It's the semifinal in the East for the Philadelphia 76ers who last night got their fourth win over the Brooklyn Nets in the NBA playoff series.
Without their star Joel Embiid, who was injured, the Sixers benefited from the contributions of Tobias Harris, double-double with 25 points and 12 rebounds, and 'Barba' James Harden, also double-double with 17 points and 11 assists (plus 8 rebounds).
Also in the Eastern Conference, the absence of Giannis Antetokounmpo is making itself felt in the ranks of the Milwaukee Bucks, considered the No. 1 favorite for the title before the playoffs but now without the Greek, out with a back problem.
Thus, against the Miami Heat came the second loss, 121-99 and now the Bucks are down in the series, 2-1.
The great protagonist of the meeting was, for Miami, Jimmy Butler who scored 30 points, but he was also injured as well as Victor Oladipo, and now the two are in doubt for the fourth match of the series.
In the West, the LA Lakers win for the ninth consecutive time (including regular season games) and with a 111-101 record at the expense of the Memphis Grizzlies, they go up 2-1 in the series.
Lebron James responds to Dillon Brooks' provocations after game-2 ("Lebron is old now") by scoring 25 points, Anthony Davis scores another 31 so the Grizzlies are not enough for the 45 (of which 24 in the last quarter) of a super Ja Morant.
As for Brooks, he gets sent off in the third quarter for a hit that was forbidden to Lebron.
Also in the Western Conference, the Phoenix Suns approach the semifinals with a 112-100 win over the LA Clippers and are now up 3-1 in the series.
Another great performance for Kevin Durant, with 31 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists.
30 are instead the points scored by Devin Booker.
