Author: Monojit Mandal
Despite missing their best player, Joel Embiid, the 76ers outplayed the Celtics 119-115 in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semi-finals. The 76ers won thanks to James Harden’s 45 points, his personal playoff record, while the Celtics were led by Jayson Tatum’s 39 points and 11 rebounds. The Nuggets beat the Suns 97-87 in Game 2 of the Western Conference semi-finals to take a 2-0 lead in the series, led by Nikola Jokic’s 39 points.
Celtics – 76ers (115 – 119)
James Harden’s 45 points, the most he has ever scored in the playoffs, led the Philadelphia 76ers to a 119-115 victory over the Boston Celtics in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semi-finals. The third-placed 76ers secured victory against the second-placed Celtics with the help of Harden, who converted 17 of 30 shot attempts, 7 of which were from long range.
The game was very tight and no team managed to pull away for most of the match. Joel Embiid, who suffered a lateral collateral ligament (LCL) injury in his right knee in the third game of the Brooklyn Nets’ sweep of the 76ers in the first round of the playoffs, did not play. Despite his absence, the 76ers managed to get back into the game in the last few minutes and close with a 12-4 run.
Leading his team with 39 points and 11 rebounds, Jayson Tatum was a standout player for the Celtics. The team’s scoring was helped by Jaylen Brown with 23 points and Malcolm Brogdon with 20 points. Meanwhile, the 76ers got 26 points from Tyrese Maxey, while Paul Reed contributed 10 points and 13 rebounds.
The 76ers’ free throw accuracy, with 12 hits in 12 attempts, was crucial in their victory, while the Celtics converted 17 of their 18 free throws. The Celtics got off to a fast start, leading 38-31 at the end of the first quarter after hitting 17 of their 20 shots. However, the 76ers fought back and reduced the deficit to three points by halftime.
Nuggets – Suns (97 – 87)
In Game 2, the Denver Nuggets beat the Phoenix Suns 97-87 to take a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference semi-finals. Each team scored just 82 points in the first half. However, the game picked up pace in the third quarter, with Nikola Jokic and Devin Booker leading the charge.
Jokic was the Nuggets’ best performance, finishing with 39 points, 16 rebounds and 5 assists. Booker led the Suns with 35 points, but couldn’t stop the Nuggets’ comeback. The Suns suffered a major setback when starting point guard Chris Paul suffered a groin injury in the third quarter, forcing him to leave the game and never return.
The Nuggets secured the win despite Jamal Murray’s poor offensive performance. He finished with 10 points and 8 assists, hitting just 3 of 15 shots. Contributing 14 points, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope took responsibility, hitting 5 of 6 shots and converting all four of his 3-point attempts.
With Denver closing out the game with a 27-14 run to secure the win, the Suns struggled in the final quarter. In Game 3 of the series, which will be played in Denver, the Nuggets will take a 2-0 lead.