76ers Top Celtics, 115-103
The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Boston Celtics, 115-103, on Tuesday night at TD Garden in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference semifinal-round series. The 76ers lead the series, 3-2.
The Celtics (2-3) opened the game in a fashion that didn't portend the long night it would ultimately be, as Boston owned a 10-8 lead a little over four minutes into the opening quarter. However, that would prove to be the last time the hosts held an advantage, as the 76ers owned a seven-point edge by the end of one and were ahead by 16 entering the final period on the way to a 12-point margin of victory that belied the extent of their dominance.
Joel Embiid led the 76ers with 33 points, adding seven rebounds, three assists and four blocks. Tyrese Maxey followed with 30 points, seven boards and three assists. James Harden generated a 17-point, 10-assist double-double that included eight rebounds and two steals. Tobias Harris delivered 16 points, 11 rebounds and one assist. Danuel House posted 10 points, five boards and one assist.
Jayson Tatum paced the Celtics with a 36-point, 10-rebound double-double that included five assists and two steals. Jaylen Brown registered 24 points, six rebounds and two assists. Marcus Smart provided 14 points, four assists and three rebounds.
The series now shifts back to Wells Fargo Center for Game 6 on Thursday night.
The Celtics (2-3) opened the game in a fashion that didn't portend the long night it would ultimately be, as Boston owned a 10-8 lead a little over four minutes into the opening quarter. However, that would prove to be the last time the hosts held an advantage, as the 76ers owned a seven-point edge by the end of one and were ahead by 16 entering the final period on the way to a 12-point margin of victory that belied the extent of their dominance.
Joel Embiid led the 76ers with 33 points, adding seven rebounds, three assists and four blocks. Tyrese Maxey followed with 30 points, seven boards and three assists. James Harden generated a 17-point, 10-assist double-double that included eight rebounds and two steals. Tobias Harris delivered 16 points, 11 rebounds and one assist. Danuel House posted 10 points, five boards and one assist.
Jayson Tatum paced the Celtics with a 36-point, 10-rebound double-double that included five assists and two steals. Jaylen Brown registered 24 points, six rebounds and two assists. Marcus Smart provided 14 points, four assists and three rebounds.
The series now shifts back to Wells Fargo Center for Game 6 on Thursday night.
Nuggets Defeat Suns in Game 5, 118-102, Up 3-2
The Denver Nuggets defeated the visiting Phoenix Suns, 118-102, in Game 5 of the Western Conference Semi-Finals at Ball Arena on Tuesday.
Denver leads this series, 3-2. Game 6 will be played in Phoenix on Thursday. The Game 5 winner of a 2-2 series has gone on to win 82 percent of the series in NBA history.
Denver kicked things off with a 35-24 first quarter, putting the game to bed behind a 39-25 third quarter. They held the lead for all but one minute in this game, getting their lead up to 24 points at times. They also led by at least 15 points for the closing 18 minutes. The Nuggets shot 49 percent from the field and 48 percent from three-point range while holding the Suns to 43 percent from the field and 33 percent from long range. Denver also out-assisted Phoenix, 32-22.
The Suns (2-3) were led by Devin Booker, collecting 28 points, six rebounds and four assists. Kevin Durant finished with 26 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists. Deandre Ayton amassed 14 points, nine rebounds and two steals. Terrence Ross led the bench with nine points and three boards. No other player had more than seven points, four rebounds or four assists.
The Nuggets (3-2) were led by Nikola Jokic, tallying 29 points, 13 rebounds, 12 assists and two blocks. Jamal Murray had 19 points, five rebounds and six assists. Michael Porter Jr provided 19 points, eight rebounds and two assists, while Aaron Gordon accrued 10 points, six rebounds, six assists and two steals. Bruce Brown led the bench with 25 points and five rebounds.
Denver leads this series, 3-2. Game 6 will be played in Phoenix on Thursday. The Game 5 winner of a 2-2 series has gone on to win 82 percent of the series in NBA history.
Denver kicked things off with a 35-24 first quarter, putting the game to bed behind a 39-25 third quarter. They held the lead for all but one minute in this game, getting their lead up to 24 points at times. They also led by at least 15 points for the closing 18 minutes. The Nuggets shot 49 percent from the field and 48 percent from three-point range while holding the Suns to 43 percent from the field and 33 percent from long range. Denver also out-assisted Phoenix, 32-22.
The Suns (2-3) were led by Devin Booker, collecting 28 points, six rebounds and four assists. Kevin Durant finished with 26 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists. Deandre Ayton amassed 14 points, nine rebounds and two steals. Terrence Ross led the bench with nine points and three boards. No other player had more than seven points, four rebounds or four assists.
The Nuggets (3-2) were led by Nikola Jokic, tallying 29 points, 13 rebounds, 12 assists and two blocks. Jamal Murray had 19 points, five rebounds and six assists. Michael Porter Jr provided 19 points, eight rebounds and two assists, while Aaron Gordon accrued 10 points, six rebounds, six assists and two steals. Bruce Brown led the bench with 25 points and five rebounds.