NBA playoffs day 19 recap: Cleveland, Mavericks win
Day 19 of the NBA playoffs saw the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Dallas Mavericks both securing crucial victories in their respective series.
The Cavaliers bounced back with a dominant 118-94 win over the Boston Celtics, tying their second-round playoff series at one game apiece.
Donovan Mitchell led the charge for Cleveland, scoring 29 points, with 16 of those coming in the third quarter. Evan Mobley and Caris LeVert also made significant contributions, each scoring 21 points.
Despite Jayson Tatum’s 25-point effort for the Celtics, Boston struggled with shooting efficiency, particularly from beyond the arc, ultimately falling short in their bid to take a commanding series lead.
Meanwhile, the Dallas Mavericks evened their series against the Oklahoma City Thunder with a 119-110 victory. Luka Dončić bounced back from a tough Game 1 performance, leading the Mavericks with 29 points.
P.J. Washington was instrumental for Dallas, recording 29 points, including seven 3-pointers, and 11 rebounds. The Thunder, who had previously been undefeated in the playoffs, were led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s impressive stat line of 33 points, 12 rebounds, and eight assists, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Mavericks’ balanced scoring attack.
With both series now tied at one game apiece, the stage is set for what promises to be an intense and closely contested remainder of the playoff matchups.
