Heat Topples 76ers, 119-103
The Miami Heat defeated the Philadelphia 76ers, 119-103, at FTX Arena on Wednesday night in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference semifinal-round series. The Heat leads the series, 2-0.
The Heat (2-0) came into the night knowing they had at least one more chance to face Philadelphia without star big man Joel Embiid (concussion/eye), and they wasted no time laying the groundwork for capitalizing on his absence. Miami owned a seven-point lead over the 76ers (0-2) by the end of one, and they'd stretched their advantage to 11 points entering the final period. However, any designs the visitors may have had on a comeback were squashed relatively quickly by a 10-0 run about midway through the fourth quarter that gave the home squad all the cushion it would need to pull away.
Tyrese Maxey led the 76ers with 34 points, adding three rebounds, one assist and two steals. Tobias Harris furnished 21 points, four boards, four assists and four steals. James Harden supplied 20 points, nine assists, four rebounds and one block. Furkan Korkmaz totaled eight points and six rebounds.
Bam Adebayo paced the Heat with 23 points, supplementing them with nine rebounds, three assists and one steal. Jimmy Butler generated a 22-point, 12-assist double-double that included six rebounds and two steals. Victor Oladipo registered 19 points, six boards and one assist. Tyler Herro delivered 18 points, seven rebounds, three assists and one block.
The series now shifts to Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, where the two clubs reconvene for Game 3 on Friday night.
The Heat (2-0) came into the night knowing they had at least one more chance to face Philadelphia without star big man Joel Embiid (concussion/eye), and they wasted no time laying the groundwork for capitalizing on his absence. Miami owned a seven-point lead over the 76ers (0-2) by the end of one, and they'd stretched their advantage to 11 points entering the final period. However, any designs the visitors may have had on a comeback were squashed relatively quickly by a 10-0 run about midway through the fourth quarter that gave the home squad all the cushion it would need to pull away.
Tyrese Maxey led the 76ers with 34 points, adding three rebounds, one assist and two steals. Tobias Harris furnished 21 points, four boards, four assists and four steals. James Harden supplied 20 points, nine assists, four rebounds and one block. Furkan Korkmaz totaled eight points and six rebounds.
Bam Adebayo paced the Heat with 23 points, supplementing them with nine rebounds, three assists and one steal. Jimmy Butler generated a 22-point, 12-assist double-double that included six rebounds and two steals. Victor Oladipo registered 19 points, six boards and one assist. Tyler Herro delivered 18 points, seven rebounds, three assists and one block.
The series now shifts to Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, where the two clubs reconvene for Game 3 on Friday night.
Suns Defeat Mavs, 129-109, Lead 2-0 in Series
The Phoenix Suns defeated the visiting Dallas Mavericks, 129-109, in Game 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals at Footprint Center on Wednesday.
Neither team led by more than 10 points until the fourth quarter but a 23-2 run in that quarter made this a lopsided result. In fact, the Suns rode a 40-26 fourth quarter to their victory, getting their lead up to 27 points at times. Phoenix shot 65 percent from the field and 52 percent from three-point range while holding Dallas to 46 percent from the field and 42 percent from long range. The Suns out-rebounded the Mavericks, 34-25, while out-assisting them, 28-19. They also out-blocked them, 6-1.
The Mavericks (0-2) were led by Luka Doncic, tallying 35 points, five rebounds and seven assists. Reggie Bullock amassed 16 points and four rebounds. Jalen Brunson missed nine of his 12 shots to finish with nine points, five rebounds and two assists. Spencer Dinwiddie led the bench with 11 points and two assists.
The Suns (2-0) were led by Devin Booker and his 30 points, four rebounds and four assists. Chris Paul collected 28 points, six rebounds and eight assists. Jae Crowder accrued 15 points, seven rebounds and three assists, while Mikal Bridges had 11 points, three rebounds, six assists and two steals. Cameron Johnson led the bench with nine points, two rebounds and two assists.
Dallas will play host in Game 3 on Friday.
Neither team led by more than 10 points until the fourth quarter but a 23-2 run in that quarter made this a lopsided result. In fact, the Suns rode a 40-26 fourth quarter to their victory, getting their lead up to 27 points at times. Phoenix shot 65 percent from the field and 52 percent from three-point range while holding Dallas to 46 percent from the field and 42 percent from long range. The Suns out-rebounded the Mavericks, 34-25, while out-assisting them, 28-19. They also out-blocked them, 6-1.
The Mavericks (0-2) were led by Luka Doncic, tallying 35 points, five rebounds and seven assists. Reggie Bullock amassed 16 points and four rebounds. Jalen Brunson missed nine of his 12 shots to finish with nine points, five rebounds and two assists. Spencer Dinwiddie led the bench with 11 points and two assists.
The Suns (2-0) were led by Devin Booker and his 30 points, four rebounds and four assists. Chris Paul collected 28 points, six rebounds and eight assists. Jae Crowder accrued 15 points, seven rebounds and three assists, while Mikal Bridges had 11 points, three rebounds, six assists and two steals. Cameron Johnson led the bench with nine points, two rebounds and two assists.
Dallas will play host in Game 3 on Friday.