Two of the most invigorating playoffs clashes in the west coast won’t have a seventh game with the Nuggets and Suns successfully finishing the series in six games. A new NBA champion will be crowned as well since the defending champions Los Angeles Lakers were eliminated in this round.
NBA Playoffs First Round
Lakers 100-113 Suns
Phoenix Suns won their third match in a row to take the series 4-2 and progress into the Western Conference semi-finals. The Suns won their first playoff series since the 2009-10 season and will now face Denver Nuggets for a place in the conference finals.
This also marked the first defeat for LeBron in this stage of the season after heading into the series with a 14-0 record.
Devin Booker sealed Suns’ win with a stunning 47 point and 11 assist display. The number two seed had blown away the Lakers in the very first quarter itself that ended 36-14.
While Anthony Davis started the do-or-die game, he re-aggravated his groin injury and left the court after five minutes of play.
LeBron James led his team in points, assists and rebounds following a 29 point, 7 assists and 9 rebounds display, but it was far from enough as they sunk to a 13-point defeat.
Despite a solid return in the second quarter and a strong third quarter, the deficit from the first quarter proved to be too heavy for the Lakers.
Trailblazers 115-126 Nuggets
Denver Nuggets also sealed their spot in the conference semifinals after wrapping up the series by 4-2.
Damian Lillard’s heroics could not save the Trailblazers as the guard ended with a series average of 34.8 points per game. He stepped up in the final game as well by posting 28 points and 13 assists to give the home side a 7-point lead at half-time.
Heading into the final quarter, the Trailblazers hung onto a 3-point lead, but were completely ousted by the visitors in the final quarter.
Nuggets scored 28 points in the final quarter, exactly double what the Trailblazers were able to muster in the same period.
Nikola Jokic led the scoring after registering 36 points while Michael Porter Jr. chipped in with 26 points for the win.
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