IT4's Masterful Game Lifts Celtics in Overtime
On what would've been his late sister's 23rd birthday, Isaiah Thomas went off for the Boston Celtics, putting up 53 points to give them a 2-0 series lead with a 129-119 overtime win over the Washington Wizards. The 53 points were the second-most in Celtics playoff history, and the most in the NBA Playoffs since Allen Iverson's 55-point game in 2003. In an offensive-filled night, John Wall had 40 points and 13 assists in a losing effort, helping his team to a 42-point first-quarter and an early 13-point lead. The only problem was Wall had next to no support, as Markieff Morris was the next highest scorer at 16 points. Marcin Gortat had 14 points and 10 rebounds as well, but both of those big men fouled out in overtime. Boston had three other players finish in double figures, including Al Horford at 15 points and 12 rebounds, along with Avery Bradley and Jae Crowder at 14 points apiece. Washington was held to just five points in the overtime period, but will host Games 3 and 4 on Thursday and Sunday with hopes of tying the series up.
Warriors Cruise Past Jazz in Game 1
In a game that remained close in the first half, the Golden State Warriors were able to pull away by spreading the love in a 106-94 Game-1 win over the Utah Jazz. Steph Curry had 22 points, seven rebounds, and five assists in three quarters, while Draymond Green did his usual thing with 17 points, eight rebounds, six assists, and two blocks. Green has a grand total of 19 blocks in five playoffs games this season. He also took over in the final 12 minutes on Tuesday, scoring the first six points of the fourth quarter. Kevin Durant shot just 7-of-17 from the floor and finished with 17 points, Klay Thompson scored 15, while Zaza Pachulia had 10 points in just 14 minutes of action. Rudy Gobert led the struggling Jazz offense with 13 points and eight rebounds. The Warriors were playing their first game since completing the first-round sweep of the Portland Trail Blazers on April 24th. The Warriors will host Game 2 of the series on Thursday night, where they will honor the 2007 "We Believe" team that ended a 13-year postseason drought.
Predators, Rangers Earn Home Wins in Second Round Series
The Nashville Predators have taken full control of their second round series with the St. Louis Blues, as they edged their division rivals, 2-1, at home Tuesday night for a 3-1 series lead. James Neal scored the game-winner with 6:57 left in regulation, supporting Pekka Rinne's 32-save effort in the win. Ryan Ellis added the first goal of the game at 5:09 of the final period, while Joel Edmundson scored the lone goal of the game for St. Louis. Jake Allen made 23 saves in the loss, which was the first time the Blues lost consecutive road contests since February 28th and March 3rd. Game 5 of the series is back in St. Louis on Friday night. Meanwhile, the New York Rangers cut into their series deficit, cruising past the Ottawa Senators, 4-1, and now trail the second-round series, 2-1. Mats Zuccarello had a goal and an assist, and Henrik Lundqvist made 26 saves on their home ice. Michael Grabner, Rick Nash, and Oscar Lindberg found the back of the net as well for New York, who can even the series at home on Thursday night. Craig Andersen made 26 saves for Ottawa, who got their only goal from Jean-Gabriel Pageau. The Rangers have now won three straight home playoff games after dropping six straight postseason contests at Madison Square Garden.
On what would've been his late sister's 23rd birthday, Isaiah Thomas went off for the Boston Celtics, putting up 53 points to give them a 2-0 series lead with a 129-119 overtime win over the Washington Wizards. The 53 points were the second-most in Celtics playoff history, and the most in the NBA Playoffs since Allen Iverson's 55-point game in 2003. In an offensive-filled night, John Wall had 40 points and 13 assists in a losing effort, helping his team to a 42-point first-quarter and an early 13-point lead. The only problem was Wall had next to no support, as Markieff Morris was the next highest scorer at 16 points. Marcin Gortat had 14 points and 10 rebounds as well, but both of those big men fouled out in overtime. Boston had three other players finish in double figures, including Al Horford at 15 points and 12 rebounds, along with Avery Bradley and Jae Crowder at 14 points apiece. Washington was held to just five points in the overtime period, but will host Games 3 and 4 on Thursday and Sunday with hopes of tying the series up.
Warriors Cruise Past Jazz in Game 1
In a game that remained close in the first half, the Golden State Warriors were able to pull away by spreading the love in a 106-94 Game-1 win over the Utah Jazz. Steph Curry had 22 points, seven rebounds, and five assists in three quarters, while Draymond Green did his usual thing with 17 points, eight rebounds, six assists, and two blocks. Green has a grand total of 19 blocks in five playoffs games this season. He also took over in the final 12 minutes on Tuesday, scoring the first six points of the fourth quarter. Kevin Durant shot just 7-of-17 from the floor and finished with 17 points, Klay Thompson scored 15, while Zaza Pachulia had 10 points in just 14 minutes of action. Rudy Gobert led the struggling Jazz offense with 13 points and eight rebounds. The Warriors were playing their first game since completing the first-round sweep of the Portland Trail Blazers on April 24th. The Warriors will host Game 2 of the series on Thursday night, where they will honor the 2007 "We Believe" team that ended a 13-year postseason drought.
Predators, Rangers Earn Home Wins in Second Round Series
The Nashville Predators have taken full control of their second round series with the St. Louis Blues, as they edged their division rivals, 2-1, at home Tuesday night for a 3-1 series lead. James Neal scored the game-winner with 6:57 left in regulation, supporting Pekka Rinne's 32-save effort in the win. Ryan Ellis added the first goal of the game at 5:09 of the final period, while Joel Edmundson scored the lone goal of the game for St. Louis. Jake Allen made 23 saves in the loss, which was the first time the Blues lost consecutive road contests since February 28th and March 3rd. Game 5 of the series is back in St. Louis on Friday night. Meanwhile, the New York Rangers cut into their series deficit, cruising past the Ottawa Senators, 4-1, and now trail the second-round series, 2-1. Mats Zuccarello had a goal and an assist, and Henrik Lundqvist made 26 saves on their home ice. Michael Grabner, Rick Nash, and Oscar Lindberg found the back of the net as well for New York, who can even the series at home on Thursday night. Craig Andersen made 26 saves for Ottawa, who got their only goal from Jean-Gabriel Pageau. The Rangers have now won three straight home playoff games after dropping six straight postseason contests at Madison Square Garden.
