Bucks Stay Strong At Home To Tie Series
By Dan Bruno
The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the visiting Brooklyn Nets, 107-96, in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals at Fiserv Forum on Sunday afternoon.
The contest got out to a tight start as the Nets led by three, after one quarter. The Bucks picked up the pace in the second, where they outscored the Nets, 30-22, to pull ahead with a five-point lead by halftime. Unfortunately for the Nets, Kyrie Irving was forced the leave the game mid way through the second with an apparent ankle injury, and he would not return. The Bucks carried the momentum into the second half and outscored the Nets by seven points through the third quarter, to take a commanding 12-point lead into the final frame. The Nets kept up the fight in the fourth, but they were not able to claw their way back, as the Bucks hung on to tie the series up at, 2-2.
Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 34 points, 12 rebounds, three assists and a block, in 38 minutes. Khris Middleton followed up with 19 points, eight assists, four rebounds, two steals and two blocks, while Jrue Holiday tallied 14 points, nine assists and three rebounds. The Bucks shot 44 percent from the field, including 16-of-47 from long range.
Meanwhile, Kevin Durant led the Nets with 28 points, 13 rebounds, five assists, a block and a steal, in 41 minutes. Despite leaving mid way through the second quarter, Kyrie Irving was the Nets' next-highest scorer, with 11 points on 5-of-11 shooting. Blake Griffin added eight points, five rebounds, three assists and a steal, while Jeff Green and Joe Harris also added eight points each. The Nets shot 43 percent from the field, including 10-of-33 from deep.
Game 5 is scheduled for Tuesday, in Brooklyn.
The contest got out to a tight start as the Nets led by three, after one quarter. The Bucks picked up the pace in the second, where they outscored the Nets, 30-22, to pull ahead with a five-point lead by halftime. Unfortunately for the Nets, Kyrie Irving was forced the leave the game mid way through the second with an apparent ankle injury, and he would not return. The Bucks carried the momentum into the second half and outscored the Nets by seven points through the third quarter, to take a commanding 12-point lead into the final frame. The Nets kept up the fight in the fourth, but they were not able to claw their way back, as the Bucks hung on to tie the series up at, 2-2.
Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 34 points, 12 rebounds, three assists and a block, in 38 minutes. Khris Middleton followed up with 19 points, eight assists, four rebounds, two steals and two blocks, while Jrue Holiday tallied 14 points, nine assists and three rebounds. The Bucks shot 44 percent from the field, including 16-of-47 from long range.
Meanwhile, Kevin Durant led the Nets with 28 points, 13 rebounds, five assists, a block and a steal, in 41 minutes. Despite leaving mid way through the second quarter, Kyrie Irving was the Nets' next-highest scorer, with 11 points on 5-of-11 shooting. Blake Griffin added eight points, five rebounds, three assists and a steal, while Jeff Green and Joe Harris also added eight points each. The Nets shot 43 percent from the field, including 10-of-33 from deep.
Game 5 is scheduled for Tuesday, in Brooklyn.
Suns Defeat Nuggets, 125-118, to Complete Sweep
The Phoenix Suns defeated the host Denver Nuggets, 125-118, in Game 4 of the Western Conference Semifinals at Ball Arena on Sunday.
A win here gave Phoenix a sweep in this four-game series, advancing to the Western Conference Finals. Like most games in this series, Phoenix led for most of the game thanks to a 28-22 first quarter. In fact, that allowed the Suns to hold the lead for the final 45 minutes, with the Nuggets having just one shot to tie the game after that opening quarter. Phoenix ended up out-rebounding Denver, 48-37. In addition, the Suns shot 52 percent from the field and 29-of-31 from the free-throw line while the Nuggets shot 46 percent from the field and 14-of-21 from the charity stripe.
The Suns (4-0) were led by Chris Paul, tallying 37 points, three rebounds, seven assists and two steals on 14-of-19 from the field. Devin Booker had 24 points, 11 rebounds and four assists. Mikal Bridges totaled 14 points, six rebounds and two assists while Jae Crowder finished with nine points, 10 rebounds and four blocks.
The Nuggets (0-4) were led by Will Barton and his 25 points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals. Nikola Jokic was ejected for a flagrant-two in the third quarter but generated 22 points, 11 rebounds and four assists. Michael Porter Jr amassed 20 points, four rebounds and three steals. Monte Morris accrued 19 points and six assists.
This marks the end for Denver while Phoenix will wait to see who they play between the Los Angeles Clippers and Utah Jazz in the Western Conference Finals.
A win here gave Phoenix a sweep in this four-game series, advancing to the Western Conference Finals. Like most games in this series, Phoenix led for most of the game thanks to a 28-22 first quarter. In fact, that allowed the Suns to hold the lead for the final 45 minutes, with the Nuggets having just one shot to tie the game after that opening quarter. Phoenix ended up out-rebounding Denver, 48-37. In addition, the Suns shot 52 percent from the field and 29-of-31 from the free-throw line while the Nuggets shot 46 percent from the field and 14-of-21 from the charity stripe.
The Suns (4-0) were led by Chris Paul, tallying 37 points, three rebounds, seven assists and two steals on 14-of-19 from the field. Devin Booker had 24 points, 11 rebounds and four assists. Mikal Bridges totaled 14 points, six rebounds and two assists while Jae Crowder finished with nine points, 10 rebounds and four blocks.
The Nuggets (0-4) were led by Will Barton and his 25 points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals. Nikola Jokic was ejected for a flagrant-two in the third quarter but generated 22 points, 11 rebounds and four assists. Michael Porter Jr amassed 20 points, four rebounds and three steals. Monte Morris accrued 19 points and six assists.
This marks the end for Denver while Phoenix will wait to see who they play between the Los Angeles Clippers and Utah Jazz in the Western Conference Finals.