April 27th NBA Game Boxscore Breakdowns

The Magic outscored the Cavs, 37-10, in the third to take an 18-point lead into the final frame and cruise to their second straight win. The series is now at 2-2. Franz Wagner led the Magic with 34 points on 13-for-17 shooting, 13 rebounds, four assists and a block, in 40 minutes of action. Jonathan Isaac followed up with 14 points, seven rebounds, a steal and two blocks, while Markelle Fultz and Jalen Suggs chipped in 12 points each. Paolo Banchero was relatively quiet with nine points, four rebounds, five assists, a steal and two blocks. The Magic shot 55.8 percent from the field, including 12-for-26 from long range. Meanwhile, Jarrett Allen led the Cavs with 21 points on 8-for-11 shooting, nine rebounds and a steal, in 29 minutes. Donovan Mitchell followed up with 18 points, six assists and three steals. Evan Mobley totaled 14 points, nine rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks, while Darius Garland added 14 points, three rebounds, six assists and a block.

The Thunder never gave up the lead after the opening five minutes, winning all four individual quarters in this game. Oklahoma City shot 48 percent from the field and 47 percent from the three-point range while holding New Orleans to 38 percent from the field and 28 percent from the long range. They also out-assisted the Pels, 27-17. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led OKC with 24 points, five rebounds, eight assists and four steals. Josh Giddey had 21 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Jalen Williams totaled 21 points, nine rebounds and five assists. Brandon Ingram led New Orleans with 19 points and three rebounds. CJ McCollum tallied 16 points, five rebounds and seven assists. Larry Nance Jr led the bench with nine points, 13 rebounds and five assists.

The Boston Celtics defeated the Miami Heat on Saturday in Game 3 of the first round in the Eastern Conference playoffs. The Celtics now lead the series 2-1. Boston got off to a strong start and built a lead in the first quarter, ultimately pulling away for good after a 42-27 second quarter. The Heat didn’t have enough weapons to fight back in the second half, as Boston cruised to victory. Game 4 is scheduled for Monday in Miami. Jayson Tatum had 22 points, 11 rebounds and six assists. Brown chipped in 22 points, eight rebounds and three assists. Kristaps Porzingis notched 18 points with five rebounds. Bam Adebayo had 20 points, nine rebounds and three assists. Tyler Herro had 15 points, two rebounds and two assists. Nikola Jovic contributed 15 points and eight rebounds.

The Lakers played with the urgency befitting the potential elimination game, building a 13-point halftime lead. Denver was able to make a two-point dent in its deficit in the third, but the hosts matched them point for point in the fourth quarter to secure the solid victory. Los Angeles shot 52.2 percent, won the battle of the boards by a 46-40 margin and enjoyed a massive 72-52 scoring advantage in the paint. Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with 33 points, adding 14 rebounds, 14 assists, one steal and one block. Michael Porter Jr. furnished 27 points, 11 boards, one assist and one steal. Jamal Murray supplied 22 points, six rebounds, five assists and one block. Kentavious Caldwell-Cope registered 14 points, three assists, two rebounds and four steals. LeBron James paced the Lakers with 30 points, supplementing them with five rebounds, four assists, three steals and one block. Anthony Davis generated a 25-point, 23-rebound double-double that included six assists and one block. Austin Reaves and D'Angelo Russell generated matching 21-point efforts while recording six and four assists, respectively. Russell added four rebounds.