Nets Look To Stay Strong At Home
By Dan Bruno
The Brooklyn Nets play host to the Boston Celtics in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference First-Round Playoffs at Barclays Center on Tuesday evening.
The Nets lead the series, 1-0, after an 11-point home win on Saturday. The Nets got out to a slow start in the contest with only 16 points in the first quarter, and they trailed by six at halftime. They picked up the defense in the second half, where they held the Celtics to just 40 points, while they were able to rally to the first win of the series.
Kevin Durant led the way in the win with 32 points, 12 rebounds, a steal and a block, in 39 minutes. Kyrie Irving followed up with 29 points, six rebounds and a block, while James Harden totaled 21 points, nine rebounds, eight assists, four steals and a block. Joe Harris was the only other player to score in double digits for the Nets, with 10 points on 4-of-11 shooting. The Nets' superstars were able to carry most of the weight in Game 1, but the Nets still got a scare from the Celtics and will need to bring a better focus early in Tuesday's contest to maintain their best chance at a two-game series lead.
Meanwhile, despite their strong start in Game 1, the Celtics were unable to contain the Nets in the second half. The Celtics had five players score in double digits, while Tristan Thompson added four points, 10 rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block. Jayson Tatum was the high-point man with 22 points on 6-of-20 shooting, while Marcus Smart followed up with 17 points, five assists and three rebounds, and Kemba Walker chipped in 15 points on 5-of-16 shooting. Despite poor shooting nights from Tatum and Walker, the rest of the squad contributed well in Game 1, and the Celtics kept it a reasonably close game. If the two stars can find their groove on offense, the Celtics will have a shot at evening the series.
The Nets lead the series, 1-0, after an 11-point home win on Saturday. The Nets got out to a slow start in the contest with only 16 points in the first quarter, and they trailed by six at halftime. They picked up the defense in the second half, where they held the Celtics to just 40 points, while they were able to rally to the first win of the series.
Kevin Durant led the way in the win with 32 points, 12 rebounds, a steal and a block, in 39 minutes. Kyrie Irving followed up with 29 points, six rebounds and a block, while James Harden totaled 21 points, nine rebounds, eight assists, four steals and a block. Joe Harris was the only other player to score in double digits for the Nets, with 10 points on 4-of-11 shooting. The Nets' superstars were able to carry most of the weight in Game 1, but the Nets still got a scare from the Celtics and will need to bring a better focus early in Tuesday's contest to maintain their best chance at a two-game series lead.
Meanwhile, despite their strong start in Game 1, the Celtics were unable to contain the Nets in the second half. The Celtics had five players score in double digits, while Tristan Thompson added four points, 10 rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block. Jayson Tatum was the high-point man with 22 points on 6-of-20 shooting, while Marcus Smart followed up with 17 points, five assists and three rebounds, and Kemba Walker chipped in 15 points on 5-of-16 shooting. Despite poor shooting nights from Tatum and Walker, the rest of the squad contributed well in Game 1, and the Celtics kept it a reasonably close game. If the two stars can find their groove on offense, the Celtics will have a shot at evening the series.
Lakers Looking To Even Things Up Against Suns
The Phoenix Suns will host the Los Angeles Lakers at PHX Arena in Game 2 of the Western Conference First Round on Tuesday.
The Lakers didn't look good in the first game of the series and were unable to get into any sort of a rhythm, ultimately losing the matchup and falling into a hole, as they now need four wins out of their next six games to move into the next round of the postseason. During the Game 1 loss, LeBron James led the Lakers with an 18-point, 10-assist double-double that also included seven rebounds and three steals. Dennis Schroder furnished 14 points, three assists, one rebound, two steals and one block. Anthony Davis delivered 13 points, seven rebounds, two assists and three blocks. Andre Drummond and Montrezl Harrell generated matching 12-point tallies while pulling down nine and three rebounds, respectively. Alex Caruso poured in 10 points. The Lakers might have a shot at turning things around when based on their road record during the regular season, though, as they went 21-15 away from Staples Center.
The Suns were one of the best teams in the Western Conference during the regular season and backed that up in the first playoff game following an 11-year drought, as they raced out to a comfortable win over the Lakers in a game where they also looked in complete control of the matchup. Devin Booker paced the Suns with 34 points, complementing them with eight assists, seven rebounds and one steal. Deandre Ayton posted a 21-point, 16-rebound double-double that also included one block. Cameron Johnson and Mikal Bridges contributed matching 10-point, two-steal efforts while hauling in six and four rebounds, respectively. The Suns couldn't have wished for a better start to the series and will look to go 2-0 Tuesday -- they know they have a good shot at doing so based on the fact that they lost just nine of the 36 games at PHX Arena during the regular season.
The Lakers didn't look good in the first game of the series and were unable to get into any sort of a rhythm, ultimately losing the matchup and falling into a hole, as they now need four wins out of their next six games to move into the next round of the postseason. During the Game 1 loss, LeBron James led the Lakers with an 18-point, 10-assist double-double that also included seven rebounds and three steals. Dennis Schroder furnished 14 points, three assists, one rebound, two steals and one block. Anthony Davis delivered 13 points, seven rebounds, two assists and three blocks. Andre Drummond and Montrezl Harrell generated matching 12-point tallies while pulling down nine and three rebounds, respectively. Alex Caruso poured in 10 points. The Lakers might have a shot at turning things around when based on their road record during the regular season, though, as they went 21-15 away from Staples Center.
The Suns were one of the best teams in the Western Conference during the regular season and backed that up in the first playoff game following an 11-year drought, as they raced out to a comfortable win over the Lakers in a game where they also looked in complete control of the matchup. Devin Booker paced the Suns with 34 points, complementing them with eight assists, seven rebounds and one steal. Deandre Ayton posted a 21-point, 16-rebound double-double that also included one block. Cameron Johnson and Mikal Bridges contributed matching 10-point, two-steal efforts while hauling in six and four rebounds, respectively. The Suns couldn't have wished for a better start to the series and will look to go 2-0 Tuesday -- they know they have a good shot at doing so based on the fact that they lost just nine of the 36 games at PHX Arena during the regular season.
Mavericks and Clippers Set for Game 2 Clash
The Dallas Mavericks take on the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center in Game 2 of their Western Conference quarterfinal-round series on Tuesday night. The Mavericks lead the series, 1-0.
The Mavericks (1-0) understandably checked into Saturday's Game 1 contest as clear road underdogs, but a four-quarter, all-around strong effort secured Dallas a 113-103 series-opening upset. Luka Doncic led the way for the Mavericks with a 31-point, 11-assist, 10-rebound triple-double that also included two blocks and one steal. Tim Hardaway furnished 21 points, four rebounds and one assist. Dorian Finney-Smith delivered 18 points, five rebounds, two assists and one steal. Jalen Brunson supplied 15 points, two assists and one rebound. Kristaps Porzingis posted 14 points, four rebounds, one assist and one block.
The Mavericks will list Maxi Kleber (Achilles) as questionable for Tuesday's game. JJ Redick (heel) will remain out.
The Clippers (0-1) actually displayed excellent ball security in Saturday's loss while committing just five turnovers, but a dismal 27.5 percent success rate from three-point range helped cap their ability to keep up with the Mavericks in the Game 1 defeat. Kawhi Leonard led the way for the Clippers with 26 points, complementing them with 10 rebounds, five assists and four steals. Paul George followed with 23 points, six boards, five assists and one steal. Nicolas Batum and Rajon Rondo produced matching 11-point tallies while recording seven and four rebounds, respectively. Patrick Beverley totaled 10 points, two rebounds and one block.
The Clippers will likely list Amir Coffey (COVID-19 protocols) as no better than questionable for Tuesday's contest.
Tuesday's game marks the sixth meeting between the teams since the start of the 2020-21 regular season. The Mavericks hold a 4-1 lead in that sample when factoring in Saturday's win.
The Mavericks (1-0) understandably checked into Saturday's Game 1 contest as clear road underdogs, but a four-quarter, all-around strong effort secured Dallas a 113-103 series-opening upset. Luka Doncic led the way for the Mavericks with a 31-point, 11-assist, 10-rebound triple-double that also included two blocks and one steal. Tim Hardaway furnished 21 points, four rebounds and one assist. Dorian Finney-Smith delivered 18 points, five rebounds, two assists and one steal. Jalen Brunson supplied 15 points, two assists and one rebound. Kristaps Porzingis posted 14 points, four rebounds, one assist and one block.
The Mavericks will list Maxi Kleber (Achilles) as questionable for Tuesday's game. JJ Redick (heel) will remain out.
The Clippers (0-1) actually displayed excellent ball security in Saturday's loss while committing just five turnovers, but a dismal 27.5 percent success rate from three-point range helped cap their ability to keep up with the Mavericks in the Game 1 defeat. Kawhi Leonard led the way for the Clippers with 26 points, complementing them with 10 rebounds, five assists and four steals. Paul George followed with 23 points, six boards, five assists and one steal. Nicolas Batum and Rajon Rondo produced matching 11-point tallies while recording seven and four rebounds, respectively. Patrick Beverley totaled 10 points, two rebounds and one block.
The Clippers will likely list Amir Coffey (COVID-19 protocols) as no better than questionable for Tuesday's contest.
Tuesday's game marks the sixth meeting between the teams since the start of the 2020-21 regular season. The Mavericks hold a 4-1 lead in that sample when factoring in Saturday's win.