The NBA playoffs standings in the first round has the Chicago Bulls leading the Milwaukee Bucks 2-0 in their series, while the Golden State Warriors are also leading by two games after wins on Monday night in Game 2 and now the teams will pick up with Game 3 this week as the postseason continues and the Cavaliers are also up 2-0 on the Celtics.
Derrick Rose has looked strong for the Bulls over the first two games and Chicago is looking like the team that many thought could make a run to the finals. Jimmy Butler led the way with 31 points and Joakim Noah was very impressive with 19 rebounds in the contest. Rose led the way with nine assists in the matchup and the Bulls won 91-82.
The Bulls won their first two games at home and while the Bucks kept it close at times, Chicago was able to pull away at the end and now they have the chance to go up 3-0 in the series. The Bucks led after the first quarter, but the Bulls outscored the team in each of the next three quarters to get things done. Rose being healthy is a game changer for the Bulls and could make a huge impact on the east playoffs.
The Warriors won their second game in a row at home after defeating the Pelicans over the weekend and now they are up 2-0 in the series. Golden State has only lost twice at home all season and they come in after winning 97-87 against New Orleans. The Pelicans had a first quarter lead by 11 points, but the Warriors stormed back and outscored the Pelicans 38-24 in the second quarter.
Steph Curry led the way with six assists, while Klay Thompson had 26 points and Andrew Bogut had 14 rebounds for Golden State. Anthony Davis had another impressive performance after his playoffs debut, putting up 26 points to lead the Pelicans. Omer Asik had 13 rebounds, while Tyreke Evans led with seven assists for New Orleans. LeBron James and the Cavaliers remain the favorites in the east with the Hawks, while the Warriors are the top team out west.
The series will pick up again on Thursday and the locations will shift, with Chicago visiting the Bucks in Milwaukee and the Warriors traveling to play New Orleans. The Tuesday schedule has the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers matching up along with the Wizards and Raptors and the Mavericks against the Rockets. The Wednesday schedule has the Brooklyn Nets playing game 2 against the Hawks, Memphis hosting the Blazers and the Clippers hosting the Spurs in Los Angeles.