Joel Embiid is announced as the MVP (from the Philadelphia Sixers' Twitter page)
Another big playoff night greeted NBA fans.
Shortly after Joel Embiid was announced as MVP of the regular season, the Knicks managed to balance the Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Heat to 1:1.
Then came the main course, with a big win for the Lakers on the road against Golden State.
New York (5) - Miami (8) 105:111 (the Knicks tied the series 1:1)
Golden State (6) - L.A.
Lakers (7) 117:112 (the Lakers took a 0:1 lead in the series)
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Everyone was waiting for a matchup between LeBron and Kerry (Photo: GettyImages, Ezra Shaw)
Then came AD (Photo: GettyImages, Ezra Shaw)
Golden State (6) - L.A.
Lakers (7) 117:112 (the Lakers took a 0:1 lead in the series)
The NBA fans rubbed their hands with pleasure before the opening of the most fascinating and talked about series so far in the playoffs, which at least in the first game delivered the goods in a big way, with a surprising victory of the purple-yellows who stole the home team.
While everyone was talking about the renewed duel between LeBron James and Steph Curry, it was actually Anthony Davis who stole the show.
A monster performance by the big man of the Lakers ended with an extraordinary statistical line: 30 points (11 of 19 from the field, 8 of 8 from the free throw), 23 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 blocks, in one of the biggest games of his career.
Davis completely dominated the paint in the first half, leading the Lakers to a small lead going into halftime while taking advantage of a rather lukewarm start by Steph Curry.
The Warriors hoped to go into the third quarter with a storm as they have done countless times in the great years, but actually Davis and LeBron were more focused and sharper, and only increased the difference.
With less than six minutes to go, James' basket extended the Lakers' lead to 14, and murmurs began to be heard in the Chase Center.
finished?
Not if you ask Steph Curry, who scored 8 quick points and led a mighty 0:14 run by the Warriors that tied the game.
Almost a huge transformation.
Kerry (Photo: Reuters)
The big basket of the game was scored by DeAngelo Russell, who returned the advantage to the side of the Lakers and killed the momentum of Golden State.
Davis blocked Kerry on the other end, LeBron Dyke from the line once on the next attack, and then came two consecutive and decisive fouls by Jordan Paul, who tried to take over the game in the final seconds, without success.
Two free throws by Dennis Schroeder closed things out for good, completing a huge win for the Lakers.
Besides Davis, the Lakers also got a solid game from LeBron James with 22 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 blocks.
DeAngelo Russell and Dennis Schroeder added 19 each and Austin Reeves contributed 10, 5 rebounds and 3 assists.
On the other side, Steph Curry scored 27 points (10 of 24 from the field, 6 of 13 from three) along with 6 rebounds, Klay Thompson scored 21 and 6 three-pointers, just like Jordan Paul, and Kwon Looney also provided another Dennis Rodman display With 10 points, 5 assists and no less than 23 rebounds.
Unfortunately for Steve Kerr, it wasn't enough this time against the Lakers, who were better, and perhaps also benefited from some whistles that went in their favor and created a very unusual figure: 29 free throws for the Lakers on one side, and only 6 for Golden State on the other.
Either way, with or without the referees, the Warriors will have to recover in the very next game.
Arrived on time.
Bronson (Photo: Reuters)
Arrived on time 2. Randall (Photo: GettyImages, Elsa)
New York (5) - Miami (8) 105:111 (the Knicks tied the series 1:1)
Shortly before the jump ball, Erik Spoelstra stated that Jimmy Butler, who was injured in the first game (and continued to play despite the pain), would not be available.
Miami like Miami managed to stay close and almost scored another sensation led by its relatively anonymous supporting players, but in the end the Knicks showed character and kept the victory on their side, thanks in large part to a late surge by Jaylen Brunson.
Julius Randle, who returned after missing the first game of the series due to injury, started the storm, showing excellent ability and helping the Knicks build momentum in the first quarter, but the Heat remained close throughout, and even went into the break with a lead.
Even in the second half, the Knicks were unable to escape, and deep into the last quarter, Erik Spoelstra's team even led by 6 points.
But then Jaylen Brunson stepped in, with a great finale that set up a turnaround.
His two consecutive 3-pointers and another one by Josh Hart moved the advantage to the Knicks' side, where it remained until the end.
His absence was felt.
Jimmy Butler on the bench (Photo: Reuters)
only almost.
Kyle Lowry (Photo: GettyImages, Elsa)
Bronson finished with 30 points - 22 of them in the second half - and made up for a lukewarm performance in the first game, finishing with 10-of-19 from the field and 6-of-10 from three and also adding 5 rebounds.
Randle finished with 25, 12 rebounds and 8 assists, RJ Barrett had 24 points of his own and Josh Hart continued to be Tom Thibodeau's X factor with 14, 11 rebounds and 9 assists.
Miami was led by Caleb Martin with 22 points along with 8 rebounds, while Gabe Vincent assisted him with 21 and 5 assists.
Max Strauss scored 17 but was injured in the second half, went down for treatment in the locker room and did not return, adding concern to the Heat who are already worried about Jimmy Butler's layoff.
Bam Adebayo added 15, 8 rebounds and 6 assists for Miami, which despite the loss will return to Florida encouraged by the depth and character it showed, and hope Butler will be fit for Game 3.
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NBA
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Golden State Warriors
Los Angeles Lakers
Miami Heat
New York Niks
