Memphis and Milwaukee tied

Denver Nuggets, with a decisive performance by Jamal Murray (40 points), defeated Minnesota Timberwolves and put the NBA Western Conference playoff series at 2-0. In addition, Memphis Grizzlies, with their success against Los Angeles Lakers, and Milwaukee Bucks, with their victory against Miami Heat, evened their West and East series, respectively, at one win per team.

NUGGETS 122 – TIMBERWOLVES 113
An outstanding Jamal Murray, starring with 40 points, propelled the Denver Nuggets to a hard-fought 122-113 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday to take a 2-0 lead in the first-round series of the NBA West playoffs.

Murray scored 40 points on 13-of-22 shooting from the field and six three-pointers, while Serbia’s Nikola Jokic had a triple-double with 27 points, nine rebounds and nine assists.

The top-seeded Nuggets in the West had a 21-point lead at halftime, but Anthony Edwards’ big game with 41 points and six three-pointers kept the Wolves in the fight until the end.

Frenchman Rudy Gobert contributed 19 points and 8 rebounds, while Dominican Karl-Anthony Towns had a double-double of 10 points and 12 rebounds.

The Nuggets, with a great Murray, had an 11-point lead in the first half and increased the margin to 53-32 in the second, but a strong reaction from the Wolves could change the story of the duel in the third segment.

The Wolves shot 81%, 17-of-21, and sealed a 14-0 run that put them ahead 83-80 and 89-87 on a big play by Anthony Edwards.

However, the Nuggets stepped on the gas again in the fourth period and, paced by Murray, retook the lead until delivering the final blow with the Canadian’s three-pointer for 118-109.

The series now moves to Minnesota for the third and fourth games, scheduled for Friday and Sunday.

GRIZZLIES 103 – LAKERS 93
Despite the absence of Ja Morant, the Grizzlies beat the Lakers 103-93 on Wednesday in Game 2 of the first round of the playoffs, which leaves the series tied 1-1, in a physical exhibition game for Memphis.

The hosts came out from the first second to play a scrappy game and were not surprised again by the Lakers, as they were on Sunday when they won 128-112 in Memphis.

Xavier Tillman had an almost perfect night for the Grizzlies, with a double-double of 22 points and 13 rebounds, plus 3 assists. The center scored 10 of the 13 shots he attempted from the field, converting 1 of 2 three-pointers.

His teammate Jaren Jackson Jr. also delivered with 18 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 blocks. Desmond Bane added 17 points and 4 rebounds.

The top scorer of the game was the incombustible LeBron James. The veteran had a double-double with 28 points and 12 rebounds, in addition to 3 assists and a block to Luke Kennard that echoed throughout the FedexForum in Memphis.

Rui Hachimura, although he did not repeat his outstanding performance of Sunday, when he scored 29 points, was the second top scorer for the Lakers with 20 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists.

The third game of the series will be played on Saturday in Los Angeles, perhaps with the presence of Morant on the court.

BUCKS 138 – HEAT 122
Milwaukee Bucks, without Greek Giannis Antetokounmpo, crushed the Miami Heat 138-122 on Wednesday and evened 1-1 the first round series of the NBA East playoffs, which now goes to Miami for the next two games.

The Bucks hit 25 of 49 three-pointers, which tied the NBA playoff record, and poured in 81 points in a stunning first half to set the tone for their convincing victory.

Without Giannis, who was sidelined with a back problem suffered in the first game, Brook Lopez scored 25 points, Jrue Holiday contributed 24, with 11 assists and 4 three-pointers, and Pat Connaughton shined with 22 points as a reserve, making 6 three-pointers.

Joe Ingles contributed 17 points and an excellent 5 of 6 from the arc.

The entire starting five for the Bucks finished in double figures and Bobby Portis recorded a double-double of 13 points and 15 rebounds.

The Bucks finished with extraordinary percentages. They shot 53.5% from the field, which was above 60% in the first half.

For the Heat, who were without Tyler Herro due to a broken hand, Jimmy Butler scored 25 points and was the leading scorer for Erik Spoelstra’s team.

The Bucks led by as many as 36 points, before managing their energy and winning by 16 points.

The third and fourth games of the series will be played on Saturday and Monday in Miami.

The winner of this series will meet the winner of the New York Knicks-Cleveland Cavaliers playoffs.