Orlando (United States) (AFP)
The Celtics, thanks to a superb performance from Jayson Tatum, had the final say against defending champion Toronto, to advance to the Eastern Conference final, while Denver remains alive in the West after closing the gap against the Clippers.
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The C's were a little louder
They gave their all, the Raptors, in this series they made indecisive, but whose epilogue reflects the slight superiority of Boston, winner with forceps (92-87) in the wake of Tatum, author of 29 points (12 rbds, 7 assists) and who won his duel from a distance with Pascal Siakam (13 pts, 11 rebounds).
"How hard it was, they have players who fight like dogs in this team and we had to do it too," Tatum whispered, happy but exhausted.
As in the second quarter, the Celtics finished better in the money-time.
Their defense managed to contain the desperate assaults of Toronto, like the formidable counter of Marcus Smart (16 pts, 6 assists, 3 interceptions) in the back of Nick Powell 58 seconds from the buzzer.
As for Jaylen Brown, he also struggled on both sides (21 pts, 8 rebounds, 4 interceptions).
Raptors side, the heart of the champion was not enough, especially at the end of the game where they ran out of breath.
Without demerit, the triggers Kyle Lowry (16 pts) and Fred VanVleet (20 pts) were in fact less fine than usual (13/35 on shots) and the wise old man, Serge Ibaka (14 pts, 8 rebounds), felt a little too lonely inside facing the green tides.
This is Boston which is preparing to play its third Eastern Conference final in four years.
The first two were lost to Cleveland and LeBron James.
This time it is Miami, well rested after having released Milwaukee (4-1), which is already working on its weapons.
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Nuggets are not fried
Denver, on the verge of elimination after being up to 16 points behind, was able to turn the situation around to win (111-105) against the Clippers and reduce the gap to 3-2.
Michael Porter Jr was the unexpected hero for the Nuggets.
Until 1 min 11 sec from the buzzer, the winger had been invisible out of the bench, if not to grab a handful of rebounds.
It was at this time that he planted a three-point banderilla to discourage any inclination to return the opponent by bringing the score to 105-100.
And then he finished the job by adding four free throws and inflicting a superb block on pivot Ivica Zubac.
What also to be forgiven after having criticized certain choices of his trainer Michael Malone in recent days.
Previously, the recovery operation could take place in the wake of Nikola Jokic (22 pts, 14 rebounds, 5 assists) and Jamal Murray (26 pts, 8 rebounds, 7 assists), much better in the second act.
The feat is as remarkable for the Nuggets as the release is to blame for LA
This resulted in the loss of the 4th quarter on a river score of 38-25.
This should not have pleased their coach Doc Rivers who has already deplored the drops in diet of his players during these play-offs.
As unfortunate as it is, this setback does not call into question the ability of the Clippers to reach their first conference final in their history, but it will still be necessary to be serious until the end.
What only Kawhi Leonard was, but his 36 points (9 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals) were not enough.
His lieutenant, Paul George, woke up a little too late (26 pts, 6 assists, 6 rebounds), while the men on the bench (16 pts) did not have the usual contribution.
The N.6 match will take place on Sunday.
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