- Philadelphie Sixers 119 – 115 Boston Celtics (1-0)
One could think that this first round was going to be one-sided after the confirmation of the absence of Joel Embiid, knee injury. We were scared after a few minutes seeing the insolent success of the C’s but in the end it was nothing. Because the Sixers, under the banderillas of James Harden, did more than resist throughout the encounter. The Green Army very quickly takes advantage of the gap left by Jojo in the paint to score easy points. But Boston does not stop there because in addition to having all the access to the circle, they show an incredible success during the first half. Jayson Tatum in the lead with 39 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists, paul par Malcom Brogdon, 20 units, during rotations, the C’s master but without however dominating. Blame it on the Barbu who had the good idea to confuse Pennsylvania red with Texan red. His very clean game allows the Sixers to remain in ambush despite the domination of the J’s Brothers gang. Even if the first half is intense, the debates remain soft, with an almost non-existent defense. judging by the first free throws of the game shot… in the last minute of the second QT. the break, the C’s are still in front but we feel that a little something is missing from the men of Joe Mazzulla. And afterwards, the Sixers are more comfortable. Paul Reedreplacing Embiid, started to finish with 10 points and 13 rebounds, the defenses tightened and the advantage kept changing hands. De’Anthony Meltoneffective in the first half, scored 17 5/6 long distance points and remained valuable in certain sequences of the second act. Tyrese Maxey, 26 units and 4 interceptions, also comes out of his box to shoulder Harden. The Barbu scores 45 points and equals his record in the play-offs. The moneytime is just as intense as the rest of the game, mistakes are very expensive. And this little game, the C’s will fail at the worst of times. In the last minute, Malcolm Brogdon enters and tries to come out at the head of the racket. But no Celtic are nearby. The ball lands in the hands of Maxey, very happy to find himself alone on the counter-attack. Boston is somewhat tanned unlike Harden who sends a monumental triple to snatch this first game. The Celtics are already back to the wall, with an obligation to win on Wednesday night Thursday. The Sixers seized their chance without Embiid and despite a glaring lack of defensive commitment in the first half.
- Phoenix Suns 87 – 97 Denver Nuggets (0-2)
Denver puts all its chances on its side after Game 2 against Phoenix. After the XXL performance of Jamal Murray during the first round of these semi-finals, it was the turn of Nikola Jokic to wear his own to break with authority. After a very tight first half where Nikola Jokic rpond Devin Bookerthe lack of depth of the Suns workforce will cost dearly to the men of Monty Williams. Only 4 small points come off the bench on the Arizona side, it is not ideal to resist the repeated assaults of the Rockies franchise. Especially since Kevin Durant24 pointsc 10/27 and 2/12 from afar, is very well guarded by Aaron Gordon and can not help Booker who nevertheless walks on the water in sequence with his 35 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists. The last QT is just a great demonstration of the collective mastery of the Nuggets with the Serbian maestro in charge. The double MVP finishes with 39 points, 17/30, 16 rebounds and 5 caviars. On the contrary, the Suns experience the greatest difficulty developing when Booker doesn’t send a shot from space. Chris Paul had to leave his partners during the third QT following a groin injury. Another failure for CP3 at the worst of times for its franchise. Monty Williams will have to pull magic formulas from his hat to thwart the plans of Mike Malone before the series moved to Phoenix for the next two encounters.
2023-05-02 08:26:43
#Harden #saves #Philly #Denver #breaks
