to take the lead and hold on for the 2-0 series lead.
Brunson led the Knicks with 24 points, 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 DiVincenzo logged 19 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals.
Meanwhile, Tyrese Maxey led the 76ers with 35 points, nine rebounds and 10 assists, in 44 minutes. Joel Embiid up with 34 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and a block, while Tobias Harris was the only other player to score in double digits for the Sixers, with 10 points, nine rebounds, three assists, a steal and a block.
Game 3 is scheduled for Thursday in Philly.
The Knicks came up with a wild rally in the final minute to comeback and complete the home win. The 76ers got out to a strong start in the game and led, 25-18, after one quarter. The hosts brought a better effort in the second but could only trim it to a four-point game at the break. The Knicks kept the momentum going in the third and overtook the visitors for a five-point advantage heading into the final frame. The Knicks maintained an edge for most of the fourth, but the 76ers mounted an 7-0 run to grab a five-point lead with 47 seconds left. The hosts bounced back with a three from Jalen Brunson, followed by a steal and then another three by Donte DiVincenzo to take the lead and hold on for the 2-0 series lead.
Brunson led the Knicks with 24 points, 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 DiVincenzo logged 19 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals.
Meanwhile, Tyrese Maxey led the 76ers with 35 points, nine rebounds and 10 assists, in 44 minutes. Joel Embiid up with 34 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and a block, while Tobias Harris was the only other player to score in double digits for the Sixers, with 10 points, nine rebounds, three assists, a steal and a block.
Game 3 is scheduled for Thursday in Philly.
Nuggets Defeat Lakers in Game 2, 101-99
The Denver Nuggets defeated the visiting Los Angeles Lakers, 101-99, in Game 2 of the Western Conference First-Round Playoffs at Ball Arena on Monday.
Denver leads this series, 2-0
While Los Angeles led for all but two minutes in this game, Denver led when it mattered most. The Lakers actually led 59-44 at the half and got their lead up to 20 points in the third quarter. The Nuggets fought back with a 32-20 fourth quarter, completing their comeback with a game-winning jumper by Jamal Murray at the buzzer. Denver recorded 26 assists to nine turnovers, while LA had 24 assists to 14 turnovers. The Nuggets also out-rebounded the Lakers, 45-38, while outscoring them in the paint, 54-38.
The Lakers (0-2) were led by Anthony Davis, collecting 32 points, 11 rebounds and two assists. LeBron James finished with 26 points, eight rebounds, 12 assists, two steals and two blocks. D'Angelo Russell registered 23 points, three rebounds and six assists, while Austin Reavea amassed nine points, six rebounds and two assists.
The Nuggets (2-0) were led by Nikola Jokic, collecting 27 points, 20 rebounds, 10 assists and two steals. Michael Porter Jr provided 22 points, nine rebounds and two steals. Murray had 20 points, three rebounds, five assists and two blocks, while Aaron Gordon accumulated 14 points, seven rebounds and three assists.
These teams will play Game 3 in LA on Thursday.
Denver leads this series, 2-0
While Los Angeles led for all but two minutes in this game, Denver led when it mattered most. The Lakers actually led 59-44 at the half and got their lead up to 20 points in the third quarter. The Nuggets fought back with a 32-20 fourth quarter, completing their comeback with a game-winning jumper by Jamal Murray at the buzzer. Denver recorded 26 assists to nine turnovers, while LA had 24 assists to 14 turnovers. The Nuggets also out-rebounded the Lakers, 45-38, while outscoring them in the paint, 54-38.
The Lakers (0-2) were led by Anthony Davis, collecting 32 points, 11 rebounds and two assists. LeBron James finished with 26 points, eight rebounds, 12 assists, two steals and two blocks. D'Angelo Russell registered 23 points, three rebounds and six assists, while Austin Reavea amassed nine points, six rebounds and two assists.
The Nuggets (2-0) were led by Nikola Jokic, collecting 27 points, 20 rebounds, 10 assists and two steals. Michael Porter Jr provided 22 points, nine rebounds and two steals. Murray had 20 points, three rebounds, five assists and two blocks, while Aaron Gordon accumulated 14 points, seven rebounds and three assists.
These teams will play Game 3 in LA on Thursday.