Show, tension, suspense. The evening of the first games of the semi-finals in the NBA kept all its promises. With different scenarios but which delighted the fans. In the East, the Bucks won the first set on the Boston floor after a real show of force, in the wake of an omnipresent Giannis Antetokounmpo – the Greek signs a triple-double with 24 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists.
He pulled off one of the moves of the night when he slammed a dunk after bouncing the ball off the board. The defending champion is already recovering the home advantage against the Celtics who are aiming for a record 18th title.
The Bucks’ performance is all the more remarkable as it was achieved in the absence of Khris Middleton, who is nursing a sprained ligament in his left knee and is unlikely to be able to return anytime soon. But the forces involved are not lacking, like Jrue Holiday, the team’s third offensive trident, who was the leader since he finished top scorer (25 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals ).
In Boston Jayson Tatum, twice spectacularly countered by Giannis, paid the price for the special treatment reserved for him (21 pts at 6/18). Ditto for Jaylen Brown, stifled (12 pts, 4/13, 9 rebounds).
“We had to beat them, summed up Antetokounmpo. We must be present tonight, contain them as firmly as possible, make it as difficult for them as possible. »
Another scenario in the West where the Warriors won at the Grizzlies after an unbreathable meeting that held the public spellbound until the last second. The man at the end of the match is called Klay Thompson.
Author of 15 points (at 6/19), the back was clinical to definitely put his team back in front of a basket behind the arc 36.6 seconds from the buzzer and we exerted an iron defense on Ja Morant at the last second. The “Spider-Man” of Memphis has not yet deserved with 34 points, 10 assists, 9 rebounds and 3 steals.
Pulled by this double locomotive, the Grizzlies led by 13 lengths in the 2nd quarter. And things were looking all the better as in front, the “warrior” Draymond Green was sent off before the break for a flagrant second category foul, after punching the face and bringing down Brandon Clarke by pulling on his jersey .
But Golden State was able to count on Jordan Poole who signed his record for points in the playoffs (31 points with 9 assists, 8 rebounds) then Stephen Curry (24 points) to restart the machine. “We kept our calm, we knew the match would last 48 minutes. You have to find a way to win,” Curry said.