The Minnesota Timberwolves, fed by 25 factors from Jaden McDaniels, crossed LeBron James and Los Angeles Lakers 117-95 Saturday within the first match of their sequence of NBA Western Convention qualifiers.
Luka Doncic, taking part in his first post-season match with the Lakers after his arrival in an excellent trade in February, scored 37 factors, and James, to proceed a fifth title of his twenty second NBA season added 19 after trembling a sluggish begin which noticed him go with out aim within the first quarter.
However the Lakers had been lower than the T’Woves, which dragged seven after the primary quarter, took management within the second and by no means left the primary stroke within the sequence of seven finest.
Naz Reid scored 23 factors on the bench – Foring six of the Minnesota franchise 2 three -points franchise playoffs.
Anthony Edwards added 22 factors, eight rebounds and 9 assists for Minnesota, which led as much as 27.
A ten-0 Lakers race decreased the deficit to 88-71 within the third quarter, however the Timberwolves had a solution for every Lakers race.
“I feel we simply got here out able to play,” mentioned Edwards, who suggested his teammates earlier than the sport to exit “able to battle”.
“Everybody has to belief their work, belief one another and so they have finished it tonight,” he mentioned.
Lakers coach JJ Redick mentioned his staff was “mentally prepared” however didn’t reply to Minnesota’s physics.
“I assumed our thoughts was proper,” mentioned Redick. “I assumed that even after they went purchasing, our tales had been nice, communication was nice.
“(However) after they began taking part in with numerous push and physics, we simply did not reply instantly to this,” he added.
Lakers had been the one residence staff to lose the day of opening the motion within the first spherical.
Nikola Jokic scored 29 factors and Aaron Gordon added 25 whereas the Nuggets had been forward of the Los Angeles Clippers 112-110 in a thriller in extension in Denver.
The New York Knicks organized a 21-0 race of their fourth quarter of 40 factors to withdraw for a 123-112 victory towards Detroit pistons at Madison Sq. Backyard.
The Indiana Pacers gained a 117-98 victory towards Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks.
The NBA ruling participant Jokic added 9 rebounds, 12 assists and three interceptions for the Nuggets, which erased a deficit firstly of 15 factors to win the victory within the match of their sequence of the Western Convention.
Russell Westbrook got here giant on the two ends of the bottom, his basket with 3:37 to do within the fourth quarter giving the Nuggets their first advance because the first interval.
Westbrook pierced a three-point pointer that put Denver 98-96 with 24.1 seconds to play in settlement.
James Harden equaled it whereas the Clippers pressured the extra session, which Gordon opened with a dunk.
Denver would not dangle round. They had been standing by three when Westbrook broke a CLIPPER coloration try, and JOKIC sealed it on the free throw line.
– “keep good” –
Harden led the Clippers with 32 factors. Kawhi Leonard added 27 however the Nuggets, who completed the common season in turmoil after dismissed coach Michael Malone with three video games to play, prevailed.
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 every for the Knicks, who dragged out the fourth quarter of a background.
“Keep clever and composed,” mentioned Brunson concerning the overhang of the fourth quarter of the Knicks. “We’re simply good and discover a solution to win the sport.”
Tobias Harris has scored 25 factors and Cade Cunningham added 21 for the pistons, who’ve been within the playoffs for the primary time since 2019, however haven’t gained an eliminatory match since 2008.
In Indianapolis, Pascal Siakam scored 25 factors to steer six gamers to attain two figures for the Pacers, which led as much as 28 factors.
The NBA Antetokounmpo MVP twice led all of the scorers with 36 factors and seized 12 rebounds – however the remainder of the starters of Bucks mixed for under 14 factors.
BB / DH
