Series relaunched in the NBA play-offs: Dallas, with a team united around Luka Doncic, defeated Phoenix to equalize at 2-2, as did Philadelphia, winner of Miami, thanks to James Harden and despite Jimmy Butler.
Belgian Pair
Dallas stifled Phoenix from the 1st quarter, concluded 37-25, with already eight award-winning banderillas. There will have been twenty in total (out of 44 attempted).
The success was thus less crazy in the second act and Phoenix was able to go up in score after being led by 17 units, in the wake of Devin Booker, excellent (37 pts, 7 assists), but lonely.
Because Chris Paul was absent subscribers and it is rare enough to report it (5 pts, 7 assists). Overwhelmed by faults, he was excluded in the sixth, harvested nine minutes from time.
No money-time therefore for those who are past masters in the management of these crucial end of matches. Without him, the best team in the regular season did not find the way to force their destiny.
On the contrary, it was Dallas, revived at the end of the third quarter by a welcome three-point basket from Frank Ntilikina (3 pts, 2 rebounds, 1 interception), who finished strong, Jalen Brunson (18 pts) taking charge of the last thrusts.
Game N.5 already promises to be crucial in Phoenix on Tuesday, as it will be in Miami between the Heat and the Sixers.
In Philadelphia, a bearded man came out of his box and it had been a long time since we had seen him at such a party. “The Beard”, James Harden ensured victory for the Sixers, scoring 16 of his 31 points (9 assists, 7 rebounds), including four baskets behind the arc, in the last quarter.
Criticized for his offensive performance below expectations, since his arrival in Pennsylvania three months ago, Harden has perfectly taken over from leader Joel Embiid, whose undermining work occurred earlier in the match (24 pts, 11 rbds).
For his second game in masked avenger mode since his right eye socket fracture, the Cameroonian, finalist for the MVP trophy, confirmed his rise to power, delivering a tough duel against Bam Adebayo (21 pts , 7 rebounds), who responded well after missing match N.3.
Philly led almost all the time, counting up to 14 lengths ahead, but the Heat often accorded to the score, guided by their leader Jimmy Butler, who had a hot hand (40 pts, at 13/ 20, 6 assists, 2 blocks).
But Miami, like Kyle Lowry (0/6, 6 pts) and Tyler Herro (1/5, 11 pts), was too clumsy behind the arc (7/35) to hope to win.
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