The Denver Nuggets took a 3-2 lead against the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round of the NBA Western Conference playoffs, after winning 131-115 (35-23, 32-36, 32-24, 32-32) at home.
Denver's most efficient team was Jamal Murray with 43 points (9/12 two-point shooting, 8/14 three-point shooting, 1/1 free throw shooting), along with seven assists, five rebounds and three steals. Aaron Gordon added 23 points, Russell Westbrook scored 21 points, while Michael Porter Jr. scored 14 points.
Serbian national team player Nikola Jokić recorded a triple-double with 13 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds.
The Clippers' most efficient player was Croatian center Ivica Zubac with 27 points. Kawhi Leonard added 20 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds, Serbian national team captain Bogdan Bogdanović scored 18 points (4/8 three-point shooting), five assists and three rebounds, while Chris Dunn scored 15 points.
The next game is scheduled for Thursday at the Clippers' arena in Inglewood, and the winner of the series is the team that first records four wins.
The winner of this series will play Oklahoma in the Western Conference semifinals.
Indiana advanced to the Eastern Conference semifinals after defeating Milwaukee 119:118 (13:30, 28:17, 34:28, 28:28, 16:15) in overtime in the fifth game of the first round series.
The Pacers won the series 4-1 overall.
Indiana's top scorer was Tyrese Halliburton, who scored the game-winning basket for the Pacers, with 26 points, nine assists, five rebounds, three steals and three blocks. Myles Turner added 21 points and nine rebounds, Aaron Nasmith had 19 points and 12 rebounds, while T.J. McConnell scored 18 points.
For Milwaukee, Gary Trent Jr. led the way with 33 points and five steals. Giannis Antetokounmpo had a triple-double with 30 points, 20 rebounds and 13 assists, AJ Green scored 19 points, and Bobby Portis had 14 points and 10 rebounds.
Bucks All-Star point guard Damian Lillard missed the game due to an Achilles tendon injury.
Indiana will play Cleveland in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Boston advanced to the Eastern Conference semifinals after defeating Orlando 120:89 (23:27, 24:22, 36:13, 37:27) in the fifth game at home.
The Celtics won the series 4-1 overall.
The most efficient player for Boston, the current NBA champion, was Jayson Tatum with 35 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds. Jaylen Brown added 23 points, while Peyton Pritchard and Sam Houser each scored 10 points.
Orlando's most efficient player was Franz Wagner with 25 points. Paolo Bankero added 19 points, nine rebounds and six assists, while Wendell Carter Jr. recorded 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Boston will play the winner of the series between New York and Detroit in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Detroit cut the deficit to 3-2 against New York, after winning 106-103 (22-23, 27-27, 28-24, 29-29) on the road.
Cade Cunningham led Detroit with 24 points, eight rebounds and eight assists. Auzar Thompson added 22 points and seven rebounds, Tobias Harris had 17 points, eight rebounds and four blocks, while Dennis Schruder scored 14 points.
Oji Anunoby led New York with 19 points, eight rebounds and three blocks. Mikal Bridges scored 17 points, as did Karl-Anthony Towns, who also had 11 rebounds.
Jalen Branson had 16 points and seven assists, Josh Hart had 15 points, seven rebounds and six assists, while Mitchell Robinson had a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds.
The next game in the series is scheduled for Thursday night in Detroit.
THE RESULTS
Indiana - Milwaukee 119:118
New York - Detroit 103:106
Boston - Orlando 120:89
Denver - Los Angeles Clippers 131:115
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