NBA playoffs: Jazz top Mavericks in Luka Doncic’s return; Celtics go up 3-0 on Nets

The Jazz's Danuel House Jr. defends the Mavericks' Luka Doncic on April 23, 2022.
The Jazz’s Danuel Home Jr. defends the Mavericks’ Luka Doncic. Doncic had 30 factors and 10 rebounds in his return from a calf damage, however Utah received 100-99 to even the first-round collection 2-2.
(Rick Bowmer / Related Press)

Rudy Gobert gave Utah the lead with an alley-oop dunk with 11 seconds left, and the Jazz held off the Dallas Mavericks 100-99 on Saturday in Salt Lake Metropolis in Recreation 4 to tie the Western Convention first-round collection.

Spencer Dinwiddie missed a three-point attempt on the buzzer for Dallas.

Jordan Clarkson scored 25 factors for Utah, Donovan Mitchell added 23 factors and 7 assists, and Rudy Gobert had 17 factors and 15 rebounds — 10 off the offensive glass. Gobert was three for eight from the free-throw line within the fourth quarter and 9 for 18 total.

“That is the crew we need to be,” Gobert mentioned. “That is who we're.”

Dallas star Luka Doncic had 30 factors, 10 rebounds and 4 assists in his return from a three-game absence due to a strained left calf. Jalen Brunson added 23 factors, and Dorian Finney-Smith, Dwight Powell and Reggie Bullock had 11 factors apiece.

“Getting my wind again,” Doncic mentioned. “Just a little bit drained now, nevertheless it felt nice to be again.”

Recreation 5 is Monday night time in Dallas.

After going 3½ minutes and not using a basket, the Jazz took a 95-94 lead on Mitchell’s layup with 1:27 remaining. Doncic answered with back-to-back baskets to place Dallas up 99-95.

Mitchell transformed a three-point play to carry Utah to inside one. Powell missed a pair of free throws with 19.8 seconds left, opening the door for Gobert’s winner.

“We had been down 12 on the half and we stayed the course, and it comes right down to the final possession,” Mavericks coach Jason Kidd mentioned. “When you’re on the street within the playoffs and it comes right down to the final play, you'll be able to’t ask for a greater scenario.”

Celtics 109, at Nets 103

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum reacts to a referee's call during the first half of Game 3.
Jayson Tatum scored 39 factors for the Celtics, who took a 3-0 collection lead over the Nets.
(John Minchillo / Related Press)

Jayson Tatum scored 39 factors, Jaylen Brown had 23, and Boston took a 3-0 lead over Brooklyn of their Japanese Convention first-round collection with a victory.

Once more making issues troublesome on Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving with their suffocating protection, the Celtics put themselves in place to brush their means into the second spherical with a victory Monday night time in Brooklyn.

“Extra of the identical,” Celtics coach Ime Udoka mentioned. “We’re making it powerful.”

A loud “Let’s Go Celtics! Let’s Go Celtics!” chant broke out within the remaining minutes from the various followers in inexperienced who had seats at Barclays Middle.

There wasn’t a lot for the house followers to cheer about because the Nets face a crew that simply received’t allow them to get something going.

Durant took solely 11 photographs, ending with 16 factors, eight rebounds and eight assists. Irving was six for 17 from the sphere and in addition had 16 factors for the Nets, who should determine whether or not they may give Ben Simmons his debut Monday in an elimination recreation.

“We all know what it's,” Durant mentioned. “I don’t assume no speech or something will do at this a part of the yr. You already know what it's. We’re down 3-0. We bought one other recreation on Monday. Simply come out and play.”

Boston led a lot of the means earlier than the Nets minimize it to 3 with simply greater than a minute remaining within the third quarter. However Marcus Sensible scored on a observe shot and made a jumper in transition earlier than Brown bought a steal and dunk to make it 81-72 going to the fourth.

Brown stored the Nets at bay from there, repeatedly discovering a one-on-one matchup and driving to the basket. He arrange Tatum for a three-pointer within the nook after the Nets had gotten again to inside 4, then made a jumper earlier than Tatum transformed a three-point play that made it 96-84 with 6:25 to play.

“My message is, no person performs more durable than we do,” Tatum mentioned.

at Raptors 110, 76ers 102

The Raptors' Pascal Siakam goes up for a shot in Game 4 against the 76ers on April 23, 2022.
The Raptors’ Pascal Siakam, who scored 15 of his 34 factors within the fourth quarter, goes up for a shot.
(Nathan Denette/ Canadian Press by way of Related Press)

It was a thumbs down day for Joel Embiid and Philadelphia, who couldn’t full an Japanese Convention first-round sweep of Toronto.

Pascal Siakam scored 15 of his 34 factors within the fourth quarter, Gary Trent Jr. added 24 factors, and the Raptors beat Embiid and the 76ers.

Recreation 5 is Monday night time in Philadelphia.

“We’ll be prepared. I can assure you that,” 76ers coach Doc Rivers mentioned.

Embiid began regardless of a proper thumb damage that required him to put on a brace.

“It’s painful,” Embiid mentioned. “In basketball, it's good to use your hand quite a bit.”

No crew has ever come again from a 3-0 deficit to win an NBA playoff collection. Followers briefly chanted “Raps in seven” after each coaches emptied their benches within the remaining minutes.

Embiid mentioned he injured his thumb within the first half of Wednesday’s Recreation 3 and had it taped at halftime. He completed that recreation with a decisive three-pointer in time beyond regulation however wore a brace afterward and at Friday’s observe.

Though Rivers mentioned the 76ers don’t consider the damage can worsen, Embiid was seen shaking his hand in ache a number of occasions Saturday, often doubling over as he squeezed the realm.

Embiid shot three for 10 from the sphere within the first half. He completed seven for 16 and scored 21 factors in 39 minutes.

Embiid mentioned he expects to bear an MRI examination in Philadelphia on Monday however will seemingly maintain taking part in even when medical doctors advocate surgical procedure.

Thaddeus Younger scored 13 factors, OG Anunoby had 10 and newly topped NBA rookie of the yr Scottie Barnes had six factors and 11 rebounds off the bench as Toronto overcame an damage to All-Star guard Fred VanVleet to stave off elimination.

After being known as for a foul with 4:57 to go within the second quarter, VanVleet ripped his jersey aside in frustration and walked off the court docket to the locker room due to a strained left hip.

Nurse mentioned VanVleet was going for an MRI examination after the sport.

Tobias Harris had 15 factors and 11 rebounds and James Harden scored 22 factors for the 76ers. Harden shot 5 for 17, going two for 10 from three-point vary.

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