Here is a recap of day 8 of the NBA playoffs featuring wins from the Lakers, Celtics, Thunder, and Magic.
In their Western Conference first-round series against the Denver Nuggets, the Los Angeles Lakers defeated them 119-108 on Saturday to escape a sweep thanks to 30 points from LeBron James and 25 points and 23 rebounds from Anthony Davis.
With 21 points apiece from D’Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves, the Lakers were able to snap an 11-game losing streak against the Nuggets.
The Lakers, who defeated the Nuggets for the first time since December 2022, will attempt to avoid losing in Game 5 on Monday in Denver.
For his 18th career playoff triple-double and second in this series, Nikola Jokić finished with 33 points, 14 rebounds, and 14 assists. Michael Porter Jr. contributed 27 points and 11 rebounds for the reigning NBA champion Nuggets.
Anthony Davis and LeBron James come up HUGE for the @Lakers to force a Game 5!
AD: 25 PTS | 23 REB | 6 AST | 64.7 FG%
LBJ: 30 PTS | 5 REB | 4 AST | 60.9 FG% pic.twitter.com/6yMjhswkI7— NBA (@NBA) April 28, 2024
Celtics beat Heat
With 22 points apiece from Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, the Boston Celtics ran away with a 104-84 victory over the Miami Heat to grab a 2-1 lead in their Eastern Conference first-round series.
The top-seeded Boston team, led by Derrick White with 16 points and Kristaps Porzingis with 18 points, recaptured the home-court advantage it had given up to Miami in Game 2.
For the Heat, who are currently missing starting players Jimmy Butler and Terry Rozier because of injury, Bam Adebayo scored 20 points and Nikola Jovic contributed 15 points.
Thunder beat Pelicans
With a 106-85 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 24 points and the Oklahoma City Thunder made 17 3-pointers to take a 3-0 series lead.
With 21 points apiece and a combined 7 for 11 from long range, Jalen Williams and Josh Giddey helped the top-seeded Thunder get within one victory of their first-ever postseason sweep.
The Pelicans, without injured star Zion Williamson, continued to struggle offensively despite 19 points from Brandon Ingram and 16 from CJ McCollum.
