Heat Topples 76ers, 106-92
The Miami Heat defeated the Philadelphia 76ers, 106-92, at FTX Arena on Monday night in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semifinal-round series.
The Heat (1-0) came into the game knowing they'd have a significant built-in advantage with Joel Embiid (concussion/eye) out of action, even as Miami was missing Kyle Lowry (hamstring) in its own right. The 76ers (0-1) actually started out the game playing mostly competitive first quarter, but the hosts had pulled away some by the end of the period in the form of an eight-point lead. Nevertheless, the visitors responded with their best quarter of the game in the second, allowing them to build a surprising one-point halftime advantage. After the Heat subsequently built an eight-point edge heading into the final period, their 18-5 run over the first 5:45 of the fourth quarter put the game away for good.
Tobias Harris led the 76ers with 27 points, complementing them with six rebounds, one assist and one block. Tyrese Maxey supplied 19 points and two assists. James Harden furnished 16 points, nine boards and five assists. Furkan Korkmaz led the bench with nine points.
Tyler Herro paced the Heat with 25 points, supplementing them with seven assists and one rebound. Bam Adebayo followed with a 24-point, 12-rebound double-double that included four assists, two steals and one block. Jimmy Butler played through his knee injury and totaled 15 points, nine rebounds, three assists and two steals. P.J. Tucker and Gabe Vincent provided matching 10-point contributions while pulling down seven and three rebounds, respectively. Vincent added three assists.
The two teams reconvene for Game 2 at FTX Arena on Wednesday night.
The Heat (1-0) came into the game knowing they'd have a significant built-in advantage with Joel Embiid (concussion/eye) out of action, even as Miami was missing Kyle Lowry (hamstring) in its own right. The 76ers (0-1) actually started out the game playing mostly competitive first quarter, but the hosts had pulled away some by the end of the period in the form of an eight-point lead. Nevertheless, the visitors responded with their best quarter of the game in the second, allowing them to build a surprising one-point halftime advantage. After the Heat subsequently built an eight-point edge heading into the final period, their 18-5 run over the first 5:45 of the fourth quarter put the game away for good.
Tobias Harris led the 76ers with 27 points, complementing them with six rebounds, one assist and one block. Tyrese Maxey supplied 19 points and two assists. James Harden furnished 16 points, nine boards and five assists. Furkan Korkmaz led the bench with nine points.
Tyler Herro paced the Heat with 25 points, supplementing them with seven assists and one rebound. Bam Adebayo followed with a 24-point, 12-rebound double-double that included four assists, two steals and one block. Jimmy Butler played through his knee injury and totaled 15 points, nine rebounds, three assists and two steals. P.J. Tucker and Gabe Vincent provided matching 10-point contributions while pulling down seven and three rebounds, respectively. Vincent added three assists.
The two teams reconvene for Game 2 at FTX Arena on Wednesday night.
Suns Defeat Mavs in Game 1,121-114
The Phoenix Suns defeated the visiting Dallas Mavericks, 121-114, in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals at Footprint Center on Monday.
This gives the Suns a 1-0 lead in this best-of-seven series.
Phoenix started this game with a 22-7 run, winning this game in wire-to-wire fashion. In fact, Dallas never had a shot to tie the game after the opening minute, trailing by at least four points for the final 47 minutes of this 48-minute game. Phoenix got their lead up to 21 points at times. The Suns shot 51 percent from the field, 39 percent from three-point range and 100 percent from the free-throw line while holding the Mavs to 47 percent from the field, 41 percent from long range and 72 percent from the charity stripe. Phoenix also out-rebounded Dallas, 51-36, while out-assisting them, 27-16. In addition, they had six blocks while the Mavericks had just two swats.
The Mavericks (0-1) were led by Luka Doncic, collecting 45 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists. Dorian Finney-Smith accrued 15 points and six rebounds. Jalen Brunson had 13 points, four rebounds and three assists, while Maxi Kleber led the bench with 19 points. Spencer Dinwiddie totaled eight points, three rebounds, four assists and two steals.
The Suns (1-0) were led by Deandre Ayton and his 25 points and seven rebounds. Devin Booker tallied 23 points, nine rebounds and eight assists. Chris Paul compiled 19 points, five rebounds and three assists, while Jae Crowder provided 11 points, eight rebounds and three assists. Cameron Johnson led the bench with 17 points and five boards. Mikal Bridges also accumulated 13 points, seven rebounds, four assists and two blocks.
Game 2 will be played in Phoenix on Wednesday.
This gives the Suns a 1-0 lead in this best-of-seven series.
Phoenix started this game with a 22-7 run, winning this game in wire-to-wire fashion. In fact, Dallas never had a shot to tie the game after the opening minute, trailing by at least four points for the final 47 minutes of this 48-minute game. Phoenix got their lead up to 21 points at times. The Suns shot 51 percent from the field, 39 percent from three-point range and 100 percent from the free-throw line while holding the Mavs to 47 percent from the field, 41 percent from long range and 72 percent from the charity stripe. Phoenix also out-rebounded Dallas, 51-36, while out-assisting them, 27-16. In addition, they had six blocks while the Mavericks had just two swats.
The Mavericks (0-1) were led by Luka Doncic, collecting 45 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists. Dorian Finney-Smith accrued 15 points and six rebounds. Jalen Brunson had 13 points, four rebounds and three assists, while Maxi Kleber led the bench with 19 points. Spencer Dinwiddie totaled eight points, three rebounds, four assists and two steals.
The Suns (1-0) were led by Deandre Ayton and his 25 points and seven rebounds. Devin Booker tallied 23 points, nine rebounds and eight assists. Chris Paul compiled 19 points, five rebounds and three assists, while Jae Crowder provided 11 points, eight rebounds and three assists. Cameron Johnson led the bench with 17 points and five boards. Mikal Bridges also accumulated 13 points, seven rebounds, four assists and two blocks.
Game 2 will be played in Phoenix on Wednesday.