Author: Monojit Mandal
Over the weekend, the NBA playoffs were in full swing, with the Lakers and Miami Heat winning decisive victories in their respective series. LeBron James and Anthony Davis led the Los Angeles Lakers to a dominant victory over the Golden State Warriors, while Jimmy Butler returned from injury to lead the Miami Heat to a comfortable win over the New York Knicks.
Lakers dominate Warriors 127-97
The Lakers, led by Anthony Davis and LeBron, beat the defending champions Warriors 127-97. Davis finished with 25 points and 13 rebounds, while James had 21 points, eight rebounds and eight assists. D’Angelo Russell led the Warriors with 21 points, but it wasn’t enough to stop the Lakers from dominating.
Strong defensive plays from Davis and James
Davis made 7 of 10 field goals and 11 of 12 free throw attempts. He also had four blocks, three assists and three steals, demonstrating his ability to dominate both sides of the court. James dished out eight assists and grabbed eight rebounds, despite not shooting during the first 13 minutes. Despite his poor start, he helped the Lakers win with great defensive efforts.
Warriors take early lead, but Lakers respond
The Warriors took the early lead with an 18-4 run at the end of the first quarter, but the Lakers responded with a 30-8 run in the final 7:22 of the second quarter to take a 59-48 lead into halftime. The Lakers took a 20-point lead in the third quarter and led 86-68 in the fourth period. They maintained their dominance in the fourth quarter, winning by 30 points.
Curry leads the Warriors
Curry led the Warriors with a game-high 23 points, assisted by Wiggins (16) and Klay Thompson (15). Their efforts, however, were unable to overcome the Lakers’ supremacy. With the win, the Lakers took a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven Western Conference semi-finals. The Lakers will try to maintain their momentum in the series in the next game in Los Angeles.
Butler returns from injury to lead Miami Heat to victory over New York Knicks – 105-86
In another playoff game, the Heat won Game 3 of their second-round series against the Knicks 105-86. Jimmy Butler’s return from injury was key to Miami’s victory.
Butler scores 28 points in a triumphant return
Butler, famous for his great performances in the post-season, made a triumphant return from a right ankle injury. He scored 28 points, four rebounds, two blocked shots and had a great effect on the game. His response lifted the psychological state of the Heat and their fans, who erupted when he was named as one of the starters. Even after injuring the same ankle in the third quarter, Butler fought through the agony to lead the Heat to a 2-1 lead in the series. Heat coach Erik and Cleveland Cavaliers coach Love praised Butler’s leadership skills and determination, comparing him to LeBron James.
Butler set the tone early in the game, scoring eight points in a 17-9 run to ignite the Miami crowd. His exceptional play lasted throughout the game, inspiring confidence in his teammates.