Sixers Defeat Celtics in OT, 116-115, Even Series 2-2
The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the visiting Boston Celtics in overtime, 116-115, in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference First-Round Playoffs at Wells Fargo Center on Sunday.
This series is tied, 2-2. Boston will play host in Game 5 on Tuesday.
There were 10 ties and 12 lead changes in this game, taking an overtime session to determine a winner. James Harden was the hero, hitting a game-winning three with 19 seconds left. Boston actually made what looked like a game-winning shot, but it came after the buzzer. Philadelphia recorded nine steals to Boston's three, winning the turnover battle, 10-7. They also outscored the Celtics in second-chance points, 19-9.
The Celtics (2-2) were led by Jayson Tatum, tallying 24 points, 18 rebounds, six assists and four blocks. Jaylen Brown had 23 points, three rebounds and five assists. Marcus Smart generated 21 points, three rebounds and seven assists, while Al Horford had 10 points, seven rebounds, four assists, two steals and five blocks. Malcolm Brogdon led the bench with 19 points, eight rebounds and two assists.
The Sixers (2-2) were led by James Harden, collecting 42 points, eight rebounds, nine assists and four steals. Joel Embiid finished with 34 points, 13 rebounds and four assists. Tyrese Maxey totaled 14 points and eight rebounds. Tobias Harris accrued nine points, seven rebounds and two assists.
This series is tied, 2-2. Boston will play host in Game 5 on Tuesday.
There were 10 ties and 12 lead changes in this game, taking an overtime session to determine a winner. James Harden was the hero, hitting a game-winning three with 19 seconds left. Boston actually made what looked like a game-winning shot, but it came after the buzzer. Philadelphia recorded nine steals to Boston's three, winning the turnover battle, 10-7. They also outscored the Celtics in second-chance points, 19-9.
The Celtics (2-2) were led by Jayson Tatum, tallying 24 points, 18 rebounds, six assists and four blocks. Jaylen Brown had 23 points, three rebounds and five assists. Marcus Smart generated 21 points, three rebounds and seven assists, while Al Horford had 10 points, seven rebounds, four assists, two steals and five blocks. Malcolm Brogdon led the bench with 19 points, eight rebounds and two assists.
The Sixers (2-2) were led by James Harden, collecting 42 points, eight rebounds, nine assists and four steals. Joel Embiid finished with 34 points, 13 rebounds and four assists. Tyrese Maxey totaled 14 points and eight rebounds. Tobias Harris accrued nine points, seven rebounds and two assists.
Suns Get Past Nuggets, 129-124
The Phoenix Suns defeated the Denver Nuggets, 129-124, at Footprint Center on Sunday night in Game 4 of their Western Conference semifinal-round series. The series is tied 2-2.
The Nuggets (2-2) came into the night trying to atone for a Game 3 loss and take a commanding 3-1 series lead back to Ball Arena, and they got off to a good start in that regard by forging a 34-32 lead through one. However, the Suns (2-2) fought back to take a two-point advantage into halftime, and they'd extended it to six points heading into the final period. That cushion would prove to be critical, as it came in especially handy when Denver closed to within three points with 1:08 remaining before T.J. Warren, Kevin Durant and Landry Shamet sunk a total of six late free throws to seal the victory.
Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with a 53-point, 11-assist double-double that included four rebounds and one block. Jamal Murray supplied 28 points, seven assists, five rebounds and one steal. Michael Porter generated an 11-point, 10-rebound double-double that included four assists, one steal and one block. Aaron Gordon matched Porter's scoring total and added six rebounds, three assists and one steal. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope poured in 10 points.
Devin Booker and Durant co-led the Suns with matching 36-point contributions, with Booker adding 12 assists and Durant recording 11 rebounds. Shamet netted 19 points. Deandre Ayton finished with eight points, eight boards, one steal and one block.
The series now shifts to Ball Arena for Game 5 on Tuesday night.
The Nuggets (2-2) came into the night trying to atone for a Game 3 loss and take a commanding 3-1 series lead back to Ball Arena, and they got off to a good start in that regard by forging a 34-32 lead through one. However, the Suns (2-2) fought back to take a two-point advantage into halftime, and they'd extended it to six points heading into the final period. That cushion would prove to be critical, as it came in especially handy when Denver closed to within three points with 1:08 remaining before T.J. Warren, Kevin Durant and Landry Shamet sunk a total of six late free throws to seal the victory.
Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with a 53-point, 11-assist double-double that included four rebounds and one block. Jamal Murray supplied 28 points, seven assists, five rebounds and one steal. Michael Porter generated an 11-point, 10-rebound double-double that included four assists, one steal and one block. Aaron Gordon matched Porter's scoring total and added six rebounds, three assists and one steal. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope poured in 10 points.
Devin Booker and Durant co-led the Suns with matching 36-point contributions, with Booker adding 12 assists and Durant recording 11 rebounds. Shamet netted 19 points. Deandre Ayton finished with eight points, eight boards, one steal and one block.
The series now shifts to Ball Arena for Game 5 on Tuesday night.