Warriors Take 2-0 Series Lead on Spurs
The Golden State Warriors are still playing without Steph Curry, but that is not stopping their other stars from stepping up on the floor. Kevin Durant had 32 points to lead the Warriors past the San Antonio Spurs, 116-101, on Monday night for a 2-0 series lead. Klay Thompson added 31 points for Golden State, who outscored the Spurs by 21 points in the second half to pull away. After trailing by six at the break, the Warriors put up 69 points in the final two quarters, led by Durant, who shot 12-of-20 from the floor with six rebounds and six assists. The Warriors took Game 1 with ease, 113-92, on Saturday afternoon, and stuck with the same gameplan, which included JaVale McGee, who had 10 points and seven rebounds in the win on Monday. The Spurs were led by LaMarcus Aldridge's 34 points in a losing effort, as they added Rudy Gay to the starting five. The veteran had just 12 points in the starting role, replacing Kyle Anderson. Golden State also got contributions from Andre Iguodala, who had 14 points, seven rebounds, and five assists, as they have now beat the Spurs 10 times in the past 11 meetings, including the regular season. San Antonio will host Game 3 of the series at the AT&T Center on Thursday night.
Heat Come Back to Even Series With Sixers
Looking at the Philadelphia 76ers' potential opponents en route to the Eastern Conference Finals, their toughest obstacle could very well be in the first round. The Miami Heat proved that to possibly be true on Monday night by coming back to even the series at one-apiece with a 113-103 win at the Wells Fargo Center. Dwayne Wade stepped up with 28 points to lead the Heat, while also moving in to 10th place on the all-time postseason scoring list in NBA history. The Heat shot 48 percent from the floor and led for just about the entire night en route to snapping the Sixers' 17-game win streak, dating back to the regular season. The 36-year-old Wade shot 11-of-17 from the floor, and led the dominant second quarter, which saw Miami outscore Philadelphia, 34-13. The Sixers' loss was their first since March 13th against the Indiana Pacers, as this was their 10th straight game without Joel Embiid. The big man voiced some frustration in an Instagram post after the game, which featured him saying that he was sick of being "babied." The Sixers were led by Ben Simmons' 24 points and Dario Saric's 23 points, as they did make things interesting late by cutting their deficit to two. The series now shifts to South Beach for Game 3 on Thursday night.
All But One Team Avoids 3-0 Hole in Stanley Cup Playoffs
Four teams had a chance of taking a commanding 3-0 series lead in the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Monday night, but only one team was able to capitalize on that opportunity. That was out west, where the San Jose Sharks scored eight goals from eight different players in an 8-1 blowout of the Anaheim Ducks. Four of those goals came in the second period, with three taking place in the third, all to support Martin Jones, who had 45 saves. Joonas Donskoi had a goal and an assist during the big second period, with Rickard Rakell scoring the lone goal for the Ducks. Elsewhere, the Toronto Maple Leafs got on the board with a 4-2 win over the Boston Bruins at home. Patrick Marleau scored twice, while Auston Matthews had the go-ahead goal in the second period. The Maple Leafs were coming off consecutive four-goal defeats, which was led by the Bruins getting 20 points from their top line of David Pastrnak, Brad Marchand, and Patrice Bergeron. James Van Riemsdyk also scored for the Leafs, who got two assists apiece from Mitch Marner and Morgan Rielly. The Colorado Avalanche handed the defending Western Conference champs their first loss this postseason with a 5-3 win over the Nashville Predators. Nathan MacKinnon scored twice, while Blake Como and Gabriel Borque contributed in a three-goal first period that they never looked back from. That fast start was enough to chase Pekka Rinne from between the pipes for the Predators, who saw their 12-game win streak against the Avalanche come to an end. The Avalanche will host Game 4 of the series on Wednesday night after a day off. And the New Jersey Devils prevented the top-seeded Tampa Bay Lightning from cruising in the first round with a 5-2 Game-3 victory. Taylor Hall scored and recorded two assists, to support Corey Schneider, who had 34 saves in the win. Stefan Noesen had the official game-winner with 7:05 to play in the game, as New Jersey pulled away with a four-goal final period. They will host Game 4 at the Prudential Center on Wednesday.
The Golden State Warriors are still playing without Steph Curry, but that is not stopping their other stars from stepping up on the floor. Kevin Durant had 32 points to lead the Warriors past the San Antonio Spurs, 116-101, on Monday night for a 2-0 series lead. Klay Thompson added 31 points for Golden State, who outscored the Spurs by 21 points in the second half to pull away. After trailing by six at the break, the Warriors put up 69 points in the final two quarters, led by Durant, who shot 12-of-20 from the floor with six rebounds and six assists. The Warriors took Game 1 with ease, 113-92, on Saturday afternoon, and stuck with the same gameplan, which included JaVale McGee, who had 10 points and seven rebounds in the win on Monday. The Spurs were led by LaMarcus Aldridge's 34 points in a losing effort, as they added Rudy Gay to the starting five. The veteran had just 12 points in the starting role, replacing Kyle Anderson. Golden State also got contributions from Andre Iguodala, who had 14 points, seven rebounds, and five assists, as they have now beat the Spurs 10 times in the past 11 meetings, including the regular season. San Antonio will host Game 3 of the series at the AT&T Center on Thursday night.
Heat Come Back to Even Series With Sixers
Looking at the Philadelphia 76ers' potential opponents en route to the Eastern Conference Finals, their toughest obstacle could very well be in the first round. The Miami Heat proved that to possibly be true on Monday night by coming back to even the series at one-apiece with a 113-103 win at the Wells Fargo Center. Dwayne Wade stepped up with 28 points to lead the Heat, while also moving in to 10th place on the all-time postseason scoring list in NBA history. The Heat shot 48 percent from the floor and led for just about the entire night en route to snapping the Sixers' 17-game win streak, dating back to the regular season. The 36-year-old Wade shot 11-of-17 from the floor, and led the dominant second quarter, which saw Miami outscore Philadelphia, 34-13. The Sixers' loss was their first since March 13th against the Indiana Pacers, as this was their 10th straight game without Joel Embiid. The big man voiced some frustration in an Instagram post after the game, which featured him saying that he was sick of being "babied." The Sixers were led by Ben Simmons' 24 points and Dario Saric's 23 points, as they did make things interesting late by cutting their deficit to two. The series now shifts to South Beach for Game 3 on Thursday night.
All But One Team Avoids 3-0 Hole in Stanley Cup Playoffs
Four teams had a chance of taking a commanding 3-0 series lead in the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Monday night, but only one team was able to capitalize on that opportunity. That was out west, where the San Jose Sharks scored eight goals from eight different players in an 8-1 blowout of the Anaheim Ducks. Four of those goals came in the second period, with three taking place in the third, all to support Martin Jones, who had 45 saves. Joonas Donskoi had a goal and an assist during the big second period, with Rickard Rakell scoring the lone goal for the Ducks. Elsewhere, the Toronto Maple Leafs got on the board with a 4-2 win over the Boston Bruins at home. Patrick Marleau scored twice, while Auston Matthews had the go-ahead goal in the second period. The Maple Leafs were coming off consecutive four-goal defeats, which was led by the Bruins getting 20 points from their top line of David Pastrnak, Brad Marchand, and Patrice Bergeron. James Van Riemsdyk also scored for the Leafs, who got two assists apiece from Mitch Marner and Morgan Rielly. The Colorado Avalanche handed the defending Western Conference champs their first loss this postseason with a 5-3 win over the Nashville Predators. Nathan MacKinnon scored twice, while Blake Como and Gabriel Borque contributed in a three-goal first period that they never looked back from. That fast start was enough to chase Pekka Rinne from between the pipes for the Predators, who saw their 12-game win streak against the Avalanche come to an end. The Avalanche will host Game 4 of the series on Wednesday night after a day off. And the New Jersey Devils prevented the top-seeded Tampa Bay Lightning from cruising in the first round with a 5-2 Game-3 victory. Taylor Hall scored and recorded two assists, to support Corey Schneider, who had 34 saves in the win. Stefan Noesen had the official game-winner with 7:05 to play in the game, as New Jersey pulled away with a four-goal final period. They will host Game 4 at the Prudential Center on Wednesday.
