Dennis Schröder and the Los Angeles Lakers took back control in front of their home crowd in the NBA playoffs. The captain of the German national basketball team scored 111-101 with the record champions in the third game against the Memphis Grizzlies add another home game.
Los Angeles, which had only qualified for the finals via the play-in tournament, could rely on its top stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Davis stood out with 31 points and 17 rebounds, James contributed 25 points. Schröder came off the bench again and was at least more conspicuous than in the defeat in the second game: the 29-year-old helped with seven points and three assists. “We went out and set the tone,” said Davis. “We want to convince in our own hall and not even get involved in a back and forth.”
Philly with Sweep – Heat take the lead
The Philadelphia 76ers are already in the second round. Without their superstar Joel Embiid, they also won the fourth game against the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday with 96:88. The series is decided 4-0, the Sixers last managed such a sweep in 1991. MVP candidate Embiid suffered an injury to his right knee during the away win on Thursday (102:97). In the next round, Philadelphia will face either the Boston Celtics or the Atlanta Hawks.
The Miami Heat finished off the Milwaukee Bucks 121-99, taking full advantage of the renewed absence of Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo. Only an hour before the start of the game was it clear that the two-time MVP would be absent from the series opener as in the second duel due to his back injury. For the other games in the series, Antetokounmpo’s condition will now be assessed daily, said coach Mike Budenholzer. Miami leads 2-1.
The Phoenix Suns are about to advance to round two after their third straight win. The Arizona team won 112-100 at the Los Angeles Clippers and was 3-1 in the series.