The Minnesota Timberwolves, fueled by 25 factors from Jaden McDaniels, cruised previous LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers 117-95 on Saturday in recreation one among their NBA Western Convention playoff sequence.
Luka Doncic, taking part in his first post-season recreation with the Lakers after arriving in a surprising February commerce, scored 37 factors, and James, chasing a fifth title in his twenty second NBA season, added 19 after shaking off a sluggish begin that noticed him go scoreless within the first quarter.
However the Lakers have been no match for the T’Woves, who trailed by seven after the primary quarter, took management within the second, and by no means let as much as rating the primary blow within the best-of-seven sequence.
Naz Reid scored 23 factors off the bench, drilling six of Minnesota’s franchise playoff report, which is 21 three-pointers. Anthony Edwards added 22 factors, eight rebounds and 9 assists for Minnesota, which led by as many as 27.
A ten-0 Lakers run reduce the deficit to 88-71 within the third quarter, however the Timberwolves had a solution for each Lakers run.
“I feel we simply got here out able to play,” mentioned Edwards, who had suggested his teammates earlier than the sport to come back out “able to battle”.
“Everyone’s acquired to belief their work, belief themselves, and so they did that tonight,” he mentioned.
Lakers coach JJ Redick mentioned his group was “mentally prepared” however didn’t reply to Minnesota’s physicality.
“I assumed our spirit was proper,” Redick mentioned.
“I assumed even after they made runs our huddles have been nice, the communication was nice. (However) after they began taking part in with a number of thrust and physicality, we simply didn’t reply instantly to that,” he added.
The Lakers have been the one residence group to lose on the opening day of first-round motion.
Nikola Jokic scored 29 factors and Aaron Gordon added 25 because the Nuggets edged the Los Angeles Clippers 112-110 in an time beyond regulation thriller in Denver.
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The New York Knicks put collectively a 21-0 scoring run of their 40-point fourth quarter to drag away for a 123-112 victory over the Detroit Pistons at Madison Sq. Backyard.
The Indiana Pacers romped to a 117-98 victory over Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks.
Reigning NBA Most Precious Participant Jokic added 9 rebounds, 12 assists and three steals for the Nuggets, who erased an early 15-point deficit to seize the win in recreation one among their Western Convention sequence.
Russell Westbrook got here up large on each ends of the ground, his basket with 3:37 left within the fourth quarter giving the Nuggets their first lead for the reason that first interval.
Westbrook drilled a three-pointer that put Denver up 98-96 with 24.1 seconds left in regulation. James Harden tied it because the Clippers compelled the additional session, which Gordon opened with a dunk.
Denver wouldn’t path once more. It was up by three when Westbrook broke up a Clippers inbounds try, and Jokic sealed it on the free-throw line.
In New York, Jalen Brunson scored 23 of his 34 factors within the second half whereas Karl-Anthony Cities and OG Anunoby scored 23 factors apiece for the Knicks, who trailed Detroit by eight heading into the fourth quarter of a back-and-forth battle.
Tobias Harris scored 25 factors and Cade Cunningham added 21 for the Pistons, who’re within the playoffs for the primary time since 2019, however haven’t gained a playoff recreation since 2008.
In Indianapolis, Pascal Siakam scored 25 factors to steer six gamers to attain in double figures for the Pacers, who led by as many as 28 factors.
Two-time NBA MVP Antetokounmpo led all scorers with 36 factors and grabbed 12 rebounds — however the remainder of the Bucks starters mixed for simply 14 factors.