The Los Angeles Lakers won the third playoff game in the NBA against the Memphis Grizzlies thanks to a furious opening quarter with 111:101 (53:37). The home win gave the team led by German national basketball player Dennis Schröder a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series in the North American basketball league.
The Lakers dominated the first quarter 35-9 and were leading by 29 points at the start of the second period. In the closing period, Ja Morant tried to lead the Grizzlies to a comeback, giving up 29 of his 45 points in the last quarter. Morant scored 22 points in a row, but couldn’t bring his team closer than nine points. The 23-year-old missed the second game due to a hand injury. The Lakers were led by Anthony Davis (31 points, 17 rebounds) and LeBron James (25 points), Dennis Schröder had seven points.
Philadelphia 76ers one round ahead
The Philadelphia 76ers are the first NBA team to reach the second round of the playoffs. After a 96-88 (48-40) away win at the Brooklyn Nets, the Sixers won their series 4-0. The guests had to do without league top scorer Joel Embiid, who injured his knee, and Tobias Harris stepped in for him with 25 points and twelve rebounds. Philadelphia will face the Boston Celtics or Atlanta Hawks in the second round.
The Milwaukee Bucks also had to do without their superstar, without Giannis Antetokounmpo the best team in the main round suffered a 99:121 (53:66) defeat at the Miami Heat. This puts the Bucks 2-1 behind in the series. The Phoenix Suns are about to advance to the next round: With 112:100 (48:47), the team around superstar Kevin Durant (31 points) won against the Los Angeles Clippers, so Phoenix is still missing a win to advance.
