Let’s rundown the action from Wednesday night’s slate of NBA Playoffs action.
Celtics 114, Nets 107
Series: BOS leads 2-0
I’m going to be honest with you here. Nothing would make me happier than seeing the Nets get swept in this opening-round series. They’re just such an unlikable team, in my opinion. So, last night’s Celtics victory that put Boston up 2-0 in the series was a delight.
Boston erased a 17-point deficit down the stretch and never looked back en route to a seven-point victory over Brooklyn. Jaylen Brown scored 22 points, and Jayson Tatum and Marcus Smart added 19 and 12 points, respectively, in the win for the Celtics.
LET'S GOOOOO pic.twitter.com/cRZIAUfHr4
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) April 21, 2022
Kevin Durant scored 27 points in the losing effort, and Kyrie Irving was held to just 10 points on 4-13 shooting from the floor. After the game, Boston’s NBC Sports RSN threw a haymaker at Iriving on Twitter, and I’m here for it!
Celtics win Game 2 🍼 pic.twitter.com/kTdvTE5hD9
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) April 21, 2022
The series now shifts to Brooklyn, with the Nets just two losses from being eliminated. Oh, and the Nets might get Ben Simmons back for Game 4 on Monday:
Ben Simmons Eyeing a Game 4 Return for the Brooklyn Netshttps://t.co/34hjXk3ggb pic.twitter.com/9QNWMYVHwi
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) April 21, 2022
76ers 104, Raptors 101 (F/OT)
Series: PHI leads 3-0
Yoooooo! Joel Embiid drilled a wild game-winning inbound three-pointer to knock off the Raptors in overtime in Toronto and take a 3-0 lead over the Raptors on Wednesday night.
Joel Embiid's Game 3 game-winner from inside the arena!
Game 4: 76ERS/RAPTORS
Sat. 2:00pm/et on TNT pic.twitter.com/Cs13oVAZZs— NBA (@NBA) April 21, 2022
Embiid had a monster game scoring 33 points, and logging 13 rebounds in the Philly win. Tyrese Maxey continued to turn in a strong performance in this series with 19 points and four rebounds, and James Harden added 19 points, 10 assists, and six rebounds. If there was any question as to whether or not Harden could take a back seat to Joel Embiid offensively, it’s being answered in the affirmative in this series. Still, seeing how long that lasts is another question for the Sixers.
OG Anunoby led the Raptors in scoring with 26 points, and Gary Trent added 24 points for Toronto. Fred VanVleet and Paskal Siakam struggled, with the duo combining for 24 points on 9-29 shooting.
The Raptors are now on the brink of elimination with Game 4 on Saturday afternoon.
Bulls 114, Bucks 110
Series: Tied 1-1
The Bulls came out firing and took advantage of four consecutive Milwaukee turnovers to start the game and multiple times flirted with a 20-point lead in a huge Game 2 victory in Milwaukee. DeMar DeRozan set a new playoff career-high in scoring with 41 points as the Bulls evened things up with the series shifting to Chicago on Friday night.
Milwaukee mounted a surge towards the end of the third and fourth quarters. Still, the Bulls were able to hold off the Bucks for the win, avoiding what many predicted would be a big punch in the mouth to the Bulls by the Bucks after a less-than-stellar performance by the defending champs in Game 1.
Eli has more on DeMar DeRozan’s big night and the Bulls’ victory in Milwaukee:
DeMar DeRozan Left it ALL on the Court Last Nighthttps://t.co/9DsTOfJ5o3 pic.twitter.com/IGH2nhIoiq
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) April 21, 2022