Nuggets Defeat Clippers To Force Game 6
The Denver Nuggets defeated the Los Angeles Clippers, 111-105, at Orlando in Game 6 of the Western Conference Semifinals on Friday. The Clippers lead the series 3-2.
The Nuggets had their backs against the wall in Game 5 of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Clippers but woke up when it mattered the most, and they pulled an impressive comeback out of nowhere to force a Game 6. The Clippers got off to a better start and raced out to a five-point lead in the first quarter, an advantage that quickly became a double-digit lead for the California-based franchise. The Clippers led by as much as 16 points and were in complete control until the fourth quarter, but the Nuggets woke up right before it was too late. Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray sparked an impressive comeback and Denver outscored Los Angeles 38-25 in the fourth quarter. That was enough to put the game out of reach, and the Nuggets escaped with a 111-105 victory that forces a Game 6 this upcoming weekend.
Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic were the best players for Denver. While Murray ended with 26 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, Nikola Jokic chipped in with 22 points, 14 boards, five assists and two blocks. Paul Millsap added 17 points and six rebounds, and Jerami Grant notched 10 points with five rebounds. Michael Porter, who made two clutch free throws down the stretch, registered seven points and five rebounds.
Kawhi Leonard led the Clippers in this game with a 36-point, nine-rebound performance, but that wasn't enough -- he also added four assists and three blocks. Paul George registered 26 points, six rebounds and six dimes, while Marcus Morris contributed 12 points, seven rebounds and two dimes. Patrick Beverley chipped in with 10 points.
The Nuggets had their backs against the wall in Game 5 of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Clippers but woke up when it mattered the most, and they pulled an impressive comeback out of nowhere to force a Game 6. The Clippers got off to a better start and raced out to a five-point lead in the first quarter, an advantage that quickly became a double-digit lead for the California-based franchise. The Clippers led by as much as 16 points and were in complete control until the fourth quarter, but the Nuggets woke up right before it was too late. Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray sparked an impressive comeback and Denver outscored Los Angeles 38-25 in the fourth quarter. That was enough to put the game out of reach, and the Nuggets escaped with a 111-105 victory that forces a Game 6 this upcoming weekend.
Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic were the best players for Denver. While Murray ended with 26 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, Nikola Jokic chipped in with 22 points, 14 boards, five assists and two blocks. Paul Millsap added 17 points and six rebounds, and Jerami Grant notched 10 points with five rebounds. Michael Porter, who made two clutch free throws down the stretch, registered seven points and five rebounds.
Kawhi Leonard led the Clippers in this game with a 36-point, nine-rebound performance, but that wasn't enough -- he also added four assists and three blocks. Paul George registered 26 points, six rebounds and six dimes, while Marcus Morris contributed 12 points, seven rebounds and two dimes. Patrick Beverley chipped in with 10 points.
Celtics Top Raptors And Advance To Conference Finals
By Dan Bruno
The Boston Celtics defeated the Toronto Raptors, 92-87, in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals on Friday at Orlando.
The Celtics came out strong with an early 12-point lead, but the Raptors rallied back to grab a one-point lead by the end of the first quarter. The Raptors held the edge to start the second, but this time the Celtics rallied back to take a four-point lead by halftime. The Celtics pushed their lead up to nine early in the third, but the Raptors chipped away to make it a one-point game heading into the final frame. The Celtics responded right away, as they began the fourth with a quick 7-0 run, and maintained an advantage before pushing their lead up to 10, with just under five minutes to go. The Raptors battled right down to the wire and managed to cut it to a two-point game with one minute to go, but the Celtics drained a pair of free throws to make it a two-possession game and keep it just enough out of reach to hold on and earn a trip to the conference finals.
Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 29 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists, a steal and a block, in 44 minutes. Jaylen Brown followed up with 21 points, eight rebounds, four steals and two assists, while Marcus Smart added 16 points, six assists, three steals, two rebounds and a block. The Celtics did a great job on the defensive end, as they tallied 12 steals and forced the Raptors into 18 turnovers.
Meanwhile, Fred VanVleet led the Raptors with 20 points, six assists, three rebounds and two blocks, in 45 minutes. Kyle Lowry followed up with 16 points, six rebounds and four assists, while Serge Ibaka chipped in 14 points and eight rebounds, in 20 minutes off the bench. Pascal Siakam had a tough night, shooting 5-of-12 on his way to 13 points, in 42 minutes.
The Celtics came out strong with an early 12-point lead, but the Raptors rallied back to grab a one-point lead by the end of the first quarter. The Raptors held the edge to start the second, but this time the Celtics rallied back to take a four-point lead by halftime. The Celtics pushed their lead up to nine early in the third, but the Raptors chipped away to make it a one-point game heading into the final frame. The Celtics responded right away, as they began the fourth with a quick 7-0 run, and maintained an advantage before pushing their lead up to 10, with just under five minutes to go. The Raptors battled right down to the wire and managed to cut it to a two-point game with one minute to go, but the Celtics drained a pair of free throws to make it a two-possession game and keep it just enough out of reach to hold on and earn a trip to the conference finals.
Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 29 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists, a steal and a block, in 44 minutes. Jaylen Brown followed up with 21 points, eight rebounds, four steals and two assists, while Marcus Smart added 16 points, six assists, three steals, two rebounds and a block. The Celtics did a great job on the defensive end, as they tallied 12 steals and forced the Raptors into 18 turnovers.
Meanwhile, Fred VanVleet led the Raptors with 20 points, six assists, three rebounds and two blocks, in 45 minutes. Kyle Lowry followed up with 16 points, six rebounds and four assists, while Serge Ibaka chipped in 14 points and eight rebounds, in 20 minutes off the bench. Pascal Siakam had a tough night, shooting 5-of-12 on his way to 13 points, in 42 minutes.