The second round of the NBA playoffs began Sunday in Cleveland, mere hours before the first round of the playoffs ended in Houston. The Indiana Pacers stole home-court advantage from the Cleveland Cavaliers, while the Golden State Warriors sent the second-seeded Houston Rockets out of the playoffs.
Golden State Warriors guard Buddy Hield | 33 points, 12-of -15, 9 3PM
Buddy Hield tied an NBA playoff record for Game Sevens by sinking nine three-pointers, outshooting the Houston Rockets (six threes) by himself from behind the arc in a series-winning 103-89 win. Hield was unconscious on his deep shots, including a buzzer-beating 42-footer to end the first quarter.
BUDDY FROM NEAR HALFCOURT TO END THE FIRST
— NBA (@NBA) May 5, 2025
WARRIORS LEADING BY 4 AFTER 1Q!
Game 7 on TNT pic.twitter.com/d9FYshq0id
While the Rockets were shutting down Stephen Curry early in Game 7, Hield was making everything. He finished 12-of-15 on the game and hit nine of his 11 three-point attempts in a game he will never forget. Not known for his defense or his distributing, Hield still finished with three assists, a steal and two blocks.
His nine three-pointers tied the NBA record for triples in a Game 7, a record set last year by Donte DiVincenzo. Now the Warriors are moving on to face DiVincenzo's Minnesota Timberwolves in the second round.
Golden State Warriors center Draymond Green | 16 points, six rebounds, five assists
It sounds strange to talk about Draymond Green playing a calm, impactful Game 7 when he still picked up a technical foul for shoving an opposing player after a foul. But the Defensive Player of the Year finalist had a huge game for Golden State, shooting 7-of-15 and scoring 16 points in a game where the Rockets focused their defense on Stephen Curry.
Draymond Green's got the hot hand early
— NBA (@NBA) May 5, 2025
He's got 8 of GSW's first 13 PTS in Game 7 on TNT!#NBAPlayoffs presented by Google pic.twitter.com/XX8GwwSnZY
His offense was essential in a game where Curry didn't score until the final seconds of the second quarter. Green had five assists and only a single turnover, while on defense, he had a steal and two blocks, holding Rockets All-Star Alperen Sengun to 21 points, but on 9-of-23 shooting.
Plus, zero flagrant fouls! That shouldn't be impressive, but by Green standards, it was a disciplined, gentle game.
Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton | 22 points, 13 assists, 3 blocks
It's tempting to give this honor to Indiana Pacers wings Andrew Nembhard (23 points, 7-of-10 shooting, +21) or Aaron Nesmith (17 points, four 3PM, eight rebounds) after the Pacers made over half their shots while beating the Cleveland Cavaliers, 121-112. But it was Tyrese Haliburton who delivered 13 assists, scored 22 points and turned the ball over only a single time.
Haliburton orchestrating on both ends
— NBA (@NBA) May 5, 2025
Gets the stop, pushes it ahead, and finds Siakam for the OPEN fastbreak layup!!
Pacers leading the Cavs in the 4Q of Game 1 on TNT. pic.twitter.com/wEuvx9TZdq
In the fourth quarter, Haliburton helped shut down a Cavaliers comeback with nine points and three assists. He also delivered two blocked shots on consecutive possessions, showing off his preternatural ability to block three-point shots. In the final 6:21, Haliburton had seven points, three assists, two blocks and some back-breaking baskets that iced the upset victory.
what a move by Tyrese Haliburton to extend the lead to 10 late in the fourth pic.twitter.com/NlWQytMJNM
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) May 5, 2025
The 64-18 Cavaliers are formidable, but Haliburton in the playoffs is tough for even the best NBA teams.
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