Celtics Get Past 76ers, 95-86
The Boston Celtics defeated the Philadelphia 76ers, 95-86, at Wells Fargo Center on Thursday night in Game 6 of their Eastern Conference semifinal-round series. The series is tied 3-3.
The Celtics (3-3) were down to their last out coming into the night, an identical scenario to a year ago against the Bucks. Boston's chances of repeating a Game 6 road victory seemed to have bright prospects early, as the visitors owned a 29-22 lead through one and still held a seven-point advantage at halftime, although they enjoyed a larger edge at times during both periods. The game then seemed to tilt firmly to the 76ers (3-3) in a third quarter where Philadelphia outscored the Celtics by a 30-21 margin, but the home squad was then held to 13 points over the final 12 minutes while allowing a 14-3 run over the final 4:14 to suffer the loss.
Marcus Smart led the Celtics with 22 points, adding seven rebounds, seven assists and two steals. Jayson Tatum shot just 5-for-21, but he drained multiple key three late three-pointers on his way to 19 points, which he complemented with nine rebounds, six assists, two steals and two blocks. Jaylen Brown delivered 17 points, six boards and four assists. Malcolm Brogdon supplied 16 points, six rebounds, two assists and one steal. Robert Williams finished with 10 points , nine rebounds, one assist and two blocks.
Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey co-led the 76ers with 26 points apiece while adding 10 and five rebounds, respectively. Maxey also recorded three assists and three steals. James Harden turned in 13 points, nine assists, seven rebounds, three steals and one block.
The series shifts back to TD Garden in Boston for the decisive Game 7 clash on Sunday.
The Celtics (3-3) were down to their last out coming into the night, an identical scenario to a year ago against the Bucks. Boston's chances of repeating a Game 6 road victory seemed to have bright prospects early, as the visitors owned a 29-22 lead through one and still held a seven-point advantage at halftime, although they enjoyed a larger edge at times during both periods. The game then seemed to tilt firmly to the 76ers (3-3) in a third quarter where Philadelphia outscored the Celtics by a 30-21 margin, but the home squad was then held to 13 points over the final 12 minutes while allowing a 14-3 run over the final 4:14 to suffer the loss.
Marcus Smart led the Celtics with 22 points, adding seven rebounds, seven assists and two steals. Jayson Tatum shot just 5-for-21, but he drained multiple key three late three-pointers on his way to 19 points, which he complemented with nine rebounds, six assists, two steals and two blocks. Jaylen Brown delivered 17 points, six boards and four assists. Malcolm Brogdon supplied 16 points, six rebounds, two assists and one steal. Robert Williams finished with 10 points , nine rebounds, one assist and two blocks.
Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey co-led the 76ers with 26 points apiece while adding 10 and five rebounds, respectively. Maxey also recorded three assists and three steals. James Harden turned in 13 points, nine assists, seven rebounds, three steals and one block.
The series shifts back to TD Garden in Boston for the decisive Game 7 clash on Sunday.
Nuggets Defeat Suns in Game 6, 125-100, Advance to WCF
The Denver Nuggets defeated the host Phoenix Suns, 125-100, in Game 6 of the Western Conference Semi-Finals at Footprint Center on Thursday.
Denver won this series, 4-2. The Nuggets will be the host in the Western Conference Finals and face either the Los Angeles Lakers or the Golden State Warriors.
While there were eight lead changes in the opening eight minutes, that was the only time this game was close. Denver finished the first quarter on a 17-0 run and put the game to bed behind a 37-25 second quarter. They got their lead up to 32 points at times and led by at least 20 points for the entirety of the second half. The Nuggets shot 54 percent from the field while holding the Suns to 48 percent shooting. Denver also out-rebounded Phoenix, 52-36, while outscoring them in the paint, 62-46.
The Nuggets (4-2) were led by Nikola Jokic, collecting 32 points, 10 rebounds, 12 assists and three steals on 13-of-18 from the field, Jamal Murray amassed 26 points, four rebounds, four assists and four steals. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope provided 21 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals, while Bruce Brown led the bench with 13 points and five boards.
The Suns (2-4) were led by Cameron Payne, tallying 31 points, six rebounds and two assists on 12-of-16 shooting. Kevin Durant had 23 points, five rebounds and five assists. Jock Landale totaled 13 points and five rebounds, while Devin Booker generated 12 points and eight assists. Landry Shamet finished with nine points, six rebounds and four assists.
Denver won this series, 4-2. The Nuggets will be the host in the Western Conference Finals and face either the Los Angeles Lakers or the Golden State Warriors.
While there were eight lead changes in the opening eight minutes, that was the only time this game was close. Denver finished the first quarter on a 17-0 run and put the game to bed behind a 37-25 second quarter. They got their lead up to 32 points at times and led by at least 20 points for the entirety of the second half. The Nuggets shot 54 percent from the field while holding the Suns to 48 percent shooting. Denver also out-rebounded Phoenix, 52-36, while outscoring them in the paint, 62-46.
The Nuggets (4-2) were led by Nikola Jokic, collecting 32 points, 10 rebounds, 12 assists and three steals on 13-of-18 from the field, Jamal Murray amassed 26 points, four rebounds, four assists and four steals. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope provided 21 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals, while Bruce Brown led the bench with 13 points and five boards.
The Suns (2-4) were led by Cameron Payne, tallying 31 points, six rebounds and two assists on 12-of-16 shooting. Kevin Durant had 23 points, five rebounds and five assists. Jock Landale totaled 13 points and five rebounds, while Devin Booker generated 12 points and eight assists. Landry Shamet finished with nine points, six rebounds and four assists.