“NBA Playoffs 2023: Bucks and Suns start off badly, Clippers take lead, Westbrook shines”

2023-04-18 18:16:48

Accompanied by a few moments of shock, the playoffs in the NBA have started. The start went completely wrong for Bucks and Suns.

Hit hard: Giannis Antetokounmpo injured his back.

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Only the Denver Nuggets were able to easily win the favorites on Sunday (local time). The West Primus solved his first task of the series once morest the Minnesota Timberwolves without much background noise with 109:80. In the start-finish victory, the guests, who slipped into the first round via the play-in tournament, were only able to keep up until the middle of the second quarter. But the bottom line was that Jamal Murray (24/8/8) and Nikola Jokic (13/14/6) were too strong. All starters of the Nuggets scored double digits, the “garbage time” started early in the Mile High City.

Otherwise it rained home defeats. After the Memphis Grizzlies (112:128 once morest the Los Angeles Lakers), the Phoenix Suns and the Milwaukee Bucks also lost their opening games in front of their home crowd once morest lower-seeded teams.

Butler shows playoff face

The evening was particularly bitter for the Bucks, who lost their superstar Giannis Antetokunmpo early in the game once morest the Miami Heat (117:130). The Greek crashed his back on the court pretty hard following a move to the basket and contact with Kevin Love and was unable to continue following that. More detailed investigations are still ongoing, but first impressions did not reveal any serious injuries.

The Heat were able to rely on Jimmy Butler from the start, who once once more showed his play-off face with 35 points and eleven assists. Center Bam Adebayo (22/9/7) and veteran Love (18, four threes) had their share of the win. Downside: Point guard Tyler Herro (12) broke his hand jumping to the ball and is now out.

Westbrook Zünglein in the scales

In the expected tight series between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Phoenix Suns, the Californians have developed an advantage at the start. Led by Kawhi Leonard with 38 points – Paul George was absent injured – a 115:110 away win once morest Kevin Durant (27 points), Chris Paul (7/11/10), Devin Booker (26) & Co. It was for Durant the first loss in the Suns jersey since his move in February.

The often criticized Russell Westbrook tipped the scales in the crunch time, although he might hardly shine on offense (3 out of 19 from the field!), With important rebounds (11), blocks (3) and steals (2) in the defense all the more. “Whatever it takes to win, I’ll do it,” said Westbrook, who blocked Booker’s shot just seconds before the end and threw the rebound into the opponent’s leg just in time, giving the Clippers decisive possession received.

When does Morant return?

Much like the Bucks, the Memphis Grizzlies suffered a home loss to the Lakers earlier on Sunday, also losing their top man. In the middle of the last quarter, Morant fell on his right hand, which was already damaged, and left the floor immediately in severe pain – the game that had been close until then was ultimately lost. “I’m in a lot of pain,” said Morant followingwards, a game in game two on Thursday night (1:30 a.m. CEST) was “at risk”.

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