MEMPHIS - LA LAKERS 112:128
In a team that has two mega stars, the Lakers were led to the break in Tennessee by Austin Reeves and Rui Hachimura!
The Japanese representative made history, as he became the first "lake man" to score 25 or more points off the bench in the playoffs since Magic Johnson.
Hachimura finished the match with 29 points, and 23 were scored by the guy from Arkansas, who solved the question of the winner himself.
With the result 112:113 for the guests, Reeves scored seven points in a row, so the team from Los Angeles had an unattainable plus eight (112:120) with a minute and a half to go.
With this triumph, the Lakers "stole" home court advantage from the Grizzlies, who will probably have to play the second game without Ja Morento.
The Memphis playmaker fell awkwardly in the last quarter and injured his hand, which had been compromised before.
Hachimura and Reaves were accompanied by Anthony Davis (22 points and 12 rebounds) and LeBron James (21-11).
Jaren Jackson Jr. was the best individual of the team from Tennessee with 31 points, Desmond Bain stopped at 22, Morent at 18...
MILWAUKEE - MIAMI 117:130
In the surprise of the evening, Miami celebrated in Milwaukee, but this triumph was marred by the fact that Janis Antetokounmpo had to leave the game due to an injury at the end of the first quarter.
According to the first reports, the Greek could miss the second match in the series, but he would be ready for the third.
The Heat was led to the break by the fantastic Jimmy Butler, who scored 35 points and 11 assists, Bam Adebayo added 22, with nine rebounds and seven successful passes, Kevin Love scored 18, Caleb Martin and Gabe Vincent each scored 15...
However, this victory has a bitter taste, because the "heat" was left without one of the most important players, Tyler Hiro, who broke his hand, and will be absent from the field for four to six weeks.
Chris Middleton stood out for the Bucks with 33 points, Bobby Portis had 21, and Jrue Holiday had 16, with the same number of assists.
PHOENIX - LA CLIPPERS 110:115
The Clippers achieved a great victory in Arizona, and it was led by two players, each in their own unique way.
Kawhi Leonard scored 38 points (13/23 from the field), including two important three-pointers in the last two and a half minutes, while Russell Wesbrook scored only nine points on 19 shots (!), but with 10 rebounds (five on offense ), eight assists, two steals and three blocks were the X factor.
"My whole career, I've prided myself on doing everything," Westbrook said. "Whatever it takes from me to win, I'll do it."
The former MVP of the league first scored both penalties in the last 30 seconds, then blocked Devin Booker, managed to get to the touchline and won the ball for his team.
Erik Gordon added 19 points, Norman Powell 14, Ivica Zubac 12, with 15 caught balls...
Kevin Durant was on the jump from a triple-double (27-9-11), Booker scored 26 points, Torey Craig 22, Deandre Ayton 18...
DENVER - MINNESOTA 109:80
The Nuggets justified their role as favorites and outclassed the Timberwolves in the "Ball Arena".
Denver had a plus 11 (55:44) at halftime, and the key difference was made in the third quarter, which was won by a score of 32:14.
With 24 points and eight rebounds and assists each, Jamal Mari was the most effective player of the "Rumble", Michael Porter added 18, Kentavijus Caldwell-Pope 15, and Nikola Jokic 13, along with 14 caught balls and six successful passes.
Anthony Edwards was better than the others in the ranks of the "wolves" with 18 points.
Both teams entered the game with a lot of nervousness, and Jokić had to end the match early due to six fouls, including an unsportsmanlike one against Edwards.
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