Heat Defeats 76ers, 99-90, Takes Series
The Miami Heat defeated the Philadelphia 76ers, 99-90, on Thursday night in Game 6 of their Eastern Conference semifinal-round series. The Heat wins the series, 4-2.
The Heat (4-2) came into the night figuring they'd have an uphill battle in notching a series-deciding victory in enemy territory, but they started the night off on the right foot with a 28-25 lead through one. The 76ers (2-4) whittled their slim deficit down to one point going into halftime, but Miami took control of the game by forging a 25-15 edge during the third quarter and then opening the final period on an 8-0 run that gave them an advantage that remained in double digits until the final basket of the game.
Jimmy Butler led the Heat with 32 points, adding eight rebounds, four assists, two blocks and one steal. Max Strus generated a 20-point, 11-rebound double-double that included five assists. P.J. Tucker furnished 12 points, nine rebounds, one assist and two blocks. Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro supplied 10 points apiece while pulling down eight and three rebounds, respectively.
Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey co-led the 76ers with 20 points apiece while recording 12 rebounds and four assists, respectively. Shake Milton delivered 15 points, three rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block. Tobias Harris registered 14 points, eight boards, one assist, two blocks and one steal. James Harden totaled 11 points, nine assists, four rebounds and one steal.
The Heat now awaits the winner of the Bucks-Celtics semi-final round series, with that team to serve as their opponent in the Eastern Conference Finals.
The Heat (4-2) came into the night figuring they'd have an uphill battle in notching a series-deciding victory in enemy territory, but they started the night off on the right foot with a 28-25 lead through one. The 76ers (2-4) whittled their slim deficit down to one point going into halftime, but Miami took control of the game by forging a 25-15 edge during the third quarter and then opening the final period on an 8-0 run that gave them an advantage that remained in double digits until the final basket of the game.
Jimmy Butler led the Heat with 32 points, adding eight rebounds, four assists, two blocks and one steal. Max Strus generated a 20-point, 11-rebound double-double that included five assists. P.J. Tucker furnished 12 points, nine rebounds, one assist and two blocks. Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro supplied 10 points apiece while pulling down eight and three rebounds, respectively.
Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey co-led the 76ers with 20 points apiece while recording 12 rebounds and four assists, respectively. Shake Milton delivered 15 points, three rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block. Tobias Harris registered 14 points, eight boards, one assist, two blocks and one steal. James Harden totaled 11 points, nine assists, four rebounds and one steal.
The Heat now awaits the winner of the Bucks-Celtics semi-final round series, with that team to serve as their opponent in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Mavs Defeat Suns in Game 6, 113-86, to Force Game 7
The Dallas Mavericks defeated the visiting Phoenix Suns, 113-86, in Game 6 of the Western Conference Semifinals at American Airlines Center on Thursday.
This series is now tied at 3-3.
While there were six ties and three lead changes in the first quarter, Phoenix rode a 32-20 second quarter to their win. They actually went on a 19-6 run to end the first half and then started the third quarter on a 10-3 spurt. That 29-9 run was too much for the Suns to overcome, with the Mavericks maintaining a double-digit lead for the final 26 minutes of this game. They got their lead up to 27 points at times. Dallas won the turnover battle, 22-6, which led to them outscoring Phoenix in points off of turnovers, 29-6. The 16 steals recorded by the Mavs was the difference, with the Suns picking up just three steals. Dallas shot 46 percent from the field and 41 percent from three-point range (16-of-39) while holding Phoenix to 40 percent from the field and 33 percent from long range (6-of-18).
The Suns (3-3) were led by Deandre Ayton and his 21 points and 11 rebounds. Devin Booker tallied 18 points, eight rebounds and three assists. With that said, he shot 6-of-17 from the field while committing eight turnovers. Chris Paul collected 13 points, two rebounds, four assists and two steals. Mikal Bridges amassed seven points, five rebounds and five assists.
The Mavericks (3-3) were led by Luka Doncic, finishing with 33 points, 11 rebounds, eight assists and four steals. Reggie Bullock registered 19 points, seven rebounds and two steals. Jalen Brunson had 18 points, two assists and three steals. Spencer Dinwiddie led the bench with 15 points and three assists.
Game 7 will be played in Phoenix on Sunday. The winner of that game will face the Golden State Warriors or Memphis Grizzlies in the Western Conference Finals.
This series is now tied at 3-3.
While there were six ties and three lead changes in the first quarter, Phoenix rode a 32-20 second quarter to their win. They actually went on a 19-6 run to end the first half and then started the third quarter on a 10-3 spurt. That 29-9 run was too much for the Suns to overcome, with the Mavericks maintaining a double-digit lead for the final 26 minutes of this game. They got their lead up to 27 points at times. Dallas won the turnover battle, 22-6, which led to them outscoring Phoenix in points off of turnovers, 29-6. The 16 steals recorded by the Mavs was the difference, with the Suns picking up just three steals. Dallas shot 46 percent from the field and 41 percent from three-point range (16-of-39) while holding Phoenix to 40 percent from the field and 33 percent from long range (6-of-18).
The Suns (3-3) were led by Deandre Ayton and his 21 points and 11 rebounds. Devin Booker tallied 18 points, eight rebounds and three assists. With that said, he shot 6-of-17 from the field while committing eight turnovers. Chris Paul collected 13 points, two rebounds, four assists and two steals. Mikal Bridges amassed seven points, five rebounds and five assists.
The Mavericks (3-3) were led by Luka Doncic, finishing with 33 points, 11 rebounds, eight assists and four steals. Reggie Bullock registered 19 points, seven rebounds and two steals. Jalen Brunson had 18 points, two assists and three steals. Spencer Dinwiddie led the bench with 15 points and three assists.
Game 7 will be played in Phoenix on Sunday. The winner of that game will face the Golden State Warriors or Memphis Grizzlies in the Western Conference Finals.