First win in the third attempt: The Orlando Magic have returned to the NBA playoff series against the Cleveland Cavaliers. And the Los Angeles Lakers experienced déjà vu.
On Friday night (April 26, 2024), Orlando won 121:83 (61:45) against the Cleveland Cavaliers. It was the first win for the “Magic” in the third attempt; Cleveland had previously won both duels. The next game in the first round series in the North American Basketball League will take place again in Orlando on Sunday night (April 28, 2024).
The first team to win four times advances to the next round.
Playoffs, 1st round arrow right
Nobody gave more assists than Franz Wagner
The “Magic” steadily pulled away from the end of the first quarter, led by up to 43 points and ultimately achieved their third-highest playoff win in team history. “Of course we are proud of the victory, but none of us are celebrating now. We have to deliver the same performance again on Saturday,” said Paolo Banchero, who was Orlando’s best player with 31 points and 14 rebounds.
Franz Wagner scored 16 points and distributed the most of the game with eight assists, Moritz Wagner had two points and six rebounds. Franz Wagner said: “We did the simple things and our energy was great. We need a similar performance in the next games.”
Angstgegner Denver – the Los Angeles Lakers are experiencing déjà vu
The Denver Nuggets already have one foot in the second round of the playoffs: The defending champions also won the third duel with the Los Angeles Lakers and, after the 112:105 (49:53) away win, only need one win to clinch the first round series win. Last season, the Nuggets had already eliminated the Lakers 4-0 after games in the semifinals.
The Nuggets had four players score at least 20 points; Nikola Jokic narrowly missed a triple-double with 24 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists. For the Lakers, superstar LeBron James had 26 points, nine assists and six rebounds.
50 points – Philadelphia’s Embiid is unstoppable
Former youth international player Isaiah Hartenstein suffered his first defeat with the New York Knicks in the third game, with the Knicks losing out to the Philadelphia 76ers with 114:125 (58:55).
Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid was unstoppable with 50 points, and the center scored 18 points in the third quarter alone as the 76ers pulled ahead 43:27. Hartenstein finished the game with 14 points.