76ers Edge Nets, 102-97
The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Brooklyn Nets, 102-97, at Barclays Center on Thursday night in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series. The 76ers hold a 3-0 series lead.
The rollercoaster fittingly turned on how the final few minutes unfolded, with the 76ers (3-0) managing to ultimately atone for a disastrous third quarter. The first half had gone very well for Philadelphia, which had expanded a four-point first-quarter lead to 11 by halftime. However, the desperate Nets (0-3) outscored Philadelphia by a 35-18 margin in the third quarter to take a six-point advantage into the final period. Brooklyn still owned a five-point edge with as little as 2:15 remaining, but the Sixers' 11-1 run over the final 2:03 sealed the comeback, with a bad inbounds pass by Royce O'Neale with 6.1 seconds left snuffing out the home squad's chance for a game-tying three-point attempt. The second half included ejections of James Harden for a flagrant-2 foul against O'Neale and Nic Claxton for a second technical.
Tyrese Maxey led the 76ers with 25 points, adding three rebounds, three assists and one steal. Harden finished with 21 points, five boards and four assists. Tobias Harris registered 15 points, seven rebounds and one assist. Joel Embiid generated a 14-point, 10-rebound double-double that included two assists, two blocks and one steal. De'Anthony Melton turned in 13 points, two rebounds, one assist and three steals.
Mikal Bridges paced the Nets with 26 points, supplementing six rebounds, five assists, one steal and one block. Spencer Dinwiddie furnished 20 points, seven assists, three rebounds and two steals. Claxton posted 18 points, four rebounds, two assists and one steal. Cameron Johnson provided 17 points, five rebounds and four assists.
The teams reconvene at Barclays Center for Game 4 on Saturday afternoon.
The rollercoaster fittingly turned on how the final few minutes unfolded, with the 76ers (3-0) managing to ultimately atone for a disastrous third quarter. The first half had gone very well for Philadelphia, which had expanded a four-point first-quarter lead to 11 by halftime. However, the desperate Nets (0-3) outscored Philadelphia by a 35-18 margin in the third quarter to take a six-point advantage into the final period. Brooklyn still owned a five-point edge with as little as 2:15 remaining, but the Sixers' 11-1 run over the final 2:03 sealed the comeback, with a bad inbounds pass by Royce O'Neale with 6.1 seconds left snuffing out the home squad's chance for a game-tying three-point attempt. The second half included ejections of James Harden for a flagrant-2 foul against O'Neale and Nic Claxton for a second technical.
Tyrese Maxey led the 76ers with 25 points, adding three rebounds, three assists and one steal. Harden finished with 21 points, five boards and four assists. Tobias Harris registered 15 points, seven rebounds and one assist. Joel Embiid generated a 14-point, 10-rebound double-double that included two assists, two blocks and one steal. De'Anthony Melton turned in 13 points, two rebounds, one assist and three steals.
Mikal Bridges paced the Nets with 26 points, supplementing six rebounds, five assists, one steal and one block. Spencer Dinwiddie furnished 20 points, seven assists, three rebounds and two steals. Claxton posted 18 points, four rebounds, two assists and one steal. Cameron Johnson provided 17 points, five rebounds and four assists.
The teams reconvene at Barclays Center for Game 4 on Saturday afternoon.
Warriors Rally To First Win Of The Series
By Dan Bruno
The Golden State Warriors defeated the visiting Sacramento Kings, 114-97, in Game 3 of the Western Conference First-Round Playoffs at Chase Center on Thursday.
Despite missing Draymond Green (suspension), the Warriors jumped out to a strong start and held a 29-20 lead after one quarter. The Kings cut it to a four-point game early in the second, but the hosts kept the upper hand and pushed it to a 12-point game by halftime. Both sides brought a strong effort in the third, as they matched each other with 31 points apiece and the Warriors maintained a 12-point cushion heading into the final frame. The Warriors did not give up any ground in the fourth and rallied to their first win of the series.
Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 36 points, six rebounds, three assists, two steals and a block, in 37 minutes. Andrew Wiggins followed up with 20 points, seven rebounds, three assists and a block, while Jordan Poole added 16 points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals. The Warriors shot 40 percent from the field, including 16-of-50 from deep.
Meanwhile, De'Aaron Fox led the Kings with 26 points, 10 rebounds, nine assists and two steals, in 38 minutes. Harrison Barnes followed up with 17 points on 6-of-10 shooting, while Domantas Sabonis logged 15 points, 16 rebounds, four assists and two steals. The Kings shot 38 percent from the field, including 11-of-47 from long range,
Despite missing Draymond Green (suspension), the Warriors jumped out to a strong start and held a 29-20 lead after one quarter. The Kings cut it to a four-point game early in the second, but the hosts kept the upper hand and pushed it to a 12-point game by halftime. Both sides brought a strong effort in the third, as they matched each other with 31 points apiece and the Warriors maintained a 12-point cushion heading into the final frame. The Warriors did not give up any ground in the fourth and rallied to their first win of the series.
Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 36 points, six rebounds, three assists, two steals and a block, in 37 minutes. Andrew Wiggins followed up with 20 points, seven rebounds, three assists and a block, while Jordan Poole added 16 points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals. The Warriors shot 40 percent from the field, including 16-of-50 from deep.
Meanwhile, De'Aaron Fox led the Kings with 26 points, 10 rebounds, nine assists and two steals, in 38 minutes. Harrison Barnes followed up with 17 points on 6-of-10 shooting, while Domantas Sabonis logged 15 points, 16 rebounds, four assists and two steals. The Kings shot 38 percent from the field, including 11-of-47 from long range,
Suns Defeat Clippers in Game 3, 129-124, Up 2-1
The Phoenix Suns defeated the host Los Angeles Clippers, 129-124, in Game 3 of the Western Conference First-Round Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on Thursday.
Phoenix leads this series 2-1.
While there were five ties and five lead changes through the opening 20 minutes, Phoenix never relinquished the lead in the second half. They outscored LA in the middle quarters, 67-58, with LA never attempting a game-tying shot in the second half. The Suns out-rebounded the Clippers on the offensive end, 15-6, while outscoring them in second-chance points, 14-5. Phoenix also recorded 12 steals, winning the turnover battle, 18-13. The Suns shot 35-of-46 from the free-throw line, while the Clips hit just 19-of-25.
The Suns (2-1) were led by Devin Booker, collecting 45 points, seven rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks while shooting 18-of-29 from the field. Kevin Durant collected 28 points, six rebounds, five assists and two steals. Deandre Ayton amassed 12 points and 11 rebounds, while Chris Paul provided 11 points, five rebounds, seven assists and three steals.
The Clippers (1-2) were led by Norman Powell, tallying 42 points, five rebounds and three assists. Russell Westbrook finished with 30 points, eight rebounds, 11 assists and three steals. Bones Hyland led the bench with 20 points and two assists.
These teams will return to action on Saturday.
Phoenix leads this series 2-1.
While there were five ties and five lead changes through the opening 20 minutes, Phoenix never relinquished the lead in the second half. They outscored LA in the middle quarters, 67-58, with LA never attempting a game-tying shot in the second half. The Suns out-rebounded the Clippers on the offensive end, 15-6, while outscoring them in second-chance points, 14-5. Phoenix also recorded 12 steals, winning the turnover battle, 18-13. The Suns shot 35-of-46 from the free-throw line, while the Clips hit just 19-of-25.
The Suns (2-1) were led by Devin Booker, collecting 45 points, seven rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks while shooting 18-of-29 from the field. Kevin Durant collected 28 points, six rebounds, five assists and two steals. Deandre Ayton amassed 12 points and 11 rebounds, while Chris Paul provided 11 points, five rebounds, seven assists and three steals.
The Clippers (1-2) were led by Norman Powell, tallying 42 points, five rebounds and three assists. Russell Westbrook finished with 30 points, eight rebounds, 11 assists and three steals. Bones Hyland led the bench with 20 points and two assists.
These teams will return to action on Saturday.