Monday NBA Playoffs Recap

The action of the NBA Playoffs was in full swing Monday night with three nail-biting match ups.

The Oklahoma City Thunder clinched the 4-1 series win at home over the Dallas Mavericks defeating them 118-104. It was the unstoppable performance by OKC’s Russell Westbrook to help the team take home the first round of the playoff series win. Westbrook put up outstanding numbers with 36 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists. Other top performers for the Thunder were 2014 MVP Kevin Durant with 33 points and Steven Adams with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Thunder head coach Billy Donovan says Durant is a team player that helps the Thunder score baskets.

Thunder is only Western Conference team to win each of its last 5 opening round series. #ThunderBasketball

— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) April 26, 2016

2012 NBA Finals MVP Dirk Nowitzki scored 24 points for the Mavericks. There’s much debate as to whether or not this will be the last game for the 37-year old power forward. Dallas head coach Rick Carlisle says he hopes this isn’t the last game for Dirk and he’s ready to get on a plane to Germany to recruit him to come back. Nowitzki also has the option to become a free agent next year.

Next up, Oklahoma City will take on the San Antonio Spurs in the second round of the playoff series.

Another thrilling Monday night playoff game was the Los Angeles Clippers at Portland Trailblazers. The Blazers defeated the Clippers 98-84 leaving the series is tied at 2-2.

The Clippers don’t have a lot in their favor right now having to cope with complications from two vital players on the team. Forward Blake Griffin is battling more trouble with his left quad, an injury that plagued him during the regular series. To add to that, Chris left the game due to a right hand injury in the third quarter. It is confirmed that Paul has a broken bone in the hand and it is very unlikely he’ll be back in the playoffs. Paul was averaging 26.3 points and 8.3 assists in the first three games of the series.

Top player for the Blazers was Al-Farouq Aminu who scored a career-high 30 points. Portland held the lead for the entire game and was able to pull through with a 14 point win over the Clippers.

Final: Portland 98, LA Clippers 84

Recap, via @CHold » https://t.co/6nYZxPOwBI pic.twitter.com/6hNRXnjVX7

— Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) April 26, 2016

Next up the Blazers will travel to Los Angeles Thursday for game five of the series.

Finally, the third game of the Monday night playoffs was the Miami Heat at the Charlotte Hornets.

The Hornets defeated the Heat 89-85 bring the series to a 2-2 tie. This is the Hornets first back to back playoff win since 2002. It was the 34 point career high gameplay of Kemba Walker who brought home the victory for the Hornets. Walker says the Hornets is a team that can adjust and bring the ball to the basket.

What brought the Heat down was their foul trouble and lack of rhythm in this game. Miami guards Dwayne Wade and Goran Dragic together committed nine fouls and nine turnovers. Top performer for the heat was Joe Johnson with 16 points.

New playoff career-high 34pts from @KembaWalker! Check out tonight's #HardwoodFacts presented by the @LibmanCompany📊 https://t.co/rMWEvKSHwz

— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) April 26, 2016

For Game 5, the Heat will be back in Miami Wednesday to try and regain the series lead.