Sixers Defeat Wizards, Advance To Eastern Conference Semifinals
The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Washington Wizards, 129-112, at Wells Fargo Center on Wednesday evening in Game 5 of the first round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs.
The Sixers had a golden chance to close the first-round series against the Wizards following their surprising loss in Game 4, and while the Sixers had to find a way to get the job done without Joel Embiid, Philadelphia didn't have major problems to walk away with the victory here. The first quarter was tight, though, and it ended with a 29-29 tie before the Sixers started to create separation with a 36-34 score in the second quarter. Philadelphia stepped their game up in the second half, though, and they outscored Washington by a 38-31 score in the initial 12 minutes of the second half to pull away for good. Washington couldn't turn things around in the fourth quarter and the Sixers limited them to just 18 points in the final 12 minutes of action, so the Sixers didn't have problems securing the victory and a spot in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Seth Curry led the way for the Sixers since he ended with 30 points and two assists, while Tobias Harris contributed 28 points, nine rebounds, six assists and three steals. Ben Simmons looked impressive and contributed a triple-double of 19 points, 11 assists and 10 boards. Tyrese Maxey had 13 points and two assists while Dwight Howard chipped in with 12 points and eight rebounds.
Bradley Beal led the Wizards in their final game of the season with a 32-point performance, though he also added seven rebounds and five assists. Russell Westbrook couldn't finish with a triple-double, but he contributed 24 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds. Rui Hachimura ended the season on a strong note and recorded 21 points while also adding six boards. No other Wizards player ended with 10 or more points.
With the win, the 76ers move to the next round of the postseason and will face the Atlanta Hawks in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
The Sixers had a golden chance to close the first-round series against the Wizards following their surprising loss in Game 4, and while the Sixers had to find a way to get the job done without Joel Embiid, Philadelphia didn't have major problems to walk away with the victory here. The first quarter was tight, though, and it ended with a 29-29 tie before the Sixers started to create separation with a 36-34 score in the second quarter. Philadelphia stepped their game up in the second half, though, and they outscored Washington by a 38-31 score in the initial 12 minutes of the second half to pull away for good. Washington couldn't turn things around in the fourth quarter and the Sixers limited them to just 18 points in the final 12 minutes of action, so the Sixers didn't have problems securing the victory and a spot in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Seth Curry led the way for the Sixers since he ended with 30 points and two assists, while Tobias Harris contributed 28 points, nine rebounds, six assists and three steals. Ben Simmons looked impressive and contributed a triple-double of 19 points, 11 assists and 10 boards. Tyrese Maxey had 13 points and two assists while Dwight Howard chipped in with 12 points and eight rebounds.
Bradley Beal led the Wizards in their final game of the season with a 32-point performance, though he also added seven rebounds and five assists. Russell Westbrook couldn't finish with a triple-double, but he contributed 24 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds. Rui Hachimura ended the season on a strong note and recorded 21 points while also adding six boards. No other Wizards player ended with 10 or more points.
With the win, the 76ers move to the next round of the postseason and will face the Atlanta Hawks in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Hawks Defeat Knicks in Game 5, 103-89, Advance to Conf. Semis
The Atlanta Hawks defeated the host New York Knicks, 103-89, in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference First-Round Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday.
Atlanta was able to prevail in this Game 5, advancing to the next round and ending New York's season. They did their damage in the middle quarters, outscoring the Knicks, 53-41. That allowed the Hawks to lead by at least nine points for the final 20 minutes of play. Atlanta shot 43 percent from the field while holding New York below 38 percent shooting. In addition, the Hawks won the turnover battle, 16-11, which led to them outscoring the Knicks in points off of turnovers, 18-12. They also outscored them in the paint, 44-30.
The Hawks (4-1) were led by Trae Young, tallying 36 points, four rebounds and nine assists. De'Andre Hunter amassed 15 points and three rebounds. Clint Capela collected 14 points, 15 rebounds and two blocks. John Collins had 13 points and seven rebounds while Bogdan Bogdanovic collected nine points, seven rebounds and five assists.
The Knicks (1-4) were led by Julius Randle, who had 23 points, 13 rebounds and three assists despite committing eight turnovers. R.J. Barrett totaled 17 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Derrick Rose finished with just six points, three rebounds and five assists while Alec Burks led the bench with 12 points, six rebounds and four assists.
That marks the end of the road for New York. As for Atlanta, they'll face the Philadelphia 76ers in the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals. These teams played three lopsided games in the regular season, with Philly winning two of them.
Atlanta was able to prevail in this Game 5, advancing to the next round and ending New York's season. They did their damage in the middle quarters, outscoring the Knicks, 53-41. That allowed the Hawks to lead by at least nine points for the final 20 minutes of play. Atlanta shot 43 percent from the field while holding New York below 38 percent shooting. In addition, the Hawks won the turnover battle, 16-11, which led to them outscoring the Knicks in points off of turnovers, 18-12. They also outscored them in the paint, 44-30.
The Hawks (4-1) were led by Trae Young, tallying 36 points, four rebounds and nine assists. De'Andre Hunter amassed 15 points and three rebounds. Clint Capela collected 14 points, 15 rebounds and two blocks. John Collins had 13 points and seven rebounds while Bogdan Bogdanovic collected nine points, seven rebounds and five assists.
The Knicks (1-4) were led by Julius Randle, who had 23 points, 13 rebounds and three assists despite committing eight turnovers. R.J. Barrett totaled 17 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Derrick Rose finished with just six points, three rebounds and five assists while Alec Burks led the bench with 12 points, six rebounds and four assists.
That marks the end of the road for New York. As for Atlanta, they'll face the Philadelphia 76ers in the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals. These teams played three lopsided games in the regular season, with Philly winning two of them.
Jazz Cruise Past Grizzlies To Advance To Second Round
By Dan Bruno
The Utah Jazz defeated the visiting Memphis Grizzlies, 126-110, in Game 5 of the Western Conference First-Round Playoffs at Vivint Arena on Wednesday evening, to earn the, 4-1, series win and advance to the conference semi-finals.
The Jazz got right down to business with a, 47-27, lead after one quarter. They stayed in control through the second and pushed their lead to 24, by halftime. The Grizzlies had no answers in the third quarter, as the Jazz pushed the deficit to 30 points heading into the final frame. The Jazz increased their advantage to a game-high 35 points early in the fourth and were able to cruise the rest of the way from there.
Donovan Mitchell led the way for the Jazz with 30 points, 10 assists, six rebounds and a steal, in 29 minutes. Rudy Gobert finished with 23 points, 15 rebounds, three blocks and two assists, while Jordan Clarkson added 24 points on 9-of-20 shooting, off the bench. The Jazz shot 51 percent from the field, including 17-of-44 from long range.
Meanwhile, Ja Morant led the Grizzlies with 27 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds, in 40 minutes. Dillon Brooks totaled 27 points, five rebounds, three assists and a steal, while Jonas Valanciunas tallied 18 points, six rebounds and two steals. The Grizzlies shot 46 percent from the field, including 14-of-39 from deep.
The Jazz got right down to business with a, 47-27, lead after one quarter. They stayed in control through the second and pushed their lead to 24, by halftime. The Grizzlies had no answers in the third quarter, as the Jazz pushed the deficit to 30 points heading into the final frame. The Jazz increased their advantage to a game-high 35 points early in the fourth and were able to cruise the rest of the way from there.
Donovan Mitchell led the way for the Jazz with 30 points, 10 assists, six rebounds and a steal, in 29 minutes. Rudy Gobert finished with 23 points, 15 rebounds, three blocks and two assists, while Jordan Clarkson added 24 points on 9-of-20 shooting, off the bench. The Jazz shot 51 percent from the field, including 17-of-44 from long range.
Meanwhile, Ja Morant led the Grizzlies with 27 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds, in 40 minutes. Dillon Brooks totaled 27 points, five rebounds, three assists and a steal, while Jonas Valanciunas tallied 18 points, six rebounds and two steals. The Grizzlies shot 46 percent from the field, including 14-of-39 from deep.
Mavericks Edge Clippers, 105-100, in Game 5
The Dallas Mavericks defeated the Los Angeles Clippers, 105-100, in Game 5 of their Western Conference quarterfinal-round series at Staples Center on Wednesday night.
The Mavericks (3-2) entered the contest looking to bounce back from an embarrassing Game 4 loss on their home floor and avoid dropping a third straight decision to the Clippers (2-3), but they were only ahead by two points after a see-saw first half. Dallas seemed to take control during an outstanding third quarter, however, outscoring Los Angeles 33-21 during the period to carry a seemingly commanding 14-point lead into the fourth quarter. The hosts nearly pulled off a comeback by limiting the visitors to just 16 points in those final 12 minutes, but a pair of successful Tim Hardaway and Josh Richardson free throws apiece after the margin had closed to one point sealed the victory.
Luka Doncic once again led the way for the Mavericks with 42 points, complementing them with 14 assists, eight rebounds and one steal. Hardaway furnished 20 points, seven rebounds, two assists and one steal. Boban Marjanovic totaled nine points and seven rebounds. Kristaps Porzingis and Dorian Finney-Smith posted eight points each, with Porzingis also supplying six rebounds and Finney-Smith recording four boards and five steals.
Paul George paced the Clippers with 23 points, complementing them with 10 boards, six assists and three blocks. Kawhi Leonard and Reggie Jackson turned in 20 points each, with Leonard adding five rebounds, five assists, two blocks and one steal and Jackson registering three assists and two rebounds. Marcus Morris delivered 16 points, seven boards, three assists, two steals and one block. Nicolas Batum mustered 10 points, seven rebounds, two assists and one steal.
The two teams now head back to American Airlines Center in Dallas for Game 6 on Friday night.
The Mavericks (3-2) entered the contest looking to bounce back from an embarrassing Game 4 loss on their home floor and avoid dropping a third straight decision to the Clippers (2-3), but they were only ahead by two points after a see-saw first half. Dallas seemed to take control during an outstanding third quarter, however, outscoring Los Angeles 33-21 during the period to carry a seemingly commanding 14-point lead into the fourth quarter. The hosts nearly pulled off a comeback by limiting the visitors to just 16 points in those final 12 minutes, but a pair of successful Tim Hardaway and Josh Richardson free throws apiece after the margin had closed to one point sealed the victory.
Luka Doncic once again led the way for the Mavericks with 42 points, complementing them with 14 assists, eight rebounds and one steal. Hardaway furnished 20 points, seven rebounds, two assists and one steal. Boban Marjanovic totaled nine points and seven rebounds. Kristaps Porzingis and Dorian Finney-Smith posted eight points each, with Porzingis also supplying six rebounds and Finney-Smith recording four boards and five steals.
Paul George paced the Clippers with 23 points, complementing them with 10 boards, six assists and three blocks. Kawhi Leonard and Reggie Jackson turned in 20 points each, with Leonard adding five rebounds, five assists, two blocks and one steal and Jackson registering three assists and two rebounds. Marcus Morris delivered 16 points, seven boards, three assists, two steals and one block. Nicolas Batum mustered 10 points, seven rebounds, two assists and one steal.
The two teams now head back to American Airlines Center in Dallas for Game 6 on Friday night.