DENNIS Schröder delivered clutch baskets as Detroit Pistons escaped with a 100-94 victory over New York Knicks in Game 2 of the NBA Eastern Conference first round series on Monday night (Tuesday in the Philippines) at the Madison Square Garden in New York.
After seeing their early double-digit lead turned to a 94-all score late in the fourth quarter, Schröder broke the deadlock with a booming three-pointers to give the Pistons a 97-94 lead with 55 seconds left.
Following missed opportunities for the Knicks to tie the score, the Pistons wrapped up the win with a split free throw from Schröder and two free throws from Jalen Duren with three seconds remaining.
Schröder finished the game with 20 points, including three three-point conversions, to go with three assists and two rebounds as the Pistons tied the best-of-seven series at 1-1.
Cade Cunningham led the way with a double-double of 33 points and 12 rebounds, Tobias Harris added 15 markers and 13 boards, and Duren contributed 12 points and 13 rebounds for the Pistons.
Jalen Brunson top-scored for the Knicks with 37 points and seven assists, Mikal Bridges added 19 markers, while Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, and Josh Hart contributed 10 points apiece.
Meanwhile, Los Angeles Clippers knocked down timely baskets in the endgame to score a 105-102 Game 2 victory over Denver Nuggets, tying their best-of-seven Western Conference first round series at 1-1.
With the score tied at 100-all, the Clippers broke the deadlock with a three-pointer from Norman Powell, but the Nuggets managed to cut the deficit to 102-103 on two free throws by Nikola Jokic.
The Clippers stretched the lead back to three points at 105-102 after a basket from Kawhi Leonard. The Nuggets still had a chance to tie the score but Jokic missed on two three-point attempts.
Leonard top-scored for the Clippers with 39 points, including four triples, James Harden added 18 markers, while Ivica Zubac and Powell contributed 16 and 13 points, respectively./PN
BOX SCORE:
DETROIT 100 — Cunningham 33, Schröder 20, Harris 15, Duren 12, Beasley 9, Reed 6, Thompson 5, Hardaway 0, Holland 0.
NEW YORK 94 — Brunson 37, Bridges 19, Towns 10, Anunoby 10, Hart 10, McBride 8, Robinson 0, Payne 0, Shamet 0.
Quarterscores: 25-18, 55-49, 75-67, 100-94.
