Suns and Timberwolves Set for Game 2 Battle
The Phoenix Suns take on the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night at Target Center in Game 2 of their Western Conference quarterfinal-round series. The Timberwolves lead the series, 1-0.
The Suns (0-1 postseason) came into Saturday's series opener brimming with confidence after winning three straight to close out the regular season to vault into the No. 6 seed, and sweeping Minnesota over three games during the campaign as well. However, after an encouraging first quarter that Phoenix emerged from with a one-point lead, it was outscored by a 65-44 margin during the middle periods and lost control of the contest and eventually suffer a 120-95 loss. Kevin Durant led the Suns with 31 points, adding seven rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block. Devin Booker supplied 18 points, five assists, two rebounds and one steal. Bradley Beal registered 15 points, six assists, two rebounds and three steals. Royce O'Neal furnished 14 points and four rebounds.
The Suns will list Grayson Allen (ankle) as questionable for Tuesday's game. Damion Lee (knee) will remain out.
The Timberwolves (1-0 postseason) were able to overcome their Suns stumbling block with strong play through the final three quarters Saturday, and the presence of a healthy Karl-Anthony Towns certainly made an impact. Anthony Edwards paced the Timberwolves with 33 points, complementing them with nine rebounds, six assists and two steals. Towns registered 19 points, seven rebounds, four assists and one steal. Rudy Gobert generated a 14-point, 16-rebound double-double that included two assists. Naz Reid managed 12 points, two rebounds, two assists and one steal.
The Timberwolves will list Kyle Anderson (hip) as questionable for Tuesday's contest.
Tuesday's game marks the fifth meeting between the teams since the start of the regular season. The Suns have won three of the first four games.
The Suns (0-1 postseason) came into Saturday's series opener brimming with confidence after winning three straight to close out the regular season to vault into the No. 6 seed, and sweeping Minnesota over three games during the campaign as well. However, after an encouraging first quarter that Phoenix emerged from with a one-point lead, it was outscored by a 65-44 margin during the middle periods and lost control of the contest and eventually suffer a 120-95 loss. Kevin Durant led the Suns with 31 points, adding seven rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block. Devin Booker supplied 18 points, five assists, two rebounds and one steal. Bradley Beal registered 15 points, six assists, two rebounds and three steals. Royce O'Neal furnished 14 points and four rebounds.
The Suns will list Grayson Allen (ankle) as questionable for Tuesday's game. Damion Lee (knee) will remain out.
The Timberwolves (1-0 postseason) were able to overcome their Suns stumbling block with strong play through the final three quarters Saturday, and the presence of a healthy Karl-Anthony Towns certainly made an impact. Anthony Edwards paced the Timberwolves with 33 points, complementing them with nine rebounds, six assists and two steals. Towns registered 19 points, seven rebounds, four assists and one steal. Rudy Gobert generated a 14-point, 16-rebound double-double that included two assists. Naz Reid managed 12 points, two rebounds, two assists and one steal.
The Timberwolves will list Kyle Anderson (hip) as questionable for Tuesday's contest.
Tuesday's game marks the fifth meeting between the teams since the start of the regular season. The Suns have won three of the first four games.
Bucks Look To Stay Strong At Home
By Dan Bruno
The Milwaukee Bucks play host to the Indiana Pacers in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference First-Round Playoffs at Fiserv Forum on Monday evening.
Despite playing without Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf), the Bucks came up with a convincing win in Game 1, where they jumped out to a supercharged start behind a 35-point first half by Damian Lillard, and took a 27-point lead into halftime. They lost some ground in the third, as the Pacers brought a focused effort, but the host reclaimed control in the fourth, maintaining a double-digit lead the rest of the way.
Lillard did not score in the second half, as he led the Bucks with 35 points, six rebounds and three assists, in 38 minutes of action. Khris Middleton followed up with 23 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and a block, while Bobby Portis turned in 15 points and 11 rebounds. The Bucks shot 47.1 percent from the field, including 14-for-37 from deep and they
Meanwhile, Pascal Siakam took advantage of Antetokounmpo's absence and totaled 36 points, 13 rebounds, two assists, a steal and two blocks, to lead the Pacers in their Game 1 effort. Myles Turner added 17 points, eight rebounds, two assists and two steals, while T.J. McConnell chipped in 10 points, off the bench. Tyrese Haliburton, who averaged 20.1 points per game during the season, was limited to just nine points on 4-for-7 shooting, in 38 minutes of playing time.
Antetokounmpo (calf) remains doubtful for action in Game 2, which means Lillard, Portis and Middleton will likely have to step up once again, along with the support of the rest of the rotation in order to keep the home-court advantage. The Pacers should come up with a better display, now having had the chance to shake off the rust, as they are mostly a young squad without much playoff experience.
Despite playing without Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf), the Bucks came up with a convincing win in Game 1, where they jumped out to a supercharged start behind a 35-point first half by Damian Lillard, and took a 27-point lead into halftime. They lost some ground in the third, as the Pacers brought a focused effort, but the host reclaimed control in the fourth, maintaining a double-digit lead the rest of the way.
Lillard did not score in the second half, as he led the Bucks with 35 points, six rebounds and three assists, in 38 minutes of action. Khris Middleton followed up with 23 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and a block, while Bobby Portis turned in 15 points and 11 rebounds. The Bucks shot 47.1 percent from the field, including 14-for-37 from deep and they
Meanwhile, Pascal Siakam took advantage of Antetokounmpo's absence and totaled 36 points, 13 rebounds, two assists, a steal and two blocks, to lead the Pacers in their Game 1 effort. Myles Turner added 17 points, eight rebounds, two assists and two steals, while T.J. McConnell chipped in 10 points, off the bench. Tyrese Haliburton, who averaged 20.1 points per game during the season, was limited to just nine points on 4-for-7 shooting, in 38 minutes of playing time.
Antetokounmpo (calf) remains doubtful for action in Game 2, which means Lillard, Portis and Middleton will likely have to step up once again, along with the support of the rest of the rotation in order to keep the home-court advantage. The Pacers should come up with a better display, now having had the chance to shake off the rust, as they are mostly a young squad without much playoff experience.
LA and Dallas Duel in Game 2, Clips Up 1-0
The Los Angeles Clippers play host to the Dallas Mavericks in Game 2 of the Western Conference First-Round Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday.
Los Angeles leads this series 1-0.
The Mavericks (0-1) were one of the hottest teams in the final month of the season, but they didn't show that in Game 1. They trailed by 30 points at times in that ugly defeat and were dominated despite the 109-97 final scoreline. Scoring eight points in the second quarter was truly embarrassing, especially since Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving have had dozens of eight-point quarters throughout the year. Those guys finished with a combined 64 points, but no one else really did anything. PJ Washington had 11 points, but no one else on the roster had more than six points, three rebounds or three assists. That won't get it done against anyone, particularly a playoff team.
The Clippers (1-0) dominated in Game 1, kickstarting that victory with a 56-30 first half. That's what fans wanted to see, and it was critical for the Clippers to start the series like that after losing Kawhi Leonard to a knee injury. It's unclear when the superstar will be able to return, but it'll be up to the other guys to carry the load. James Harden took over in Game 1, collecting 28 points and eight assists. They also got 22 points, six rebounds and three assists from Paul George, while Ivica Zubac amassed 20 points and 15 rebounds. They'll need those three to play like that as long as Kawhi is out, and they have a chance against anyone if Harden is going to return to the MVP stud we saw in Houston.
Los Angeles has won their last three games over Dallas. All three of those have been decided by nine points or more.
Los Angeles leads this series 1-0.
The Mavericks (0-1) were one of the hottest teams in the final month of the season, but they didn't show that in Game 1. They trailed by 30 points at times in that ugly defeat and were dominated despite the 109-97 final scoreline. Scoring eight points in the second quarter was truly embarrassing, especially since Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving have had dozens of eight-point quarters throughout the year. Those guys finished with a combined 64 points, but no one else really did anything. PJ Washington had 11 points, but no one else on the roster had more than six points, three rebounds or three assists. That won't get it done against anyone, particularly a playoff team.
The Clippers (1-0) dominated in Game 1, kickstarting that victory with a 56-30 first half. That's what fans wanted to see, and it was critical for the Clippers to start the series like that after losing Kawhi Leonard to a knee injury. It's unclear when the superstar will be able to return, but it'll be up to the other guys to carry the load. James Harden took over in Game 1, collecting 28 points and eight assists. They also got 22 points, six rebounds and three assists from Paul George, while Ivica Zubac amassed 20 points and 15 rebounds. They'll need those three to play like that as long as Kawhi is out, and they have a chance against anyone if Harden is going to return to the MVP stud we saw in Houston.
Los Angeles has won their last three games over Dallas. All three of those have been decided by nine points or more.