Celtics, Bucks Collide In Pivotal Game 7
The Boston Celtics will host the Milwaukee Bucks at TD Garden on Sunday in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. The series is tied 3-3.
It’s do-or-die for the Celtics, as they have won two of three at Fiserv Forum but are yet struggling when playing in front of their fans, at least in the current series. Knowing they were down 2-3 and on the road, the Celtics delivered what was their best all-around effort in the series and evened things up. Jayson Tatum led the way for the Celtics with 46 points, but he also added nine rebounds and four assists. Marcus Smart and Jaylen Brown cleared the 20-point mark, as Brown ended with 22 points, five boards and four dimes, while Smart contributed 21 points, seven assists and five rebounds. Al Horford only scored two points, but he chipped in with 10 rebounds, four blocks and three assists. No other Boston player scored in double digits. The uptick in play from Tatum has been key for the Celtics, and the star forward will need to be at his best to carry the C’s to the Conference Finals, where they will take on the Miami Heat.
Things are not easier for the Bucks, as they have had two leads in the series and could have closed things out in Game 6, but they simply didn’t have answers to slow Boston down. Even though Giannis Antetokounmpo ended with excellent numbers (44 points and 20 rebounds while also adding six assists, two blocks and a steal), the reality is that the rest of the team failed to step their game up when the team needed him the most. Jrue Holiday had 17 points, four assists and three steals, but he registered that tally by attempting 17 shots. Pat Connaughton had 14 points coming off the bench. No other Milwaukee player scored in double digits in this one. Plus, Khris Middleton (knee) is not expected to play Sunday, and that should complicate the Bucks even more.
It’s do-or-die for the Celtics, as they have won two of three at Fiserv Forum but are yet struggling when playing in front of their fans, at least in the current series. Knowing they were down 2-3 and on the road, the Celtics delivered what was their best all-around effort in the series and evened things up. Jayson Tatum led the way for the Celtics with 46 points, but he also added nine rebounds and four assists. Marcus Smart and Jaylen Brown cleared the 20-point mark, as Brown ended with 22 points, five boards and four dimes, while Smart contributed 21 points, seven assists and five rebounds. Al Horford only scored two points, but he chipped in with 10 rebounds, four blocks and three assists. No other Boston player scored in double digits. The uptick in play from Tatum has been key for the Celtics, and the star forward will need to be at his best to carry the C’s to the Conference Finals, where they will take on the Miami Heat.
Things are not easier for the Bucks, as they have had two leads in the series and could have closed things out in Game 6, but they simply didn’t have answers to slow Boston down. Even though Giannis Antetokounmpo ended with excellent numbers (44 points and 20 rebounds while also adding six assists, two blocks and a steal), the reality is that the rest of the team failed to step their game up when the team needed him the most. Jrue Holiday had 17 points, four assists and three steals, but he registered that tally by attempting 17 shots. Pat Connaughton had 14 points coming off the bench. No other Milwaukee player scored in double digits in this one. Plus, Khris Middleton (knee) is not expected to play Sunday, and that should complicate the Bucks even more.
Suns Host Mavs in Game 7
The Phoenix Suns play host to the Dallas Mavericks in Game 7 of the Western Conference Semifinals at Footprint Center on Sunday.
This series is tied at 3-3. The winner of this game will play the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference Finals beginning sometime next week.
The Mavericks (3-3) have taken care of business in their three home games, but they have to do something here that they haven't done in a long time. That's winning in Phoenix, with the Mavericks last win in Phoenix happening in January of 2017. Luka Doncic was a teenager at that time, and it's going to be up to him to snap that ugly streak. He's averaging about 30 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists a game in this series, and one would have to believe he's in a for a vintage performance in the biggest game of his career. With all of that said, getting production from guys like Dorian Finney-Smith and Jalen Brunson is arguably even more critical because we all know that Luka will perform.
The Suns (3-3) have five losses in this postseason, and it took them about four months in the regular season to reach 10 defeats. That shows that the step up in competition is getting to this club but getting homecourt advantage is obviously a massive boost. We talked about how Dallas hasn't won in Phoenix in five years, and they're not the only team with a streak like that. The simple fact is, Phoenix needs more from their star players. Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton have been far too inconsistent in this series, and that could end their season if they don't start playing better.
Despite the series score, Phoenix has won 14 of their last 17 games over Dallas in total.
This series is tied at 3-3. The winner of this game will play the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference Finals beginning sometime next week.
The Mavericks (3-3) have taken care of business in their three home games, but they have to do something here that they haven't done in a long time. That's winning in Phoenix, with the Mavericks last win in Phoenix happening in January of 2017. Luka Doncic was a teenager at that time, and it's going to be up to him to snap that ugly streak. He's averaging about 30 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists a game in this series, and one would have to believe he's in a for a vintage performance in the biggest game of his career. With all of that said, getting production from guys like Dorian Finney-Smith and Jalen Brunson is arguably even more critical because we all know that Luka will perform.
The Suns (3-3) have five losses in this postseason, and it took them about four months in the regular season to reach 10 defeats. That shows that the step up in competition is getting to this club but getting homecourt advantage is obviously a massive boost. We talked about how Dallas hasn't won in Phoenix in five years, and they're not the only team with a streak like that. The simple fact is, Phoenix needs more from their star players. Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton have been far too inconsistent in this series, and that could end their season if they don't start playing better.
Despite the series score, Phoenix has won 14 of their last 17 games over Dallas in total.