The 2024 NBA Playoffs are heating up on Saturday with eight teams participating. Things started with the Magic defeating the Cavaliers 112-89, with the series tied at 2-2. The top-seeded Thunder then won 106-85 in New Orleans to take a 3-0 series lead. The Celtics defeated the Heat in Game 3 on Saturday, giving them a 2-1 series advantage. The Lakers avoided a sweep against the Nuggets on Saturday night with a win and also ended an ignominious losing streak against the defending champions.
Defense is the name of the game for the Cavs and Magic, as the losing team has yet to score more than 89 points in a series. Cleveland was held to a season-low 29 points in the second half, but Orlando's Franz Wagner had 34 points and 11 rebounds.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 24 points for the eighth-seeded Pelicans, but they were unable to advance against the Thunder at home. With the Pelicans one loss away from being eliminated in the first round, Lou Dort (12 points) played a role in locking up Brandon Ingram.
Game 3 between the Celtics and Heat was by no means a close game, with four of Boston's five starters scoring in double figures and Jayson Tatum's 22-point outburst.
In the nightcap, the Lakers were able to hold on for their first playoff win. Despite Nikola Jokic's triple-double, LeBron James and Anthony Davis kept the champions at bay. James dropped 30 points, while Davis added 25 points and 23 rebounds.
NBA Playoffs Scores: Saturday, April 27th
- Game 4: Magic 112, Cavaliers 89 (Series tied 2-2) — Recap
- Game 3: Thunder 106, Pelicans 85 (OKC leads 3-0) — Summary
- Game 3: Celtics 104, Heat 84 (BOS leads 2-1) — Recap
- Game 4: Lakers 119, Nuggets 109 (DEN leads 2-1) — Summary
CBS Sports provided live updates, analysis and highlights throughout Saturday's schedule. Please follow below.
