NBA Playoff Action: Knicks Claim Game 1 Victory, Nuggets Outpace Lakers
In the latest NBA playoff showdowns, the New York Knicks surged ahead with a thrilling victory against the Philadelphia 76ers, securing a crucial 1-0 series lead.
Meanwhile, defending champions Denver Nuggets showcased their prowess with a commanding win over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 1 of their Western Conference first-round playoff clash.
Game 1 of their Western Conference first-round playoff series saw host Denver defeat Los Angeles, led by 32 points and 12 rebounds by Nikola Jokic. This victory marked the beginning of Denver’s NBA title defense.
In Game 1 of an Eastern Conference first-round playoff series, the host New York Knicks, who had blown a 14-point lead in the third quarter, rallied to defeat the Philadelphia 76ers 111-104, led by Miles McBride, who made the game-winning basket with 8:25 remaining on Saturday night.
Game 2 is set to take place in New York on Monday night. For the second-seeded Knicks, Josh Hart finished with 22 points and 13 rebounds, while Jalen Brunson added 22 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists.
For the seventh-seeded 76ers, Tyrese Maxey scored 33 points, while Joel Embiid added 29 points and eight rebounds.
Embiid appeared to injure his left knee after he made a huge dunk and collapsed to the floor with 2:37 left before halftime. But after the game, Philadelphia coach Nick Nurse said that Embiid would undergo another evaluation. He came back to start the second half.
Nuggets 114, Lakers 103
Game 1 of their Western Conference first-round playoff series saw host Denver defeat Los Angeles, led by 32 points and 12 rebounds by Nikola Jokic. This victory marked the beginning of Denver’s NBA title defense.
With five of those wins occurring in the postseason, Denver has defeated Los Angeles nine times in a row thanks to the play of Jamal Murray, who ended with 22 points and 10 assists.
LeBron James finished with 27 points following a quiet fourth quarter, while Anthony Davis led the Lakers with 32 points, 14 rebounds, and four blocked shots. James only had four points in the last twelve minutes of play and didn’t try to shoot until 1:20 remained in the game.
Timberwolves 120, Suns 95
In the first game of a Western Conference first-round playoff series, Minnesota defeated Phoenix led by Anthony Edwards, who overcame first-half foul trouble to score a game-high 33 points. The game took place in Minneapolis.
Edwards picked up his third foul with 3:18 remaining in the half, forcing him to the bench. However, he went on a scoring spree in the third quarter, scoring eighteen points to help Minnesota win a close game handily. The second game is slated to take place in Minneapolis on Tuesday night.
For the Timberwolves, Towns added 19 points, Nickeil Alexander-Walker contributed 18, and Rudy Gobert scored 14 points and pulled down 16 rebounds. For the Suns, Kevin Durant contributed 31 points and seven rebounds. Devin Booker contributed eighteen points.
Cavaliers 97, Magic 83
In the first game of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series against visiting Orlando, No. 4 seed Cleveland led from start to finish behind 30-point totals from Donovan Mitchell and 16 points and 18 rebounds from Jarrett Allen.
Evan Mobley scored eight of his 16 points in less than six minutes as Cleveland scored the opening six baskets of the game and took an early 11-point lead. Cleveland will host Game 2 on Monday evening.
In his first-ever postseason game, Paolo Banchero of Orlando led the team with 24 points, tying Shaquille O’Neal for the most points scored by a Magic player. Banchero had nine mistakes despite also pulling down seven rebounds and dishing out five assists.
