The Minnesota Timberwolves pulled away for a 105-93 victory over the Phoenix Suns in Game 2 of their Western Conference quarterfinals series on Tuesday night. Jaden McDaniels led the Timberwolves with 25 points, while Mike Conley and Rudy Gobert added 18 points each. Despite a subpar shooting night from Anthony Edwards, the Timberwolves managed to seize a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.
Anthony Edwards put up an impressive performance in Game 1 of the NBA playoffs, leading the Minnesota Timberwolves to a blowout victory over the Phoenix Suns. Edwards’ performance drew praise from many, including ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith, who compared him to Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan. Smith praised Edwards’ constant trash-talking, which he said reminded him of the legendary players. Edwards has been compared to Jordan before, with Kevin Garnett and even Jordan himself making the comparison. Despite the pressure that comes with being compared to the GOAT, Edwards has managed to thrive and is now leading the Timberwolves to a deep playoff run.
Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard will make his return to the court in Game 2 against the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday night. Leonard has been out since March 31 with right knee inflammation, but he has been cleared to play without any minutes restriction. The Mavericks will face a tough task in trying to contain Leonard, who is one of the best playoff performers in the league.
The Los Angeles Lakers faced a devastating loss against the Denver Nuggets in Game 2 of their playoff series, with a buzzer-beater shot from Jamal Murray securing a 101-99 victory for the Nuggets. Former Lakers player Magic Johnson expressed disappointment in the team’s performance, particularly their inability to maintain their significant lead during the final quarter. Despite impressive performances from LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the Lakers’ bench has emerged as a concern, with nobody scoring in double digits. The team will need to make significant adjustments before Game 3 to stay competitive in the series.
The New York Knicks, once focused on acquiring superstars, have emerged as a formidable playoff team with a roster built on hard work and overachievers. Without a single lottery pick in their rotation, the Knicks have defeated the Philadelphia 76ers twice. Their success is attributed to their relentless effort, superior basketball instincts, and blue-collar approach. This scrappy mentality, reminiscent of the Knicks teams of the 1990s, has allowed them to overcome talent deficiencies and emerge as a team with a 93% chance of advancing in the playoffs.
Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard is set to return for Game 2 of the team’s first-round playoff series against the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday night, according to coach Ty Lue. Leonard has missed the final eight games of the regular season and Game 1 due to inflammation in his surgically repaired knee. The Clippers are hopeful that Leonard’s return will boost their chances of advancing in the playoffs.
The Philadelphia 76ers lost game 2 to the New York Knicks 104-101 on Monday, leaving them with a 0-2 deficit in the series and facing an uphill battle to avoid a sweep.
Despite holding a 101-96 lead with under 30 seconds remaining, Philadelphia surrendered a three-pointer to Donte DiVincenzo after a controversial non-call on a turnover by Tyrese Maxey.
76ers head coach Nick Nurse and Joel Embiid expressed outrage at the officiating, claiming that a timeout should have been called before Maxey’s turnover. Embiid called the incident “f—ing unacceptable.”
Despite the setback, Embiid remains confident in the 76ers’ ability to rally and win the series. He stated, “We’re gonna win this series. We know what we’ve got to fix. We did a better job today, so we’re gonna fix it. We’re the better team and we’re gonna keep fighting.”
The Knicks, on the other hand, are not fully satisfied with their performance and recognize the need to improve their defense as the series shifts to Philadelphia for Game 3 on Thursday.
The New York Knicks have made a significant jump in the Eastern Conference title odds after their 2-0 start against the Philadelphia 76ers. They now have the second-best odds (+650) at BetMGM Sportsbook, trailing only the Boston Celtics (-250). Philadelphia’s struggles, including Joel Embiid’s injury issues, have seen their odds drop to +1400, while the Milwaukee Bucks, despite a Game 1 win over the Indiana Pacers, are now at +700 due to health concerns. The Knicks and Bucks are both tied at +1600 to win the NBA Championship, the fifth-lowest odds behind the Celtics, Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Clippers, and Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Los Angeles Clippers will welcome back two-time Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard for Game 2 of their Western Conference first-round series against the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday night. Leonard has been sidelined since March 31 with right knee inflammation but participated in shootaround and will be available for the crucial game in Dallas. Despite missing the last 10 games of the regular season, Leonard remains a dominant force when healthy, averaging 23.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game this season. In the playoffs, he has averaged 21.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 1.8 steals per game in 137 contests. The Mavericks will look to protect home court and even the series with Leonard back in the lineup for the Clippers.
In a crucial moment, Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch successfully challenged an offensive foul call on Rudy Gobert, resulting in a positive swing for his team. Following the overturn, Gobert continued to showcase his defensive prowess, deterring the Phoenix Suns and contributing to Minnesota’s strong start in the first quarter.
