The East’s top seeded Heat aren’t as comfortable after last night. Trae Young hoisted a game winner to put the Hawks straight back into the series.
Young ended with 24 points and eight assists to match this game-winner. Things would have looked pretty bleak if the shot hadn’t come — no NBA team has ever managed to win a playoff series from a 3-0 deficit.
In Central America, Khris Middleton’s absence last night with a sprained MCL didn’t stop the Bucks from absolutely embarrassing the Bulls in front of their home crowd and sending the first-round series to a 2-1 split. Two-time MVP Giannis Antentokounmpo didn’t even have to take offense — Grayson Allen actually amassed more points than the Greek Freak last night with a playoff career-high 22, and Bobby Portis bet on his own 18.
It’s 2-1, but it feels like it’s long gone. The remainder of that streak appears to be proving to be a mere formality for the Bucks, who shrug off the only loss to the Bulls this season and get right back into the groove, stepping up defensively and filling in the Middleton-sized gap with relative ease. It’s the same old news for the Bulls – they’ve had a stellar season in the East but have rarely been able to win against opponents who joined them at the top of the standings.
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In the South, the 8-1 match between the Suns and Pelicans is proving to be an unexpected thriller, especially as Phoenix top scorer Devin Booker is out with a thigh strain. The Suns are staring down several weeks without Booker, but they found a way last night with a huge fourth quarter from Chris Paul and a dominating performance from Deandre Ayton.
When I tell you that the game ended with a buzzer-beater with a final score of 114-111, it’s not quite as exciting as it sounds. The Suns pulled away in the last minute of the game, but a last-second shot put New Orleans to three, even if it didn’t mean much. This could prove to be the most exciting series of the first round if it continues in Louisiana on Sunday, with the Suns’ 2-1 lead feeling far more precarious than either the Bucks or the Heat at the moment.
