MINNEAPOLIS—The Orlando Magic have been here before. Giannis Antetokounmpo has been here before. And LeBron James has been almost everywhere before.
As the first full week of the NBA playoffs comes to a close, the matchups begin to shift, with three Game 3s scheduled for Friday night serving as Orlando, Milwaukee, and Minnesota’s first home games.
In Game 1, the Wolves annihilated the Lakers in Los Angeles with pinpoint three-point shooting, while LA tightened the defensive screws for a grind-it-out 94-85 win in Game 2. Game 3 begins in Minneapolis, with the series tied at 1-1.
“We need to be even better on Friday going into Minnesota,” James said after the Lakers won Game 2 in Los Angeles. “That is what the playoffs are all about.” You must maintain a level-headed demeanor regardless of the circumstances.”
Knowing what the stakes are, the Magic will find it difficult to maintain its current state. The same goes for the Bucks.
The good news is that they’re at home. The bad news is that a loss on Friday will put them in a 3-0 hole, which has never been successfully escaped in NBA history. Last year, Orlando was in this same situation and battled back to 2-2, then 3-3, before losing in a first-round Game 7 to Cleveland.
“We’ve done it before,” Orlando coach Jamahl Mosley explained. “Take one game at a time.” Boston did exactly what they were supposed to do. They took care of their home. And, you know, it doesn’t become a series until the home team loses.”
The return of Damian Lillard, who had been out with deep vein thrombosis in his leg, boosted the Bucks’ chances in Game 2. Lillard will be welcomed back by his home fans on Friday night, which will undoubtedly provide an additional boost.
“He actually came through great,” Bucks coach Doc Rivers said Thursday when asked about Lillard’s situation. “It felt great. A little sore. I felt there were times when he was clearly tired, though I’m not sure if exhaustion is the right word. I thought it showed more on the defensive side than on the offensive.”
When and where to watch Game 3: 9:30 p.m. EDT (ESPN).
Series is tied, 1-1.
BetMGM Sportsbook predicts Timberwolves by 3.5.
What to Know: The Lakers scored 95 points in Game 1 and lost by 22, but scored 94 points in Game 2 and won because their defense was so much better.
The Timberwolves made 21 3-pointers in Game 1, but only five in Game 2, for a 48-point difference from beyond the arc. That level of stinginess isn’t realistically sustainable for the Lakers, but it clearly serves as a blueprint, especially given that they’ll now need to win at least once in Minneapolis to win the series.
Wolves star Anthony Edwards said his shoulder is fine after being hit early in Game 2. This is James’ 21st appearance in a Game 3 after his team split the first two, so he understands better than anyone the pressure that comes with such a situation.
When/Where to Watch: Game 3, 7 p.m. EDT (ESPN)
The Celtics currently lead the series 2-0.
BetMGM Sportsbook predicts Celtics by 5.5.
What to Know: Celtics star Jayson Tatum is listed as doubtful, which means he is unlikely to play, after missing Game 2 due to a bone bruise in his right wrist. With a 2-0 series lead, Boston is probably not under any pressure to rush Tatum back into the lineup.
Orlando has played Boston relatively evenly in the first halves of games (Celtics 98, Magic 96), but the Celtics have dominated after halftime (114-90 combined score). Coming home could swing it in Orlando’s favor, but it won’t be automatic.
The Celtics were outstanding on the road this season, and it’s clear that Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner will require a third scoring option to help alleviate some of their workload. Keep an eye on the fouling situation — Boston has attempted 51 free throws to Orlando’s 35 in the first two games, despite taking the fewest in the league this season.
When and where to watch Game 3: 8 p.m. EDT (ESPNU, NBA TV).
The Pacers currently lead the series 2-0.
BetMGM Sportsbook predicts a Bucks win by 5.5 points.
What to Know: This will be the 18th meeting between the teams since November 2023 (Indiana is 11-6 in the previous 17), and no two NBA franchises have faced off more frequently since the start of last season than the Bucks and Pacers. Expect offense, as teams that have scored 120 or more points in a Bucks-Pacers game are 13-3 over the last two seasons.
Milwaukee will be desperate to avoid losing in the first round for the third time in a row. Those Bucks fans looking for a crazy reason to be optimistic can find one in the fact that Milwaukee last trailed a series 2-0 in the 2021 NBA Finals, which it won in six games (one of two 0-2 comebacks that season). Indiana leads the series 2-0 for only the second time in the last 20 years.