In the last game on Saturday, the Toronto Raptors avoided the "sweep" (a 4-0 elimination) by winning against the Sixers in their hall.

On the other hand, this threat hovers more than ever above the Nets, defeated at home 109-103, and dominated by the more organized and combative Celtics, with Jayson Tatum in charge.

The winger scored 39 points, took 5 rebounds and offered 6 assists.

Marking Kevin Durant on defense, Tatum also overpowered the Nets' star scorer, limited to 16 points, like Kyrie Irving.

Despite a champion roster on paper, Brooklyn is close to elimination: no team has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit in the NBA play-offs.

"I think it shows the growth of our team," Jayson Tatum said.

"At the start of the season, we were always giving up big leads. And we understood. We will never be perfect, what matters is how we react. We knew how to react."

The Utah Jazz meanwhile returned to a tie (2-2) by winning 100-99 at home against Dallas, which had nevertheless recorded the return of Luka Doncic, absent since the start of the play-offs.

"I was really happy," said the Slovenian.

"I missed basketball. I had fun on the court. What's better than the play-offs?"

Decisive alley-oop

The star point guard scored 30 points and 10 rebounds, including a 3-point shot that gave the Mavericks a 4-point advantage with 40 seconds remaining.

But that was without counting on the talent of Donovan Mitchell (23 pts, 7 assists), who, after a 2-point shot and a free throw, found his teammate Rudy Gobert on an alley-oop, who took charge of the winning dunk 11 seconds from the end.

Rudy Gobert takes a rebound in the game between the Utah Jazz and the Dallas Mavericks on April 23, 2022 in Salt Lake City.

Alex Goodlett GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP

While many questions arise about the relationship between Mitchell and Gobert and the future of the team, the French pivot reacted strongly after the match: "Nothing to give a damn about the discussions (about the team). We are just trying to be the best team possible, we try to take advantage of the moment, and what happens will happen".

"We have an opportunity and we will make the most of it," added Gobert (17 pts, 15 rebounds).

"We believe in each other. We have to keep moving forward."

The Minnesota Timberwolves also came back to 2-2 in the series against the Memphis Grizzlies after their 119-118 win at home.

"Nothing's Gonna Stop Me"

Karl-Anthony Towns signs a double-double with 33 points and 14 rebounds.

"I did my job, that's what I have to do," he said, when he only scored 8 points in the N.3 game, lost by Wolves.

On the Grizzlies side, Desmond Bane finished top scorer (34 points), and point guard Ja Morant was limited to 11 points (4/13 shooting), even if he also distributed 15 assists.

Finally, in Toronto, the Raptors escaped elimination by beating the Philadelphia Sixers (110-102).

Pascal Siakam scored 34 points, his personal best in the play-offs.

The Raptors, however, lost to injury Fred VanVleet, hit in the left hip, and Scottie Barnes, just elected rookie (beginner) of the year and who was however returning after his ankle injury in game N.1.

Pascal Siakama scored 34 points in the Raptors' win over the Sixers on April 23, 2022 in Toronto.

Cole Burston GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP

On the side of the Sixers, Joel Embiid (21 pts, 8 rebounds), holder despite an injury to his right thumb, suffered somewhat.

"I haven't had an MRI yet so we have to see how bad it really is," the Cameroonian pivot said of his injury: "It's the play-offs. stop. I have to keep going and hope for the best."

© 2022 AFP