27.04.2025
Miami Heat 87 - 124 Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers dominated the Miami Heat to secure a 3-0 lead in their Eastern Conference first-round series with a 124-87 victory, despite Donovan Mitchell's off shooting night and the absence of injured Darius Garland. Jarrett Allen and De’Andre Hunter led the scoring with 22 and 21 points respectively, as Cleveland outmuscled Miami, outrebounding them 46-29 and outscoring them 60-30 in the paint. The Cavs took control with an impressive 33-5 run early and never looked back, even as Miami tried to rally. Evan Mobley added 19 points, while Ty Jerome contributed 13 points and 11 assists in a strong performance. Miami, which suffered its worst playoff defeat, had Bam Adebayo score 22 but fell short, and with this significant loss, they are now facing the threat of being swept. Historically, Cleveland has won every series when leading 3-0, all previously occurring in the LeBron James era, and they will aim for a series sweep in Game 4. Miami had a chance to bounce back but couldn't capitalize during a slow start for the Cavs in the second half, which ultimately sealed their fate in this matchup.
Memphis Grizzlies 115 - 117 Oklahoma City Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder advanced to the Western Conference semifinals after sweeping the Memphis Grizzlies with a narrow 117-115 victory. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander shone with 38 points, helping the Thunder overcome a 29-point deficit—the second-largest comeback in a postseason game since 1996-97. This triumph marked the Thunder's ascent following a league-leading regular season record of 68-14. Memphis, missing star Ja Morant due to a hip injury sustained in Game 3, put up a valiant fight but ultimately succumbed to the Thunder's resilience. Jalen Williams added 23 points, and Isaiah Hartenstein supported with 11 points and 12 rebounds. Despite a commendable effort by the Grizzlies led by Scotty Pippen Jr. with 30 points and 11 rebounds, the Thunder's solid shot execution and strategic plays in the final minutes sealed their victory. Oklahoma City now awaits either the Denver Nuggets or the Los Angeles Clippers in the next round.
Golden State Warriors 104 - 93 Houston Rockets
Stephen Curry led the Golden State Warriors to a 104-93 victory over the Houston Rockets, scoring 36 points along with nine assists and seven rebounds, giving the Warriors a 2-1 lead in their first-round playoff series. Despite missing Jimmy Butler due to an injury, Curry found his shooting rhythm, surpassing Tony Parker for the 10th most career playoff points in NBA history. Buddy Hield contributed 17 points off the bench, and Gary Payton II scored 11 of his 16 points in the decisive fourth quarter. Fred VanVleet scored 17 points for Houston, including hitting consecutive 3-pointers, while Alperen Sengun added 15 points and 11 rebounds. The game featured drama beyond the score, with Dillon Brooks fouling out late, after being booed during introductions due to a controversial foul on Butler in Game 2. The win extended Golden State's streak of six straight Game 3 victories in the first round. The pivotal Game 4 is set for Monday night at Chase Center, with uncertainty surrounding Butler's return from injury.
LA Clippers 99 - 101 Denver Nuggets
In a thrilling finish, Aaron Gordon's buzzer-beating slam off Nikola Jokic's airball secured a 101-99 victory for the Denver Nuggets over the Los Angeles Clippers, evening their playoff series 2-2. This marked the first game-winning dunk at the buzzer in NBA playoff history since the play-by-play era began in 1997-98. Jokic led the Nuggets with 36 points, 21 rebounds, and eight assists, while Michael Porter Jr. and Christian Braun contributed 17 points each. The game was marked by intense moments, including a skirmish that resulted in six technical fouls. Despite a strong fourth-quarter comeback by the Clippers led by Kawhi Leonard, Norman Powell, and James Harden, they fell short, reminiscent of their two-point overtime loss in Game 1. The decisive final moments saw Gordon leap for Jokic's miss as the clock expired, confirmed by replay review to be a good basket. The Clippers' shooting struggles, coupled with Denver's strong third-quarter performance, played a significant role in the outcome. Game 5 is set for Monday in Denver, with both teams preparing for a fierce continuation of the series.