The Los Angeles Lakers added their first win in the Western Conference semifinals. The purple and gold franchise defeated Golden State Warriors (112-117) at the Chase Center in San Francisco. As they did against Memphis Grizzlies in the first round, the Lakers start the Playoffs by winning on the road, which is usually a disadvantage before each playoffs begins.
This first game of the Californian duel left us with a nice fight under the hoop between center Kevon Looney (Golden State Warriors) and Anthony Davis (Los Angeles Lakers). Each of them grabbed 23 rebounds. A dispute won by Davis over the scoring record. The Lakers basketball player finished the game with 30 points. He is the first Lakers player to reach these numbers in rebounds and points in a Playoff game since Shaquille O'Neal did it in 2004. For his part, LeBron James was not on form. Despite recording a double-double (22 points and 11 rebounds), King James finished with a low shooting percentage from the field (37.5%).
Game Won. pic.twitter.com/zXM3nx51MJ
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) May 3, 2023
Once again, Golden State Warriors lost again in the first game of a Playoffs series as it happened in the previous playoffs against Sacramento Kings. The San Francisco franchise lost the home-court factor and must regain it at the Crypto.com Arena. The highlight, Looney's performance in the area. Stephen Curry finished the game with 27 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists and Klay Thompson had 25 points, 3 rebounds and 4 assists.
Harden reigns supreme at TD Garden
The Philadelphia 76ers needed only James Harden to claim their first win in the Eastern Conference semifinals. The Pennsylvania franchise defeated the Boston Celtics (115-119) at TD Garden. The 76ers point guard was huge on the court, scoring 45 points - 21 from the three-point line - and dishing out 6 assists. No Celtics player was able to stop The Beard defensively. Tyrese Maxey, with 26 points, and Tobias Harris, with 18 points, contributed well. A 76ers victory achieved without newly named regular season MVP Joel Embiid. The Pennsylvania franchise remains undefeated in these Playoffs.
GAME WON.
🪙 @cryptocom pic.twitter.com/BjHeiXuc2m
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) May 2, 2023
Only Jayson Tatum was able to keep up with the pace set by James Harden on the court. The Boston Celtics point guard ended up scoring 39 points; a great record that ended up meaning nothing in light of the loss. Jaylen Brown finished with 23 points and 6 rebounds. Sad contributions from Marcus Smart and Al Horford.
Butler continues to lead the Heat
Miami Heat keeps winning to the sound of Jimmy Butler. The point guard once again played a key role in his team's 101-108 victory over the New York Knicks despite a first quarter that bordered on catastrophic for the Florida franchise. The Heat star recorded a double-double (25 points and 11 rebounds) and gave a scare five minutes before the end of the game after twisting his foot. He is expected to miss the second game of the series.
Lead us Kevin. Take us there. #WINNING pic.twitter.com/JAkdsH6Uyv
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) April 30, 2023
On the Knicks' roster, R. J. Barrett was the man of the game. The forward of the New York franchise scored 26 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists. Jalen Brunson finished with 25 points and 7 assists and Mitchell Robinson contributed well in the zone, grabbing 14 rebounds.
The Nuggets
The game that kicked off the semifinals of the Playoffs ended with a Denver Nuggets victory over Phoenix Suns (125-107). Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokić were two giants for the defense of the Arizona franchise. The point guard, with 34 points and 9 assists. The center, with a double-double (24 points and 19 rebounds). Also notable was the scoring contribution of Aaron Gordon (23 points). The Western Conference champions take an early lead in the series and continue to show signs that they can be the NBA champions.
Kevin Durant was the best of Phoenix Suns. The forward recorded a double-double (29 points and 14 rebounds) and tried to give the Arizona franchise some hope on the Ball Arena floor. Despite the 27 points he scored, Devin Booker didn't carry the weight he should in big games. DeAndre Ayton and Chris Paul were also unsuccessful.
