Knicks Edge Pacers, 121-117
The New York Knicks defeated the Indiana Pacers, 121-117, on Monday night at Madison Square Garden in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semifinal-round series. The Knicks lead the series, 1-0.
The Knicks (5-2 postseason) got a clear message they'd be in for a fight during the first half, when the Pacers (4-3 postseason) turned a three-point first-quarter deficit into a six-point halftime advantage with a dominant second quarter. New York was only able to make a one-point dent in its deficit in the third, but the hosts were able to close matters out in the final period with a 39-30 edge that included a 17-8 run over the final 4:04 of the contest.
Myles Turner led the Pacers with 23 points, adding three assists, two rebounds, one steal and one block. Pascal Siakam delivered 19 points, six rebounds, five assists and one steal. T.J. McConnell furnished 18 points, three assists, one rebound and three steals. Aaron Nesmith and Obi Toppin generated matching 12-point, six-rebound, three-assist efforts with Toppin added one block. Andrew Nembhard totaled 11 points, four assists and two rebounds.
Jalen Brunson paced the Knicks with 43 points, complementing them with six rebounds, six assists and one block. Donte DiVincenzo tallied 25 points, three rebounds, one assist and two blocks. Josh Hart contributed a 24-point, 13-rebound double-double that included eight assists, three steals and one block. OG Anunoby and Isaiah Hartenstein posted 13 points and four assists apiece while pulling down nine and six rebounds, respectively.
Game 2 takes place at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday night.
The Knicks (5-2 postseason) got a clear message they'd be in for a fight during the first half, when the Pacers (4-3 postseason) turned a three-point first-quarter deficit into a six-point halftime advantage with a dominant second quarter. New York was only able to make a one-point dent in its deficit in the third, but the hosts were able to close matters out in the final period with a 39-30 edge that included a 17-8 run over the final 4:04 of the contest.
Myles Turner led the Pacers with 23 points, adding three assists, two rebounds, one steal and one block. Pascal Siakam delivered 19 points, six rebounds, five assists and one steal. T.J. McConnell furnished 18 points, three assists, one rebound and three steals. Aaron Nesmith and Obi Toppin generated matching 12-point, six-rebound, three-assist efforts with Toppin added one block. Andrew Nembhard totaled 11 points, four assists and two rebounds.
Jalen Brunson paced the Knicks with 43 points, complementing them with six rebounds, six assists and one block. Donte DiVincenzo tallied 25 points, three rebounds, one assist and two blocks. Josh Hart contributed a 24-point, 13-rebound double-double that included eight assists, three steals and one block. OG Anunoby and Isaiah Hartenstein posted 13 points and four assists apiece while pulling down nine and six rebounds, respectively.
Game 2 takes place at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday night.
T'Wolves Throttle Nuggets in Game 2, 106-80, Take 2-0 Series Lead
The Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the host Denver Nuggets, 106-80, in Game 2 of the Western Conference Semi-Finals at Ball Arena on Monday.
Minnesota leads this series, 2-0. Over 92 percent of the teams in NBA history with a 2-0 series lead have gone on to win the series.
While Denver made the first shot, that was the only lead they had in this game. Minnesota never relinquished the lead after the opening 47 seconds. They took command with a 28-20 first quarter and rode a 33-15 second quarter to a 26-point halftime lead. The Timberwolves got their lead up to 32 points at times, holding a double-digit lead for the final 35 minutes of this blowout. Minnesota shot 51 percent from the field while holding Denver to 35 percent shooting. The T'Wolves recorded 28 assists to 13 turnovers, while the Nuggets had 16 assists to match their 16 turnovers. Minnesota recorded 11 steals and 12 blocks to Denver's six steals and five blocks. They also outscored the Nuggets in the paint, 52-34. The 80 points were the lowest total of the season for the Nuggets and the best defensive showing for the T'Wolves.
The Timberwolves (2-0) were led by Karl-Anthony Towns, tallying 27 points, 12 rebounds and two blocks. Anthony Edwards had 27 points, two rebounds, seven assists and two steals. Kyle Anderson accrued six points, nine rebounds, eight assists and two steals while Naz Reid and Nickeil Alexander-Walker led the bench with 14 points apiece. Those two also combined for 11 rebounds and seven blocks.
The Nuggets (0-2) were led by Aaron Gordon, generating 20 points, four rebounds and two assists. Nikola Jokic collected 16 points, 16 rebounds and eight assists. Michael Porter Jr provided nine points, five rebounds and two assists, while Jamal Murray amassed eight points, 12 rebounds and two assists on 3-of-18 shooting.
These teams will play Game 3 in Minnesota on Friday.
Minnesota leads this series, 2-0. Over 92 percent of the teams in NBA history with a 2-0 series lead have gone on to win the series.
While Denver made the first shot, that was the only lead they had in this game. Minnesota never relinquished the lead after the opening 47 seconds. They took command with a 28-20 first quarter and rode a 33-15 second quarter to a 26-point halftime lead. The Timberwolves got their lead up to 32 points at times, holding a double-digit lead for the final 35 minutes of this blowout. Minnesota shot 51 percent from the field while holding Denver to 35 percent shooting. The T'Wolves recorded 28 assists to 13 turnovers, while the Nuggets had 16 assists to match their 16 turnovers. Minnesota recorded 11 steals and 12 blocks to Denver's six steals and five blocks. They also outscored the Nuggets in the paint, 52-34. The 80 points were the lowest total of the season for the Nuggets and the best defensive showing for the T'Wolves.
The Timberwolves (2-0) were led by Karl-Anthony Towns, tallying 27 points, 12 rebounds and two blocks. Anthony Edwards had 27 points, two rebounds, seven assists and two steals. Kyle Anderson accrued six points, nine rebounds, eight assists and two steals while Naz Reid and Nickeil Alexander-Walker led the bench with 14 points apiece. Those two also combined for 11 rebounds and seven blocks.
The Nuggets (0-2) were led by Aaron Gordon, generating 20 points, four rebounds and two assists. Nikola Jokic collected 16 points, 16 rebounds and eight assists. Michael Porter Jr provided nine points, five rebounds and two assists, while Jamal Murray amassed eight points, 12 rebounds and two assists on 3-of-18 shooting.
These teams will play Game 3 in Minnesota on Friday.