In the other matchup of the evening, Nikola Jokic's Denver Nuggets also took a 3-2 lead, dominating Phoenix 118-102. Again, the Colorado franchise, seeded No. 1 in the West, can qualify Thursday, but it will have to win at the Suns, otherwise a 7th and final meeting will be necessary.

Did Philadelphia do the hardest? Led 2-1 before the weekend, the Sixers had managed to equalize Sunday in front of their public, at the end of the suspense (116-115 a.p.), thanks to a masterful performance of James Harden (42 pts). On Tuesday night, "the Beard" scored "only" 17 points, and regular season MVP Joel Embiid took over as the leading scorer, with 33 units.

"Joel did a great job shooting when he needed to shoot and passing when he needed to pass," coach Doc Rivers said.

But the coach of "Phila" did not ignore the performance of Harden, author of a double-double, with 10 assists. "He played a perfect match. He was aggressive very early in the game, when he needed to. And he took everyone with him," Rivers said.

James Harden , of the Philadelphia Sixers, during Game 1 against the Boston Celtics, in the NBA playoffs, on May 5, 9 in Boston © Maddie Meyer/GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP

Great weather, then, over the head of the Sixers, where five players finished with more than 10 points, before Game 6.

"Run" and "defend"

It's quite the opposite for the Celtics, after what coach Joe Mazzulla called "the worst game of the playoffs."

"It doesn't come at the best time but you have to look ahead and be ready for the next game," he added.

Dropped at the end of the first quarter (33-26), Boston never managed to come back, despite the efforts of the double Tatum-Brown (60 points between them).

In the Western Conference, Denver also enjoyed an excellent start (35-24 at the end of the first quarter), and breathes easier after its 118-102 victory over Phoenix, which allows it to erase Sunday's failure.

Nikola Jokic defensing on Devin Booker # during Game 1 between the Denver Nuggets and Phoenix Suns in the NBA playoffs on May 5, 9 in Phoenix © MATTHEW STOCKMAN/GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP

Serbian pivot Nikola Jokic, who escaped a suspension after shoving the Phoenix owner in Game 4, composted another triple-double (29 pts, 13 rbds, 12 assists), and the Nuggets flew away late in the game, counting up to 24 points.

In front of the media, their coach Michael Malone insisted especially on the defensive performance of his team. "We didn't make any defense in the two games we lost in Phoenix," he said.

While Denver can hope to qualify for the conference finals as early as Thursday in Arizona, he insisted on this point. "Running" and "defending" is what we will have to do (...) if we want to conclude."

The first two qualified for these finals can be known as early as Wednesday night since the New York Knicks, in the East, and the L.A. Lakers, in the West, lead 3-1 against respectively the Miami Heat and the Golden State Warriors, defending champions in danger.

© 2023 AFP