76ers Sweep Nets With 96-88 Win In Brooklyn
By Dan Bruno
The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the host Brooklyn Nets, 96-88, in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference First-Round Playoffs at Barclays Center on Saturday.
Despite missing Joel Embiid (knee), the 76ers rallied late to close out their fourth consecutive win in the first round, completing the sweep and booking their ticket to the conference semi-finals. The Nets got out to a solid start in the game and led 29-22, after one quarter. The pace slowed down in the second, but the hosts stayed in control and pushed it to an eight-point game by halftime. The 76ers came out on another level in the third and outscored the Nets, 26-15, in the quarter to claim a three-point edge going into the final frame. The Sixers kept the momentum going in the fourth and poured in 30 points in the quarter to maintain the upper hand and close out the series.
Tobias Harris led the 76ers with 25 points, 12 rebounds, a steal and a block, in 37 minutes. James Harden followed up with 17 points, eight rebounds, 11 assists, a steal and a block, while Tyrese Maxey added 16 points, eight rebounds and two steals. The 76ers shot 39.6 percent from the field, including 9-of-24 from long range.
Meanwhile, Spencer Dinwiddie led the Nets with 20 points, three rebounds, six assists and a block, in 40 minutes. Nic Claxton followed up with 19 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks, while Mikal Bridges added 17 points, five rebounds and three assists. The Nets shot 41.3 percent from the field, including 9-of-37 from deep.
Despite missing Joel Embiid (knee), the 76ers rallied late to close out their fourth consecutive win in the first round, completing the sweep and booking their ticket to the conference semi-finals. The Nets got out to a solid start in the game and led 29-22, after one quarter. The pace slowed down in the second, but the hosts stayed in control and pushed it to an eight-point game by halftime. The 76ers came out on another level in the third and outscored the Nets, 26-15, in the quarter to claim a three-point edge going into the final frame. The Sixers kept the momentum going in the fourth and poured in 30 points in the quarter to maintain the upper hand and close out the series.
Tobias Harris led the 76ers with 25 points, 12 rebounds, a steal and a block, in 37 minutes. James Harden followed up with 17 points, eight rebounds, 11 assists, a steal and a block, while Tyrese Maxey added 16 points, eight rebounds and two steals. The 76ers shot 39.6 percent from the field, including 9-of-24 from long range.
Meanwhile, Spencer Dinwiddie led the Nets with 20 points, three rebounds, six assists and a block, in 40 minutes. Nic Claxton followed up with 19 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks, while Mikal Bridges added 17 points, five rebounds and three assists. The Nets shot 41.3 percent from the field, including 9-of-37 from deep.
Suns Defeat Clippers in Game 4, 112-100
The Phoenix Suns defeated the host Los Angeles Clippers, 112-100, in Game 4 of the Western Conference First-Round Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on Saturday.
There were six ties and six lead changes in this game, with neither team leading by more than 13 points. With that said, Phoenix outscored Los Angeles by at least four points in the final three quarters, outscoring them by 19 points. That allowed them to hold the lead for the closing 18 minutes. The Suns shot 49 percent from the field and 41 percent from three-point range while holding the Clippers to 44 percent from the field and 32 percent from long range. Phoenix also out-rebounded LA, 61-42, while out-assisting them, 25-19.
The Suns (3-1) were led by Kevin Durant, collecting 31 points, 11 rebounds and six assists. Devin Booker tallied 30 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and three steals. Chris Paul provided 19 points, four rebounds, nine assists, three steals and three blocks. Deandre Ayton amassed 15 points, 13 rebounds, two steals and two blocks.
The Clippers (1-3) were led by Russell Westbrook, finishing with 37 points, six rebounds and four assists. Norman Powell totaled 14 points and four rebounds. Ivica Zubac had four points and nine boards, while Terance Mann led the bench with 13 points, two rebounds and four assists. Kawhi Leonard and Paul George both missed this game.
Phoenix will look to close out this series at home on Tuesday.
There were six ties and six lead changes in this game, with neither team leading by more than 13 points. With that said, Phoenix outscored Los Angeles by at least four points in the final three quarters, outscoring them by 19 points. That allowed them to hold the lead for the closing 18 minutes. The Suns shot 49 percent from the field and 41 percent from three-point range while holding the Clippers to 44 percent from the field and 32 percent from long range. Phoenix also out-rebounded LA, 61-42, while out-assisting them, 25-19.
The Suns (3-1) were led by Kevin Durant, collecting 31 points, 11 rebounds and six assists. Devin Booker tallied 30 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and three steals. Chris Paul provided 19 points, four rebounds, nine assists, three steals and three blocks. Deandre Ayton amassed 15 points, 13 rebounds, two steals and two blocks.
The Clippers (1-3) were led by Russell Westbrook, finishing with 37 points, six rebounds and four assists. Norman Powell totaled 14 points and four rebounds. Ivica Zubac had four points and nine boards, while Terance Mann led the bench with 13 points, two rebounds and four assists. Kawhi Leonard and Paul George both missed this game.
Phoenix will look to close out this series at home on Tuesday.
Heat Take Series Lead With Dominant Win Over Bucks
The Miami Heat defeated the Milwaukee Bucks, 121-99, at Kaseya Center in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference First Round on Saturday. The Heat now lead the series 2-1.
The Heat took a 2-1 series lead and now look in a good position to pull the upset against the Bucks, though the team did suffer quite a few injuries. Victor Oladipo suffered a left knee injury late in the game, Jimmy Butler had to leave the contest due to two hard falls in the third quarter, and Caleb Martin had a shoulder problem. Still, the Heat managed to secure the win against a Bucks team that missed Giannis Antetokounmpo badly, as the star forward missed a second straight contest. The Heat set the tone early and dominated right from the get-go. They secured a 29-21 lead following the first quarter and bolstered their advantage to double digits following a 37-32 score in the second quarter. Not done yet, the Heat also won the final two quarters, 28-26 and 27-20, respectively, to cruise their way to victory. Game 4 will be played Monday.
Jimmy Butler led the way for the Heat with 30 points, but he also added five rebounds, four assists and two steals. Bam Adebayo had a 12-point, 11-rebound double-double, but he also added five assists and two steals. Max Strus also had 12 points. Kevin Love finished with six points and seven rebounds as a starter. Duncan Robinson shined off the bench with 20 points while going 5-for-6 from deep. Caleb Martin had 12 points and 11 rebounds. Kyle Lowry notched 15 points.
Khris Middleton led the way for the Bucks with 23 points, six assists and five rebounds in 34 minutes. Jrue Holiday recorded 19 points, five rebounds and three assists. Grayson Allen posted 14 points, four rebounds and two assists. Pat Connaughton delivered 11 points, seven rebounds and three assists off the bench.
The Heat took a 2-1 series lead and now look in a good position to pull the upset against the Bucks, though the team did suffer quite a few injuries. Victor Oladipo suffered a left knee injury late in the game, Jimmy Butler had to leave the contest due to two hard falls in the third quarter, and Caleb Martin had a shoulder problem. Still, the Heat managed to secure the win against a Bucks team that missed Giannis Antetokounmpo badly, as the star forward missed a second straight contest. The Heat set the tone early and dominated right from the get-go. They secured a 29-21 lead following the first quarter and bolstered their advantage to double digits following a 37-32 score in the second quarter. Not done yet, the Heat also won the final two quarters, 28-26 and 27-20, respectively, to cruise their way to victory. Game 4 will be played Monday.
Jimmy Butler led the way for the Heat with 30 points, but he also added five rebounds, four assists and two steals. Bam Adebayo had a 12-point, 11-rebound double-double, but he also added five assists and two steals. Max Strus also had 12 points. Kevin Love finished with six points and seven rebounds as a starter. Duncan Robinson shined off the bench with 20 points while going 5-for-6 from deep. Caleb Martin had 12 points and 11 rebounds. Kyle Lowry notched 15 points.
Khris Middleton led the way for the Bucks with 23 points, six assists and five rebounds in 34 minutes. Jrue Holiday recorded 19 points, five rebounds and three assists. Grayson Allen posted 14 points, four rebounds and two assists. Pat Connaughton delivered 11 points, seven rebounds and three assists off the bench.
Lakers Topple Grizzlies, 111-101
The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Memphis Grizzlies, 111-101, at Crypto.com Arena on Saturday night in Game 3 of their Western Conference quarterfinal-round series. The Lakers now lead the series, 2-1.
The Lakers (2-1) opened the game on an absolute tear, authoring one of the most dominant first quarters in recent postseason memory while forging a 35-9 lead through the first 12 minutes. The Grizzlies (1-2), which got Ja Morant back from a one-game absence due to a hand injury, unsurprisingly were more competitive during the second period while chipping 10 points from their deficit prior to halftime. However, there was instant motivation for Los Angeles to start the second half, as Dillon Brooks was ejected from the game for a flagrant-2 foul stemming from a low blow he committed against LeBron James. L.A. was able to subsequently emerge from the third quarter with their advantage back up to 20 points, and although Memphis was able to outscore the home squad by a 33-23 margin in the final 12 minutes, they still came up short by 10.
Morant led the way for the Grizzlies with 45 points, adding 13 assists and nine rebounds. Desmond Bane supplied 18 points, five rebounds, two assists and one steal. Jaren Jackson furnished 13 points, five boards and two steals.
Anthony Davis paced the Lakers with 31 points, complementing them with 17 rebounds, two assists, three blocks and two steals. James registered 25 points, nine boards, five assists, one steal and one block. D'Angelo Russell delivered 17 points, seven assists, four rebounds and one steal. Rui Hachimura totaled 16 points, five rebounds and one steal. Austin Reaves managed 13 points, six boards, two assists and one steal.
The two teams reconvene Monday night in Los Angeles for Game 4.
The Lakers (2-1) opened the game on an absolute tear, authoring one of the most dominant first quarters in recent postseason memory while forging a 35-9 lead through the first 12 minutes. The Grizzlies (1-2), which got Ja Morant back from a one-game absence due to a hand injury, unsurprisingly were more competitive during the second period while chipping 10 points from their deficit prior to halftime. However, there was instant motivation for Los Angeles to start the second half, as Dillon Brooks was ejected from the game for a flagrant-2 foul stemming from a low blow he committed against LeBron James. L.A. was able to subsequently emerge from the third quarter with their advantage back up to 20 points, and although Memphis was able to outscore the home squad by a 33-23 margin in the final 12 minutes, they still came up short by 10.
Morant led the way for the Grizzlies with 45 points, adding 13 assists and nine rebounds. Desmond Bane supplied 18 points, five rebounds, two assists and one steal. Jaren Jackson furnished 13 points, five boards and two steals.
Anthony Davis paced the Lakers with 31 points, complementing them with 17 rebounds, two assists, three blocks and two steals. James registered 25 points, nine boards, five assists, one steal and one block. D'Angelo Russell delivered 17 points, seven assists, four rebounds and one steal. Rui Hachimura totaled 16 points, five rebounds and one steal. Austin Reaves managed 13 points, six boards, two assists and one steal.
The two teams reconvene Monday night in Los Angeles for Game 4.