LeBron and Davis lead Lakers into second round, Bucks also advance as playoffs resume
August 30, 2020 04:15 MYT
LeBron James and Anthony Davis inspired the Los Angeles Lakers to a 4-1 series victory over the Portland Trail Blazers in the NBA playoffs.
The NBA postseason resumed at Walt Disney World Resort on Saturday following a three-day strike amid protests against police brutality and racial injustice after the shooting of Jacob Blake – a black man – in Wisconsin.
James posted 36 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, while Davis finished with 43 points in Saturday's 131-122 win in the Western Conference first round.
Davis and James became the first duo since the ABA-NBA merger to score 35-plus points on 70-plus percent shooting each in the same playoff game, per STATS.
Anthony Davis and LeBron James of the @Lakers are the first duo since the ABA-NBA merger to score 35+ points on 70+ percent shooting each in the same playoff game.#LakeShow
— Stats By STATS (@StatsBySTATS) August 30, 2020
The top-seeded Lakers will face either the Houston Rockets or Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round.
Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Bucks advanced in the Eastern Conference thanks to their 118-104 victory over the Orlando Magic.
The Bucks, who triggered protests throughout professional sports in the United States on Wednesday, were led by Giannis Antetokounmpo in their return to the court.
Bucks star and reigning MVP Antetokounmpo had 28 points and 17 rebounds as the Miami Heat await in the next round.
Rockets soar as Harden stars
James Harden posted 31 points to lead the Rockets to a 114-80 rout of the Thunder and a 3-2 series lead in the Western Conference. Fellow All-Star Russell Westbrook also returned from injury.
A Nikola Vucevic double-double of 22 points and 15 rebounds were not enough for the eliminated Magic.
In the absence of All-Star team-mate Damian Lillard, CJ McCollum put up 36 points, while Carmelo Anthony had 27 of his own.
Rough night for Gallinari and Thunder
Danilo Gallinari managed just one point in the Thunder's heavy loss. He was 0 of five from the field, while missing all three attempts from beyond the arc in 22 minutes. Thunder team-mate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, meanwhile, only posted four points on six-of-eight shooting from the field, and 0 of four from three-point range.
In Orlando's defeat, Gary Clark played 24 minutes and was 0 of four from the field and 0 of three from beyond the arc. He made one of two free throws.
LeBron and Davies combine
The two All-Stars continue to flourish in pursuit of the ultimate goal – an NBA championship.
LBJ dime... AD tough bucket. #NBAPlayoffs on TNT pic.twitter.com/NlEI7cQrXp
— NBA (@NBA) August 30, 2020
Saturday's results
Milwaukee Bucks 118-104 Orlando Magic
Celtics face Raptors
The Eastern Conference second-round series between the Boston Celtics and defending champions the Toronto Raptors gets underway on Sunday.