2023-05-06 07:50:19
Phoenix, who had lost the first two games of the series in Denver, held firm at home despite the absence of veteran Chris Paul (38), injured in the groin. The franchise of Arizona will have the opportunity to equalize Sunday by receiving once more that of Colorado.
While the Suns had a 15-point lead at halftime (67-52), the Nuggets, led by double MVP Nikola Jokic, author of a triple-double (30 points, 17 rebounds, 17 assists) , took the lead three times in the third quarter. But Phoenix was able to respond every time.
Led one minute from the end of the third quarter, the Suns took control by inflicting on the Nuggets a 5-0, then a 9-0 at the start of the last quarter thanks to the address of Booker and Durant.
“We lost two games on their court and we just wanted to respond on ours,” Booker said.
– Party ruined for Embiid –
In the Eastern Conference, Boston took a 2-1 lead once morest Philadelphia by winning Game 3 in Pennsylvania (114-102).
Two days following their big 121-87 home victory which allowed them to equalize, the Celtics confirmed at the Sixers, spoiling the party for Joel Embiid who had just received his MVP trophy (best player of the season) from the hands of NBA boss Adam Silver
Before the match, “MVP” chants rang out in the hall for the Cameroonian pivot, who celebrated his award with his parents and holding his baby boy, Arthur, in his arms, wearing a “My father is the MVP”.
But during the match, the star of the Sixers, who returned from injury on Thursday, was the only one to float (30 points, 13 rebounds). The Celtics cooled the festive mood by quickly taking a 14-4 lead.
They were able to rely on the 27 points of Jayson Tatum who led the rest of the team in his wake. Six players finished the game in double figures, including Jaylen Brown (23 points) and Al Horford (17 points).
“We knew we might win,” Tatum told ESPN. “It’s a great team, the public is electric, we like to be in this environment. But we are not surprised. To win a championship, you also have to go and do it outside”.
Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla, meanwhile, said Game 4 on Sunday in Philadelphia would be “absolute war.”
Note that during the meeting, Embiid fell and involuntarily stepped on the head of Grant Williams. More fear than harm for the strong winger despite his bloody face, he was able to resume the game.
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