NBA Playoffs: Nuggets, Knicks, and Cavaliers secure victories on Day 3
Day 3 of the NBA playoffs saw thrilling victories for the Denver Nuggets, New York Knicks, and Cleveland Cavaliers, with each team securing a crucial win in their respective series.
In a dramatic turn of events, the New York Knicks pulled off a stunning comeback against the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference quarterfinals series. Donte DiVincenzo’s clutch 3-pointer with just 13.1 seconds left on the clock sealed a remarkable 104-101 victory for the Knicks.
Despite trailing by 96 points late in the game, the second-seeded Knicks rallied to score the last eight points and take a commanding 2-0 lead in the series. Game 3 is set to take place in Philadelphia on Thursday.
Meanwhile, in the Western Conference matchup between the Denver Nuggets and the Los Angeles Lakers, the Nuggets staged an impressive comeback of their own.
Trailing by 20 points in the second half, the Nuggets mounted a remarkable turnaround to edge past the reigning NBA champions with a narrow 101-99 victory. Jamal Murray’s game-winning shot with just 0.4 seconds remaining capped off Denver’s incredible comeback, propelling them to a 2-0 series lead.
Nikola Jokić played a pivotal role for the Nuggets, delivering a triple-double performance with 27 points, 20 rebounds, and 10 assists. The Lakers, led by Anthony Davis with 32 points and 11 rebounds, put up a fierce fight but ultimately fell short against Denver’s resilient effort.
In another first-round matchup, the Cleveland Cavaliers continued their strong showing by defeating the Orlando Magic 96-86 to take a commanding 2-0 series lead. Donovan Mitchell’s 23 points and Jarrett Allen’s stellar defensive performance propelled the fourth-seeded Cavaliers to victory.
Cleveland’s solid defensive effort, coupled with key contributions from Allen, who grabbed an impressive 20 rebounds, puts them in a favorable position as they aim to advance further in the playoffs.
With these important wins, the Nuggets, Knicks, and Cavaliers have each taken significant steps forward in their quest for playoff success, setting the stage for more thrilling NBA playoff matchups in the days to come.
