NBA Playoffs Pre-Gamin’: Nets at Celtics (6:00 CT) and Sixers at Raptors (7:00 CT)

April 20, 2022, by Patrick K. Flowers Chicago Bulls

One heavy favorite is looking to take a commanding lead and one underdog is looking for another upset.

Bring on the playoff fun!

Brooklyn Nets at Boston Celtics

Eastern Conference Quarter-Finals: Game 2

Kyrie Irving let the Boston fans get the best of him in the Nets’ Game 1 loss to the Celtics on Sunday. The All-Star guard was slapped with a $50,000 fine by the league for flipping the TD Garden crowd the bird and using vulgar language toward the fans.

Irving was excellent on Sunday despite his antics, as he dropped 39 points to lead all scorers in Game 1. Boston had four starters with 20-plus points, and Jayson Tatum led the way with 31 points, 8 assists, and 4 rebounds as Boston eeked out a 115-114 victory.

This one has the makings of a heck of a series. Does Kyrie get the last laugh tonight?

The three possessions that led to the Celtics Game 1 win… in #NBABreakdown!

Game 2 – 7:00 PM ET on TNT pic.twitter.com/YGFOps6XEK

— NBA.com/Stats (@nbastats) April 20, 2022

Broadcast Info & Game/Series Details

Tip: 6:00 PM (CT)
TV: TNT
Location: TD Garden – Boston, Ma.
Series: BOS leads 1-0
Odds: BOS -3.5, O/U 225.5

Starting Lineups

Brooklyn Nets

1. Seth Curry
2. Kyrie Irving
3. Kevin Durant
4. Bruce Brown
5. Andre Drummond

Boston Celtics

1. Marcus Smart
2. Jaylen Brown
3. Jayson Tatum
4. Al Horford
5. Daniel Theis

Injury Report – BKN: Ben Simmons OUT (back), Joe Harris OUT (ankle) BOS: Robert Williams III OUT (knee)

Philadelphia 76ers at Toronto Raptors

Eastern Conference Quarter-Finals: Game 3

The Sixers are on cruise control right now, but the series shifts to Toronto tonight with the Raptors fighting for their NBA Playoffs life.

Joel Embiid scored 31 points and 11 rebounds in the Game 2 win over the Raptors and logged a 19-point, 15-rebound double-double in the Game 1 win over Toronto. Meanwhile, teammate Tyrese Maxey erupted for 38 points in the 76ers’ 131-111 Game 1 victory over the Raptors and added another 23 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists as Philadelphia rolled over Toronto 112-97 on Monday night.

Tyrese Maxey has enjoyed a breakout season… and it's continued into the #NBAPlayoffs presented by Google Pixel!

🏀: 76ERS (2-0) RAPTORS
⏰: 8 PM ET on NBA TV pic.twitter.com/a3psgp30Ms

— NBA (@NBA) April 20, 2022