The reigning champion Denver started its series perfectly with a success against the Los Angeles Lakers, during an NBA evening which marked the start of the play-offs on Saturday with four matches in the first round.
Denver launched
Nikola Jokic’s gang, champion in 2023, perfectly launched the defense of their title with a convincing success at home against LeBron James’ Lakers (114-103). The Lakers, from the dams, in the lead at the start of the match, offered great resistance by relying on their two stars Anthony Davis and LeBron James. Highly used, Davis played more than 44 minutes (out of 48) for 32 points and 14 rebounds and incessant work on Jokic in defense. LeBron James added 27 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists, but was unable to contain Nikola Jokic (32 points, 12 rebounds) and Jamal Murray (22 points, 10 assists). At the end of the match, Jokic offered a nice dunk over the “King”, a rarity for the Serb. In the process, James slipped and fell heavily on his right elbow, before ending the game on the field. “Our defense after halftime was incredible,” Jokic said. “Personally, I just try to read the game, not force anything, and find an unmarked teammate.”
Edwards hurts the Suns
Anthony Edwards, of the Minnesota Timberwolves, during Game 1 of the NBA play-offs against the Phoenix Suns, April 20, 2024 in Minneapolis / Patrick McDermott / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
The leaping Anthony Edwards scored 23 of his 33 points in the second half of the match to allow the Minnesota Timberwolves to largely dominate the Phoenix Suns (120-95), and lead 1-0 in this series announced indecisive. Edwards found the key after averaging just 14 points in the Wolves’ three regular season games against the Suns, all of which were lost. French pivot Rudy Gobert compiled 14 points and 16 rebounds, and the Minnesota bench largely dominated that of Phoenix (41-18). Opposite, Kevin Durant finished with 31 points, Devin Booker with 18. The second round takes place Tuesday again on the Timberwolves floor.
. The Knicks are off to a good start
Jalen Brunson shooting during the NBA play-off match between the Knicks and the Philadelphia Sixers, April 20, 2024 in New York / ELSA / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
The New York Knicks assumed their N.2 seed status by beating the Philadelphia 76ers (111-104), from the play-offs. Local darling Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart piled up 22 points each, with the decisive contribution of Miles McBride (21 points) coming off the bench. The Sixers experienced a big scare in the second quarter: after a spectacular dunk preceded by a pass for himself on the board, Joel Embiid collapsed, hit in the left knee operated on in early February. The 2023 MVP still came back in the third quarter, to score a total of 29 points and grab 8 rebounds. “We will have a medical check-up with him after each match,” warned his coach Nick Nurse, who could count on Tyrese Maxey (33 points).
. The Cavaliers behind Mitchell
Donovan Mitchell after scoring a three-point basket during the Cavaliers’ NBA play-off game against the Orlando Magic, April 20, 2024 in Cleveland / Jason Miller / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
The Cleveland Cavaliers won the first meeting of their series at home against the Orlando Magic (97-83), thanks in particular to 30 points from their star Donovan Mitchell, assisted by Jarret Allen (16 points, 18 rebounds). Paolo Banchero planted 24 points for the Magic but lost 9 balls (out of 12 in total for Orlando).
