Anunoby saves the Raptors with a triple in the last tenth of a second

2020-09-04T12:06:51.764Z

The champions avoid the 3-0 of the Celtics in a prodigious and dramatic final (103-104)He doesn't go anymore. A triple in the last tenth of a second by Londoner OG Anunoby gave the Toronto Raptors the victory (103-104) in a third game of the Eastern semi-final in which the Celtics had already begun to claim victory. That unexpected last action saved the Raptors from a loss that would have left them already desperate. Now their hope of repeating the comebacks that led them last seaso

He doesn't go anymore.

A triple in the last tenth of a second by Londoner OG Anunoby gave the Toronto Raptors the victory

(103-104)

in a third game of the Eastern semi-final in which the Celtics had already begun to claim victory.

That unexpected last action saved the Raptors from a loss that would have left them already desperate.

Now their hope of repeating the comebacks that led them last season to obtain the first title in their history is reborn.

They then came back from 0-2 in the conference final against Milwaukee.

The Celtics also dominated now 0-2, but that basket in the last gasp of Anunoby keeps the tie open.

The action was surprising because the Celtics scored their last basket with half a second to go.

It was after an extraordinary assist from Kemba Walker that he left German center Daniel Theis alone under the basket.

The Celtics players hugged the Bronx guard.

The 3-0 seemed like a fact;

the throw-in from the Raptors wing, a formality.

Another look at that OG Anunoby game winner, and that Lowry smile 🔥😁

(📍 @NissanUSA) pic.twitter.com/mW6296jQxO

- SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 4, 2020

Still, Brad Stevens, the Celtics coach, didn't neglect any details.

He entered for the first time in the game to Tacko Fall, the Senegalese giant of 2.26 meters, with the sole objective of disturbing Kyle Lowry on the throw-in from the wing.

It did not achieve its objective.

Lowry observed Anunoby at the opposite end of the court and managed to send the ball to him.

The English guard squared himself in the corner, received the ball at the same time as he rose and released the ball as if it burned him.

He entered while the clock was counting down the last tenth of a second.

The Raptors played the game in that agonizing way after having been in tow most of the time.

The Celtics played better again.

Kemba Walker modulated the pace of play at his convenience.

When they couldn't run, the Celtics knew how to be patient and looked for the advantage until the last pass.

Kemba Walker gave them 29 points;

Jaylen Brown, 19 points and 12 rebounds;

Jayson Tatum, 15 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists.

They outscored the Raptors on the rebound.

And for many minutes they left them at very low shooting percentages.

The Canadian team misses the best version of Paul Siakam, despite the fact that he finished with 16 points and 7 rebounds.

Also a greater presence of Marc Gasol in attack.

At least he tried, although he missed all three of his triples.

He added 10 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists.

Serge Ibaka was even less successful with only 2 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists, although his defense was very estimable and he added 2 blocks.

Kyle Lowry was the one who carried the offensive weight and scored 31 points and distributed 8 assists, although he missed six of the eight triples he threw.

Van Vleet accompanied him with five triples, 25 points and 6 assists.

Clippers overwhelm the Nuggets in Game 1

Kawhi Leonard, with 29 points in 32 minutes, made the difference in the first game of the West semifinal in which the Clippers dominated the Denver Nuggets

(120-97)

with authority

Jamal Murray, with 12 points and 5 of 15 shooting from the field, fell far short of his outstanding offensive performance in the first round against Utah.

Nikola Jokic also could not repeat his outstanding performance in the decisive game against the Jazz, although he was again the best scorer of his own but only with 15 points.

The Clippers posted a 57% shooting from the field, with 19 points from Paul George and 18 from Marcus Morris.

Patrick Beverley reappeared after five games out due to a muscle injury.

Ja Morant, Rookie of the Year

Ja Morant, the 21-year-old guard for the Memphis Grizzlies, was voted Rookie of the Year.

His advantage in the voting was overwhelming.

99 of the first 100 voters' picks were for him.

He added 498 points and beat Miami Heat guard Kendrick Nunn, with 204 points, and New Orleans Pelicans power forward Zion Williamson, with 140 points.

Morant was number two in the draft and has been the starting point guard for the Grizzlies, averaging 17.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and 7.3 assists in 67 games.

Nunn has also started with the Miami Heat and his averages were 15.3 points, 2.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 67 games.

Zion Williamson, number one in the

draft

, could only play 24 games in the regular season with an average of 22.5 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists.

Morant is the second player in Grizzlies history to win the Rookie of the Year award, after Pau Gasol, who did it in 2002.

THE 'PLAYOFFS'

Eastern Semifinals

Toronto, 104;

Boston, 103

(1-2)

Milwaukee, 114;

Miami, 116