Kawhi Leonard and a raucous home crowd in Toronto willed the Raptors to a crucial Game 3 victory Sunday night in the Eastern Conference Finals. That trimmed the Bucks’ series lead to 2-1. The series continues with Game 4 on Tuesday in Toronto, where the Raptors can even things up, or the Bucks can take a commanding 3-1 lead. Meanwhile, in the other conference finals, the still-Kevin-Durant-less Warriors can finish off a sweep of the Trail Blazers tonight with another road victory. So Portland hopes to at least bring the series back to Oakland for a Game 5. And the Pelicans continue to have a good offseason, nabbing hot GM prospect Trajan Langdon to run their squad under David Griffin’s watch.
It took a masterpiece from Kawhi Leonard, Giannis Antetokounmpo fouling out and two overtimes, but the Raptors finally have their first Eastern Conference Finals victory.
🏀 GAME 3 FINAL SCORE 🏀
Kawhi Leonard goes for 36 PTS, 9 REB, 5 AST and the @Raptors (1-2) outlast MIL in DOUBLE OT to take Game 3! #NBAPlayoffs #WeTheNorth 118#FearTheDeer 112
Pascal Siakam: 25 PTS, 11 REB
Norman Powell: 19 PTS
Marc Gasol: 16 PTS, 12 REB, 7 AST, 5 BLK pic.twitter.com/VfoaVpoxiL— NBA (@NBA) May 20, 2019
But in the Western Conference, Portland missed chances in the past two games. Now the Blazers must fend off a sweep just to keep things going.
ONE. WIN. AWAY.
The Warriors rally back from a double-digit deficit in Game 3 to take a 3-0 series lead on the Blazers. pic.twitter.com/uNA8wJZiYt
— ESPN (@espn) May 19, 2019
The Pelicans were after David Griffin and Trajan Langdon to run their personnel department when Dell Demps was fired. Turns out, they got both — and the No. 1 pick, too.
Trajan Langdon interviewed for the position David Griffin was hired for.
The Pelicans ended up with him anyway.
Langdon has been highly regarded across the league from his tenure in Brooklyn and San Antonio. Another big name hire for Pels front office. https://t.co/maCC5VGD7c
— Scott Kushner (@ScottDKushner) May 19, 2019
Minnesota has found a new coach, with Ryan Saunders set up to be the next man in charge of getting playoff appearances from Karl-Anthony Towns and company.
Ryan Saunders has reached agreement on a multiyear deal to become the new head coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves, league sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 20, 2019
Speaking of coaches, Mike D’Antoni has suffered some heartbreaking playoff defeats the past couple of years … but he’s back for more.
ESPN story on Houston and Mike D’Antoni beginning extension talks. “I’ve let [Rockets] know that I’m energized to keep coaching — and believe that I can continue to do this at a high-level for at least another three years,” D’Antoni, 68, tells ESPN. https://t.co/S5z2YYgMDs
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 20, 2019
TOP STORIES
• Leonard scores 36, Raptors beat Bucks 118-112 in 2 OTs | Associated Press
• Warriors take 3-0 lead into game 4 against the Trail Blazers | Associated Press
• Pelicans hire Trajan Langdon as new general manager | NOLA.com
• Sources: Wolves finalizing deal with Saunders | ESPN.com
