Unsurprisingly, Toronto (N.2) disposed of (134-110) Brooklyn (N.7), after a meeting where he showed two faces. Conqueror from the start, with a lead of up to 30 points halfway through the second quarter, then apathetic since their mattress shrank to 8 points at the start of the last twelve minutes.
Boston side, it is in the 4th quarter that the Celtics made the difference, thanks in particular to the 15 points of Jaylen Brown (29 in total, 6 rebounds) to win (109-101) against the Sixers who, deprived of Ben Simmons (knee), strangely did not solicit Joel Embiid in the money-time, yet effective (26 pts, 16 rebounds).
We knew that their duel would be close. Denver’s victory over the Utah Jazz, after extra time (135-125), was proof of this, Jamal Murray playing the role of the executioner, with ten of his 36 points scored during these additional five minutes. Nikola Jokic was the other great architect of Denver’s success (29 pts, 10 rebounds), despite Rudy Gobert, very dissuasive in defense against him (two blocks and two more on Murray). The Frenchman was also present offensively (17 pts, at 8/11) but died during extra time.
“What if Kristaps Porzingis hadn’t been ruled out?” Dallas must ask himself after this frustrating defeat (118-110), certainly not stolen by LA, who nonetheless took advantage of the Latvian’s absence.
Results 1st round of the Play-Offs:
Eastern Conference:
Toronto-Brooklyn 134-110
Boston-Philadelphia 109-101
Western Conference:
Denver-Utah 135-125 (a.p)
L.A Clippers-Dallas 118-110
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