In the NBA playoffs in the West, Golden State fell to 2-1 in their series with Sacramento after winning at home, while Phoenix regained home court advantage by winning at the Clippers. In the East, Philadelphia is only one victory away from qualifying against Brooklyn.
Golden State is breathing! The defending champion had little room for error in his Game 3 at home against Sacramento, who had won the first two meetings in his lair, and the Warriors, even without Draymond Green suspended, got the job done. to win 114-97. Steve Kerr’s men, decidedly much more comfortable when it comes to playing at the Chase Center, led this game from start to finish. Under the impetus of a Stephen Curry who will finish with 36 points (6/12 to 3pts) and 6 rebounds, the Warriors already had a twelve-point lead at halftime (53-41) and they widened the gap again in the last quarter (+23 a few minutes from the end).
Andrew Wiggins added 20 points and 7 rebounds and Kevon Looney tied a career high 20 rebounds and 9 assists to put Golden State at 1-2 going into Game 4 on Sunday, still in San Francisco. As for the Kings, clumsy at 3 points (23%) and free throws (70%), De’Aaron Fox finished with 26 points, 9 rebounds and 9 assists and Domantas Sabonis (booed the whole game following his collision with Green in Game 2) with 15 points and 16 rebounds. Insufficient…
Phoenix takes the opportunity
Also in California, the Clippers received Phoenix in Game 3, when the score was 1-1 in the series, and the Suns regained the advantage of the field by winning 124-129. It must be said that the Clippers, already deprived of Paul George for several weeks, also had to do without Kawhi Leonard, also hit in the knee. Against the Phoenix armada, they resisted well, leading in the first quarter, and for a few seconds during the second, but the Suns managed to take a thirteen-point lead at the start of the last quarter.
The Clippers never managed to pick up, even if they came back to -3 with 1’44 remaining, before Torrey Craig crucified them at 3 points. Devin Booker delivered an excellent game, with 45 points (career high in the play-offs), while Kevin Durant scored 28. Opposite, Norman Powell took advantage of the absence of the two stars to score 42 points, and Russell Westbrook finished close to the triple-double (30pts, 8rbds, 12pds). But it was not enough. Match 4 will take place on Saturday.
NBA / PLAY OFFS
Thursday, April 20, 2023
Los Angeles Clippers- Phoenix Suns : 124-129 (1-2 in the series)
Stats of Nicolas Batum (LAC): 19 minutes of play, 0 points (0/1 in shooting including 0/1 at 3pts, 0 free throws attempted), 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 blocks, 1 lost ball, 3 fouls
Brooklyn Nets- philadelphia 76ers : 97-102 (0-3 in the series)
Golden State Warriors – Sacramento Kings: 114-97 (1-2 in the series)
