Title:

NBA Playoffs: Timberwolves Tame Lakers, Magic Cliffhang Boston, Bucks Claw Pacers

Subheadings:

Lakers Stumble Without Doncic, Fall 116-104 to Timberwolves

Magic Defy Celtics, Tie Series 2-2

Bucks Bounce Back, Beat Pacers and Tie Series 2-2

In the thrilling first round of the NBA Western Conference, the Minnesota Timberwolves dominated the Los Angeles Lakers, winning 116-104 and taking a 2-1 lead in their series. Despite Luka Doncic’s gut issues, the Lakers were poised for a fight, but they struggled without him.

• Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels shone for the Timberwolves, scoring 29 and 30 points respectively.
• LeBron James poured in 38 points for the Lakers, but it wasn’t enough as they suffered from forced turnovers and poor free-throw shooting.
• Doncic finished with 17 points, 7 rebounds, and 8 assists, but committed 5 turnovers.

In the Eastern Conference, a cliffhanger finish saw the Orlando Magic send the Boston Celtics to overtime with a nail-biting 95-93 win, evening their series at 2-2. Jayson Tatum put up 36 points in his return, but the Celtics’ inconsistent triples and turnovers proved costly.

• Tatum recorded 36 points and 9 rebounds, but committed 7 turnovers.
• Franz Wagner led the Magic with 32 points, 7 rebounds, and 8 assists.
• Two late baskets by Wagner, followed by a mountainous Kristaps Porzingis block, sealed victory for the Magic.

The Milwaukee Bucks relied on a spectacular duo performance from Giannis Antetokounmpo and Gary Trent Jr., who both scored 37 points, to beat the Indiana Pacers 117-101 and tie their series at 2-2.

• Antetokounmpo contributed 37 points, 14 rebounds, and 6 assists, leading the Bucks’ charge.
• Trent Jr. was unstoppable from deep, scoring 37 points on 9-of-12 shooting from three-point range.
• The Bucks turned the game around with a dominant third quarter, scoring 39 points to Indiana’s 18.

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