NBA Playoffs Round 1: Antetokounmpo, Bucks suffer historic, shock exit to Miami

Miami Heat made NBA history by eliminating #1 seed in the Eastern Conference, the Milwaukee Bucks in their playoff first round meeting. A 128-126 OT win sent the Heat to the Conference semifinals as they won the series 4-1 in dominant fashion. Jimmy Butler led the scoring with 42 points as D’Tigers star Gabe Vincent contributed 22 points to the win. Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 38 points and 20 rebounds for the Bucks in a futile exercise as they became the first #1 seed to lose to a #8 seed in over a decade. The Miami Heat also became the first-ever team from the Play-In tournament to go past the first round of the playoffs.

New York Knicks became the latest side to reach the Conference semifinals after they secured a 4-1 series win over the Cleveland Cavaliers with their 106-95 win in Game 5. Jalen Brunson scored 23 points for the Knicks and RJ Barrett contributed 21 points in the game. Donovan Mitchell scored 28 points for the Cavaliers as they crashed out following a disappointing series. The Knicks reached the Conference semifinals for the first time in the 2000s this season.

Memphis Grizzlies took advantage of their home court as they defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 116-99 to make the series 3-2 and avoid elimination. Desmond Bane scored 33 points and ten rebounds, and Ja Morant contributed 31 points and ten rebounds for the Grizzlies in the game. Anthony Davis had 31 points and 19 rebounds for the Lakers, who will look to finish things off in Game 6.

Golden State Warriors turned their series against the Sacramento Kings on its head as they defeated them 123-116 to take a 3-2 series lead for the first time. Steph Curry scored 31 points for the Warriors and Klay Thompson contributed 25 points in the game. De’Aaron Fox scored 24 points for the Kings, who now look like losing the series.