Basketball world champion Franz Wagner shines with 32 points and leads Orlando Magic to the first victory in the NBA playoffs. The series shortens its brilliant performance against defending champion Boston to 1: 2.
Basketball world champion Franz Wagner led Orlando Magic to the first victory in the NBA play-offs. Through the 95:93, the team around the outstanding German star player shortened the best-of-Seven series in the round of 16 against defending champion Boston Celtics to 1: 2, on the night of Monday (1:00 a.m./CET) there is another home game for Orlando.
2:31 minutes before the end it was 91:91 before Wagner brought the decision with two baskets. The 23-year-old was top scorer of the Magic with 32 points and also contributed seven rebounds and eight assists. His co-star Paolo Banchero also shone with 29 points, the Munich Tristan da Silva was not used again.
“Our defense won the game,” said Wagner. In the third quarter, Orlando held the defending champion at eleven points, Wagner and Co. forced a total of 21 turnover. “We played like this all year round, and I think who plays more aggressive will win this series.”
Home advantage as a trump card: Magic’s perfect record against Boston
With the two games from the regular season, it is now 3-0 in the Kia Center at home from the perspective of Orlando against the Celtics. Also, 36 points from Superstar Jayson Tatum, who had missed the game two with one hand injury, couldn’t change that.
The Milwaukee Bucks also reported back, reduced the series against the Indiana Pacers to 1: 2 by the 117:10 home win. MVP candidate Giannis Antetokounmpo contributed 37 points, twelve rebounds and six assists.
New record for LeBron James
The Los Angeles Lakers, on the other hand, had to accept a setback. Despite 38 points from LeBron James, the Lakers 104: 116 lost at the Minnesota Timberwolves – and are now 1: 2 in the series. Luka Doncic was slowed down by an illness and only came to 17 points, James, on the other hand, grabbed the next record. No player has scored more points in the NBA play-offs with over 40 years.