NBA Playoffs: Suns Win Game 3, Celtics Defeat the 76ers in Philly

The Phoenix Suns defeated the Denver Nuggets in Game 3 of the Western semifinals, while Boston Celtics took back the home-court edge from the Philadelphia 76ers beating them in Game 3 in Philly.

Durant and Booker Overpower Jokic

For the first time since 2005, two Suns players had 70 points combined. Previously, Steve Nash and Shawn Marion did that, while now, Devin Booker and Kevin Durant did the same. 

Booker had fantastic 47 buckets, with only five missed field goals in 25 shots, while Durant scored 39, and the Suns defeated the Nuggets 121-114. This was a hard-fought win for the hosts, who did receive the help of the officials in certain moments, such as the one when they watched the replay and decided to charge Jamal Murray with a foul instead of Booker, and that directly affected the game.

Murray had 32 points for the Nuggets, but in the crucial situations, he wasn’t at the needed level of play, missing a few shots and practically allowing the hosts to take Game 3. 

The two-time NBA MVP, Nikola Jokic, was incredible, having 30 points and 17 boards and assists each, which is the first time in history to see a player with 25+ points and 15+ assists and boards. Michael Porter Junior had a good night, scoring 21 buckets and 12 boards, hitting six threes in 10 attempts, and doing his part of the job well. 

While concluding this recap, we just need to say that Durant had nine rebounds and eight assists, while Booker grabbed six boards and had nine dishes. Game 4 of the series is on Sunday night 8 pm ET.

Boston Responds Furiously, Beat Sixers and MVP Embiid

It appears that the Philadelphia 76ers played better without Joel Embiid, who won the NBA MVP award in the meantime. After that, the Boston Celtics took two wins in the series against the Sixers, with the latest 114-102 in Philly. 

With this triumph, the Cs again have the home-court edge and control the series and their destiny. The guests controlled the game practically throughout the entire time, with one small period in the late first quarter and the start of the second when Philly got close. After that, it was all about Boston, who showed superb focus and resilience, not allowing the hosts to have the slightest chance of returning to the game. 

Boston’s versatile attack was excellent last night, with six players having double-digit points. Jayson Tatum led the way with 27 and 10 rebounds, while Jaylen Brown scored 23. Al Horford dropped 17, 6-for-8 from the field, Brogdon and Smart scored 15 each, while Derrick White ended the night with 13. 

On the other side, Embiid delivered 30 buckets with 13 rebounds, while James Harden couldn’t find his groove, scoring only 16 points in 41 minutes of play, 3-for-14 from the field, with 11 assists and six boards. Tyrese Maxey was in the same boat, 13 points in 40 minutes, 4-for-16.

The swing and the momentum are now back on Celtics’ side, with the feeling that and showing power at the Wells Fargo Center in Game 3. Game 4 is set for Sunday afternoon, 3:30 pm ET at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona.