NBA Playoffs: Cavaliers over Magic, Knicks beat 76ers, Lakers lose to Nuggets

Sports Daypop

The Denver Nuggets beat the Los Angeles Lakers 101-99 in Game 2 of their Western Conference first-round playoff series at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado on Monday night.  The Nuggets came back from a 20-point second-half deficit, with Jamal Murray sinking a 15-foot step-back jumper at the buzzer to take the 2-0 series lead.  Denver’s win gave the reigning NBA champions their 10th consecutive win over the Lakers.

The series moves to Los Angeles for Game 3 on Thursday night.

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The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Orlando Magic 96-86 on Monday night, giving them a 2-0 lead in their first-round Eastern Conference series. Donovan Mitchell scored 23 points and Jarrett Allen had 20 rebounds, while Evan Mobley added 17 points and Allen scored 16 with nine offensive rebounds to bring Cleveland the win.

Game 3 of the series between the Cavaliers and Magic will take place on Thursday in Orlando.

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The NY Knicks narrowly defeated the Philadelphia 76ers in the final minute of their playoff matchup at Madison Square Garden, winning with a score of 104-101 to take a 2-0 series lead. The Sixers led for most of the game with help from Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid, but the Knicks rallied to defeat the Sixers thanks to some late heroics by Jalen Brunson and Donte DiVincenzo.

Game 3 will take place at 7:30 p.m. ET Thursday night in Philly.

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