Pacers Outlast Bucks In OT, Grab Series Lead
The Indiana Pacers defeated the Milwaukee Bucks in overtime, 121-118, in Game 3 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Friday. The Pacers now lead the series 2-1.
The Pacers pulled the upset in Game 2 and returned home tied at 1-1 in their first-round series against the Bucks. They took that upset to a whole new level Friday and secured a huge win at home to grab the series lead. It was a back-and-forth contest, where the Pacers enjoyed a dominant start and raced to a 39-22 lead in the first quarter. However, the Bucks worked hard to reduce the deficit and won the subsequent three quarters to force an extra five minutes. The game was tied down the stretch, and all signs pointed to another overtime period, but Tyrese Haliburton had other plans. The star floor general drained a 15-foot floater and also got the foul, ultimately hitting the free throw and icing the game to give Indiana a 2-1 lead in the series. Game 4 will be played at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Sunday.
Tyrese Haliburton led the Pacers with a triple-double, notching 18 points, 16 assists and 10 rebounds. Myles Turner was the Pacers' highest scorer, with 29 points and nine rebounds. Pascal Siakam added 17 points, nine boards and four assists. Andrew Nembhard had 16 points, five rebounds and four assists. Aaron Nesmith delivered 13 points, eight rebounds, three assists and three steals. Obi Toppin chipped in with 15 points coming off the bench.
Damian Lillard had 28 points and eight assists for Milwaukee. Khris Middleton notched 26 points and six rebounds. Bobby Portis started in place of Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) and finished with 17 points and 18 rebounds. Brook Lopez had 14 points, four rebounds and three assists.
The Pacers pulled the upset in Game 2 and returned home tied at 1-1 in their first-round series against the Bucks. They took that upset to a whole new level Friday and secured a huge win at home to grab the series lead. It was a back-and-forth contest, where the Pacers enjoyed a dominant start and raced to a 39-22 lead in the first quarter. However, the Bucks worked hard to reduce the deficit and won the subsequent three quarters to force an extra five minutes. The game was tied down the stretch, and all signs pointed to another overtime period, but Tyrese Haliburton had other plans. The star floor general drained a 15-foot floater and also got the foul, ultimately hitting the free throw and icing the game to give Indiana a 2-1 lead in the series. Game 4 will be played at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Sunday.
Tyrese Haliburton led the Pacers with a triple-double, notching 18 points, 16 assists and 10 rebounds. Myles Turner was the Pacers' highest scorer, with 29 points and nine rebounds. Pascal Siakam added 17 points, nine boards and four assists. Andrew Nembhard had 16 points, five rebounds and four assists. Aaron Nesmith delivered 13 points, eight rebounds, three assists and three steals. Obi Toppin chipped in with 15 points coming off the bench.
Damian Lillard had 28 points and eight assists for Milwaukee. Khris Middleton notched 26 points and six rebounds. Bobby Portis started in place of Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) and finished with 17 points and 18 rebounds. Brook Lopez had 14 points, four rebounds and three assists.
Mavericks Best Clippers in Game 3, 101-90
The Dallas Mavericks defeated the Los Angeles Clippers, 101-90, at American Airlines Center on Friday night in Game 3 of their Western Conference quarterfinal-round series. The Mavericks lead the series, 2-1.
The Clippers (1-2) got good news leading up to tip-off in the form of confirmed availability for Kawhi Leonard (knee), and the momentum carried over into a first quarter they were able to forge a 23-18 lead in. However, the Mavericks (2-1) would change the dynamic of the game in the second by doubling up Los Angeles, 36-18. Although the visitors made a two-point dent in their deficit in the third, a contentious fourth quarter in which Russell Westbrook and P.J. Washington were ejected for a scuffle finished with each team matching each other point for point on the way to an 11-point Mavs victory.
James Harden and Norman Powell co-led the Clippers with 21 points while recording five assists and six rebounds, respectively. Harden added two assists, two steals and one block. Ivica Zubac furnished 19 points, eight rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block. Leonard logged 25 minutes and provided nine points, nine rebounds and two assists.
Luka Doncic paced the Mavericks with 22 points, complementing them with 10 rebounds, nine assists and two steals. Kyrie Irving delivered 21 points, six assists, four rebounds and two steals. Dereck Lively totaled 13 points, two rebounds and two blocks. Derrick Jones registered 11 points, three boards and one block. Washington managed 10 points, five rebounds, one assist, three steals and one block.
The two teams reconvene at American Airlines Center on Sunday afternoon for Game 4.
The Clippers (1-2) got good news leading up to tip-off in the form of confirmed availability for Kawhi Leonard (knee), and the momentum carried over into a first quarter they were able to forge a 23-18 lead in. However, the Mavericks (2-1) would change the dynamic of the game in the second by doubling up Los Angeles, 36-18. Although the visitors made a two-point dent in their deficit in the third, a contentious fourth quarter in which Russell Westbrook and P.J. Washington were ejected for a scuffle finished with each team matching each other point for point on the way to an 11-point Mavs victory.
James Harden and Norman Powell co-led the Clippers with 21 points while recording five assists and six rebounds, respectively. Harden added two assists, two steals and one block. Ivica Zubac furnished 19 points, eight rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block. Leonard logged 25 minutes and provided nine points, nine rebounds and two assists.
Luka Doncic paced the Mavericks with 22 points, complementing them with 10 rebounds, nine assists and two steals. Kyrie Irving delivered 21 points, six assists, four rebounds and two steals. Dereck Lively totaled 13 points, two rebounds and two blocks. Derrick Jones registered 11 points, three boards and one block. Washington managed 10 points, five rebounds, one assist, three steals and one block.
The two teams reconvene at American Airlines Center on Sunday afternoon for Game 4.
Timberwolves Come Out On Top In Phoenix
By Dan Bruno
The Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the host Phoenix Suns, 126-109, in Game 3 of the Western Conference First-Round Playoffs at Footprint Center on Friday evening.
The game got out to a competitive start but the Timberwolves led for most of the first quarter and held a two-point edge entering the second. They kept control in the second and despite a couple of ties, never trailed in the quarter on the way to a six-point advantage at the break. The Suns fell apart in the third and were outscored by 16 points in the quarter, making it a 22-point game approaching the final quarter. The hosts turned up their effort in the fourth but it was not enough as the Timberwolves cruised to the, 3-0, series lead.
Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with 36 points, nine rebounds, five assists and two steals, in 43 minutes. Rudy Gobert followed up with 19 points, 14 rebounds and a steal, while Karl-Anthony Towns finished with 18 points, 13 rebounds and two assists.
Meanwhile, Bradley Beal led the Suns with 28 points, four rebounds and four assists, in 43 minutes. Kevin Durant followed up with 25 points, four rebounds and five assists, while Devin Booker totaled 23 points, three rebounds, eight assists and two steals.
Game 4 is scheduled for Sunday in Phoenix.
The game got out to a competitive start but the Timberwolves led for most of the first quarter and held a two-point edge entering the second. They kept control in the second and despite a couple of ties, never trailed in the quarter on the way to a six-point advantage at the break. The Suns fell apart in the third and were outscored by 16 points in the quarter, making it a 22-point game approaching the final quarter. The hosts turned up their effort in the fourth but it was not enough as the Timberwolves cruised to the, 3-0, series lead.
Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with 36 points, nine rebounds, five assists and two steals, in 43 minutes. Rudy Gobert followed up with 19 points, 14 rebounds and a steal, while Karl-Anthony Towns finished with 18 points, 13 rebounds and two assists.
Meanwhile, Bradley Beal led the Suns with 28 points, four rebounds and four assists, in 43 minutes. Kevin Durant followed up with 25 points, four rebounds and five assists, while Devin Booker totaled 23 points, three rebounds, eight assists and two steals.
Game 4 is scheduled for Sunday in Phoenix.