Raptors Grind Out Win To Force Game 7
By Dan Bruno
The Toronto Raptors defeated the Boston Celtics, 125-122, in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference semifinals on Wednesday at Orlando.
The Celtics came out strong and controlled the first quarter, looking to take the momentum early, but the Raptors held on through the second to keep it to a four-point game by halftime. The Raptors turned up their game in the third and outscored the Celtics by eight in the quarter, to take a four-point lead into the fourth. The Raptors kept pressing the fourth, but the Celtics kept it close and tied it up in the final minutes to force overtime. The intensity continued, but the teams played to a standstill through the first overtime period. The Celtics then jumped out to a quick four-point lead in the second overtime period, but the Raptors came up with some clutch defense followed by some clutch shooting, especially from Norman Powell and Kyle Lowry, come out on top and force Game 7.
Kyle Lowry led the Raptors with 33 points, eight rebounds, six assists, two steals and a block, in 53 minutes. Norman Powell added 23 points on 6-of-11 shooting off the bench. Fred VanVleet added 21 points, nine rebounds, seven assists, two steals and two blocks. The Raptors shot 44 percent from the field, including 19-of-47 from long range.
Meanwhile, Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 31 points, 16 rebounds, two assists and two steals, in 51 minutes. Jayson Tatum followed up with 29 points, 14 rebounds, nine assists, two steals and two blocks, in 51 minutes. Kemba Walker struggled in the contest, shooting just 2-of-11 from the field for five points in the loss.
The series will head to Game 7 on Friday.
The Celtics came out strong and controlled the first quarter, looking to take the momentum early, but the Raptors held on through the second to keep it to a four-point game by halftime. The Raptors turned up their game in the third and outscored the Celtics by eight in the quarter, to take a four-point lead into the fourth. The Raptors kept pressing the fourth, but the Celtics kept it close and tied it up in the final minutes to force overtime. The intensity continued, but the teams played to a standstill through the first overtime period. The Celtics then jumped out to a quick four-point lead in the second overtime period, but the Raptors came up with some clutch defense followed by some clutch shooting, especially from Norman Powell and Kyle Lowry, come out on top and force Game 7.
Kyle Lowry led the Raptors with 33 points, eight rebounds, six assists, two steals and a block, in 53 minutes. Norman Powell added 23 points on 6-of-11 shooting off the bench. Fred VanVleet added 21 points, nine rebounds, seven assists, two steals and two blocks. The Raptors shot 44 percent from the field, including 19-of-47 from long range.
Meanwhile, Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 31 points, 16 rebounds, two assists and two steals, in 51 minutes. Jayson Tatum followed up with 29 points, 14 rebounds, nine assists, two steals and two blocks, in 51 minutes. Kemba Walker struggled in the contest, shooting just 2-of-11 from the field for five points in the loss.
The series will head to Game 7 on Friday.
Clippers Cruise, Take 3-1 Series Lead
The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Denver Nuggets, 96-85, at Orlando on Wednesday in Game 4 of the Western Conference Semifinals. The Clippers lead the series 3-1.
The Clippers stepped their game when they needed it the most to secure a huge win in Game 3, and it seemed as if they carried the momentum of that victory in Game 4. In a one-sided contest where the Nuggets didn't lead at any point in the contest. the Clippers jumped out to a 26-12 lead following the first quarter and they would never look back. Denver won the second quarter by a 28-22 score and made things close the rest of the way, winning the final three quarters combined by a three-point margin, but the slow start doomed them and they had to settle with a loss. The Clippers led by as much as 19 points at one point and now are just one win away from moving into the Western Conference Semifinals.
Six Clippers scored in double figures in this one, but Kawhi Leonard was the only player who surpassed the 15-point plateau -- he ended with 30 points, 11 rebounds, nine assists, four steals and two blocks in what was a complete effort on both ends of the court. Marcus Morris and Ivica Zubac each had 11 points, with the European big man ending just one rebound away from a double-double. Montrezl Harrell had 15 points in only 19 minutes off the bench.
Jamal Murray had 18 points for the Nuggets, but he struggled with his shot once again and only made six of his 15 field goals. The biggest star for the Nuggets was Nikola Jokic, who carried the team offensively once again with a 26-point, 11-rebound, six-assist performance. Michael Porter Jr. made an impact off the bench with 15 points and six boards in 34 minutes.
The Clippers stepped their game when they needed it the most to secure a huge win in Game 3, and it seemed as if they carried the momentum of that victory in Game 4. In a one-sided contest where the Nuggets didn't lead at any point in the contest. the Clippers jumped out to a 26-12 lead following the first quarter and they would never look back. Denver won the second quarter by a 28-22 score and made things close the rest of the way, winning the final three quarters combined by a three-point margin, but the slow start doomed them and they had to settle with a loss. The Clippers led by as much as 19 points at one point and now are just one win away from moving into the Western Conference Semifinals.
Six Clippers scored in double figures in this one, but Kawhi Leonard was the only player who surpassed the 15-point plateau -- he ended with 30 points, 11 rebounds, nine assists, four steals and two blocks in what was a complete effort on both ends of the court. Marcus Morris and Ivica Zubac each had 11 points, with the European big man ending just one rebound away from a double-double. Montrezl Harrell had 15 points in only 19 minutes off the bench.
Jamal Murray had 18 points for the Nuggets, but he struggled with his shot once again and only made six of his 15 field goals. The biggest star for the Nuggets was Nikola Jokic, who carried the team offensively once again with a 26-point, 11-rebound, six-assist performance. Michael Porter Jr. made an impact off the bench with 15 points and six boards in 34 minutes.