Boston sweeping Brooklyn, with such a show of force, few would have bet.
However, there was no photo in this series, which boiled down to the opposition between a solid, united, over-motivated team on one side and on the other, a duo of stars unable to take on everything together, because individually muzzled.
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Durant, stifled in the first three games, nevertheless reacted as a champion – that he was in 2017 and 2018 with Golden State –, since he scored 39 points (9 assists), his last two having brought the Nets closer to one unit two minutes from time (109-108).
But opposite, there was a collective that had the answer to everything, like the old grumbler Al Horford (13 pts), author of the tap-bounce that pushed the New Yorkers back 13.7 seconds from the end. (113-109) and Marcus Smart (20 pts, 11 assists), who provided the final free throws.
Boston, which has always led, did not panic when Jayson Tatum (29 pts, 9/16 on shots, 5 assists), had to go out for six fouls, right in the heart of money-time.
Because Jaylen Brown was there to take over (22 pts, 8 rebounds).
Claxton worse than Shaq
On the Brooklyn side, Kyrie Irving did not weigh (20 pts) and the unfortunate Nick Claxton, yet solid in the racket (13 pts, 3 blocks) broke a singular record, missing his first ten free throws (1/11 in final), worse than Shaquille O'Neal one night in 2006 with Miami (0/8).
The C's are now waiting to know who their opponent will be.
It will be defending champion Milwaukee if it beats Chicago on Wednesday (3-1).
For the Nets, therefore, vacation time has inevitably come with the bitter taste of a season weighed down by injuries, including Durant's sprained knee, absent for more than a month, and the Covid which has long prevented Kyrie Irving to play, because of his refusal to be vaccinated.
There was also the departure of James Harden, recruited to compose a "
Big3
" with title ambitions, before leaving for Philadelphia, in exchange for Ben Simmons, who will not have played a game for him this season, first in conflict with the Sixers, then in physical deformity, finally injured in the back.
A fiasco.
In Philadelphia, we are not there yet.
But a huge disappointment hangs in the face of Sixers, demobilized for two matches, if they do not pull themselves together, because never before has a team won a series of play-offs having been led 3-0.
However, in the event of a victory on Thursday at home, Toronto will offer itself a date with history on Saturday for the 7th and final game.
Embiid decreased
This change of situation which it is given to attend is due, it must be emphasized, to the injured right thumb of Joel Embiid.
The strong man of the Sixers has suffered from a torn ligament since match N.3 and plays with gritted teeth, without dominating as much as usual (20 pts, 11 rebounds).
And the problem is that James Harden, supposed to be an offensive weapon of choice, has the effect of a wet firecracker (15 pts, at 4/11, 7 assists), illustrating the address at overall half mast (38, 3%).
The Raptors played with the bit in their teeth, as a team (51.2% success), in the wake of Pascal Siakam (23 pts, 10 rebounds, 7 assists) and by doubling their efforts in defense.
This team was champion in 2019, certainly with Kawhi Leonard, but with these values already advocated by coach Nick Nurse.
The one opposite, Doc Rivers, was also champion in 2008 with Boston, but drags a recent liability that challenges: the last eight times he had the opportunity to conclude a series with his successive clubs, he did not succeeded only once.
Overnight results:
Brooklyn-
Boston
112-116
Philadelphia-
Toronto
88-103
Dallas
-Utah 102-77
