The Raptors, title holders, dominated the Nets (117-92) and are only a success of the second round. To be confirmed on Sunday. Pascal Siakam was the man of the game for Toronto with 26 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists. Fred VanVleet added 22 points thanks to his three-point address (6/10) like his team (47.8% success behind the arc). Serge Ibaka scored 20 points and took 13 rebounds off the bench. As for the New Yorkers, generally clumsy (30%), Tyler Johnson scored 23 points, Caris LeVert 15 in this one-sided game where they never led and where the Raptors’ lead reached 31 points in the 4th quarter.
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The Boston Celtics also garnered a third victory, at the expense of the Philadelphia 76ers, who gave them a hard time (102-94). Jayson Tatum scored 15 points for Boston, far from his average of 32.5 in the first two games. He was limited by a fault problem early in the game which left him on the bench for the entire 2nd quarter. Kemba Walker and Jaylen Brown scored 24 and 21 points respectively, and it took two to offset Philadelphia star Joel Embiid (30 points, 13 rebounds). Josh Richardson and Shake Milton added 17 points each and Tobias Harris 15 (in addition to 15 rebounds) for Philadelphia.
Utah and Clippers take advantage
The Utah Jazz have crushed the Denver Nuggets (124-87) and now lead two wins to one. This success, they owe it largely to Mike Conley for his first appearance in the play-offs, he who had left the Florida bubble for the birth of his daughter and then observed a quarantine of four days. Conley had seven of eight three-pointers for a total of 27 points scored. “I was really happy to be back with these guys,” Conley said. “It’s not easy to be in quarantine: in four days, you have 30 minutes a day to get out a little and maybe touch the ball.” Frenchman Rudy Gobert scored 24 (plus 14 rebounds), and Donovan Mitchell 20 (plus 4 rebounds). And the large lead in the score, often more than 20 points, allowed them to breathe on the bench, hardly appearing in the last quarter, when mass was said. Denver side, the Serbian Nikola Jokic scored 15 points (5 rebounds, 6 assists), and Jamal Murray 12.
The LA Clippers also lead 2-1 in their series against Dallas, after their victory (130-122). In particular thanks to Kawhi Leonard (36 pts, 9 rebounds). “I thought his game was amazing tonight,” said his coach, Doc Rivers. “Obviously by his points and his defense, but also his game, which sets the tone for everyone.” At the end of a very physical first quarter, the two teams were tied 23-23, but the Clippers had the advantage at half-time (68-54), and hardly trembled then. A hard blow for the Mavericks, their young star Luka Doncic sprained his left ankle during the 3rd quarter. The 21-year-old Slovenian limped off the floor, but returned for the 4th quarter with his ankle heavily bandaged. He was reduced, but still signed a triple double (13 pts, 10 rebounds, 10 assists). “It’s not too serious (…) A small strain,” the player told reporters. It is however uncertain for the fourth game.
Results of the night:
Toronto-Brooklyn 117-92
Utah-Denver 124-87
Boston-Philadelphia 102-94
LA Clippers-Dallas 130-122
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