Philadelphia 76ers advanced on the fast track to the next round of the NBA playoffs. (Getty Images/AFP)
Without their star Joel Embiid, the Philadelphia 76ers completed a 4-0 sweep today in this series of the 1st round of the NBA playoffs while the Phoenix Suns took a 3-1 lead against the Clippers weighed down by the losses of their stars.
With their 96-88 win this Saturday, the Sixers are the first team to qualify for the semifinals of conference in which they will face the winner of the tie between atlanta hawks and boston celticswho dominate 2-1.
James Hardenclose to triple-double with 17 points, 8 rebounds and 11 assists, and Tobias Harriswith 25 points and 12 rebounds, made up for the sensitive loss of Joel Embiid.
The Cameroonian, top scorer in the regular season (33.1 points on average) and finalist for the MVP award, will have a few extra days off to recover from his right knee sprain.
Coach Doc Rivers He estimated that there is a 50% chance, “at best”, that Embiid is ready to start the Eastern Conference semifinals next week.
With the support of their fans, the Nets they were in control of the match in the first half in search of an honor-saving victory in this series.
Spencer Dinwiddie led the local offense with 20 points and the young center nic claxtonwho had a ferocious duel with Embiid in Game 3 and was sent off, had 19 points, 12 rebounds and 4 blocks.
In the second half, however, the locals faded in attack with just 40 points scored and Philadelphia’s secondaries appeared to chain a 14-0 run that paved the road victory.
The reserve shooting guard De’Anthony Melton he scored all 15 of his points in the fourth quarter to cap off Brooklyn, headed for a second straight 4-0 playoff exit.
The Nets thus culminated a turbulent season in which they first fired coach Steve Nash and then transferred Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, the two superstars who landed together in Brooklyn in 2019 and who failed in their attempt to fight for the ring.
For the Sixers it is their first playoff sweep since 1991. In that series, the best of five games, they beat the Milwaukee Bucks 3-0.
Durant takes Los Angeles
With Kevin Durant and Devin Booker combining for 61 points, the Phoenix Suns defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 112-100 to take a 3-1 lead in this Western series.
The Clippers, forced to compete without stars Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, now need to win three straight, starting with Game 5 on Tuesday at the Suns’ home court.
Russell Westbrook signed one of his best performances since his arrival at the Clippers with 37 points and 6 rebounds, but it was not enough to make up for the devastating absences of Leonard and George, who suffered knee sprains and it is unknown if they will be able to return at some point in the season. the Serie.
The Suns took advantage of the situation to achieve their third straight victory with some comfort at the hands of Durant, who had his best night in the series with 31 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists.
“I’m in a good moment and I’m enjoying playing,” said Durant, who landed in Phoenix in February after four tumultuous seasons in Brooklyn.
“I’ve been out (due to injury) for a few months this season, and I’m happy to be here where the ball is,” said the forward, who is chasing his third ring.
At his side, Devin Booker was once again an offensive dagger for the Suns with 30 points and 9 rebounds and veteran Chris Paul had 19 points and 9 assists and frustrated his former team with key baskets in the final moments.
This Saturday also played the third game of the playoffs between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Miami Heat and between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Memphis Grizzlies, both tied 1-1.
