Beginning 5, Could 4: Mavs advance, Magic power Sport 7 – NBA.com

Seven of the eight groups within the Convention Semifinals are set. The ultimate one will likely be determined in a Sport 7.

If you’ve nonetheless by no means misplaced in a closeout sport.

THE LINEUP 🏀
What’s inside at present’s version? 
Mavs Advance: Luka and Kyrie mix for 58 factors to eradicate the Clippers in Sport 6
Magic Pressure Sport 7: The younger trio of Banchero, Wagner and Suggs maintain the Magic alive
Chasing Historical past: Earlier than Nuggets-Wolves Sport 1, get an all-access take a look at their path to this rematch
Ant’s Subsequent Stage: Anthony Edwards’ rise continues on a brand new degree – the Convention Semis
Clutch Murray: His two first-round game-winners had been the most recent in a historical past of clutch photographs
BUT FIRST … ⏰
Final night time’s scores & what to observe at present.

Caitlin Clark impressed in her WNBA preseason debut, scoring 21 points and hitting five 3s in Indiana’s 79-76 loss to Dallas. We had been there for an all-access look at her first skilled sport.
Tonight, the Western Convention Semifinals start in Denver with the defending champion Nuggets (2) internet hosting the Wolves (3) (7 ET, TNT).
1. DYNAMIC DUO SENDS MAVS TO WEST SEMIS

Third Time’s A Appeal: In his third first-round Playoff matchup in opposition to the Clippers, Luka Doncic and the Mavs lastly prevailed, eliminating LA in six video games with a 114-101 win. | Recap
Kyrie & Luka Ship: The 1-2 punch of Doncic (28 pts, 13 ast) and Irving (30 pts, 5 3s) combined for 58 points and 17 assists to tempo the Mavs. Luka did most of his harm within the 1st half (18 of his 28 pts), whereas Irving took over in the 2nd half (28 of his 30 pts).

Answering Each Run: Dallas constructed a number of double-digit leads all through the sport, and each time LA rallied, the Mavs answered with one other scoring burst of their very own.
Norman Powell led the Clippers with 20 factors off the bench, whereas Paul George (18 pts, 11 reb) and James Harden (16 pts, 13 ast) mixed for 34 factors.
What’s Subsequent? The Mavs advance to face the Thunder within the West Semis with Sport 1 Tuesday (9:30 ET, TNT) in Oklahoma Metropolis.
2. MAGIC SURVIVE MITCHELL’S 50, FORCE GAME 7

Magic Shut Sturdy: The Magic entered the 4th quarter down 5 with their season coming all the way down to the ultimate 12 minutes.
Orlando outscored Cleveland 30-18 within the remaining body – with all 18 of Cleveland’s factors coming from Donovan Mitchell (who dropped 50) – to prevail 103-96 and power Sport 7. | Recap

Sport 7 Awaits: The ultimate sport of the primary spherical will likely be performed in Cleveland on Sunday (1 ET, ABC).
3. CHASING HISTORY: ROAD TO WOLVES-NUGGETS REMATCH

A 12 months in the past, the Nuggets and Wolves met within the first spherical of the 2023 NBA Playoffs in a 1 vs. 8 matchup.
The Nuggets eradicated the Wolves in 5 video games – the final 4 determined by single-digits – in step one on their championship climb.

After being separated by 11 video games within the standings final season, Denver and Minnesota had been locked in a three-team battle with OKC for the highest seed within the West, a race that was not determined till the ultimate day of the common season.
Earlier than this Playoff rematch ideas off, let’s dive into how each groups reached the Convention Semis within the latest episode of Chasing History.
4. A NEW STAGE FOR ANT-MAN

Welcome to the Convention Semifinals, Anthony Edwards.
Edwards led the Timberwolves out of the primary spherical for the primary time in his profession – and the primary time in 20 years for the franchise – with a four-game sweep of the Suns.
Edwards’ efficiency within the first spherical was the most recent step in his meteoric rise from budding expertise to full-blown famous person. We noticed flashes in his early Playoff appearances:

Ant’s ascension continued within the offseason, changing into “The Guy” – in response to Workforce USA coach Steve Kerr – in the course of the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
The brighter the stage has gotten, the higher Edwards has carried out. He’ll look to take his subsequent step at present because the Wolves look to avenge final season’s loss to the Nuggets.
5. JAMAL MURRAY IN THE CLUTCH

In Denver’s first-round win over the Lakers, Jamal Murray added to his already spectacular clutch resume with an accolade that no different participant can declare.
That is nothing new for Murray, who has persistently elevated his sport when the stakes are at their highest.

For the reason that 2020 Playoffs, Murray’s 55.6% taking pictures in clutch conditions is the very best among the many eight gamers who’ve tried at the very least 40 photographs.
The High 3:
The Nuggets have the 2 best clutch shooters in current Playoff historical past. Having two elite clutch choices is a separating issue for Denver.
Contemplating that the final 4 video games of the Wolves-Nuggets 2023 first-round sequence — and two of their 4 conferences this season — had been determined by single digits, this West Semis matchup might ship loads of clutch moments.
And extra possibilities so as to add to the resume.
'Closeout Kyrie' arrives within the 2nd half, the Mavs' massive males wreak havoc once more and the Clippers' season ends with a whimper.
Whereas Luka Doncic and SGA are on the marquee, this sequence might come all the way down to the efficiency of supporting casts.
Darvin Ham guided the Lakers to the Western Convention Finals in 2023, however the staff misplaced within the 1st spherical this season.
The mix will happen from Could 12-19 at Wintrust Enviornment and the Marriott Marquis in Chicago.
'Closeout Kyrie' arrives within the 2nd half, the Mavs' massive males wreak havoc once more and the Clippers' season ends with a whimper.
Whereas Luka Doncic and SGA are on the marquee, this sequence might come all the way down to the efficiency of supporting casts.
Darvin Ham guided the Lakers to the Western Convention Finals in 2023, however the staff misplaced within the 1st spherical this season.
The mix will happen from Could 12-19 at Wintrust Enviornment and the Marriott Marquis in Chicago.
Anthony Edwards appears to be like unstoppable in opener, Jamal Murray could possibly be a problem and Minnesota is excessive on confidence.
Invoice Russell ends his profession with title No. 11, Michael Jordan hits 'The Shot,' and Stephen Curry turns into the first unanimous MVP.
Chris Finch was within the second row of the bench when the Timberwolves opened their second-round sequence at Denver on Saturday.
Kleber's postseason could possibly be in jeopardy after struggling a tough fall in Dallas' Sport 6 victory over LA.
Cleveland and Orlando's first-round battle comes down to 1 final winner-take-all contest.
Analyzing 5 gamers who stood out in the course of the first spherical with MVP-level performances.

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