NBA Play-Offs open with Cleveland Cavaliers win
After a long Regular Season, the road to the NBA championship is underway and knock-out hoops is now taking place with the commencement of the Play-Offs. The first game of the 1/8 round is taking place over Saturday and Sunday, and last night there were four games.
There were two games played in the Western and Eastern Conferences. In the East, the current NBA champs went big as the Cleveland Cavaliers took out the Indiana Pacers on the road. The Milwaukee Bucks secured a cruising home win over the Toronto Raptors to open its Play-Offs account this term.
In the Western Conference, the Utah Jazz edged the LA Clippers in a series that will likely remain too close to call. Finally, the San Antonio Spurs sent a message with a massive road win over the Memphis Grizzlies.
Indiana Pacers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers, 108-109
The reigning champs were given a big test in Indiana and emerged with a one point win over a rampant Pacers. However, it was the Cavaliers that took the early advantage in the series and showed that the team can score big under pressure. The champs got the job done in the opening three quarters and led 84-92 at the last split. However, the Cav’s were forced to weather a Pacers storm in the fourth act as the hosts drained 24 points and took it to the last play. LeBron James led the win with a double-double of 32 points and 13 assists, both game-high hauls.
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Toronto Raptors, 97-83
The Bucks recovered from a second quarter slip to easily see off the Toronto Raptors at home. This game suggested home advantage will be hugely important in this series. The hosts opened well and led 30-22 through the first quarter. However, the Raptors clawed back into it with a 16-29 Q2, which handed the visitors a 46-51 halftime lead. Milwaukee hit back in the third with a 29-19 run that turned the tide for good. The home team lead 75-70 through 34 minutes and pulled away in the fourth quarter.
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Memphis Grizzlies vs. San Antonio Spurs, 82-111
In the Western Conference, San Antonio looked impressive as they dismantled the Grizzlies on the road. Much has been made of the lack of title potential in the Spurs, team, but this performance will turn some heads. The visitors trailed by five points at the first buzzer rest, but moved to 49-52 at the long break. San Antonio had the momentum and used it to plunder 32 points and keep Memphis at 15 points in a game-defining this quarter. The guests never looked back from there.
Utah Jazz vs. Los Angeles Clippers, 97-95
In one of the closest NBA Play-Offs series to call this term, the Utah Jazz made home advantage count in a close contest that hints at how hard to call this series will be. However, the first win goes to the Jazz, who used a winning fourth act to secure the win. The teams were locked 52-52 through the long break, but the Jazz danced to a 76-70 advantage at the final split. The hosts held firm as the Clippers made life difficult down the stretch.