Celtics Top 76ers, 114-102
The Boston Celtics defeated the Philadelphia 76ers, 114-102, at Wells Fargo Center on Friday night in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference semifinal-round series. The Celtics lead the series, 2-1.
The Celtics (2-1) undoubtedly came into Friday night's road clash expecting to see a 76ers (1-2) squad out for atonement after an embarrassing Game 2 loss, but after exiting the first quarter with a one-point deficit, Boston managed to take a seven-point lead into halftime. The visitors then managed to avoid any type of third-quarter resurgence on Philadelphia's part by forging a 31-27 advantage during the period, and the defending Eastern Conference champs subsequently finished on a 14-6 run over the final 3:25 to seal the victory.
Jayson Tatum led the way for the Celtics with 27 points, adding 10 rebounds, five assists, two steals and one block. Jaylen Brown supplied 23 points, seven boards, five assists, one steal and one block. Al Horford registered 17 points, seven rebounds, two assists and two steals. Marcus Smart and Malcolm Brogdon generated matching 15-point tallies, with Smart also contributing four assists and three steals and Brogdon recording six dimes and three rebounds. Derrick White provided 13 points, six rebounds and two assists.
Joel Embiid paced the 76ers with a 30-point, 13-rebound double-double that also included three assists, four blocks and one steal. James Harden generated a 16-point, 11-assist double-double that included six rebounds and one steal. De'Anthony Melton totaled 14 points, eight rebounds, one assist, four steals and one block. Tyrese Maxey furnished 13 points, six rebounds, two assists and two blocks. Georges Niang poured in 10 points.
The two teams reconvene for Game 4 on Sunday afternoon.
The Celtics (2-1) undoubtedly came into Friday night's road clash expecting to see a 76ers (1-2) squad out for atonement after an embarrassing Game 2 loss, but after exiting the first quarter with a one-point deficit, Boston managed to take a seven-point lead into halftime. The visitors then managed to avoid any type of third-quarter resurgence on Philadelphia's part by forging a 31-27 advantage during the period, and the defending Eastern Conference champs subsequently finished on a 14-6 run over the final 3:25 to seal the victory.
Jayson Tatum led the way for the Celtics with 27 points, adding 10 rebounds, five assists, two steals and one block. Jaylen Brown supplied 23 points, seven boards, five assists, one steal and one block. Al Horford registered 17 points, seven rebounds, two assists and two steals. Marcus Smart and Malcolm Brogdon generated matching 15-point tallies, with Smart also contributing four assists and three steals and Brogdon recording six dimes and three rebounds. Derrick White provided 13 points, six rebounds and two assists.
Joel Embiid paced the 76ers with a 30-point, 13-rebound double-double that also included three assists, four blocks and one steal. James Harden generated a 16-point, 11-assist double-double that included six rebounds and one steal. De'Anthony Melton totaled 14 points, eight rebounds, one assist, four steals and one block. Tyrese Maxey furnished 13 points, six rebounds, two assists and two blocks. Georges Niang poured in 10 points.
The two teams reconvene for Game 4 on Sunday afternoon.
Suns Defeat Nuggets in Game 3, 121-114
The Phoenix Suns defeated the visiting Denver Nuggets, 121-114, in Game 3 of the Western Conference Semi-Finals at Footprint Center on Friday.
Denver leads this series, 2-1. Game 4 will be in Phoenix on Sunday.
While there were 18 lead changes in this game, almost all of those happened in the first half. Phoenix got out to a game-high 16-point lead just before the half, thanks to a 38-21 second quarter. That allowed them to hold the lead for all but one minute in the second half, despite Denver outscoring them in the third quarter, 36-23. The Suns shot 51 percent from the field while holding the Nuggets to 44 percent shooting. Phoenix also outscored Denver in fastbreak points, 23-11.
The Nuggets (2-1) were led by Jamal Murray, tallying 32 points, six rebounds and five assists. Nikola Jokic collected 28 points, 17 rebounds and 17 assists. Michael Porter Jr provided 21 points and 12 rebounds. Aaron Gordon accrued 11 points, seven rebounds and two blocks, while Bruce Brown led the bench with 11 points, three rebounds and three assists.
The Suns (1-2) were led by Devin Booker, finishing with 47 points, six rebounds, nine assists and three steals on 20-of-25 from the field. Kevin Durant had 39 points, nine rebounds, eight assists and two blocks. No other player had more than seven points. Jock Landale provided six points and nine rebounds off the bench, while Deandre Ayton amassed four points and nine boards.
Denver leads this series, 2-1. Game 4 will be in Phoenix on Sunday.
While there were 18 lead changes in this game, almost all of those happened in the first half. Phoenix got out to a game-high 16-point lead just before the half, thanks to a 38-21 second quarter. That allowed them to hold the lead for all but one minute in the second half, despite Denver outscoring them in the third quarter, 36-23. The Suns shot 51 percent from the field while holding the Nuggets to 44 percent shooting. Phoenix also outscored Denver in fastbreak points, 23-11.
The Nuggets (2-1) were led by Jamal Murray, tallying 32 points, six rebounds and five assists. Nikola Jokic collected 28 points, 17 rebounds and 17 assists. Michael Porter Jr provided 21 points and 12 rebounds. Aaron Gordon accrued 11 points, seven rebounds and two blocks, while Bruce Brown led the bench with 11 points, three rebounds and three assists.
The Suns (1-2) were led by Devin Booker, finishing with 47 points, six rebounds, nine assists and three steals on 20-of-25 from the field. Kevin Durant had 39 points, nine rebounds, eight assists and two blocks. No other player had more than seven points. Jock Landale provided six points and nine rebounds off the bench, while Deandre Ayton amassed four points and nine boards.