By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Wrapping up the NBA Saturdays quadruple-header, the Los Angeles Lakers avoided elimination from the 2024 NBA Playoffs presented by Google Pixel. A home win, 119-108, over the defending champions Denver Nuggets in Crypto.com Arena, forced Game 5 in Ball Arena on Monday.
Up 3-1 in the Western Conference Quarterfinals behind consecutive comeback wins, the team coached by Michael Malone failed to rally from a double-digit deficit in Game 4. Making 10/20 from the field, Serbian superstar Nikola Jokic produced a triple-double with 33 points, 14 rebounds, and four 14 assists. He added one block and one steal in 41 minutes. Slovenian teammate Vlatko Cancar (left knee surgery) has been on the injury list throughout the 2023-24 campaign.
Celtics recover homecourt advantage
Leading from start to finish, the Boston Celtics settled with a 104-84 victory versus the Miami Heat and went up 2-1 in a best-of-seven series. Latvian starter Kristaps Porzingis chipped in 18 points, five rebounds, two blocks, two assists, and one steal in Kaseya Center. In a brief showing, Ukrainian Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk pulled down one rebound. Portuguese Neemias Queta suited up but fell shy of recording his first postseason appearance.
Similar to Game 1 and Game 2, Serbian Nikola Jovic featured in the starting lineup for the team coached by Erik Spoelstra. He recorded 34 minutes and was among the top performers for the hosts with 15 points, eight rebounds, one block, one steal, and one assist in Game 3. “From the jump, they were more aggressive than us. That shouldn’t be happening,” he reacted to the losing effort.
A 3-0 lead for the Thunder
The New Orleans Pelicans fell into a 3-0 hole after losing, 106-85, to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Smoothie King Center. Returning home for Game 3 of the series, Lithuanian Jonas Valanciunas was limited to 12 minutes, ending with seven points and four rebounds. A couple of French players for the winning side, Ousmane Dieng did not play and Olivier Sarr (left Achilles tendon rupture) was sidelined.
Earlier in Game 4 action, the Orlando Magic routed the Cleveland Cavaliers, 112-89, in Kia Center. Tying the series at 2-2, the hosts were led by German Franz Wagner logging 34 points, 13 rebounds, four assists, and one block. His brother Moritz Wagner added seven points, four rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one block. Georgian Goga Bitadze grabbed one rebound. British Admiral Schofield did not play.