NBA Playoffs: Timberwolves lead 2-0 as Mavericks and Pacers even the series

With 32 points, nine assists, and six rebounds from Luka Doncic, the Dallas Mavericks defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 96-93 on Tuesday to even their Western Conference first-round NBA playoff series at one game each. Kawhi Leonard made his comeback.

Game 3 of the series will take place in Dallas on Friday, April 26, after PJ Washington scored 18 points and Kyrie Irving contributed 23 points for the Mavericks.

In his first game since March 31, Leonard finished with 15 points and seven rebounds in 35 minutes. He was not playing or doing any contact drills during that period due to inflammation in his knee that had been surgically healed.

The Clippers, who shot 36.8 percent (32 for 87) from the field and missed 22 of their 30 attempts from long range, had 22 points each from Paul George and James Harden, plus 13 points and 12 rebounds from Ivica Zubac.

With 9:32 left, the Clippers led 73-67, but with 5:18 left, the Mavs pulled ahead 81-73 after scoring 14 consecutive points. Russell Westbrook made a three-pointer, but Washington countered to make the score 84-76.

With 1:26 remaining, Doncic and Maxi Kleber each scored a straight three-pointer to increase Dallas’ lead to 90-81. Irving then completed the victory with three free throws in the last 12 seconds.

The Timberwolves lead 2-0 after stifling the Suns.

In a 105-93 victory against the Phoenix Suns, Jaden McDaniels scored 25 points, and the Minnesota Timberwolves took a 2-0 lead in their first-round series without the need for another outstanding showing from Anthony Edwards.

After scoring 33 points in the series opener, Edwards was held to only 15 points on 3-of-12 shooting. Rudy Gobert and Mike Conley each scored 18 points.

Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, and Bradley Beal, the big three of the Suns, were limited to a combined 18 for 45 from the field by Minnesota. The Suns, who trail the series 2-0 going into Game 3 on Friday, got 20 points from Booker and 18 from Durant.

In the third quarter, after Phoenix lost starting guard Grayson Allen due to an aggravating ankle strain, the Wolves went on a 12-0 run to take a 72-63 lead.

In the fourth quarter, Minnesota trailed 84–76, but they responded with seven consecutive points, and they were never in danger again.

Siakam aids the Pacers in leveling up

After another outstanding performance by Damian Lillard, Pascal Siakam scored 37 points, and the Indiana Pacers defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 125-108 to even their Eastern Conference playoff series at one game each.

With 22 points from Myles Turner, 20 from Andrew Nembhard, and 12 points and 12 assists from Tyrese Haliburton, the Pacers ended a 10-game losing run in the playoffs that had begun with a Game 7 defeat to Cleveland in a first-round series in 2018.

Siakam finished with 11 rebounds, 6 assists, and 16 of 23 field goals.

After scoring all 35 of his points in the first half of the Bucks’ 109-94 triumph in Game 1, Lillard scored 26 points at the break in this game. Using 10 of 21 shots, he ended with 34 points, 6 of which came from 3-point range.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, the two-time MVP of the Bucks, sat out the game due to a strained left calf.