Suns Defeat Clippers in Game 1, 120-114
The Phoenix Suns defeated the visiting Los Angeles Clippers, 120-114, in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals at Phoenix Suns Arena on Sunday.
While superstars like Chris Paul (COVID protocols) and Kawhi Leonard (knee) missed this key Game 1, Phoenix was still able to prevail. It was tight throughout though, taking 13 ties and 20 lead changes to determine a winner, with neither club ever leading by more than 10 points. A 27-21 fourth quarter ultimately decided things for Phoenix, starting on a 12-2 run across the opening four minutes and never relinquishing the lead after that. The Suns shot 55 percent from the field while holding the Clippers to 45 percent shooting. In addition, Phoenix out-assisted Los Angeles, 31-23, while winning the points in the paint battle, 54-34.
The Clippers (0-1) were led by Paul George, tallying 34 points, four rebounds, five assists and two steals. Reggie Jackson amassed 24 points, six rebounds and four assists. Nicolas Batum totaled five points, 10 rebounds and three assists. DeMarcus Cousins led the bench with 11 points and four boards while Rajon Rondo registered eight points, three rebounds and seven assists.
The Suns (1-0) were led by Devin Booker, who recorded the first triple-double of his career. He collected 40 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists. Deandre Ayton accrued 20 points, nine rebounds and two assists. Mikal Bridges had 14 points, two assists and two blocks while Cameron Payne provided 11 points, three rebounds and nine assists in a spot start.
Game 2 will be back in Phoenix on Tuesday. The status of Paul and Leonard are unsure but the expectation is that neither guy will be ready to play that pivotal matchup.
While superstars like Chris Paul (COVID protocols) and Kawhi Leonard (knee) missed this key Game 1, Phoenix was still able to prevail. It was tight throughout though, taking 13 ties and 20 lead changes to determine a winner, with neither club ever leading by more than 10 points. A 27-21 fourth quarter ultimately decided things for Phoenix, starting on a 12-2 run across the opening four minutes and never relinquishing the lead after that. The Suns shot 55 percent from the field while holding the Clippers to 45 percent shooting. In addition, Phoenix out-assisted Los Angeles, 31-23, while winning the points in the paint battle, 54-34.
The Clippers (0-1) were led by Paul George, tallying 34 points, four rebounds, five assists and two steals. Reggie Jackson amassed 24 points, six rebounds and four assists. Nicolas Batum totaled five points, 10 rebounds and three assists. DeMarcus Cousins led the bench with 11 points and four boards while Rajon Rondo registered eight points, three rebounds and seven assists.
The Suns (1-0) were led by Devin Booker, who recorded the first triple-double of his career. He collected 40 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists. Deandre Ayton accrued 20 points, nine rebounds and two assists. Mikal Bridges had 14 points, two assists and two blocks while Cameron Payne provided 11 points, three rebounds and nine assists in a spot start.
Game 2 will be back in Phoenix on Tuesday. The status of Paul and Leonard are unsure but the expectation is that neither guy will be ready to play that pivotal matchup.
Hawks Pull Gigantic Upset, Secure Spot In Conference Finals
The Atlanta Hawks defeated the Philadelphia 76ers, 103-96, at Wells Fargo Center on Sunday evening in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. As a result, the Hawks advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals, where they'll face the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Sixers got off to a better start in Game 7 and jumped out to a 28-25 lead in the first quarter, but that would be the only time they'd win an individual quarter the rest of the way. Atlanta responded with a 23-18 score in the second quarter and grabbed a two-point lead at the break, an advantage they'd never relinquish by a big margin in the second half. Atlanta never allowed Philadelphia to escape and while both teams traded leads from time to time, the Hawks still had the edge after three quarters with a 28-25 score, and they'd close things out with a 27-25 score in the fourth quarter. Atlanta did an excellent job of closing things out and pulled a gigantic upset at Wells Fargo Center, while Philadelphia suffered another deception two years in a row after its disappointing performance in last year's playoffs as well.
Kevin Huerter, who drained three clutch free throws at the end of the game, ended with a team-high 27 points to lead the Hawks offensively. Trae Young struggled badly from the floor (5-23 FG, 2-11 3Pt) but still posted a double-double of 21 points and 10 assists. John Collins also registered a double-double after posting 14 points and 16 rebounds, while Clint Capela chipped in with 13 points and six boards. Danilo Gallinari had 17 points off the bench.
Joel Embiid finished with 31 points and 11 rebounds for the Sixers, but his contributions were not enough. Tobias Harris also ended with a double-double after posting 24 points and 14 rebounds, while Seth Curry delivered another decent performance and finished with 16 points. No other Philadelphia player ended with double-digit points and that includes Ben Simmons, who only had five points to go along with 13 assists.
The Sixers got off to a better start in Game 7 and jumped out to a 28-25 lead in the first quarter, but that would be the only time they'd win an individual quarter the rest of the way. Atlanta responded with a 23-18 score in the second quarter and grabbed a two-point lead at the break, an advantage they'd never relinquish by a big margin in the second half. Atlanta never allowed Philadelphia to escape and while both teams traded leads from time to time, the Hawks still had the edge after three quarters with a 28-25 score, and they'd close things out with a 27-25 score in the fourth quarter. Atlanta did an excellent job of closing things out and pulled a gigantic upset at Wells Fargo Center, while Philadelphia suffered another deception two years in a row after its disappointing performance in last year's playoffs as well.
Kevin Huerter, who drained three clutch free throws at the end of the game, ended with a team-high 27 points to lead the Hawks offensively. Trae Young struggled badly from the floor (5-23 FG, 2-11 3Pt) but still posted a double-double of 21 points and 10 assists. John Collins also registered a double-double after posting 14 points and 16 rebounds, while Clint Capela chipped in with 13 points and six boards. Danilo Gallinari had 17 points off the bench.
Joel Embiid finished with 31 points and 11 rebounds for the Sixers, but his contributions were not enough. Tobias Harris also ended with a double-double after posting 24 points and 14 rebounds, while Seth Curry delivered another decent performance and finished with 16 points. No other Philadelphia player ended with double-digit points and that includes Ben Simmons, who only had five points to go along with 13 assists.