NBA playoffs: Lakers get reprieve, Boston responds at Miami

The Los Angeles Lakers avoided humiliation by taking a game in Denver, while Boston responded with victory on the floor in Miami on Saturday in the first round of the NBA playoffs.

. The Lakers are breathing

The Los Angeles Lakers were finally able to find the key against champion Denver, for a 119-108 home success that allowed them to fall just 3-1 and avoid the humiliation of a sweep by the Colorado franchise for the second year in a row, after the Western Conference- final last year.

The Lakers, who were on an 11-game losing streak against Denver, showed great collective strength to keep the ghosts of the Nuggets’ comeback at bay during the first two games of the series.

Without much hope of turning this first round around, but with pride, LeBron James clearly led the way with 30 points. He finished Denver with an interception followed by a dunk 2:30 from time to time.

The 39-year-old “King” was well followed by pivot Anthony Davis (25 points, 23 rebounds), D’Angelo Russell (21 points) and Austin Reaves (21 points).

Denver didn’t seem to panic, with the advantage already taken in this series. Nikola Jokic, still in a triple-double (33 points, 14 rebounds, 14 assists), brought out his magic wand with a stunning one-handed volley pass during a block, failing to put his team in the wake.

The Nuggets get another opportunity to qualify for the second round on Monday at home.

. Boston responds

Boston, the best team in the regular season, beaten on the floor on Wednesday, responded with great success in Miami 104-84 and now leads 2-1.

The Heat always chased the score in this meeting dominated from start to finish by the Celtics of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown (22 points each) who were up to 29 points ahead.

After peppering Boston with long-range shots on Wednesday (23 successful), Miami was reduced to 9 of 28 successful attempts on Saturday. The Heat, NBA finalists last season, are still without their star Jimmy Butler, injured in a knee.

“It’s on the defensive aspect that we will win our games,” a relieved Tatum warned on the TNT channel.

. Orlando equalizes, Thunder calm

Orlando Magic equalized 2-2 against Cleveland (112-89), the German Franz Wagner was decisive with 34 points, 13 rebounds and 4 assists, while the usual leader of the Magic Paolo Banchero was discreet (9 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists) .

Cleveland sinned from long range (4 of 17), and counted on its pivot Jarrett Allen (21 points, 9 rebounds), Donovan Mitchell remained at 18 points, before a Game 5 scheduled on Tuesday in Ohio.

“Our players made the right adjustments. They realized the key was the movement of the ball, which has to be moved, shared, with confidence in passing,” responded Magic coach Jamahl Mosley, whose team led by nine points at halftime.

In the West, regular season No. 1 Oklahoma City continued its journey with a third success in as many games against New Orleans.

The Thunder of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (24 points) controlled the game, especially thanks to the defense. Opposing scorer Brandon Ingram (19 points) was once again harassed by the excellent Luguenz Dort, leaving the Pelicans without a backup solution while Zion Williamson remains injured.

Oklahoma City will have the opportunity to end its streak on Monday in Louisiana.