As the Second Week of the NBA Playoffs Wraps Up, One Thing Is Clear: No Team Is Safe
Week two of the NBA Playoffs brought more drama, bigger wins, and even tighter finishes. Here’s how the first round is shaping up after another wild week:
WESTERN CONFERENCE-1st ROUND
(1) Oklahoma City vs (8) Memphis – OKC wins 4-0
The overall #1 seed Oklahoma City Thunder took care of business sweeping their first round series with Memphis. SGA had 38 points in game 4 leading OKC to the 117-115 victory to close out the series. The Thunder will have some time off as they await the winner of the Nuggets/Clippers series.
Next: TBD
(2) Houston vs (7) Golden State – Golden State leads 3-1
Playoff Jimmy is REAL!!!! Jimmy Butler led the Warriors with 27 points as the Warriors grabbed a commanding 3-1 series lead over Houston Monday night in San Francisco. Butler scored 23 of his 27 in the second half with 14 of those coming in the fourth quarter. He was also 12-12 from the free throw line.
Next: Game 5 @ Houston Apr 30 – 630pm, TNT/truTv
(3) LA Lakers vs (6) Minnesota – Minnesota leads 3-1
LeBron and the gang will look to stave off elimination down 3-1 to the Timberwolves. The Timberwolves defeated the Lakers 116-113 in the last matchup on Sunday in Minneapolis. Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with 43 points, and Luka Doncic led the Lakers with 38.
Next: Game 5 @ LA Apr 30 – 9pm, TNT/truTV
(4) Denver vs (5) LA Clippers – Series tied 2-2
The Nuggets reclaimed home court advantage after defeating the Clippers 101-99 Saturday in LA knotting the series at two games apiece. The Nuggets’ Aaron Gordon was able to dunk Nikola Jokic’s air ball on a 3-pointer as time elapsed to win the game for the Nuggets. Jokic had 36 points, 21 rebounds and eight assists to lead the Nuggets. Kawhi Leonard scored 24 points, while Norman Powell added 22 and Zubac had 19 points, 12 rebounds and six assists. Both Clippers losses in the series were by only two points.
Next: Game 5 @ Denver Apr 29 – 9pm, MAX
EASTERN CONFERENCE-1st Round
(1) Cleveland vs (8) Miami – Cleveland leads 1-0
My Cavs steamrolled the Miami Heat 138-83 Monday night to sweep the series. Cleveland won the series by a combined 122 points, making it the most lopsided series in NBA Playoff history. The 55-point margin in Game 4 was the fourth-biggest playoff win ever. Donovan Mitchell scored 22 points, De’Andre Hunter added 19 and the Cavaliers led by as many as 60 points. The Cavs await the winner of the Indiana/Milwaukee matchup.
Next: TBD
(2) Boston vs (7) Orlando – Boston leads 3-1
The defending champion Boston Celtics look to clinch the Eastern Conference first round over the Orlando Magic in game five. The Celtics defeated the Magic 107-98 in Game 4 on Sunday. Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 37 points, and Paolo Banchero led the Magic with 31.
Next: Game 5 @ Boston Apr 29 – 730pm, NBATV
(3) New York vs (6) Detroit – New York leads 3-1
The New York Knicks look to finish off the Detroit Pistons in game five. The Knicks defeated the Pistons 94-93 in Game 4 on Sunday in the Motor City. Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 32 points, while Cade Cunningham paced the Pistons with 25 in the loss.
Next: Game 5 @ New York Apr 29 – 630pm, TNT/MAX
(4) Indiana vs (5) Milwaukee – Indiana leads 3-1
The Bucks lost game 4 and veteran guard Damian Lillard to a torn Achilles in Sunday’s Game 4 matchup against the Pacers in Milwaukee. The Pacers defeated the Bucks 129-103 behind Myles Turner’s 23 points. Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 28. Indiana will look to close out the series at home Tuesday night.
Next: Game 5 @ Indiana Apr 22 – 5pm, NBATV
