Raptors Confident In Second Straight Win
By Dan Bruno
The Toronto Raptors defeated the Boston Celtics, 100-93, in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals on Saturday at Orlando.
The Raptors carried over the momentum from their thrilling Game-3 win, as they jumped out to a good start in Game 4, with a four-point lead after one quarter. They kept the edge through most of the second, but the Celtics nudged ahead for a brief advantage, before the Raptors tied it up with a three-pointer at the halftime buzzer. The Raptors reclaimed control early in the third quarter and pushed through the quarter to build an eight-point lead heading into the final frame. They pushed their lead to double digits early in the fourth, but the Celtics cut it back to a five-point game, with five minutes to go. Nonetheless, the Raptors picked up the intensity on both ends of the floor in crunch time and held on to even the series.
Kyle Lowry had a huge night once again, as he led Toronto with 22 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists, two steals and two blocks, in 44 minutes. Pascal Siakam tallied 23 points, 11 rebounds and two assists, while Serge Ibaka added 18 points, seven rebounds and a block, off the bench. The Raptors did not have the best shooting night, as they went 40 percent from the field, but they were solid from long range, where they hit 17-of-44 shots.
Meanwhile, Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 24 points, 10 rebounds and three assists, in 42 minutes. Kemba Walker finished with 15 points, eight assists, two rebounds and a steal, while Jaylen Brown had a rough night from the field, shooting 4-of-18, for a total of 14 points, in 37 minutes. The Celtics shot 44 percent from the field, but only hit 7-of-35 from long range.
The series is now down to a best-of-three, with Game 5 scheduled for Monday.
The Raptors carried over the momentum from their thrilling Game-3 win, as they jumped out to a good start in Game 4, with a four-point lead after one quarter. They kept the edge through most of the second, but the Celtics nudged ahead for a brief advantage, before the Raptors tied it up with a three-pointer at the halftime buzzer. The Raptors reclaimed control early in the third quarter and pushed through the quarter to build an eight-point lead heading into the final frame. They pushed their lead to double digits early in the fourth, but the Celtics cut it back to a five-point game, with five minutes to go. Nonetheless, the Raptors picked up the intensity on both ends of the floor in crunch time and held on to even the series.
Kyle Lowry had a huge night once again, as he led Toronto with 22 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists, two steals and two blocks, in 44 minutes. Pascal Siakam tallied 23 points, 11 rebounds and two assists, while Serge Ibaka added 18 points, seven rebounds and a block, off the bench. The Raptors did not have the best shooting night, as they went 40 percent from the field, but they were solid from long range, where they hit 17-of-44 shots.
Meanwhile, Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 24 points, 10 rebounds and three assists, in 42 minutes. Kemba Walker finished with 15 points, eight assists, two rebounds and a steal, while Jaylen Brown had a rough night from the field, shooting 4-of-18, for a total of 14 points, in 37 minutes. The Celtics shot 44 percent from the field, but only hit 7-of-35 from long range.
The series is now down to a best-of-three, with Game 5 scheduled for Monday.
Nuggets Even Series With Clippers Following Game 2
The Denver Nuggets defeated the Los Angeles Clippers, 110-101, in Game 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals. The series is now tied at 1-1.
The Nuggets started Game 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals ready to avenge the loss they suffered in Game 1, and it's safe to say they accomplished that goal. Denver came out firing and led by as much as 20 points in the first quarter, outscoring the Clippers 44-25 in the first 12 minutes of action to set the tone of the game. The Clippers were down by as much as 23 in the second quarter and, even though they won the remaining three quarters, they were nowhere near to pulling out a late comeback. The Nuggets cruised their way to a comfortable 110-101 win and now should carry the momentum ahead of Monday's Game 3.
Jamal Murray bounced back from a lackluster Game 1 effort and paced the Nuggets with 27 points while adding six assists, three rebounds and two steals. Nikola Jokic also delivered an improved performance compared to the series opener and delivered a strong 26-point, 18-rebound double-double. Gary Harris, who started for the first time in the current playoffs, went for 13 points in 30 minutes, while Michael Porter Jr. had 11 points and seven boards off the bench.
Paul George was the Clippers' best player with 22 points and eight rebounds, but he shot an abysmal 7-for-19 from the field. Kawhi Leonard contributed 13 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists, but he made just four of their 17 shots. Ivica Zubac had 15 points and nine rebounds, making an impact on both ends of the court.
The Nuggets started Game 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals ready to avenge the loss they suffered in Game 1, and it's safe to say they accomplished that goal. Denver came out firing and led by as much as 20 points in the first quarter, outscoring the Clippers 44-25 in the first 12 minutes of action to set the tone of the game. The Clippers were down by as much as 23 in the second quarter and, even though they won the remaining three quarters, they were nowhere near to pulling out a late comeback. The Nuggets cruised their way to a comfortable 110-101 win and now should carry the momentum ahead of Monday's Game 3.
Jamal Murray bounced back from a lackluster Game 1 effort and paced the Nuggets with 27 points while adding six assists, three rebounds and two steals. Nikola Jokic also delivered an improved performance compared to the series opener and delivered a strong 26-point, 18-rebound double-double. Gary Harris, who started for the first time in the current playoffs, went for 13 points in 30 minutes, while Michael Porter Jr. had 11 points and seven boards off the bench.
Paul George was the Clippers' best player with 22 points and eight rebounds, but he shot an abysmal 7-for-19 from the field. Kawhi Leonard contributed 13 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists, but he made just four of their 17 shots. Ivica Zubac had 15 points and nine rebounds, making an impact on both ends of the court.