James Harden Leads 76ers Past Celtics
The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Boston Celtics, 119-115, at TD Garden in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals on Monday. The Celtics lead the series 1-0.
The 76ers were without Joel Embiid in the series opener, but James Harden stepped up to lead Philadelphia to a road win Monday. The Celtics looked good in the early going and had some dominant stretches, but they could not close things out when they had the chance. A late three-pointer from Harden closed things out for Philly. The Celtics grabbed the lead in the first quarter and jumped out to a 38-31 score in the first quarter. However, the 76ers responded with a 32-28 score in the second quarter. Boston still had the lead in the second half, but the third quarter ended in a tie following a 24-21 score for the 76ers. Things went back and forth in the final 12 minutes, but the 76ers executed better down the stretch and got the win.
James Harden matched his playoff-best scoring mark and delivered 45 points to lead the 76ers to victory. He also added six assists and two steals. Tyrese Maxey finished with 26 points and four steals. Paul Reed had a double-double of 10 points and 13 rebounds, but he also added two assists. Tobias Harris recorded 18 points, five rebounds and three assists. De’Anthony Melton delivered 17 points and two assists.
Jayson Tatum led the way for the Celtics with 39 points, 11 rebounds and five assists. Jaylen Brown finished with 23 points, six boards, four assists and a steal. Marcus Smart had 12 points, seven assists and three rebounds. Al Horford finished with 11 points, six boards and three dimes. Malcolm Brogdon dazzled off the bench and finished with 20 points, three rebounds and three assists.
The 76ers were without Joel Embiid in the series opener, but James Harden stepped up to lead Philadelphia to a road win Monday. The Celtics looked good in the early going and had some dominant stretches, but they could not close things out when they had the chance. A late three-pointer from Harden closed things out for Philly. The Celtics grabbed the lead in the first quarter and jumped out to a 38-31 score in the first quarter. However, the 76ers responded with a 32-28 score in the second quarter. Boston still had the lead in the second half, but the third quarter ended in a tie following a 24-21 score for the 76ers. Things went back and forth in the final 12 minutes, but the 76ers executed better down the stretch and got the win.
James Harden matched his playoff-best scoring mark and delivered 45 points to lead the 76ers to victory. He also added six assists and two steals. Tyrese Maxey finished with 26 points and four steals. Paul Reed had a double-double of 10 points and 13 rebounds, but he also added two assists. Tobias Harris recorded 18 points, five rebounds and three assists. De’Anthony Melton delivered 17 points and two assists.
Jayson Tatum led the way for the Celtics with 39 points, 11 rebounds and five assists. Jaylen Brown finished with 23 points, six boards, four assists and a steal. Marcus Smart had 12 points, seven assists and three rebounds. Al Horford finished with 11 points, six boards and three dimes. Malcolm Brogdon dazzled off the bench and finished with 20 points, three rebounds and three assists.
Nuggets Rally To Top Suns In Game 2
By Dan Bruno
The Denver Nuggets defeated the visiting Phoenix Suns, 97-87, in Game 2 of the Western Conference Semi-Finals at Ball Arena on Tuesday.
The game got out to a slow start as the Suns led, 21-18, after one quarter. Neither side could pull away in the second, while the Nuggets trimmed it to a two-point deficit by halftime. The pace picked up in the third and the Suns opened up an eight-point lead, but the Nuggets rallied back to cut down to a three-point game heading into the final frame. The hosts kept the momentum going in the fourth and outscored the Suns, 27-14, in the quarter to complete the comeback win and take a 2-0 series lead.
Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with 39 points, 16 rebounds, five assists, two steals and a block, in 41 minutes. Aaron Gordon followed up with 16 points, two steals and a block, while Kentavious Caldwell-Pope tallied 14 points, five rebounds, two assists and a steal. The Nuggets shot 47.4 percent from the field, including 7-of-27 from long range.
Meanwhile, Devin Booker led the Suns with 35 points, five rebounds and six assists, in 45 minutes of action. Kevin Durant followed up with 24 points, eight rebounds, three assists, two blocks and a steal, while Deandre Ayton added 14 points, eight rebounds, four assists and a block. The Suns shot 40 percent from the field, including 6-of-31 from deep.
Game 3 is scheduled for Friday in Phoenix.
The game got out to a slow start as the Suns led, 21-18, after one quarter. Neither side could pull away in the second, while the Nuggets trimmed it to a two-point deficit by halftime. The pace picked up in the third and the Suns opened up an eight-point lead, but the Nuggets rallied back to cut down to a three-point game heading into the final frame. The hosts kept the momentum going in the fourth and outscored the Suns, 27-14, in the quarter to complete the comeback win and take a 2-0 series lead.
Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with 39 points, 16 rebounds, five assists, two steals and a block, in 41 minutes. Aaron Gordon followed up with 16 points, two steals and a block, while Kentavious Caldwell-Pope tallied 14 points, five rebounds, two assists and a steal. The Nuggets shot 47.4 percent from the field, including 7-of-27 from long range.
Meanwhile, Devin Booker led the Suns with 35 points, five rebounds and six assists, in 45 minutes of action. Kevin Durant followed up with 24 points, eight rebounds, three assists, two blocks and a steal, while Deandre Ayton added 14 points, eight rebounds, four assists and a block. The Suns shot 40 percent from the field, including 6-of-31 from deep.
Game 3 is scheduled for Friday in Phoenix.