Magic Dominate To Secure Game 3 Victory
The Orlando Magic defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers, 121-83, at Kia Center on Thursday in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first round in the 2024 NBA Playoffs.
The Magic had looked sloppy and non-responsive in the first two games of the series in Cleveland. However, Orlando woke up and ignited some much-needed life to its offense, resulting in a massive 38-point win Thursday. The Magic looked dominant early on despite Cleveland’s strong start, and they quickly raced to a 31-21 lead following the first quarter. Unsurprisingly given their situation in the series, the Magic would never let the game go. The lead was 24 points by the time the first half ended, and the Magic didn’t slow their intensity in the second half. The Cavaliers looked sloppy on offense and were limited to 16 points in the third quarter, so the game was essentially over by the time the third quarter ended. The Magic closed things out with ease in the final 12 minutes to secure the lead and put the series 2-1. Game 4 will be played Saturday at Kia Center.
Paolo Banchero led the way for the Magic with a 31-point, 14-rebound double-double. Jalen Suggs posted 24 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals. Franz Wagner delivered 16 points, eight assists and five rebounds. Markelle Fultz had 11 points and two boards coming off the bench. Cole Anthony added 10 points. Wendell Carter finished with only two points. The Magic shot 51.1 percent from the field and 35.1 percent from deep.
Jarrett Allen was the only Cavaliers starter who reached the 15-point mark after ending with 15 points and eight rebounds. Donovan Mitchell had 13 points, seven assists and five rebounds. Evan Mobley posted 10 points. Caris LeVert scored 15 points coming off the bench. The Cavaliers shot 39 percent from the field and 23.5 percent from deep.
The Magic had looked sloppy and non-responsive in the first two games of the series in Cleveland. However, Orlando woke up and ignited some much-needed life to its offense, resulting in a massive 38-point win Thursday. The Magic looked dominant early on despite Cleveland’s strong start, and they quickly raced to a 31-21 lead following the first quarter. Unsurprisingly given their situation in the series, the Magic would never let the game go. The lead was 24 points by the time the first half ended, and the Magic didn’t slow their intensity in the second half. The Cavaliers looked sloppy on offense and were limited to 16 points in the third quarter, so the game was essentially over by the time the third quarter ended. The Magic closed things out with ease in the final 12 minutes to secure the lead and put the series 2-1. Game 4 will be played Saturday at Kia Center.
Paolo Banchero led the way for the Magic with a 31-point, 14-rebound double-double. Jalen Suggs posted 24 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals. Franz Wagner delivered 16 points, eight assists and five rebounds. Markelle Fultz had 11 points and two boards coming off the bench. Cole Anthony added 10 points. Wendell Carter finished with only two points. The Magic shot 51.1 percent from the field and 35.1 percent from deep.
Jarrett Allen was the only Cavaliers starter who reached the 15-point mark after ending with 15 points and eight rebounds. Donovan Mitchell had 13 points, seven assists and five rebounds. Evan Mobley posted 10 points. Caris LeVert scored 15 points coming off the bench. The Cavaliers shot 39 percent from the field and 23.5 percent from deep.
76ers Top Knicks, 125-114
The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the New York Knicks, 125-114, at Wells Fargo Center on Thursday night in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference quarterfinal-round series. The Knicks lead the series, 2-1.
The 76ers (1-2) knew it was desperation time despite being down only two games, as another loss, this time on their home court, would have likely equated to an insurmountable deficit. Early on, however, it seemed as if that's precisely what would play out, with the Knicks (2-1) forging a three-point lead during a hard-fought first half. However, Philadelphia changed the tenor of the game for good in the third quarter, a period during which it outscored New York by a 43-27 margin before also keeping the visitors at a fairly comfortable distance throughout the final period.
Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with a 39-point, 13-assist double-double that also included two rebounds. Josh Hart delivered 20 points, six rebounds, six assists and one steal. OG Anunoby furnished 17 points, four rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block. Isaiah Hartenstein totaled 14 points, four rebounds and one assist.
Joel Embiid paced the 76ers with 50 points, supplementing them with eight rebounds, four assists and one block. Tyrese Maxey supplied 25 points, seven assists, four rebounds and two steals. Kelly Oubre recorded 15 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals. Cameron Payne netted 11 points.
The two teams reconvene at Wells Fargo Center for Game 4 on Sunday afternoon.
The 76ers (1-2) knew it was desperation time despite being down only two games, as another loss, this time on their home court, would have likely equated to an insurmountable deficit. Early on, however, it seemed as if that's precisely what would play out, with the Knicks (2-1) forging a three-point lead during a hard-fought first half. However, Philadelphia changed the tenor of the game for good in the third quarter, a period during which it outscored New York by a 43-27 margin before also keeping the visitors at a fairly comfortable distance throughout the final period.
Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with a 39-point, 13-assist double-double that also included two rebounds. Josh Hart delivered 20 points, six rebounds, six assists and one steal. OG Anunoby furnished 17 points, four rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block. Isaiah Hartenstein totaled 14 points, four rebounds and one assist.
Joel Embiid paced the 76ers with 50 points, supplementing them with eight rebounds, four assists and one block. Tyrese Maxey supplied 25 points, seven assists, four rebounds and two steals. Kelly Oubre recorded 15 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals. Cameron Payne netted 11 points.
The two teams reconvene at Wells Fargo Center for Game 4 on Sunday afternoon.
Nuggets Defeat Lakers, 112-105, Grabs 3-0 Series Lead
The Denver Nuggets defeated the host Los Angeles Lakers, 112-105, in Game 3 of the Western Conference First-Round Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on Thursday.
Denver leads this series 3-0. No team has ever overcome a 3-0 deficit in NBA history.
There were only five lead changes in this game, but there was a massive swing in the middle quarters. Los Angeles had a game-high 12-point lead near the beginning of the second quarter, but Denver responded with a 34-22 third quarter to take control. Denver led by 15 points in the fourth quarter, maintaining the lead for the closing 20 minutes. The Nuggets shot 86 percent from the free-throw line (19-of-22) while holding the Lakers to 71 percent from the charity stripe (12-of-17). Denver also out-rebounded Los Angeles, 55-45.
The Nuggets (3-0) were led by Aaron Gordon, collecting 29 points, 15 rebounds and three assists. Nikola Jokic had 24 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists. Those two combined to shoot 21-of-31 from the field. Jamal Murray amassed 22 points, five rebounds and nine assists, while Michael Porter Jr provided 20 points, 10 rebounds and three assists.
The Lakers (0-3) were led by Anthony Davis, finishing with 33 points, 15 rebounds and three assists. LeBron James provided 26 points, six rebounds, nine assists and two steals. Austin Reaves registered 22 points, five rebounds, three assists and four steals. D'Angelo Russell went scoreless on 0-of-7 shooting. Spencer Dinwiddie led the bench with eight points, two rebounds and three assists.
Game 4 will be played in Los Angeles on Saturday. Denver will try to close this series and win their 12th straight game over LA.
Denver leads this series 3-0. No team has ever overcome a 3-0 deficit in NBA history.
There were only five lead changes in this game, but there was a massive swing in the middle quarters. Los Angeles had a game-high 12-point lead near the beginning of the second quarter, but Denver responded with a 34-22 third quarter to take control. Denver led by 15 points in the fourth quarter, maintaining the lead for the closing 20 minutes. The Nuggets shot 86 percent from the free-throw line (19-of-22) while holding the Lakers to 71 percent from the charity stripe (12-of-17). Denver also out-rebounded Los Angeles, 55-45.
The Nuggets (3-0) were led by Aaron Gordon, collecting 29 points, 15 rebounds and three assists. Nikola Jokic had 24 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists. Those two combined to shoot 21-of-31 from the field. Jamal Murray amassed 22 points, five rebounds and nine assists, while Michael Porter Jr provided 20 points, 10 rebounds and three assists.
The Lakers (0-3) were led by Anthony Davis, finishing with 33 points, 15 rebounds and three assists. LeBron James provided 26 points, six rebounds, nine assists and two steals. Austin Reaves registered 22 points, five rebounds, three assists and four steals. D'Angelo Russell went scoreless on 0-of-7 shooting. Spencer Dinwiddie led the bench with eight points, two rebounds and three assists.
Game 4 will be played in Los Angeles on Saturday. Denver will try to close this series and win their 12th straight game over LA.