NBA: Dallas takes the lead for the first time against Clippers
Despite concerns about basketball superstar Luka Doncic, the Dallas Mavericks secured their second win in the NBA playoffs. The Texans led by Maxi Kleber defeated the Los Angeles Clippers in their own hall 101:90 and took a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.
Doncic limped off the court early but came back to collect 22 points and 10 rebounds. Kleber remained pale in his 15 minutes on the floor: the Würzburger hit his only shot, but ultimately only managed three points and one rebound. World champion Daniel Theis was once again not used for the Clippers.
The game started with a hard foul by Russell Westbrook on Doncic, but it was only a short one. Dallas then dominated before the lead dwindled to six points at the end of the third quarter. Then Kyrie Irving's hour came: The 32-year-old had only scored two points up to this point, but followed up with 19 more and became the late match winner.
“That was the will of a champion,” Irving said of his patience until the shots finally fell: “Two points, I really didn’t care. All I care about is winning games.”
NFL star Draisaitl scores twice in Edmonton's sweeping win
The Edmonton Oilers have regained home advantage in the playoffs of the North American professional league NHL – also thanks to ice hockey star Leon Draisaitl. On Friday (local time) the Oilers won their first away game of the best of seven series against the Los Angeles Kings 6:1 (3:0, 1:1, 2:0), after the team from Canada lost their second home game had. Draisaitl was the man of the game with two goals and an assist. After victories, the Oilers are now 2-1 in the series.
The top German player scored in the middle of the first third to take the lead 2-0 and in the final period he secured the final score from a power play. After just 26 games in his career, Draisaitl has reached the mark of 20 away goals in the playoffs – no player in NHL history has achieved this faster. The 28-year-old attacker also prepared Connor McDavid's 3-0 goal.
“We defended really well, all four formations. After conceding a goal, we found our game again. “It was a solid performance,” Draisaitl said after the Oilers conceded five goals in the second game.
In addition to the Oilers, the Vancouver Canucks and the Colorado Avalanche also took a 2-1 lead after wins in the first round of the NHL playoffs. The Canucks won 2-1 at the Nashville Predators, the Avalanche beat the Winnipeg Jets 6-2 at home, scoring five goals in 14 minutes in the final period.
After a 3-1 away win against the Washington Capitals, the New York Rangers only need one win to move into the second round.
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