Paolo comes close to a triple double (25 points, 12 rebounds and 9 assists) and the Magic go 2-1 against the No. 1 in the East. Everything is easy for Oklahoma City, now 3-0 over Phoenix
Orlando continues to impress and takes the lead in the series against the team with the best record in the Eastern Conference by winning game 3 while Oklahoma City fails to beat Phoenix and takes a 3-0 lead in the series.
Orlando-Detroit 113-105 (Series 2-1)
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The Magic are serious. After hitting rock bottom with Philadelphia’s disastrous performance in the first play-in match, the Florida team has definitely changed pace and now shows it can shake the team with the best record in the Eastern Conference. Orlando wins game 3 with personality and responds at the end to the sensational recovery of the Pistons, finding the strength to take back the reins of the match. Banchero’s physicality annoys Detroit’s defense quite a bit, the Magic accelerate at the end of the third period and even reach +17 with 8’34” from the siren. It seems over but Cunningham plays the charge and the guests find their basketball again, post a mega run of 26-8 and get back in front. With the wind in its sails, Detroit seems ready to close on a high note but Orlando has other plans. Banchero and Franz Wagner score very heavy baskets, Orlando defends aggressively and controls the end, scoring the last nine points of a truly strange match that goes to the bulletin board with the Magic’s success. 2-1 Orlando, therefore with game 4 scheduled, again in Florida, on Monday.
Orlando: Banchero 25 (4/12, 2/5, 11/14 tl), F. Wagner 25 (6/16, 1/2, 2/2 tl). Rebounds: Carter Jr. 17. Assists: Banchero 9. Detroit: Cunningham 27 (5/13, 3/10, 8/9 tl), Harris 23, Thompson 17. Rebounds: Duren 9. Assists: Cunningham 9.
phoenix-oklahoma city 109-121 (series 0-3)
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With an SGA MVP version (42 points, his new career high in the postseason, with an incredible 15/18 from the field) and with the personality that distinguishes them, the reigning champions dominate the third match of the series and therefore put the Suns with their backs against the wall. After Booker’s accusations against the referees after game 2, Phoenix is called to a test of pride in front of the friendly public. The mountain to climb, however, is particularly complex. Despite the absence of the second offensive option for the reigning champions, Jalen Williams, Okc is devastating in attack and concedes very little on the other side of the field. Booker and an excellent Green try to put the Thunder’s defense in difficulty in the first half, but Gilgeous-Alexander’s offensive efficiency is disarming so every time Oklahoma City needs a basket it asks its MVP who promptly responds present. Without even forcing too much, the visiting team closed the first half with a 12-2 run and went into the break nine points ahead. At the beginning of the second half Phoenix tries but Okc always finds the right answers. Green’s triples and Brooks’ production give some hope, but the response promptly arrives from an unstoppable SGA who at the end of the third period already have 30 points on the scoresheet. The Thunder remain in total control and put the seal on the match with Gilgeous-Alexander’s recovery on Booker which becomes a solitary dunk for +15 with six minutes to go. The rest is academic, OKC will then be able to close the series in game 4 on Monday in Phoenix.
Phoenix: Brooks 33 (7/12, 4/9, 7/7 TL), Green 26, Booker 16. Rebounds: Gillespie 10. Assists: Booker 7. Oklahoma City: Gilgeous-Alexander 42 (14/15, 1/3, 11/12 TL), Mitchell 15, Caruso 13. Rebounds: Holmgren 7. Assists: Gilgeous-Alexander 8
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