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Good morning everyone but especially…
Philadelphia 76ers and DENVER NUGETS
From near catastrophe to dominance. From “Injured Star” to “Most Successful Player”. After detonating approximately 16 points lead to Celtics in game 4, 76ers They pulled off an impressive 115-103 win in Game 5 in Boston and are now They are one game away from their first conference finals since 2001.
- Joel Embiid He has 33 points, seven rebounds and four blocks, and James Harden He has 17 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds.
- but Therese Maxi Biggest scored with 30 points and seven rebounds, his best game of the series. Maxey scored 12 points in the fourth quarter alone; He had not had any points in the fourth quarter in the previous three games.
- It was Philadelphia’s biggest postseason win over Boston since 1982.
It wasn’t just that the big three were cool. So, too, it was Tobias Harris (16 points, 11 rebounds) and Danuel House (10 points, five rebounds). The defense also played well, though Boston shooting on the ice certainly helped – more on that later. The visitors had a 49-36 rebound advantage and a 15-5 advantage in turnover stops. Add shot making and balancing, and you’ve got yourself an amazing and amazing win.
in denver, Nikola Jokic Smile and shake hands suns What is with you Matt Ashpia Before the game, put Their game 4 Brawl behind them. Then Jokic and him Nuggets His teammates tore through Ishpea, defeating Phoenix 118-102 to take a 3-2 lead.
- Jokic had 29 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists Tenth in a three-way playoffpasses Wilt Chamberlain ever by center.
- Bruce Brown He was impressive with 25 points off the bench.
- But that might be the bigger story Michael Porter Jr He rediscovers his jumper. After going 4-13 in Game 4, Porter went 7-11, including 5-8 from depth, and finished with 19 points. He delivered exactly what Denver needed from him, Jack Maloney writes.
When the Denver offense is firing on all cylinders, it’s a dervish of delights. Jokic Brown Jamal Murray And Aaron Gordon Anything can start, and Porter can be a killer shooter. There are cuts and fakes, walkthroughs and screens that will make your head spin. The sun may still feel dizzy.
Little honor
This is not a good morning for…
Boston Celtics and Phoenix Sun
There are many ways to describe what we saw from the Celtics in Game 5, and none of them are flattering. I think the one I would choose is him failed.
In their biggest game so far this season, with a chance to take back control of the series in front of a raucous TD Garden crowd, the Celtics put on an absolute blowout, so much so that it The previously maniacal crowd resorted to first boos and then early exits. Now, the Celtics themselves are heading toward exiting the playoffs.
How bad is that? Let Jack explain:
- Maloney: “They were not a little below their standards, Frustrated, they made one of their worst efforts [offense] throughout the year. … Their 39.8 percent field goal percentage was their sixth worst mark all season, their 31.8 percent performance from downtown was tied for worst in the playoffs, and their nine missed free throws were a season high.”
Jason Tatum And Jaylen Brown It’s often been good but not great, and in playoffs, you need your superstar greatness. But we can’t let the prop come off the hook either. The other three appetizers – Marcus Smart, Al Horford And Derek White – He went 4-20 from the field. The Celtics lost Game 1 when Embiid didn’t play and Game 4 when they did Another failed possession. Those were real missed opportunities. In Game 5, they didn’t give themselves a chance.
To be fair, in the other 5 game, The Sun didn’t really give themselves a chance either.
The Suns’ biggest lead was 1 point, and they held that lead for 14 seconds. with Devin Booker And Kevin Durant Just too good instead of worldly good, inconsistent support staff struggling and Chris Paul still outthe Suns offense fell.
The good news is Paul may return for Game 6The Suns won both of their home games in the series. The bad news is that the Suns lost Games 1 and 2 when Paul played, and there it is There is no longer any margin for error. A hastily built group to be a superlative team, the Suns have never been close in that series.
Not to mention the honorable
UEFA Champions League: Real Madrid vs Manchester City draw; Milan Inter preview ⚽
One game, one more to go and there will be everything to play next week in England after the 1-1 draw between Manchester City and Real Madrid in Spain.
- City looked to be on the better side early on, but it was Real Madrid who took first place after a resounding attack Vinicius Jr in the 36th minute.
- Madrid did a great job limiting the Citizens attack for most of the night, however Kevin De Bruyne He laser leveled things in the 67th minute.
- Madrid coach Charles Ancelotti He insisted that the goal should not count. Here’s why.
- Both teams had plenty of chances, but Madrid’s chances Thibaut Courtois and the city Ederson (especially late) he made great saves, both goalkeepers made solid marks in Our player ratings.
In a game with overwhelming offensive talent, Defenses took overJames Bing writes to us.
- useful: “Tonight brought with it an argument for the great quality of football, that great attack doesn’t necessarily beat a great defense every time. Luke Modric And Bernardo Silva They can weave as many neat patterns as they like, but if offside traps are in place, tackles are made and goalkeepers stand firm, the defense can take the day. Neither Real Madrid nor City could concede a clean sheet, but both left their opponents with only one path to goal: simply magical.
Second semi-final It starts today with AC Milan hosting Inter Its final chapter in an incredible competition. Francesco Porzio He finished 10th in the Top 10 Strongest Derby della Madonninanot surprisingly so Their meeting at this venue – the Champions League semi-final – 20 years ago is No. 1.
Francesco put it together too Best XI combines semi-final teams and this teamAnd AC Milan star Raphael Liu It is in the default band. But will Leao be available today? We have an injury update on him and expected lineups here.
Here’s what else you should know:
Legendary Louisville coach Denny Crum passes away at 86 🏀
Hall of-Fame Basketball Coach Denny Chromewho led Louisville to a pair of national titles, He died Tuesday at the age of 86. Crum has led the Cardinals to championships in 1980 And 1986which are the only two officially recognized titles in the program.
- Crum’s 1980 – “Doctors of Dunk” – “Dr. Dunkenstein,” appeared Daryl Griffith. In 1986, it was another great title, “Never Nervous” Pervis Ellisonleading the way side by side Billy Thompson And Milt Wagner
- Crum trail 30 seasons in Louisvillecollect a Record 675-295 (.696 winning percentage) and making 23 NCAA Championships and six Final Fours.
- Inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1994.
Crum – who played under John Wooden in University of California – It was much more than his numbersthough, notes our Matt Norlander.
- Norlander: “He elevated Louisville basketball, then legitimized it, and in so doing kept the Cardinals on par for so many seasons with their superior rivals in the state, Kentucky Wildcats. Indeed, when Kentucky faded amid cheating scandals in the 1980s, Louisville peaked as a program. The embers of that rivalry, which Karam helped rekindle in 1983 after being dormant since the 1950s, have fueled a Bluegrass competitiveness that has led many in Kentucky to swear by the idea that the UK-Louisville-no Duke North Carolina — is the fiercest and best rivalry in college basketball.”
What we watch on Wednesday 📺
⚽ Milan against Inter3 p.m. on CBS Paramount +
🏒 Maple Leafs at Panthers7 p.m. on ESPN
🏀 Heat in Knicksat 7:30 p.m. on TNT
🏒 The Oilers’ Golden Knights10 p.m. on ESPN
🏀 Lakers at Warriors10 pm GMT