Heat Thumps 76ers, 120-85
The Miami Heat defeated the Philadelphia 76ers, 120-85, at FTX Arena on Tuesday night in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference semifinal-round series. The Heat leads the series, 3-2.
The Heat (3-2) came into the game looking to put a highly untimely two-game skid in the rearview mirror on their home floor and regain the lead in the series. After an ugly last two games in Philadelphia, Miami served early notice Tuesday would be different when it jumped out to a 31-19 lead through the first 12 minutes. Erik Spoelstra's squad still held a 12-point advantage at halftime, and when they managed to extend their edge to 15 points during the third quarter, the game was essentially decided. However, the hosts thoroughly controlled both sides of the floor for good measure in the final period, tacking on another 20 points to their margin of victory.
Joel Embiid led the 76ers with 17 points, five rebounds, two assists and one steal. James Harden furnished 14 points, six rebounds, four assists and one steal. Tobias Harris turned in 12 points and three boards, while Tyrese Maxey delivered nine points, three rebounds, one assist and one steal. Shake Milton matched his scoring off the bench while adding four boards, one assist and two steals.
Jimmy Butler paced the Heat with 23 points, nine rebounds, six assists and one steal. Max Strus generated a 19-point, 10-rebound double-double that included one assist. Gabe Vincent supplied 15 points, five rebounds, two assists and one steal. Victor Oladipo registered 13 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals. Bam Adebayo compiled 12 points, six rebounds, two blocks and one steal. P.J. Tucker and Tyler Herro generated matching 10-point tallies, with Tucker also totaling seven assists, four rebounds, one steal and one block.
The series shifts back to Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia for Game 6 on Thursday night.
The Heat (3-2) came into the game looking to put a highly untimely two-game skid in the rearview mirror on their home floor and regain the lead in the series. After an ugly last two games in Philadelphia, Miami served early notice Tuesday would be different when it jumped out to a 31-19 lead through the first 12 minutes. Erik Spoelstra's squad still held a 12-point advantage at halftime, and when they managed to extend their edge to 15 points during the third quarter, the game was essentially decided. However, the hosts thoroughly controlled both sides of the floor for good measure in the final period, tacking on another 20 points to their margin of victory.
Joel Embiid led the 76ers with 17 points, five rebounds, two assists and one steal. James Harden furnished 14 points, six rebounds, four assists and one steal. Tobias Harris turned in 12 points and three boards, while Tyrese Maxey delivered nine points, three rebounds, one assist and one steal. Shake Milton matched his scoring off the bench while adding four boards, one assist and two steals.
Jimmy Butler paced the Heat with 23 points, nine rebounds, six assists and one steal. Max Strus generated a 19-point, 10-rebound double-double that included one assist. Gabe Vincent supplied 15 points, five rebounds, two assists and one steal. Victor Oladipo registered 13 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals. Bam Adebayo compiled 12 points, six rebounds, two blocks and one steal. P.J. Tucker and Tyler Herro generated matching 10-point tallies, with Tucker also totaling seven assists, four rebounds, one steal and one block.
The series shifts back to Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia for Game 6 on Thursday night.
Suns Defeat Mavs in Game 6, 110-80, Take 3-2 Series Lead
The Phoenix Suns defeated the visiting Dallas Mavericks, 110-80, in Game 5 of the Western Conference Semifinals at Footprint Center on Tuesday.
Phoenix leads this series, 3-2.
While Dallas held the lead for the majority of the first half, Phoenix never relinquished the lead after a 26-20 second quarter. That gave them a three-point halftime lead but they capped off their win behind a 33-14 third quarter. That can be attributed to a 17-0 run in that frame, with the Suns largest lead being the final 30-point spread. Phoenix shot 49 percent from the field and 38 percent from three-point range while holding Dallas to 38 percent from the field and 25 percent from long range. The Suns also out-rebounded the Mavs, 50-38, while out-assisting them, 28-9. They also outscored them in the paint, 44-24, and in second-chance points, 14-2.
The Mavericks (2-3) were led by Luka Doncic and his 28 points, 11 rebounds, two assists and three steals. Jalen Brunson tallied 21 points, seven rebounds and two assists. The other three starters combined for eight points and three assists. Davis Bertans led the bench with 10 points but no other bench player had more than four points.
The Suns (3-2) were led by Devin Booker, collecting 28 points, seven rebounds, two assists and two steals. Deandre Ayton amassed 20 points, nine rebounds and two assists. Mikal Bridges generated 14 points, seven rebounds and four steals. Chris Paul compiled seven points, two rebounds and 10 assists, while Cameron Johnson led the bench with 14 points, two rebounds and two steals.
Game 6 will be played in Dallas on Thursday. If there's a Game 7, that will be in Phoenix on Sunday.
Phoenix leads this series, 3-2.
While Dallas held the lead for the majority of the first half, Phoenix never relinquished the lead after a 26-20 second quarter. That gave them a three-point halftime lead but they capped off their win behind a 33-14 third quarter. That can be attributed to a 17-0 run in that frame, with the Suns largest lead being the final 30-point spread. Phoenix shot 49 percent from the field and 38 percent from three-point range while holding Dallas to 38 percent from the field and 25 percent from long range. The Suns also out-rebounded the Mavs, 50-38, while out-assisting them, 28-9. They also outscored them in the paint, 44-24, and in second-chance points, 14-2.
The Mavericks (2-3) were led by Luka Doncic and his 28 points, 11 rebounds, two assists and three steals. Jalen Brunson tallied 21 points, seven rebounds and two assists. The other three starters combined for eight points and three assists. Davis Bertans led the bench with 10 points but no other bench player had more than four points.
The Suns (3-2) were led by Devin Booker, collecting 28 points, seven rebounds, two assists and two steals. Deandre Ayton amassed 20 points, nine rebounds and two assists. Mikal Bridges generated 14 points, seven rebounds and four steals. Chris Paul compiled seven points, two rebounds and 10 assists, while Cameron Johnson led the bench with 14 points, two rebounds and two steals.
Game 6 will be played in Dallas on Thursday. If there's a Game 7, that will be in Phoenix on Sunday.