Luka Lights Up L.A., Thunder Rolls, and the Pacers Keep Racing! 🌟

Apr 23, 2025

Smallball-ers, here’s your daily dose of NBA: we’re right in the middle of Round 1 and wondering if the only close series will involve those LA teams!

🏀 SCOREBOARD

🎯Are we surprised?

Before the game started, experts said there was a 70% chance the Lakers would win and a 30% chance the Timberwolves would win. So, even after the Lakers’ Game 1 loss, the Lakers were still expected to bounce back - and they did!

🎬How’d it happen?

The Lakers raced out to a huge lead, scoring 34 points in the first quarter while holding Minnesota to just 15.
In the second quarter, the Timberwolves fought back, outscoring L.A. 28–24, but the Lakers kept the halftime lead.
The Timberwolves struggled from beyond the arc, making just 5 of 25 three-point attempts, marking a season-low for made threes. They never cut the Lakers’ lead below 9 points down the stretch.
For the Lakers, Luka Dončić led the team with 31 points, 12 rebounds, and 9 assists (and made all 11 of his free throw attempts!). LeBron James added 21 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 assists.
Julius Randle scored 27 points for Minnesota and Anthony Edwards was right behind him with 25 points.
It was a physical game with 46 personal fouls; Rui Hachimura returned wearing a mask after getting hit in the face!

📅What comes next?

The series now shifts to Minnesota for Game 3 on Friday night. Minnesota had about the same regular-season record playing at home (25 wins and 16 losses) and away (24 wins and 17 losses).
The Lakers, on the other hand, were much better at home (31 wins and 10 losses) than on the road (19 wins and 22 losses).
In the NBA playoffs, when a series is tied 1-1, the winner of Game 3 goes on to win the series almost 75% of the time.

🎯Are we surprised?

Those same experts said there was a 90% chance the Thunder would win Game 2. Not surprising given they won Game 1 by 51 points! No surprises in this series so far.

🎬How’d it happen?

The Thunder started the game with a 9-0 run, holding the Grizzlies scoreless for the first 3½ minutes as Memphis missed their first 10 shots.
By the end of the first quarter, Oklahoma City led 32–17 and never trailed in the game.
Memphis showed resilience in the third quarter, narrowing the deficit to single digits. However, the Thunder responded with a 7-0 run to start the fourth quarter, extending their lead and securing a 118–99 victory.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 27 points, despite a challenging shooting night (he made 10 of 29 field goals, including 3 of 10 threes; he did make all 4 of his three throw attempts). Jalen Williams added 24 points, and Chet Holmgren contributed 20 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 blocks.
For the Grizzlies, Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 26 points, and Ja Morant added 23 points.
Oklahoma City has now won all six games against Memphis this season, each by double digits (4 regular season, 2 playoffs).

📅What comes next?

The series now moves to Memphis for Game 3 on Thursday night.
The Grizzlies will look to leverage their home-court advantage to get back into the series, while the Thunder aim to take a commanding 3–0 lead.
Luckily for the Thunder, they were just as good on the road (32 wins and 8 losses) as at home (36 wins and 6 losses). That’s the consistency you expect from the team with the best record in the NBA during the regular season!

🎯Are we surprised?

The Pacers were slight favorites, with experts giving them about a 60% chance to win.
Given their strong Game 1 performance and home-court advantage, Indiana was expected to go up 2-0 and they did!

🎬How’d it happen?

The Pacers came out firing, leading 40–30 after the first quarter, fueled by hot shooting and energy from the home crowd. This marked the Pacers’ highest-scoring quarter in playoff history.
Milwaukee managed to cut the deficit to 68–60 by halftime, thanks to Damian Lillard’s return to the lineup and some key plays from Brook Lopez, who had four blocks in the first half.
In the third quarter, Indiana started strong again and extended their lead to 78–62.
Despite Milwaukee's efforts, including a 13–0 run in the fourth quarter that brought them within two points, the Pacers responded with clutch three-pointers from Pascal Siakam and Andrew Nembhard, sealing the victory.
Siakam led Indiana with 24 points, 11 rebounds, and a clutch three-pointer late in the game. Tyrese Haliburton added 21 points and 12 assists, orchestrating the offense efficiently.
For Milwaukee, Giannis Antetokounmpo delivered a stellar performance with 34 points, 18 rebounds, and 7 assists. Bobby Portis provided a spark off the bench with 28 points and 12 rebounds.

📅What comes next?

Game 3 will be in Milwaukee on Friday night.
The Bucks will look to leverage their home-court advantage to get back into the series: they were 28-14 (28 wins, 14 losses) and 20-20 (20 wins, 20 losses) on the road this season.
Lillard played 37 minutes in Game 2 after being sidelined since March 18 due to a blood clot in his right calf. Coach Doc Rivers noted, “Down the stretch I just kept him in. I used it sort of as conditioning. He was exhausted and I saw that, and I thought, ‘Just let him blow it because we've got two days to recover.’”

🕒 OVERTIME

Tonight’s games

🪄Orlando Magic (0–1) @ ☘️Boston Celtics (1–0)

Time: 7:00 PM ET (TNT)
The Celtics aim to extend their series lead, but star forward Jayson Tatum is listed as doubtful due to a wrist injury sustained in Game 1. The Magic, led by Paolo Banchero's 36-point performance in the opener, look to even the series.
Experts say: ~85% chance the Celtics win

🔥Miami Heat (0–1) @ ⚔️Cleveland Cavaliers (1–0)

Time: 7:30 PM ET (NBA TV)
The Cavaliers dominated Game 1 with standout performances from Donovan Mitchell and Ty Jerome. The Heat, missing key players Terry Rozier and Kevin Love, aim to even the series before returning home.
Experts say: ~85% chance the Cavaliers win

🌉Golden State Warriors (1–0) @ 🚀Houston Rockets (0–1)

Time: 9:30 PM ET (TNT)
The Warriors secured a Game 1 victory behind Jimmy Butler's 25-point effort. Houston is seeking to rebound before the series shifts back to Golden State. Jonathan Kuminga, a key contributor during much of the Warriors’ season, did not play in Game 1 and seems to be sidelined due to concerns over his fit within the team's system alongside Butler, who the Warriors traded for in February.
Experts say: ~60% chance the Rockets win

🎤Before you go

How many points + assists + rebounds did Luka Dončić have in Game 2?
LeBron James holds the record for the most career playoff points in NBA history, with 8,202 points. He's followed by legends like Michael Jordan (5,987), Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (5,762), Kobe Bryant (5,640), and Shaquille O'Neal (5,250).
If you could choose to go to one of the NBA playoff games tonight, which would you pick and why? Would your parents choose the same game or a different one?

That’s all for today - you’re all caught up on Tuesday’s action. See you tomorrow!!