The Boston Celtics, the defending champions, have outlasted Orlando to maintain their series lead over the Miami Heat while the Cleveland Cavaliers maintain their series lead over the Miami Heat.
In Game 2 of their Eastern Conference first-round series, the Celtics defeated the visiting Magic 109-100 on Wednesday thanks to Jaylen Brown’s game-high 36 points.
The second-seeded Celtics, who currently lead the best-of-seven series by 2-0, added 20 points and 10 rebounds.
Coach Joe Mazzulla for the Celtics described Brown as “great and consistent throughout the season.” He “can take it to a whole new level of mental and physical maturity,” he said for his team tonight. In the end, he’s willing to do anything to help us triumph.
Early in the fourth quarter, Orlando rallied to within five points with an 8-0 run, but the Magic never got any closer.
Magic forward Franz Wagner said, “I thought we played with a lot of heart and a lot of character.” We scored a lot of runs in the game.
Due to a bone bruise, Tatum, who had a regular season average of 26.8 points per game, was unable to play in Game 2. In the fourth quarter of Boston’s 103-86 Game 1 victory on Sunday, he was hit to the floor as he headed for the basket. Tatum made a second appearance for the team before the team’s final injury report declared him out, but he was still listed as doubtful for Game 2.
The Celtics also had double figures in scoring: Derrick White (17), Payton Pritchard (14) and Jrue Holiday (11).
For Game 3, which will take place on Friday, the series moves to Orlando.
Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said, “It doesn’t become a series until the home team loses.” Our audience is among the best in the country. We will need that energy, of course.
In the other games, East-top seed Cleveland defeated visiting Miami 121-112 to extend its lead over the Cavs’ 2-0 series lead on Saturday in Miami.
Jalen Green scored 38 points for the hosts Rockets as they defeated the Golden State Warriors 109-94 on Saturday to end their Western Conference series 1-1.
Losing Jimmy Butler III late in the first quarter made the seventh-seeded Warriors’ experience more painful. He had to travel to an MRI for the remainder of the game before going home.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr said, “Jimmy always says he’ll be fine.” However, the MRI requires us to wait and see.
Houston, which had a lead of up to 20 points in the second half, never lost, and fought back against every rally attempt by Golden State.
Houston “played great,” according to Kerr. They were actually physically assaulted. They used a lot of defensive force to enter. … It was their night. On both ends of the floor, they had a fantastic game.
Golden State relied heavily on its 3-point shooting and went 17-for-43 from long range (39.5%), which was a significant improvement over the versatile Butler. Golden State struggled to elicit enough offense, which was combined with a subpar 11-of-18 free-throw line effort.
With 20 points, Stephen Curry led the Warriors. Alperen Sengun, a Turkish star, added 17 points and 16 rebounds for Houston.
PLAYOFF BRACKET
CLE, BOS increase series lead to 2-0
HOU ties series 1-1
The #NBAPlayoffs presented by Google continue on Thursday with three games on TNT & and NBA TV! pic. twitter.com/NKBLtwy8P3
Source: Aljazeera
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