On the second day of the NBA play-offs in Orlando there were the first surprises. Both number 1 seeds came away empty-handed.
On the ground after Game 1: LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers.
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Magic duped the Bucks at the home game
The first game of the second play-off day led to the first surprise and a 122: 110 win for Orlando against the big favorites from Milwaukee. The top scorer of the game was Magic Center Nikola Vucevic, who set a personal career best in the play-offs: The Montenegrin scored 35 points and also collected 14 rebounds. Bucks MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo also scored a double-double (31 points, 17 rebounds, and seven assists), but could not prevent the surprising defeat in the first game of the best-of-seven series. The Bucks are the team with the best record of the regular season (56 wins, 17 losses) and the clear favorite against Orlando, which came in eighth in the east (33, 40).
Nevertheless, Game 1 went to the team from the Sunshine State, which had drawn the short straw in four clashes with the Bucks so far. The Magic were in the lead for almost the entire game and annoyed Antetokounmpo by delivering the zone and forcing the Greeks to jump throws from the middle distance.
Surprise, part II: Lillard dismantles the Lakers too
The top seed also lost its opening game in the west. The Los Angeles Lakers were beaten by the Portland Trail Blazers, who only made it into the play-offs thanks to a strong final sprint, 93-100. The Blazers got off to a better start, but were still behind in the middle of the final quarter.
It needed a special performance from Damian Lillard, or: Dame-Time! The Guard turned up in the last seven minutes and led his team to surprising success with a total of 34 points. On the Lakers side, an impressive triple-double from LeBron James (23 points / 17 rebounds / 16 assists) did not help either, as little went from the triple line in particular.
OKC and Schröder have no chance: Houston strong even without Westbrook
Despite the failure of Russell Westbrook, the Houston Rockets Dennis Schröder and the Oklahoma City Thunder did not have the slightest chance to start what was possibly the most exciting series. The Rockets, led by James Harden (37/11/3), could not be stopped by “Downtown” and ultimately won confidently with 123: 108. Schröder in particular remained pale, didn’t hit any of his five threes and only posted six points in 31 minutes.
NBA play-offs – Tuesday’s results
Milwaukee Bucks – Orlando Magic 110:122
(Play-off-Stand: 0:1)
Los Angeles Lakers – Portland Trail Blazers 93:100
(Play-off-Stand: 0:1)
Indiana Pacers – Miami Heat 101:113
(Play-off-Stand: 0:1)
Houston Rockets – Oklahoma City Thunder 123:108
(Play-off-Stand: 1:0)
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