LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Dennis Schroder scored 29 points, Chris Paul added 26 and the Oklahoma City Thunder returned to the series with a 119-107 overtime win over the Houston Rockets.
The Thunder have closed the lead to 2-1 and the fourth game of the Western Conference first-round series is Monday.
Montrealer Luguentz Dort had nine points, eight rebounds, one assist and three blocks. His defensive efficiency was one of the keys to the Thunder’s victory, with Dort even allowing himself a block against Rockets superstar James Harden.
Luguentz Dort is making a name for himself across the NBA. What he does in defense is so impressive. To see a player like him, not drafted, get so much recognition for his work across the league is a real testament to him being a special player.
– Alexandre Tourigny (@AlexTourignyRDS) August 23, 2020
Luguentz There Lockdown D!@okcthunder 91@HoustonRockets 90#NBAPlayoffs on ESPN pic.twitter.com/Qo1N6mS8tO
– NBA (@NBA) August 23, 2020
Harden scored 38 points for the Rockets, but had to leave the game in the 53rd second of overtime due to an accumulation of personal fouls.
The Thunder managed the first 12 points of the extra period, notably thanks to two three-point throws from Paul.
In contrast, the Rockets missed their first seven overtime attempts before Danuel House Jr. finally managed a three-point shot with less than a minute to go.
The Thunder’s attack was well balanced. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 23 points and Danilo Gallinari had 20.
The Lakers still muzzle the Blazers
LeBron James had 38 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists, Anthony Davis scored 12 of his 29 points in the fourth quarter and the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Portland Trail Blazers 116-108 to take the lead 2-1 in their series.
Lakers 116 – Trail Blazers 108
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The Lakers limited the Blazers’ offense for a second straight game after being surprised in Game 1. This was Portland’s highest point total since the start of the series, but it was far from enough.
Damian Lillard scored 34 points after breaking his left index finger in Game 2 and CJ McCollum added 28 points for Portland.
The Trail Blazers will try to level the series in Game 4 on Monday.
Giannis Antetokounmpo had 35 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists and the Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Orlando Magic 121-107 on Saturday to take a 2-1 lead in the Eastern Conference quarterfinal series.
Antetokounmpo made 12 of 14 shots from the field and the Bucks, the best team in the East, have made 56.1 percent of their shots. Khris Middleton had 17 points, eight rebounds and six assists.
It brews between the Magic and the Bucks!
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The fourth matchup in this four of seven series will take place on Monday.
This third match was not without animosity, however. James Ennis of the Magic and Marvin Williams of the Bucks were sent off after bickering on the field.
The two forwards were battling for a field position in the event of a rebound, midway through the second quarter as the Bucks led 53-34. As they made their way to the other end of the field, Ennis pushed Williams and Williams pushed him too.
As we tried to separate the two players, Williams grabbed Ennis’ jersey. The latter appeared to punch in an attempt to free his sweater.
Ennis was part of the Magic’s starting lineup while Williams was in a reserve role. The loss of Ennis hurt all the more as the Magic were already deprived of the services of Jonathan Isaac, Aaron Gordon, Michael Carter-Williams and Mo Bamba due to various injuries and health issues.
DJ Augustin got 24 points for the Magic. Nikola Vucevic and Terrence Ross added 20 each.
Brook Lopez, with 16 points, and Eric Bledsoe, with 14 points, also contributed offensively for the Bucks.
Butler leads the Heat to victory
Jimmy Butler had 27 points and the Miami Heat withstood a push from the Indiana Pacers to win 124-115.
The Heat took a 3-0 lead in this Eastern Conference first round series and will have a chance to sweep the Pacers on Monday.
Goran Dragic added 24 points, Bam Adebayo had 22 points and 11 rebounds while Tyler Herro had 20 points for the Heat.
Malcolm Brogdon set career highs in the playoffs with 34 points and 14 assists for the Pacers. TJ Warren scored 23 points while Victor Oladipo provided 20.
The Heat led 74-56 at the half, but the Pacers went on a 12-2 streak to close the gap. The Indiana troops even came close to two points in the fourth quarter, but without creating a tie or taking the lead.
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