Nets Dominate Bucks In Game 2
By Dan Bruno
The Brooklyn Nets defeated the visiting Milwaukee Bucks, 125-86, in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference First-Round Playoffs at Barclays Center on Monday evening.
The Nets took control early in the contest with a, 36-19, lead after one quarter. The Bucks picked up their play in the second, but the Nets maintained complete control and pushed their lead to 24 points, by halftime. The Nets did not show any mercy in the second half, as they built on their advantage through the third and made it a 30-point game by halftime. They kept the pressure on in the fourth and pushed their lead to a game-high 49 points, with five minutes left in the contest. The Bucks had absolutely no answers in Game 2, falling behind, 0-2, in the series.
Kevin Durant led the Nets with 32 points, six assists, four rebounds, a steal and a block, in 32 minutes. Kyrie Irving followed up with 22 points, six assists, five rebounds and a steal, while Bruce Brown and Joe Harris added 13 points each. The Nets shot 52 percent from the field, including 21-of-42 from deep.
Meanwhile, Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 18 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and a block, in 30 minutes. Khris Middleton followed up with 17 points, five rebounds and a steal, while Jrue Holiday finished with 13 points, four rebounds and three assists. The Bucks shot 44 percent from the field, including 8-of-27 from long range.
Game 3 is scheduled for Thursday in Milwaukee.
The Nets took control early in the contest with a, 36-19, lead after one quarter. The Bucks picked up their play in the second, but the Nets maintained complete control and pushed their lead to 24 points, by halftime. The Nets did not show any mercy in the second half, as they built on their advantage through the third and made it a 30-point game by halftime. They kept the pressure on in the fourth and pushed their lead to a game-high 49 points, with five minutes left in the contest. The Bucks had absolutely no answers in Game 2, falling behind, 0-2, in the series.
Kevin Durant led the Nets with 32 points, six assists, four rebounds, a steal and a block, in 32 minutes. Kyrie Irving followed up with 22 points, six assists, five rebounds and a steal, while Bruce Brown and Joe Harris added 13 points each. The Nets shot 52 percent from the field, including 21-of-42 from deep.
Meanwhile, Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 18 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and a block, in 30 minutes. Khris Middleton followed up with 17 points, five rebounds and a steal, while Jrue Holiday finished with 13 points, four rebounds and three assists. The Bucks shot 44 percent from the field, including 8-of-27 from long range.
Game 3 is scheduled for Thursday in Milwaukee.
Suns Defeat Nuggets in Game 1, 122-105
The Phoenix Suns defeated the visiting Denver Nuggets, 122-105, in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semi-Finals at Phoenix Suns Arena on Monday.
This game was closer than the final score would indicate, with neither team leading by more than nine points until the fourth quarter. In fact, the Suns outscored the Nuggets, 59-33, across the final 19 minutes of action. That capped off a 65-47 second half, completing a 30-point turnaround. Phoenix shot 54 percent from the field and 38 percent from three point-range while holding Denver to 47 percent from the field and 35 percent from long range. They also out-rebounded them, 44-41, while out-assisting them, 30-26. The Suns shot 17-of-20 from the free-throw line while the Nuggets hit just 5-of-6.
The Nuggets (0-1) were led by Nikola Jokic, tallying 22 points, nine rebounds, three assists and three blocks. Aaron Gordon amassed 18 points, four rebounds, two assists and three steals. Michael Porter Jr accrued 15 points, seven rebounds and two assists while Facundo Campazzp had 14 points, four rebounds and six assists. JaMychal Green led the bench with 10 points and 11 boards.
The Suns (1-0) were led by Mikal Bridges, collecting 23 points, five rebounds, five assists and two steals. Chris Paul compiled 21 points, six rebounds and 11 assists. Devin Booker generated 21 points, four rebounds and eight assists while Deandre Ayton finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds. All five starters scored at least 14 points.
Game 2 will be in Phoenix on Wednesday.
This game was closer than the final score would indicate, with neither team leading by more than nine points until the fourth quarter. In fact, the Suns outscored the Nuggets, 59-33, across the final 19 minutes of action. That capped off a 65-47 second half, completing a 30-point turnaround. Phoenix shot 54 percent from the field and 38 percent from three point-range while holding Denver to 47 percent from the field and 35 percent from long range. They also out-rebounded them, 44-41, while out-assisting them, 30-26. The Suns shot 17-of-20 from the free-throw line while the Nuggets hit just 5-of-6.
The Nuggets (0-1) were led by Nikola Jokic, tallying 22 points, nine rebounds, three assists and three blocks. Aaron Gordon amassed 18 points, four rebounds, two assists and three steals. Michael Porter Jr accrued 15 points, seven rebounds and two assists while Facundo Campazzp had 14 points, four rebounds and six assists. JaMychal Green led the bench with 10 points and 11 boards.
The Suns (1-0) were led by Mikal Bridges, collecting 23 points, five rebounds, five assists and two steals. Chris Paul compiled 21 points, six rebounds and 11 assists. Devin Booker generated 21 points, four rebounds and eight assists while Deandre Ayton finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds. All five starters scored at least 14 points.
Game 2 will be in Phoenix on Wednesday.