The NBA Conference Semifinals are now running and it’s still way too early to tell how things are going to go. The Brooklyn Nets have come out strong, after finally finding their rhythm late in the season, and are leading the Milwaukee Bucks 2-0. Elsewhere, there is still a lot of competition coming and only one game is scheduled to be played today. Looking at yesterday’s NBA playoff action, it’s clear that more work is needed.
Philly Takes It to the Net Against Atlanta
The Philadelphia 76ers and the Atlanta Hawks met for their second time in the playoffs last night, and the Sixers were determined to bounce back from the first-game loss. They did it, too, as Joel Embiid and Shake Milton turned up the heat throughout the game. Embiid logged a playoff-best 40 points, and Milton added 14, including three off a 32-foot lob that found its target. The Eastern Conference semifinal is shaping up to be a great contest that might go the distance.
No one had expected the Sixers to drop the first game and they made up for that loss last night. Tobias Harris and Seth Curry did their parts, as well, as Philly took a decisive 118-102 win. Curry, who has been playing with injuries this year, is going to push himself through the playoffs and then use the summer to try and recover. He still has a lot of work ahead, and the two teams will meet for Game 3 this Friday.
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It was a win that almost wasn’t, but the Utah Jazz took Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals against the LA Clippers. It took an extra effort from Donovan Mitchell to secure the win, as he came out firing in the second half to give his team the edge. Mitchell had reportedly been feeling ill in the first half, dealing with nausea and light-headedness, but bounced back in the second half to ultimately put up 45 points in the game, 32 in the second half.
Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and Luke Kennard got things rolling for the Clippers, who led by as many as 14 points through the first three quarters. It wasn’t until the fourth period that the Jazz were able to figure out what they were doing wrong, going on a 21-9 run to bounce back and win, 112-109. The two will meet again tomorrow night, and the Jazz now know that they are going to have to play hard if they want to advance.
Suns Fade Nugs in Game 1, Want More in Game 2
The Phoenix Suns didn’t have too much difficulty taking down the Denver Nuggets when these two met Monday for the first game of their Western Conference semifinals matchup. They cruised to a 122-105 win as they stuffed Nikola Jokic, who was held to 22 points. The Suns are 30-12 in their conference and have been able to stay strong offensively with the help of Cameron Payne. He has been shooting 44% from beyond the paint, making him a hard target to stop.
As the two teams prepare to meet tonight, the Suns are getting the support of oddsmakers. They’re favored by six points and have gotten this far after taking down the LA Lakers. However, the Nuggets have a good shot at taking the game as Jokic gets back into action. Denver might be able to take the game, but the Suns are still likely to take the series.
