26.04.2024
Philadelphia 76ers 125 - 114 New York Knicks
Joel Embiid, playing through Bell's palsy and knee brace, scored 50 points to lead the Philadelphia 76ers to a 125-114 win over the New York Knicks in Game 3, cutting their series deficit to 2-1. He became the first player in NBA history to score 50 points on fewer than 20 shots in a playoff game, showcasing his sharpshooting skills by hitting four 3-pointers in a pivotal third quarter. Despite suffering from physical and mental pain, Embiid's performance turned the tide of the series against the Knicks, who had won the first two games in New York. The game was played without significant disputes over officiating after controversy in Game 2, with Embiid's 21 free-throw attempts outnumbering New York's 19 total attempts.
Orlando Magic 121 - 83 Cleveland Cavaliers
The Orlando Magic handed the Cleveland Cavaliers their worst playoff loss in franchise history with a dominant 121-83 victory, cutting their series deficit to 2-1. Paolo Banchero led the way with 31 points and 14 rebounds, while Jalen Suggs added 24 points. The Magic had their first playoff victory since 2020 and can even the series with a win at home. The Cavaliers shot poorly, with Jarrett Allen leading them with 15 points. The Magic's largest playoff victory margin ever came in a game where they finally took a lead in the series and blew the game open in the third quarter. Orlando made key lineup changes to secure the impressive win.
Los Angeles Lakers 105 - 112 Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets showed their championship pedigree in Game 2 against the Los Angeles Lakers, overcoming a 20-point deficit to take a 2-0 series lead with a last-second shot by Jamal Murray. The Nuggets head into Game 3 with a 10-game winning streak against the Lakers, with Nikola Jokic delivering a triple-double performance. Despite strong performances from LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the Lakers will need to regroup and protect their home court in Game 3 to avoid falling further behind in the series.