What NBA Playoff games are on today, Tuesday 3 May 2022?
Another big night of action that includes the Celtics, Bucks, Grizzlies and Warriors. You’ll not want to miss it.
The Boston Celtics received rave reviews for keeping Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant in check during their Eastern Conference first-round series. They were not as fortunate against Giannis Antetokounmpo, who posted his second career playoff triple-double, in Milwaukee’s series-opening victory. The Celtics will look for a better performance against him Tuesday as they try to even their conference semifinal series at one victory apiece in Game 2 in Boston.
Milwaukee Bucks @ Boston Celtics 7pm
Antetokounmpo collected 24 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists in Milwaukee’s 101-89 win on Sunday afternoon. The two-time NBA MVP provided the signature moment in the fourth quarter after tossing the ball high off the backboard and following it to the rim for an emphatic slam dunk.
“I can’t do that. I wouldn’t even think about trying,” teammate Jrue Holiday said of the self alley-oop by the star player known as the Greek Freak. “He’s got a great nickname.”
“That’s just pure talent, just pure instinct,” Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said. “He’s a great player. He does things that are unique and special and timely. That’s one of those plays where you’re happy he’s on our side.”
So, what did it do the other side? After all, the Celtics touted the NBA’s top defense in the regular season and effectively shut down Durant and Kyrie Irving en route to sweeping the Nets in the first round of the playoffs.
“This one should hurt a little bit,” the Celtics’ Al Horford said. “We have an opportunity now to learn from this game, see how we can be better as a group and come out and do that Tuesday.”
In the other game of the night, two former high school teammates are squarely in the spotlight as the Golden State Warriors and host Memphis Grizzlies prepare for Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series. Jordan Poole scored 31 points for the Warriors in their 117-116 victory in the best-of-seven series opener Sunday, while his former Indiana prep teammate at La Lumiere School, Jaren Jackson Jr., poured in 33 points for the Grizzlies.
Golden State Warriors @ Memphis Grizzlies 9:30pm
Poole, who exploded onto the postseason scene with 30 points as a starter in his playoff debut against Denver last month, was even better in his first postseason reserve role, padding his team-high point total with nine assists and eight rebounds. At age 22, Poole became the youngest Warrior ever to score 30 or more points in a conference semifinal Game 1.
Ja Morant edged Jackson with 34 points, the third-most ever by any player 22 or younger in the opening game of a conference semifinal. But Morant couldn’t convert a buzzer-beating driving layup that could have flipped the final score in Memphis’ favor.
“I missed a layup I normally make all the time,” Morant admitted after finishing with 10 assists and nine rebounds. “Onto the next (game).”
After losing the season series 3-1 and finishing three games behind Memphis in the duel for the No. 2 seed in the Western playoffs, the Warriors threw the Grizzlies a bit of a curve in Game 1 by bringing Poole off the bench. He responded brilliantly, including shooting a team-best 5 of 10 from 3-point distance.
While his teammates applauded his unselfishness, as evidenced by the nine assists, Poole credited Stephen Curry (24 points) and Klay Thompson (15 points).