Hawks Pull Upset With Game 1 Win Over Sixers
The Atlanta Hawks defeated the Philadelphia 76ers, 128-124, at Wells Fargo Center in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals on Sunday afternoon.
The Hawks got off to an impressive start and ran the Sixers out of the court during the first half, and that would be everything they'd need to come away with a shocking victory in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Even though the Sixers came close to completing a huge comeback in the second half, they fell short when it mattered the most and came up just three short behind with less than a minute left on the clock, but Atlanta closed the game out effectively. The Hawks' impressive start was backed up by their 42-27 lead in the first quarter and while the game was quite balanced the rest of the way, Atlanta never lost control of the contest the rest of the way. The Hawks were up by 20 points at the break, but the Sixers responded with scores of 29-25 and 41-29 in the third and fourth quarters, respectively. It wasn't enough for the Sixers, though, and they've lost the home-court advantage until they can find a way to steal a win at State Farm Arena as the series progresses.
Trae Young carried the Hawks to victory in Game 1, as he finished with 35 points and 10 assists while also adding two rebounds and two steals, while John Collins produced a strong output with 21 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals. Clint Capela recorded another double-double (11 points, 10 rebounds) and Bogdan Bogdanovic also contributed 21 points -- while adding five boards and four dimes. Kevin Huerter added 15 points off the bench.
Joel Embiid registered 39 points and nine rebounds to lead the Sixers, while Ben Simmons added 17 points, 10 assists, four rebounds and four steals. Tobias Harris also recorded a double-double with 20 points and 10 boards, and Seth Curry finished with 21 points while draining five of his nine treys. Matisse Thybulle contributed 10 points coming off the bench.
The Hawks got off to an impressive start and ran the Sixers out of the court during the first half, and that would be everything they'd need to come away with a shocking victory in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Even though the Sixers came close to completing a huge comeback in the second half, they fell short when it mattered the most and came up just three short behind with less than a minute left on the clock, but Atlanta closed the game out effectively. The Hawks' impressive start was backed up by their 42-27 lead in the first quarter and while the game was quite balanced the rest of the way, Atlanta never lost control of the contest the rest of the way. The Hawks were up by 20 points at the break, but the Sixers responded with scores of 29-25 and 41-29 in the third and fourth quarters, respectively. It wasn't enough for the Sixers, though, and they've lost the home-court advantage until they can find a way to steal a win at State Farm Arena as the series progresses.
Trae Young carried the Hawks to victory in Game 1, as he finished with 35 points and 10 assists while also adding two rebounds and two steals, while John Collins produced a strong output with 21 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals. Clint Capela recorded another double-double (11 points, 10 rebounds) and Bogdan Bogdanovic also contributed 21 points -- while adding five boards and four dimes. Kevin Huerter added 15 points off the bench.
Joel Embiid registered 39 points and nine rebounds to lead the Sixers, while Ben Simmons added 17 points, 10 assists, four rebounds and four steals. Tobias Harris also recorded a double-double with 20 points and 10 boards, and Seth Curry finished with 21 points while draining five of his nine treys. Matisse Thybulle contributed 10 points coming off the bench.
Clippers Topple Mavericks, 126-111, for Series-Clinching Victory
The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Dallas Mavericks, 126-111, in Game 7 of their Western Conference quarterfinal-round series at Staples Center on Sunday afternoon. The Clippers have won the series, 4-3, and advance to the semifinal round.
The memorable series entered uncharted territory Sunday, as a Mavericks (3-4) win would mark the first time a home team failed to prevail in a single contest during a seven-game playoff set, while a Clippers victory would naturally qualify as the first triumph by either side on its home floor. It was impossible to tell which of the two feats would be accomplished through one very fast-paced opening quarter, as Dallas owned just a slim 38-35 lead at the conclusion of the period. However, the entire dynamic shifted during the middle periods, a stretch in which Los Angeles outscored the visitors by a 65-47 margin. A 21-4 run for the hosts over the last six minutes-plus of the third quarter is essentially what locked in the win, as the Mavericks trailed by double digits through the entirety of the final period.
Luka Doncic paced the Mavericks with 46 points, adding 14 assists and seven rebounds. Dorian Finney-Smith generated a 16-point, 10-rebound double-double that also included two assists. Kristaps Porzingis furnished 16 points, 11 rebounds, one assist and two steals. Boban Marjanovic delivered 14 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and one block. Tim Hardaway supplied 11 points, three rebounds, one assist and one steal.
Kawhi Leonard led the Clippers with 28 points, complementing them with 10 rebounds, nine assists, four steals and one block. Marcus Morris registered 23 points, five rebounds and two assists. Paul George totaled 22 points, 10 assists, six rebounds and three steals. Reggie Jackson poured in 15 points, while Terance Mann contributed 13 points, five rebounds, one assist and one steal. Nicolas Batum and Luke Kennard chipped in matching 11-point tallies, with Batum also recording seven rebounds, five assists, two steals and one block.
The Clippers move on to play the Utah Jazz in the semifinal round, with Game 1 set for Tuesday night at Vivint Smart Home Arena.
The memorable series entered uncharted territory Sunday, as a Mavericks (3-4) win would mark the first time a home team failed to prevail in a single contest during a seven-game playoff set, while a Clippers victory would naturally qualify as the first triumph by either side on its home floor. It was impossible to tell which of the two feats would be accomplished through one very fast-paced opening quarter, as Dallas owned just a slim 38-35 lead at the conclusion of the period. However, the entire dynamic shifted during the middle periods, a stretch in which Los Angeles outscored the visitors by a 65-47 margin. A 21-4 run for the hosts over the last six minutes-plus of the third quarter is essentially what locked in the win, as the Mavericks trailed by double digits through the entirety of the final period.
Luka Doncic paced the Mavericks with 46 points, adding 14 assists and seven rebounds. Dorian Finney-Smith generated a 16-point, 10-rebound double-double that also included two assists. Kristaps Porzingis furnished 16 points, 11 rebounds, one assist and two steals. Boban Marjanovic delivered 14 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and one block. Tim Hardaway supplied 11 points, three rebounds, one assist and one steal.
Kawhi Leonard led the Clippers with 28 points, complementing them with 10 rebounds, nine assists, four steals and one block. Marcus Morris registered 23 points, five rebounds and two assists. Paul George totaled 22 points, 10 assists, six rebounds and three steals. Reggie Jackson poured in 15 points, while Terance Mann contributed 13 points, five rebounds, one assist and one steal. Nicolas Batum and Luke Kennard chipped in matching 11-point tallies, with Batum also recording seven rebounds, five assists, two steals and one block.
The Clippers move on to play the Utah Jazz in the semifinal round, with Game 1 set for Tuesday night at Vivint Smart Home Arena.