Rockets Stun Spurs With Game 1 Blowout
There is no doubt that the Houston Rockets caught the San Antonio Spurs off-guard on their home floor Monday night, as they made an impressive 22 three-pointers in a 126-99 blowout victory in Game 1. Trevor Ariza led the scoring with 23 points, while James Harden added a double-double of 20 points and 14 rebounds for Houston, who shot 44 percent from beyond the arc. Along with the 50 attempts from long range, the Rockets set the record for most three's made and attempted against the Spurs in postseason history. Houston distributed the ball very well to finish with six players in double figures, including Clint Capela putting up 20 points and 13 rebounds. They led by as many as 39 points in the game, as the 27-point spread is the worst in Spurs' postseason history. This is the first playoff series between the in-state rivals since 1995, as Game 2 will be in San Antonio on Wednesday night.
LeBron, Cavs Take Game 1 From Raptors
After continuing his success in the first round, LeBron James led his Cleveland Cavaliers on to the second round against the Toronto Raptors. A 35-point, 10-rebound effort from "King James" helped the Cavs cruise in Game 1 with a 116-105 win on their home floor. Kyrie Irving added 24 points for Cleveland, who hadn't played since completing the sweep of the Indiana Pacers on April 24th. Toronto fell in Cleveland in the postseason for a fourth straight game, as they fell to 1-12 in series openers. Kyle Lowry led the Raptors with 20 points, while DeMar DeRozan had 19 for Toronto, who pulled within seven points in the second half. Cleveland led by as many as 18 in the first half, as they look for a repeat of last season, which saw them eliminate the Raptors in six games. They will look to add to that progress at home in Game 2 on Wednesday night.
Capitals Cut in to Series Deficit With Overtime Win
The Washington Capitals took full advantage of Sidney Crosby's early exit in Monday's Game 3, as Kevin Shattenkirk scored the game-winner 3:13 into overtime for a 3-2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins. The victory slims their series deficit to 2-1 after the President Trophy winners dropped the first two games on their home ice. Crosby left the game early on in the first period after taking a cross-check to the head from Matt Niskanen, which did not seem intentional. Despite that, Niskanen received a major penalty for cross-checking and was given a game misconduct. Penguins coach Mike Sullivan had no injury update on their star after the game. Pittsburgh trailed by two late in the third period before Evgeni Malkin and Justin Schultz scored in a 48-second span to tie the game and force overtime. Braden Holtby recovered after getting pulled in Game 2 and made 28 saves for Washington. On the other side, Marc-Andre Fleury made 30 saves in a losing effort. The series remains in Pittsburgh for Game 4, where the Caps can even the series on Wednesday night.
There is no doubt that the Houston Rockets caught the San Antonio Spurs off-guard on their home floor Monday night, as they made an impressive 22 three-pointers in a 126-99 blowout victory in Game 1. Trevor Ariza led the scoring with 23 points, while James Harden added a double-double of 20 points and 14 rebounds for Houston, who shot 44 percent from beyond the arc. Along with the 50 attempts from long range, the Rockets set the record for most three's made and attempted against the Spurs in postseason history. Houston distributed the ball very well to finish with six players in double figures, including Clint Capela putting up 20 points and 13 rebounds. They led by as many as 39 points in the game, as the 27-point spread is the worst in Spurs' postseason history. This is the first playoff series between the in-state rivals since 1995, as Game 2 will be in San Antonio on Wednesday night.
LeBron, Cavs Take Game 1 From Raptors
After continuing his success in the first round, LeBron James led his Cleveland Cavaliers on to the second round against the Toronto Raptors. A 35-point, 10-rebound effort from "King James" helped the Cavs cruise in Game 1 with a 116-105 win on their home floor. Kyrie Irving added 24 points for Cleveland, who hadn't played since completing the sweep of the Indiana Pacers on April 24th. Toronto fell in Cleveland in the postseason for a fourth straight game, as they fell to 1-12 in series openers. Kyle Lowry led the Raptors with 20 points, while DeMar DeRozan had 19 for Toronto, who pulled within seven points in the second half. Cleveland led by as many as 18 in the first half, as they look for a repeat of last season, which saw them eliminate the Raptors in six games. They will look to add to that progress at home in Game 2 on Wednesday night.
Capitals Cut in to Series Deficit With Overtime Win
The Washington Capitals took full advantage of Sidney Crosby's early exit in Monday's Game 3, as Kevin Shattenkirk scored the game-winner 3:13 into overtime for a 3-2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins. The victory slims their series deficit to 2-1 after the President Trophy winners dropped the first two games on their home ice. Crosby left the game early on in the first period after taking a cross-check to the head from Matt Niskanen, which did not seem intentional. Despite that, Niskanen received a major penalty for cross-checking and was given a game misconduct. Penguins coach Mike Sullivan had no injury update on their star after the game. Pittsburgh trailed by two late in the third period before Evgeni Malkin and Justin Schultz scored in a 48-second span to tie the game and force overtime. Braden Holtby recovered after getting pulled in Game 2 and made 28 saves for Washington. On the other side, Marc-Andre Fleury made 30 saves in a losing effort. The series remains in Pittsburgh for Game 4, where the Caps can even the series on Wednesday night.
