76ers Look To Stay Focused At Home
By Dan Bruno
The Philadelphia 76ers play host to the New York Knicks in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference First-Round Playoffs at Wells Fargo Center on Sunday afternoon.
The Knicks earned back-to-back home wins to start the first round, but the 76ers took control in Game 3, earning the home win to make it a 2-1 series. The Sixers' 11-point win in Game 3 marked the largest margin of victory so far in the series, while they looked comfortable on home court, where they owned a, 25-16, record during the regular season. The Knicks had the early lead in Game 3, but they Sixers outscored the visitors by 16 points in the third quarter to take a 13-point advantage into the final frame. The 76ers stayed strong down the stretch and came up clutch at the foul line to help secure the much-needed victory.
Despite being listed as questionable for a third straight game, Joel Embiid (knee) poured in 50 points on 13-for-19 shooting, along with eight rebounds four assists and a block to lead the way in the win. Tyrese Maxey followed up with 25 points, four rebounds, seven assists and two steals, while Kelly Oubre chipped in 15 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals. On the other side, Jalen Brunson totaled 39 points, two rebounds and 13 assists to lead the Knicks. Josh Hart followed up with 20 points, six rebounds, six assists and a steal, while OG Anunoby added 17 points, four rebounds, two assists, a steal and a block.
The 76ers will look to stay strong at home and even up the series, but Joel Embiid remains questionable for action. The Knicks could also be shorthanded in the frontcourt as Mitchell Robinson (ankle) is listed as questionable.
The Knicks earned back-to-back home wins to start the first round, but the 76ers took control in Game 3, earning the home win to make it a 2-1 series. The Sixers' 11-point win in Game 3 marked the largest margin of victory so far in the series, while they looked comfortable on home court, where they owned a, 25-16, record during the regular season. The Knicks had the early lead in Game 3, but they Sixers outscored the visitors by 16 points in the third quarter to take a 13-point advantage into the final frame. The 76ers stayed strong down the stretch and came up clutch at the foul line to help secure the much-needed victory.
Despite being listed as questionable for a third straight game, Joel Embiid (knee) poured in 50 points on 13-for-19 shooting, along with eight rebounds four assists and a block to lead the way in the win. Tyrese Maxey followed up with 25 points, four rebounds, seven assists and two steals, while Kelly Oubre chipped in 15 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals. On the other side, Jalen Brunson totaled 39 points, two rebounds and 13 assists to lead the Knicks. Josh Hart followed up with 20 points, six rebounds, six assists and a steal, while OG Anunoby added 17 points, four rebounds, two assists, a steal and a block.
The 76ers will look to stay strong at home and even up the series, but Joel Embiid remains questionable for action. The Knicks could also be shorthanded in the frontcourt as Mitchell Robinson (ankle) is listed as questionable.
Clippers and Mavericks Set for Game 4 Battle
The Los Angeles Clippers take on the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Arena on Sunday afternoon in Game 4 of their Western Conference quarterfinal-round series. The Mavericks lead the series, 2-1.
The Clippers (1-2) came into Friday's Game 3 battle looking to avenge a loss on their home floor in Game 2, but they struggled offensively on the way to a 101-90 defeat. James Harden and Norman Powell co-led the Clippers with 21 points while recording five assists and six rebounds, respectively. Harden added two assists, two steals and one block. Ivica Zubac furnished 19 points, eight rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block. Kawhi Leonard logged 25 minutes and provided nine points, nine rebounds and two assists.
The Clippers will list Leonard (knee) as questionable for Sunday's game.
The Mavericks (2-1) have now cobbled together consecutive wins in the series, and their superstar backcourt has unsurprisingly been a pivotal reason. In Game 3, Luka Doncic paced the Mavericks with 22 points, complementing them with 10 rebounds, nine assists and two steals. Kyrie Irving delivered 21 points, six assists, four rebounds and two steals. Dereck Lively totaled 13 points, two rebounds and two blocks. Derrick Jones registered 11 points, three boards and one block. P.J. Washington managed 10 points, five rebounds, one assist, three steals and one block.
The Mavericks will list Doncic (knee) as questionable for Sunday's contest. Tim Hardaway (ankle) will be listed as doubtful.
Sunday's game marks the seventh meeting between the teams since the start of the season. The Clippers and Mavericks have won three games apiece.
The Clippers (1-2) came into Friday's Game 3 battle looking to avenge a loss on their home floor in Game 2, but they struggled offensively on the way to a 101-90 defeat. James Harden and Norman Powell co-led the Clippers with 21 points while recording five assists and six rebounds, respectively. Harden added two assists, two steals and one block. Ivica Zubac furnished 19 points, eight rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block. Kawhi Leonard logged 25 minutes and provided nine points, nine rebounds and two assists.
The Clippers will list Leonard (knee) as questionable for Sunday's game.
The Mavericks (2-1) have now cobbled together consecutive wins in the series, and their superstar backcourt has unsurprisingly been a pivotal reason. In Game 3, Luka Doncic paced the Mavericks with 22 points, complementing them with 10 rebounds, nine assists and two steals. Kyrie Irving delivered 21 points, six assists, four rebounds and two steals. Dereck Lively totaled 13 points, two rebounds and two blocks. Derrick Jones registered 11 points, three boards and one block. P.J. Washington managed 10 points, five rebounds, one assist, three steals and one block.
The Mavericks will list Doncic (knee) as questionable for Sunday's contest. Tim Hardaway (ankle) will be listed as doubtful.
Sunday's game marks the seventh meeting between the teams since the start of the season. The Clippers and Mavericks have won three games apiece.
Pacers Host Bucks For Game 4
The Indiana Pacers will host the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 4 of the first round in the Eastern Conference playoffs at Gainbridge FieldHouse on Sunday night.
The Pacers got off to a slow start in the series, but there’s no question they’ve turned things around following back-to-back wins. Their Game 2 win in Milwaukee was a gigantic upset, and the Game 3 win Friday was a true testament to the team’s character. The Pacers grabbed a huge lead in that game and let it slip away, but they woke up just in time to secure the win in overtime. Indiana will rely on their Big Three of Tyrese Haliburton, Pascal Siakam and Myles Turner to move one step closer to the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Indiana will also rely on the fact they went 26-15 at home during the regular season, easily one of the best marks in the Eastern Conference. Plus, the Pacers also went 4-1 against the Bucks in the regular season, and there’s a huge chance Milwaukee might be without their two best players for Sunday’s tilt.
The Pacers are not announcing any injuries for Sunday’s game.
The Bucks kicked the series off with a comfortable victory in Game 1, but things have gone south for them in the next two contests. First, the absence of Giannis Antetokounmpo has been a major issue for Milwaukee, and the star forward has yet to take the court in this series. To make matters worse, they’ve lost back-to-back games, including a Game 3 defeat in overtime after storming back from an early deficit. To make things even more complicated, there’s a realistic scenario where Damian Lillard might not play Sunday, forcing the Bucks to be extremely shorthanded in a must-win game. Complicating things even further is the fact that Milwaukee has gone 18-23 on the road between the regular season and the playoffs. The team will need to make a mammoth effort to secure the win here in order to return home with a 2-2 tie in the series.
The Bucks are listing Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) and Damian Lillard (Achilles) as doubtful. Khris Middleton (ankle) is probable. Chris Livingston (illness) is out.
The Pacers got off to a slow start in the series, but there’s no question they’ve turned things around following back-to-back wins. Their Game 2 win in Milwaukee was a gigantic upset, and the Game 3 win Friday was a true testament to the team’s character. The Pacers grabbed a huge lead in that game and let it slip away, but they woke up just in time to secure the win in overtime. Indiana will rely on their Big Three of Tyrese Haliburton, Pascal Siakam and Myles Turner to move one step closer to the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Indiana will also rely on the fact they went 26-15 at home during the regular season, easily one of the best marks in the Eastern Conference. Plus, the Pacers also went 4-1 against the Bucks in the regular season, and there’s a huge chance Milwaukee might be without their two best players for Sunday’s tilt.
The Pacers are not announcing any injuries for Sunday’s game.
The Bucks kicked the series off with a comfortable victory in Game 1, but things have gone south for them in the next two contests. First, the absence of Giannis Antetokounmpo has been a major issue for Milwaukee, and the star forward has yet to take the court in this series. To make matters worse, they’ve lost back-to-back games, including a Game 3 defeat in overtime after storming back from an early deficit. To make things even more complicated, there’s a realistic scenario where Damian Lillard might not play Sunday, forcing the Bucks to be extremely shorthanded in a must-win game. Complicating things even further is the fact that Milwaukee has gone 18-23 on the road between the regular season and the playoffs. The team will need to make a mammoth effort to secure the win here in order to return home with a 2-2 tie in the series.
The Bucks are listing Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) and Damian Lillard (Achilles) as doubtful. Khris Middleton (ankle) is probable. Chris Livingston (illness) is out.
Suns Host T'Wolves on Sunday to Avoid Sweep
The Phoenix Suns play host to the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 4 of the Western Conference First-Round Playoffs at Footprint Center on Sunday.
Minnesota leads this series, 3-0.
The Timberwolves (3-0) were the biggest surprise during the regular season, finishing just one game back of the top seed in the West. They've also looked like the best team in these playoffs, grabbing three blowout wins over the Suns. Many people expected Phoenix to give Minnesota a battle, and no one could have foreseen three double-digit wins by Minnesota. That's a scary sight for the rest of the NBA because adding Karl-Anthony Towns has clearly been a massive boost for this club. It's still Anthony Edwards' team, though, tallying 36 points, nine rebounds, and five assists in that 126-109 Game 3 win on Friday.
The Suns (0-3) have been embarrassed in this series, trailing by at least 15 points in all three games. It's hard to believe that a team with three of the best scorers in the NBA can play like this, but fans have been seeing it all year. Phoenix barely avoided the Play-In Tournament and never really hit their stride all year. One has to wonder if this recipe will work because this team just has no continuity for whatever reason, Bradley Beal, Kevin Durant and Devin Booker all scored 23 points or more in Game 3 but the other two starters combined for three points. We saw something similar in Game 1, and this series could be over soon if they don't get some help.
Phoenix has actually won 10 of their last 11 regular season games over Minnesota, but have yet to win in this series.
Minnesota leads this series, 3-0.
The Timberwolves (3-0) were the biggest surprise during the regular season, finishing just one game back of the top seed in the West. They've also looked like the best team in these playoffs, grabbing three blowout wins over the Suns. Many people expected Phoenix to give Minnesota a battle, and no one could have foreseen three double-digit wins by Minnesota. That's a scary sight for the rest of the NBA because adding Karl-Anthony Towns has clearly been a massive boost for this club. It's still Anthony Edwards' team, though, tallying 36 points, nine rebounds, and five assists in that 126-109 Game 3 win on Friday.
The Suns (0-3) have been embarrassed in this series, trailing by at least 15 points in all three games. It's hard to believe that a team with three of the best scorers in the NBA can play like this, but fans have been seeing it all year. Phoenix barely avoided the Play-In Tournament and never really hit their stride all year. One has to wonder if this recipe will work because this team just has no continuity for whatever reason, Bradley Beal, Kevin Durant and Devin Booker all scored 23 points or more in Game 3 but the other two starters combined for three points. We saw something similar in Game 1, and this series could be over soon if they don't get some help.
Phoenix has actually won 10 of their last 11 regular season games over Minnesota, but have yet to win in this series.