The 2024-2025 NBA Playoffs are in full swing. The latest round featured three exciting matchups. The Rockets beat the Warriors to even the series at 1-1, while the Celtics beat the Magic again with Tatum out and Porzingis injured to take a 2-0 overall lead. Not only were these games competitive, but there were a number of injuries and scuffles that made for a very tense scene at one point.
Rockets 109-94 Warriors: Jalen Green’s three-point outburst ties the game for the Rockets.
The Rockets had a very strong start to this game. Amen Thompson scored consecutive points and with Jalen Green’s accurate three-point shooting, the Rockets quickly took a 7-1 lead. Although Curry answered with a three-point play for the Warriors, the Rockets had a faster pace and a higher shooting percentage.
Midway through the first quarter, the Warriors were dealt a blow. Amen Thompson lost his balance on a drive and hit Butler, who fell heavily to the floor and limped off the court and back to the locker room. The injury demoralized the Warriors and Butler did not return to the game.
Despite Curry’s constant efforts on the offensive end, organizing the team’s offense and trying to close the gap, the Rockets’ Jalen Green was just too hot. He hit a total of eight three-pointers in the game and scored a game-high 38 points, becoming a key player in the Rockets’ victory. He also created a record in the history of the Rocket team, becoming the fifth player in team history, aged 23 or younger, to score more than 30 points in the playoffs.
The Rockets were not only sharp on offense, but also relentless on defense. The game was a fast-paced affair with many physical exchanges between the two teams.
Game Recap.
- First Quarter: The Rockets take a 28-18 lead with Jalen Green and Amen turning in outstanding performances. Butler leaving the game with an injury was the turning point.
- Second Quarter: The Rockets quickly pulled away with a 12-0 run to take a 60-46 halftime lead.
- Third Quarter: Jalen Green continued to shine, scoring 15 points in a single quarter as the Rockets extended their lead to 16 points.
- Fourth Quarter: Rockets stable play, although the Warriors tried to counterattack, but the gap is too big to return to the sky, the final Rocket 109-94 victory over the Warriors.
Full Court Stats Highlights.
- Rockets: – Jalen Green: 38 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals.
- Shin Kyung: 17 points, 16 rebounds, 7 assists .
- Dillon: 16 points.
- Amen Thompson: 11 points.
- Ethan: 14 points, 6 rebounds.
- Warriors: – Curry: 20 points, 5 rebounds, 9 assists .
- Moody: 12 points.
- Moody: 12 points.
- Kuminga: 11 points.
- Spencer: 11 points.
The Rockets evened the series at 1-1 after this game, and the next game will be even more important.
Celtics 109-100 Magic: Brown explodes in Tatum’s absence, Celtics take 2-0 lead.
In another key game, the Celtics, despite missing starter Tatum due to a wrist injury, relied on the overall coordination of the whole team and Brown’s excellent play to successfully beat the Magic and win the second game of the series, taking a 2-0 lead.
Porzingis was also injured at one point during the game, falling to the floor bleeding after being elbowed in the face by his opponent in the third quarter, but he returned to the game after a simple treatment, showing his tenacious spirit.
Game Recap.
- First Quarter: Brown was active, scoring 10 points in a row to give the Celtics a slim 23-21 lead.
- Second Quarter: Celtics played a wave of 9-0 offense, the difference will be stretched to 11 points, but the Magic in the small Wagner and Benkello drive quickly recovered the score, the Celtics lead 50-47 at halftime.
- Third Quarter: The Celtics once again went on an 11-0 run to establish an advantage, and although the Magic were not afraid to return the favor with a 9-0 run, the overall tempo of the Celtics was always ahead.
- The final quarter: White hit three straight three-pointers, Brown continued to score, and the Celtics finally held on for the lead and another home game.
Player Statistical Highlights.
- Celtics: – Jaylen Brown: 36 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists.
- Porzingis: 20 points, 10 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 assists.
- White: 17 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists.
- Holliday: 11 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists.
- Pritchard: 14 points.
- Magic: – Benkello: 32 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists.
- Wagner Jr: 25 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists.
- Wendell Carter: 16 points, 8 rebounds.
- Black: 11 points, 4 rebounds.
The Celtics now lead 2-0 and have a clear series advantage. When Tatum returns, the team will be even more formidable.
Summary: Injuries and collisions are frequent and the competition in the playoffs is getting fiercer.
In the three games of this round of the playoffs, the injuries of Butler and Porzingis were disturbing, and the physical confrontation between the Rockets and Warriors even escalated to the level of conflict, showing the intense competitive atmosphere of the playoffs.
The Rockets managed to tie the game with an amazing performance from Jalen Green, while the Celtics relied on teamwork and Brown’s outburst to earn a crucial victory.
Each of the upcoming games will be crucial. Both the health of the players and the team’s ability to work together will determine who has the last laugh.
