NBA Play-Offs Update: Golden State and New York Keep Their Hopes Alive in Game 5 Wins, Facing Tough Away Game 6 Challenges

Aurélie Sacchelli, Media365, published on Thursday May 11, 2023 at 07:59

Golden State and New York are now down just 3-2 against the Lakers and Miami respectively thanks to their home victory Wednesday in Game 5. But Game 6 will be played away for the Warriors and Knicks…

The defending champion can still believe in the double! Golden State, which has no room for error in its series against the Lakers, won a precious victory at Chase Center to come back to 3-2 in this semi-final of the Western Conference. The Warriors won 121-106 at the end of a Game 5 that they generally mastered, leaving the Lakers to lead only for a few moments. The Violet and Gold only had a three-point lead at best during this meeting, in the middle of the second quarter. But Golden State then resumed their march forward to lead 70-59 at halftime. The third quarter was balanced (23-23) but the Warriors widened the gap again in the last to win by fifteen points. The trio Stephen Curry (27pts, 8pds) – Andrew Wiggins (25pts, 7rbds, 5pds) – Draymond Green (20pts, 10rbs) did what it took to clinch this capital victory, while Klay Thompson (10pts at 3/12) and Jordan Poole (11pts at 5/14) did not sparkle. Dominated in the rebound (48-38), the Lakers were able to count on LeBron James (25pts, 9rbds) and Anthony Davis (23pts, 9rbds). But the hero of the last matches Lonnie Walker IV had to settle for 4 points, just like Rui Hachimura. The Lakers were also not helped by the exit of Anthony Davis with 7’34 left (the score was 101-88), after taking an elbow from Kevin Looney in the head. He is doubtful for Game 6 on Friday, where the Lakers will have the opportunity to advance to the Conference Finals.

A tireless Brunson carries the Knicks

In the East, in the series between New York and Miami, the scenario is identical: the Knicks are back at 3-2, but the Heat will have the opportunity to conclude Friday at home. Thanks to a fiery Jalen Brunson, author of 38 points (12/22 on shots including 4/10 at 3pts, 10/12 on free throws), 9 rebounds and 7 assists in playing the 48 minutes of the match, the players of Tim Thibodeau won 112-103 at Madison Square Garden to stay alive in this great season. Miami, however, had a ten-point lead at the end of the first quarter and the two teams then remained neck and neck until halftime (50-47), but New York accelerated in the third quarter to lead 84-74. The Heat did not give up and managed to come back under the five-point mark several times in the last quarter, and even at 103-101 with 2’37 remaining. But the Knicks did not panic and responded with a dunk from Isaiah Hartenstein then two free throws from RJ Barrett (107-101), before finishing with a 5-0 in the last minute. Barrett also finished with 26 points and 7 rebounds, and Julius Randle with 24 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Opposite, no Floridian has exceeded the 20 point mark: 19 for Jimmy Butler (and 7rbds and 9pds) and 18 for Bam Adebayo (and 8rbds). The Heat therefore missed a first match point, it is up to him to close the series in two days, under penalty of having to return to Madison Square Garden on Sunday …

NBA / PLAY-OFFS (DEMI-FINALES)
Wednesday, May 10, 2023
New York Knicks – Miami Heat: 112-103 (3-2 for Miami in the series)
Evan Fournier (NYK), ill, did not play

Golden State Warriors – Los Angeles Lakers: 121-106 (3-2 for the Lakers in the series)