Western Conference Playoffs, Conference Semifinals

Game 1

Houston Rockets 100 Golden State Warriors 104

The Houston Rockets came into this series after somewhat easily dispatching the Utah Jazz while the Golden State Warriors had a little more difficult time getting rid of the Los Angeles Clippers. The Rockets also wanted to avenge their seven game loss to the Warriors in last year's Western Conference Finals after having a 3-2 series lead only to lose it when Chris Pual went out of the series with a hamstring injury.

This game was a batlle of the MVP's. with both Kevin Durant and James Harden leading their respective squads with 35 points apiece. This game went back and forth all the way to the end, and it had a rather dramatic finish with Chris Paul being ejected from the game with 4.4 seconds remaining in the game after getting his second technical foul for apparently bumping into an offical. This allowed the Warriors to escape with the victory after James Harden's 3-point attempt missed the bucket. Stephen Curry scored 18 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Draymond Green nearly had a triple double, scoring 14 points, grabbing nine rebounds, and dishing out nine assists. Andre Igoudala also added 14 points while Klay Thompson added 13 points for the Warriors.

Eric Gordon scored 27 points for the Rockets while Chris Paul scored 17 points before being ejected from the game.

Golden State leads series 1-0.

[Edited 4/30/19 20:03pm]

^Eric Gordon, but again - thanks for your recaps!

Dang good effort by the Rockets but it showed what I've always said - we beat these guys hands-down if we can hit our regular shots. We didn't do that yesterday, and some credit goes to the Warriors, no doubt. But we missed good looks, and starting out 0-8 in 3's is no way to win a playoff game against the Warriors.

And yet...the game was there for the taking, or at least for the tieing. And the refs! I'm not a "Blame the refs!" kind of guy but I am also not a "Change the rules without telling anyone" guy, either.

If you're going to call a foul on a defensive player for stepping into a jump shooter's landing zone ALL YEAR, then you have to call that during the playoffs, too. It's a foul. Draymond Green certainly stepped into Harden's landing zone on the last Rockets shot of the game. There were four or five other no-calls on the same type play - in the first half.

Mike D'antoni said the refs told him they missed on those. Mavericks owner Mark Cuban tweeted he looked forward to the last two-minute report. Jazz center Rudy Gobert said his teammates could not have gotten away with plays he showed with screen grabs.

Give us those 12 - 18 free throws, and take away the rebounds/points from those no-calls, and I think we win by double digits. Not to mention having Austin Rivers available - that sure would have helped. But anyway, if "if and buts were candy and nuts, we'd all have a jolly Christmas!" or something like that.

OK, enough whining! We looked like winners yesterday. I hope we can win Tuesday night. I'm sending my daughter to the game. Let's hope she's good luck! Go Rockets!

uPtoWnNY said:

Sloppy, but an intense Game 1 between Houston & Golden State. Bottom line, Warriors have more players who can make big shots than any other team.

Can't disagree on that. Curry's last 3 was money.

We have to put Golden State in a position where one or two big shots won't win the game. Which I think we can do.

RodeoSchro said:

uPtoWnNY said:

Sloppy, but an intense Game 1 between Houston & Golden State. Bottom line, Warriors have more players who can make big shots than any other team.

Can't disagree on that. Curry's last 3 was money.

We have to put Golden State in a position where one or two big shots won't win the game. Which I think we can do.

Durant is the key....as I've said many times, him going to a loaded team threw the balance of power out of wack. Cavs were able to beat GS before Durant signed with them. Dude is unguardable.

Really impressed with what Boston did.....they ran a clinic on Milwaukee. Shows the importance of playoff experience and having a dude like Kyrie who thrives at (to quote Magic Johnson), "winnin' time!". Remember, Boston didn't have Kyrie & Hayward last year - this year they had work them back in the lineup which takes time. Once they 'figure it out', they are dangerous.

I'm not a whiner. This is posted solely to give hope that the refs call stuff correctly tonight.

https://www.chron.com/spo...804629.php


The NBA on Monday ruled that three mistakes were made in the final two minutes of Sunday's Rockets loss to the Warriors, each favoring the Warriors, but that James Harden was not fouled on his final 3-point attempt and that the technical Chris Paul was received was correct.

The league determined that the Warriors Stephen Curry fouled Harden with 1:09 left and the Warriors leading by five. The foul would have been Curry's sixth and came before his 3-pointer for a five-point lead with 25.9 seconds left. On the possession that followed the foul on Curry that was not called, Warriors guard Klay Thompson was not called for a traveling violation.

The league also ruled that after Harden's missed 3-pointer in the closing seconds, Curry fouled Rockets guard Eric Gordon, prompting Paul's protest which ended with his second technical foul.

If we win tonight, there's no doubt we're going all the way!

https://www.chron.com/spo...806780.php

Scott Foster, the official that Rockets star James Harden said in February should not work Rockets games again, was named the crew chief for Tuesday's game, working along with Ed Malloy and Eric Lewis. Rodney Mott is the alternate...

...Foster had not been assigned to a Rockets game since the Rockets Feb. 17 loss to the Lakers when Paul and Harden each fouled out - including four offensive fouls called on Harden - and Paul and Rockets coach Mike D'Antoni each received technical fouls. Harden has fouled out of four games in his career; three officiated by Foster. The Rockets lost three home playoff games last season officiated by Foster, but Paul had complained about him during that regular season.

"Last year in the postseason, in the Western Conference Finals, I think he officiated a couple of our games," Harden said. "It's lingering. It has to be looked at. For sure, it's personal. For sure. I don't think he should be able to officiate our games anymore, honestly.

"Scott Foster man, I never really talk about officiating, but just rude and arrogant. I mean, you aren't able to talk to him throughout the game. It's not even that call. It's who he is on that floor. It's pretty frustrating. You can't have a conversation. You get a tech."

I'm rooting for the Rockets to pull the upset but they need to get they're heads in the game and off the refs. That team is loaded with vets who know the refs aren't gonna call those same fouls they called in the regular season, especially if you do alot of "Baiting" the refs, which Harden and Paul do alot.

They need to focus on figuring out how to slow down KD, that's the key to a series win IMO!

Eastern Conference Playoffs, Conference Semifinals

Game 2

Philadelphia 76ers 94 Toronto Raptors 89

The Philsdelphia 76ers came into this game wondering what hit them in game 1 (hint: Kawhi Leonard) and hoping not to repeat the same mistakes. It didn't take them long to make it known to the Raptors that they were in this to win, as they stormed out of the gate and led by as much as 19 points in the second quarter.

But the Raptors would come back. They pulled to within one point of Philly late in the third quarter, but then went cold to start the fourth, missing six of their first seven shots. Neverthless, Toronto would once again pull within a point with 46 seconds remaining in the game, but Philly would seal the game with an inside bucket by Joel Embiid. Jimmy Butler led the Sixers with 30 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists. James Ennis II scored 13 points and grabbed six rebounds. Joel Embiid scored 12 points, grabbed six rebunds, and dished out five assists in just 32 minutes of action due to suffering from flu-like symptoms which requied intravenous liquids just prior to tipoff. J.J. Redick added 11 points while Greg Monroe added 10 points.

Kawhi Leonard led the Raptors with 35 points, seven rebounds, and six assists while Pascal Siakam scored 21 points and grabbed seven rebounds and Kyle Lowry added 20 points, five rebounds, and five assists.

Series tied at 1-1.

Western Conference Playoffs, Conference Semifinals

Game 1

Portland Trail Blazers 113 Denver Nuggets 121

The Denver Nuggets came into this series having outlasted the San Antonio Spurs in seven games while the Portland Trail Blazers came in relatively rested as they dispatched the Oklahoma City Thunder in five games. The game would start as many observers expected, with the Blazers coming out with much more energy and taking the early lead.

But the Nuggets would come roaring back thanks to Nikola Jokic, who scored 37 points, grabbed nine rebounds, and dished out six assists. Jamal Murray scored 23 points and dished out eight assists. Denver led by as much as 12 points early in the fourth quarter, but the Blazers would make another run led by Damian Lillard, who scored 39 points but made only four of his 12 3-point attempts. One of those misses came late in game as his attempt to pull Portland within six was blocked by Gary Harris, thus helping seal the victory for the Nuggets. Paul Milsap added 19 points and six assists for Denver while Gary Harris added 11 points.

Enes Kanter scored 26 points and grabbed seven rebounds for Portland. Rodney Hood scored 17 points while C.J. McCollum added 16 points, but they would come up just short.

Denver leads series 1-0.

Eastern Conference Playoffs, Conference Semifinals

Game 2

Boston Celtics 102 Milwaukee Bucks 123

The Milwaukee Bucks found themselves against the wall after the Boston Celtics took game 1 with suffocating defense, particularly against Giannis Antetokounmpo. Giannis took it upon himself to spark the Bucks' offense, and he would do just that.

Once again the Celtics would get physical with Giannis, but he took advantage, going to the free throw line 18 times and scoring 13 of his 29 points from the charity stripe while also finishing with 10 rebounds. But Milwaukee would light up the game from behind the 3-point line, hitting 20 3-pointers in the game. Khris Middleton hit seven of those 3-pointers, finishing with 28 points and seven rebounds. Eric Bledsoe scored 21 points and dished out five assists while Brook Lopez and George Hill each added 10 points.

Marcus Morris led the Celtics with 17 points and seven rebounds while Jaylen Brown added 16 points and Al Horford added 15 points and eight rebounds.

Series tied at 1-1.

Abdul said:

I'm rooting for the Rockets to pull the upset but they need to get they're heads in the game and off the refs. That team is loaded with vets who know the refs aren't gonna call those same fouls they called in the regular season, especially if you do alot of "Baiting" the refs, which Harden and Paul do alot.

They need to focus on figuring out how to slow down KD, that's the key to a series win IMO!

Rockets had 18 turnovers and gave up 18 offensive boards, and GS did a great job defending the pick & roll/lob to Capela. You're right...Harden doesn't get the benefit of the doubt because of his history of 'baiting'. Instead of trying to draw fouls, just make the play.

Barkley was right...Houston MUST win both games at home for any chance of an upset. If the Warriors get a split, series is over in 5.

Houston has no one to deal with Durant....the only player I've seen who can at least stay with him is Kawhi.

Western Conference Playoffs, Conference Semifinals

Game 2

Houston Rockets 109 Golden State Warriors 115

The Golden State Warriors were able to hold off the Houston Rockets in game 1 after Chris Paul was ejected late in the final seconds. Their goal this time was to take control early not give the Rockets a window to come back.

They played their game on both sides of the ball, leading wire to wire and playing some physical defense on James Harden. Golden State would lead by double digits several times in this game, yet Houston would make a comeback late only to run out of time. Kevin Durant led the Warriors with 29 points while Klay Thompson scored 21 points and Stephen Curry scored 20 points. Draymond Green scored 15 points, grabbed 12 rebounds, and dished out seven assists while Andre Igoudala added 16 points.

However, the Rockets did make a comeback, as James Harden ground out 29 points and seven rebounds. One of those buckets was a 3-pointer that got the Rockets within three midway through the fourth quarter. Chris Paul scored 18 points, grabbed seven rebunds, and dished out six assists. Eric Gordon added 15 points while Clint Capela and Austin Rivers each added 14 points and P.J. Tucker added 13 points. The Rockets would pull withn four with 3 seconds remaining, but time would run out on their huge comeback.

Golden State leads series 2-0.

Western Conference Playoffs, Conference Semifinals

Game 2

Portland Trail Blazers 97 Denver Nuggets 90

The Denver Nuggets managed to outlast the Portland Trail Blazers in game 1 but still hadn't found a way to slow down Damian Lillard. They would focus much of their defense on him in this game and dared his supporting cast to beat them.

The Blazers rose to that task. In fact, there was some rather physical play by both teams that got testy later on when Enes Kanter made a hard foul on Torrey Craig that ended up clearing the benches on both sides. In the meantime, Portland jumped out to a huge lead early, particularly in the second quarter, holding Denver to just 12 points on 5 for 23 shooting from the floor and missing all 10 of their 3-point attempts. The Blazers led by 15 points at the half and would lead by 17 before the Nuggets made a furious comeback that pulled them within five in the final minute of the game before they ran out of time and gas. Denver was able to hold Damian Lillard to just 14 points in this game, but they were unable to hold back C.J. McCollum, who led the Blazers with 20 points, six rebounds, and six assists. Enes Kanter and Rodney Hood each scored 15 points with Kanter adding nine rebounds. Al-Farouq Aminu added 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with 16 points, 14 rebounds, and seven assists. Jamal Murray scored 15 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Paul Milsap added 14 points and 11 rebounds for Denver while Malik Beasly added 13 points and Gary Harris added 12 points.

Series tied at 1-1.

Eastern Conference Playoffs, Conference Semifinals

Game 3

Toronto Raptors 95 Philadelphia 76ers 116

The Philadelphia 76ers came into this game with confidence after jumping to a huge lead on the road and managing to hold on to secure the victory in game 2. They were hoping to use that momentum in front of their home fans in this game.

And the Sixers would do just that. They led wire to wire, though they wouldn't assert their dominance until the second quarter, jumping out to a 14 point lead before going into halftime up 11 points. Toronto would attempt to come back, cutting the Sixers lead to just seven points early in the fourth quarter, but then Philly would pull away to secure the victory. Joel Embiid had a huge game with 33 points and 10 rebounds. Jimmy Butler nearly had a triple double, scoring 22 points, grabbing nine rebounds, and dishing out nine assists. J.J. Redick scored 15 points while Tobias Harris scored 13 points, grabbed eight rebounds, and dished out five assists. Ben Simmons and James Ennis III each added 10 points.

Kawhi Leonard led the Raptors with 33 points while Pascal Siakam scored 20 points and Danny Green added 13 points and six rebounds. However, Kyle Lowry had another disappointing performance, scoring just seven points, grabbing five rebounds, and dishing out five assists.

Philadelphia leads series 2-1.

728huey said:

Eastern Conference Playoffs, Conference Semifinals

Game 3

Toronto Raptors 95 Philadelphia 76ers 116

The Philadelphia 76ers came into this game with confidence after jumping to a huge lead on the road and managing to hold on to secure the victory in game 2. They were hoping to use that momentum in front of their home fans in this game.

And the Sixers would do just that. They led wire to wire, though they wouldn't assert their dominance until the second quarter, jumping out to a 14 point lead before going into halftime up 11 points. Toronto would attempt to come back, cutting the Sixers lead to just seven points early in the fourth quarter, but then Philly would pull away to secure the victory. Joel Embiid had a huge game with 33 points and 10 rebounds. Jimmy Butler nearly had a triple double, scoring 22 points, grabbing nine rebounds, and dishing out nine assists. J.J. Redick scored 15 points while Tobias Harris scored 13 points, grabbed eight rebounds, and dished out five assists. Ben Simmons and James Ennis III each added 10 points.

Kawhi Leonard led the Raptors with 33 points while Pascal Siakam scored 20 points and Danny Green added 13 points and six rebounds. However, Kyle Lowry had another disappointing performance, scoring just seven points, grabbing five rebounds, and dishing out five assists.

Philadelphia leads series 2-1.

Geez, what a shit-show that was for the Raptors. The bench was terrible and Lowry needs to stop his whining about every damn call and just play the game! They are in real trouble if they lose on Sunday and if they lose this series, I guess we can say goodbye to Kawhi.

Empress said:

Geez, what a shit-show that was for the Raptors. The bench was terrible and Lowry needs to stop his whining about every damn call and just play the game! They are in real trouble if they lose on Sunday and if they lose this series, I guess we can say goodbye to Kawhi.

Like DeRozan, Lowry's not prime-time. The elite players impose their will on a game, especially in the playoffs.

But it was all Dwayne Casey's fault.....

As I've said before, Philly's starting five is no joke...aside from the Warriors, I'll put their lineup against any team's.

Blazers held on for an amazing 4OT win at home.

[Edited 5/3/19 23:34pm]

It makes a big difference too when Embiid is healthy and focused.

Embiid can shoot 3's but Philly didn't draft him to be an outside shooter.

Get your ass in the paint in the 4th quarter and dominate. Philly as a team

is better when the whole team focuses on playing defense but sometimes

they seem to be aloof. Leonard is gonna get his just stop the other guys

from being a factor.

phunkdaddy said:

It makes a big difference too when Embiid is healthy and focused.

Embiid can shoot 3's but Philly didn't draft him to be an outside shooter.

Get your ass in the paint in the 4th quarter and dominate. Philly as a team

is better when the whole team focuses on playing defense but sometimes

they seem to be aloof. Leonard is gonna get his just stop the other guys

from being a factor.

Shaq and Kevin McHale have said they'd like to see Embiid dominate the paint more. Damn right....fuck that three point shit.

Eastern Conference Playoffs, Conference Semifinals

Game 3

Milwaukee Bucks 123 Boston Celtics 116

The Milwaukee Bucks were able to even up this series in game 2 when Giannis Antetokounmpo decided to play his usual game and attack the opponent from inside the paint. Giannis would continue this tack despite the Boston Celtics' attempt to slow him down with suffocating defense.

The first half saw the Celtics and Bucks going back and forth, with Boston once again getting physical with Giannis, ultimately limiting him to just 13 field goal attempts for the entire game. The Celtics went into halftime with a one point lead.

But Giannis would take over in the third quarter despite Boston's best efforts to contain him, including fouling him repeatedly. Giannis once again took advantage, making 16 of 22 free throw attempts to go along with the eight field goals he did make to finish with 32 points, 13 rebounds, and eight assists. George Hill scored 21 points for Milwaukee while Khris Middleton scored 20 points and dished out five assists. Pat Connaughton added 14 points and seven rebounds while Nikola Mirotic added 13 points.

Kyrie Irving led the Celtics with 29 points and six assists. Jason Tatum scored 20 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. Jaylen Brown scored 18 points and grabbed five rebounds while Al Horford scored 17 points, grabbed eight rebounds, and dished out five assists. Marcus Morris added 16 points and eight rebounds while Gordon Hayward added 10 points.

Milwaukee leads series 2-1.

Western Conference Playoffs, Conference Semifinals

Game 3

Denver Nuggets 137 Portland Trail Blazers 140 F/4OT

This game ultimately became one of the most epic battles in NBA history.

The game would ultimately be decided by Rodney Hood, who played for the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals last season but fell out of favor with them and found himself a free agent. But first, let's explain how they got here.

The Portland Trail Blazers would take the lead early in this game, jumping out to a 10 point lead early in the second quarter. But the Denver Nuggets would come back to take the lead later that quarter and went into halftime down by just a point. The Nuggets then stormed out at the start of the third quarter to lead by six only for the Blazers to go on a 21-7 run to lead by 10 late in the third quarter. The fourth quarter found the Nuggets hanging around as they clawed their way back into this game. Denver tied the game with 3:26 remaining in the fourth quarter, and Jamal Murray would give the Nuggets a five point lead with a jumper and a 3-pointer with 1:56 remaining in the fourth. But Maurice Harkness would tie the game with a 3-pointer and jump shot of his own and Damian Lillard hit a floating jumper with 31.6 seconds remaining to give the Blazers the lead. But Will Barton quickly made a layup to tie the game, and after a Portland miss from the 3-point line and a Denver turnover, the game went into overtime.

C.J. McCollum made all of Portland's points in the first overtime, including a jumper to tie the game at 109 with 8.7 seconds remaining. Nikola Jokic had a chance to win the game with a 3-pointer in the closing seconds, but it bounced off the rim.

McCollum once again led the Blazers in the second overtime, but Garry Harris would tie the game with 1:03 remaining. But fatigue may have begun to set in, as both teams missed shots down the stretch, sending the game into a third overtime period.

The third overtime became a battle of wills, with C.J. McCollum and Damian Lillard carrying the Blazers while Jamal Murray and Paul Milsap carried the Nuggets. Milsap would hit a midrange jumper to put Denver up by four with 32.2 seconds remaining. But Damian Lillard hit a couple of driving layups to tie the game at 129 with 8.4 seconds remaining. Jamal Murray had a chance to win the game at the buzzer, but his 3-point attempt missed, and the game went into a fourth overtime for only the second time in NBA playoff history.

It was in the fourth and final overtime that Rodney Hood made his presence felt. The Nuggets led by a bucket with 2:49 remaining in the fourth overtime when Hood tied the game with a pull up jumper with 1:07 remaining. After a Will Barton free throw, Hood would give the Blazers the lead with another pull up jumper with 44.9 seonds remaining. Paul Milsap gave Denver the lead again with a short jumper with 27.6 seonds remaining, but Rodney Hood would hit what would be the game-winning 3 point shot with 18.6 seconds remaining. Nikola Jokic would be fouled, but missed the first free throw. He did make the seocnd, and after Seth Curry made a pair of free throws with 2.8 seconds remaining, Paul Milsap saw his inbound pass stolen by C.J. McCollum, thus sealing the victory for the Blazers in this epic matchup.

C.J. McCollum led the Blazers with 41 points. Damian Lillard scored 28 points, dished out eight assists, and grabbed six rebounds. Rodney Hood scored 19 points including the Blazers' final three field goals. Enes Kanter scored 18 points and grabbed 15 rebounds while Maurice Harkness added 15 points and 10 rebounds.

Jamal Murray led the Nuggets with 34 points, nine rebounds, and five assists. Nikola Jokic had another triple double, scoring 33 points, grabbing 18 rebounds, and dishing out 14 assists. Will Barton scored 22 points and grabbed nine rebounds while Paul Milsap added 17 points and 13 rebounds and Gary Harris added 13 points.

Portland leads series 2-1.

Western Conference Playoffs, Conference Semifinals

Game 3

Golden State Warriors 121 Houston Rockets 126 F/OT

The Houston Rockets found themselves in a big hole after losing game 2 in this series, and they were in even more potential dire straits as James Harden had the retina scratched in both of his eyes during that game. His eyes were still bloodshot coming into this game, but he said they were better enough for him to see and to play.

The Warriors and Rockets would go back and forth in the first quarter, but Houston wold go on a run in the second quarter and took an 11 point lead into halftime. They led by 12 in the third quarter before Kevin Durant sparked a 15-2 run at the end of the quarter and into the start of the fourth that gave them a one point lead. However, Clint Capela and P.J. Tucker would keep the Rockets in the game, making key buckets and stops down the stretch. But Golden State made their own adjustments, relying on Andre Iguodala who hit a couple of crucial 3-pointers inlcuding one that put the Warriors up by two with 45.9 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. But James Harden would make a pair of free throws, and after Kevin Durant missed a jumper that would have given the Warriors the potential victory, and Chris Paul was forced into a jump ball with Klay Thompson, the game went into overtime.

James Harden would come up big in the overtime period. He scored the last seven points of the game, including three free throws and a floating jumper that put Houston up by five with 26 seconds remaining in overtime. Golden State had a chance to cut the lead after Stephen Curry had a wide open path to the basket for an easy layup, but he instead tried to dunk the ball and missed. The Rockets would grab the rebound, and the Warriors inexplicably allowed the Rockets to run out the clock, despite having 17 seconds remaining and a time out in their back pocket. James Harden scored 41 points, grabbed nine rebounds, and dished out six assists. Eric Gordon scored 30 points, Chris Paul scored 14 points, grabbed eight rebounds, and dished out seven assists, Clint Capela added 13 points and 11 rebounds, and P.J. Tucker added seven points and 12 rebounds.

Kevin Durant had another monster game for the Warriors with 45 points and six assists. Draymond Green had a triple double, scoring 19 points, grabbing 11 rebounds, and dishing out 10 assists while Klay Thompson and Andre Iguodala each added 16 points.

Stephen Curry scored 17 points for Golden State. However, he struggled from the field, shooting only 7 out of 23 including missing a number of shots down the stretch culminating in the missed dunk in overtime.

Golden State leads series 2-1.

Empress said:

Raptors win 101-96. What a game! It was a nail-biter. Kawhi was awesome and Lowry really picked it up too. Hopefully Pascal will be on his game more come Tuesday. Go Raps!!!!! 🏀🏀

Not just Lowry, but Gasol and Ibaka picked it up too.

Charles Barkley said it best about Kawhi (and Nikola Jokic) - they never look like they're out of control (or panic) on the court. They're so smooth, and Jokic was killing it with those passes. For me, Nuggets/Blazers is the most compelling series so far. It's too bad Portland lost their big man in Nurkic.

RodeoSchro said:

BREAKING NEWS: Draymond Green is still a dirty piece of shit.

Draymond thinks he's rough....that mfer doesn't know what rough is. Imagine if he pulled this shit back in the day - Oakley & Mahorn would have dropped his ass.

Eastern Conference Playoffs, Conference Semifinals

Game 4

Toronto Raptors 101 Philadelphia 76ers 96

The Toronto Raptors have had some outstading play from Kawhi Leonard in this series and throughout the playoffs so far. They have also had solid, dependable play from Pascal Siakam. However, the rest of the supporting cast has been inconsistent at best and MIA at other times, and if they had any chance of evening up this series, the supporting cast needed to step up, particularly since Pascal Siakam was playing with a leg injury and only announced minutes before tipoff that he would be playing in this game.

The Raptors came out with fire and energy, jumping to an 11 point lead in the first quarter, but Philly would come back to narrrow the deficit to two at the half. They would jump out to a six point lead in the third quarter, but Kawhi Leonard would once again spark a Toronto rally, and this time he got help. Kyle Lowry and Marc Gasol both broke out of their funk to hit some key baskets. and Leonard would once again seal the victory with a huge fade-away 3-pointer with a defender in his face with just a minute remaining. Leonard finished with 39 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists. Four other Raptors scored in double digits, with Marc Gasol scoring 16 points and grabbing five rebounds, Kyle Lowry scoring 14 points, dishing out seven assists, and grabbing six rebounds, Serge Ibaka adding 12 points and nine rebounds off the bench, and Danny Green adding 11 points.

Jimmy Butler led the Sixers with 29 points and 11 rebounds. J.J. Redick scored 19 points while Tobias Harris added 16 points and six rebounds. However, Joel Embiid was limited in his scoring due to flu-like symptoms, scoring just 11 points though he did grab eight rebounds and dished out seven assists. Ben Simmons added 10 points.

Series tied at 2-2.

Western Conference Playoffs, Conference Semifinals

Game 4

Denver Nuggets 116 Portland Trail Blazers 112

Game 3 was one of the most epic battles in NBA history. But if there was anything that possibly terrified both teams coming into this game, it would be a dramatic mental letdown, especially after all of the energy expended in game 3.

There wouldn't be a letdown in this game, and while it didn't go into overtime, the game was nearly as dramatic. The game would go back and forth for nearly the entire game, with neither team able to break out into any double digit lead until early in the fourth quarter when the Denver Nuggets led by 10 points, but even that was short lived as the Portland Trail Blazers clawed their way back. Damian Lillard and game 3 hero Rodney Hood led the charge for the Blazers, cutting the lead to one possession several times, but Will Barton and Jamal Murray would answer each comeback attempt as the Nuggets outlasted the Blazers and evened up the series. Jamal Murray led the Nuggets with 34 points. Nikola Jokic had another triple double, scoring 21 points, grabbing 12 rebounds, and dishing out 11 assists. Paul Milsap scored 21 points and grabbed 10 rebounds while Gary Harris added 14 points and Will Barton added 11 points including a clutch 3-pointer that sealed the Denver victory.

C.J. McCollum led the Blazers with 29 points. Damian Lillard scored 28 points and dished out seven assists while Al-Farouq Aminu added 19 points and eight rebounds and Seth Curry added 16 points off the bench.

Series tied at 2-2.

Eastern Conference Playoffs, Conference Semifinals

Game 4

Milwaukee Bucks 113 Boston Celtics 101

The Milwaukee Bucks had a golden opportunity to take control of this series, but the Boston Celtics weren't going to make that easy for them, as they attempted to even up the series.

The Celtics jumped out to an early 11 point lead, but the Bucks woud come back to tie the game midway through the second quarter. The Celtics had a one point lead midway through the third when Milwaukee took over on both sides of the court. They were led once again by Giannis Antetokounmpo who scored 39 points and grabbed 16 rebounds. George Hill scored 15 points off the bench while Khris Middleton and Eric Bledsoe each added 13 points.

Kyrie Irving led the Celtics with 23 points, 10 assists, and six rebounds, though he shot just 7 for 22 from the floor and made just one 3-ponter in seven attempts. Al Horford scored 18 points and grabbed 14 rebounds, and dished out five assists. Marcus Morris added 16 points and eight rebounds while Jason Tatum scored 17 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. Jaylen Brown added 16 points and seven rebounds.

The Bucks now look to close out this series at home on Wednesday.

Milwaukee leads series 3-1.

It was so awesome seeing that dirty son of a bitch Draymond Green layed out on the floor last night. Harden got him but GOOD.