Author: Monojit Mandal
Boston Celtics 114-102 76ers
In Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semi-finals, the Celtics beat the Philadelphia 76ers 114-102, with Jayson Tatum leading the scoring with 27 points and 10 rebounds. The Celtics lead the best-of-seven series 2-1, with Game 4 to be played in Philadelphia.
Tatum, who scored just seven points in Game 2, responded with 10 of 20 shots. Jaylen Brown scored 23 points and grabbed seven rebounds, while Al Horford scored 17 points and grabbed seven rebounds with five 3-pointers. The Celtics were led by Marcus Smart (15 points), Brogdon (15 points) and Derrick White (13 points).
Despite being congratulated before the game for securing NBA MVP glory, Embiid and the 76ers fell short. Embiid gave his all, scoring 30 points, grabbing 13 rebounds and blocking 4 shots. Despite hitting just 3 of 14 from the field in Game 2, James produced 16 points and 11 assists. Harden is 5 of 28 in the series and 2 of 13 from beyond the arc.
Tatum’s dunk gave Boston their biggest lead of the game, 90-77, at the start of the fourth quarter. After a basket by Embiid, Philadelphia responded with a 19-10 run to make it 100-96 with 3:51 to go. However, the Celtics scored the next five baskets and, despite Harden’s three-pointer, Tatum responded with a basket of his own with 1:42 remaining to give Boston a 108-99 lead. Harden made one of two free throw attempts to cut the Celtics’ lead to eight, but Tatum and Brown hit two free throws to secure the win.
Denver Nuggets 114-121 Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns beat the Denver Nuggets 121-114 at home in Game 3 of the Western Conference semi-finals, reducing their lead to 2-1. For the fourth-placed Suns, Devin Booker equalled his career playoff record with 47 points, while Kevin Durant contributed 39 points, nine rebounds and eight assists.
Booker hit 20 of 25 field goals, as well as distributing nine assists, six rebounds and three steals. Durant had a poor shooting night, hitting 12 of 31 from the field, but he still had an effect with his shots and rebounds. For the Denver Nuggets, Murray had 32 points, six rebounds and five assists, while Nikola Jokic had 30 points, 17 rebounds and 17 assists, the most of his post-season career.
Denver’s Michael Porter Jr. also had a strong game, hitting six 3-pointers on his way to 21 points and 12 rebounds. Phoenix hit 50.5% of their shots from the floor, including 9 of 28 (32.1%) from outside the basket. The Nuggets hit 44.3% of their shots and made 10 of 30 (33.3%) from outside the basket. Denver trailed by 11 points at the start of the final period, before cutting the gap to five points with Jokic’s basket with 8.6 seconds remaining. However, Booker secured the win for the Suns with two free throws with 6.6 seconds remaining.
The best-of-seven series will conclude with Game 4 in Phoenix. The Suns played without Chris Paul, who is out due to a groin injury, and could miss Game 4 as well.