First NBA play-off semifinalist announced
By defeating the Brooklyn Nets 96-88 in the first round of the American Basketball League (NBA) play-offs, the Philadelphia 76ers advanced to the conference semifinals, going 4-0 in the series.
The NBA play-offs continued with 4 games. The 76ers won Game 4 of the Eastern Conference first-round series and eliminated the Nets, becoming the first team to advance to the playoffs this season.
Tobias Harris had 25 points, 12 rebounds, James Harden had 17 points, 11 assists, 8 rebounds, and Paul Reed had a double double with 10 points and 15 rebounds.
Spencer Dinwiddie finished with 20 points, 6 assists, Nic Claxton 19 points, 12 rebounds and 4 blocks for the host Nets.
HEAT TAKES A SECOND WIN AGAINST BUCKS
Entering the Eastern Conference play-offs from last place, the Miami Heat won Game 3 of the series, where they hosted the Milwaukee Bucks, who have the highest regular season winning percentage, 121-99 and took a 2 -1 lead. Heat star Jimmy Butler was the most effective name on the field with 30 points and 5 rebounds. Duncan Robinson contributed 20 points, Bam Adebayo and Gabe Vincent each contributed 12 points and 11 rebounds.
Khris Middleton, who produced 23 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds in the absence of Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Jrue Holiday, who played with 19 points and 5 rebounds, tried to carry the scoring load for the Bucks.
Photo: Reuters.
THE LAKERS WIN IN SPITE OF MORANT
Finishing the regular season in seventh place in the Western Conference, the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the conference runner-up Memphis Grizzlies 111-101 to gain a 2-1 lead in the first round series.
The Grizzlies’ Dillon Brooks was ejected early in the third quarter after LeBron James, who brought the ball into the opponent’s court, handballed him in the groin area.
Photo: Reuters.
Anthony Davis, who signed a double double with 31 points, 17 rebounds, 3 blocks, and LeBron James, who produced 25 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists, led the Lakers to victory.
The 45-point, 13-assist, 9-rebound performance by Ja Morant, who missed the previous game with a hand injury, wasn’t enough for the Grizzlies to win.
SUNS IS 1 GAME AWAY FROM THE SEMI-FINAL
With a 112-100 road win over the Los Angeles Clippers, the Phoenix Suns took a 3-1 lead in the Western Conference first-round series. Kevin Durant had 31 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists, Devin Booker 30 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 steals, and Chris Paul had 19 points, 9 assists, 3 steals, 3 blocks for the Suns. Russell Westbrook, who finished the game with 37 points and 6 rebounds, tried to keep the Clippers on their feet, who Kawhi Leonard was unable to play for the second time in a row. (AA)