NBA Playoffs – playoffs – working day 2
The Philadelphia 76ers have lived two seasons in one: with and without their star, Joel Embiid, chosen as the best player in the regular league last year. With Embiid, the Sixers have had a successful year in which they have hardly suffered from the departure of James Harden to the Los Angeles Clippers. Without Embiid, however, they have dragged themselves through the courts from defeat to defeat. The center has recovered in time for the decisive stretch. This Wednesday, Embiid managed to get his team into the playoffs for the title in the first game of the playoff (play-in).
The 76ers defeated Miami 105-104 in a very close game that was decided in the last quarter with an outstanding performance by Embiid. Three plays starring the center (a three-pointer, a basket with an additional shot and an assist) gave the home team the decisive advantage in the final stretch of the game. Embiid finished the game with 23 points, 14 rebounds and 6 assists. Nicolas Batum, with 20 points, and Tyrese Maxey, with 19, have been his squires. Now they challenge themselves with the New York Knicks, surprising second in the Eastern Conference.
Those from Miami, who were ahead for most of the game against the 76ers this Wednesday, went into halftime with a 12-point lead (51-39) that they were unable to maintain. Now, the qualification for the playoffs to life or death. Tyler Herro, with 25 points, and Jimmy Butler, with 19, were the top scorers.
In Miami, Jimmy Playoff Butler is also one of those who grows in the moment of truth. His team reached the final by surprise last year after leaving the most complete teams in the East on the road, the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round and the Boston Celtics, in the Conference final, in addition to the New York Knicks, in second round. However, he succumbed hopelessly to a much superior Denver Nuggets in the fight for the championship ring.
Crossings almost closed
Once the seventh seeds in both the West (the Lakers) and the East (Philadelphia) have been established, there are only two places left to complete the draw of the playoffs. They will be decided on Friday. On the one hand, the New Orleans Pelicans (who have their star, Zion Williamson, injured) will play against the Sacramento Kings. On the other hand, the last place in the East will be played by the Miami Heat against the Chicago Bulls, who have beaten the Atlanta Hawks. If Miami qualifies, it will be the third consecutive year in which they meet in the playoffs with the Celtics. The last two years it has been in the Eastern Conference final, with a victory for each side. Now it would be in the first round, with the Celtics as clear favorites.
In this way, the crossings are as follows. In the West, Oklahoma City Thunder against the winner of the game between the Pelicans and the Kings; the champion Denver Nuggets against the Los Angeles Lakers; the Minnesota Timberwolves against the Phoenix Suns, and the Los Angeles Clippers against the Dallas Mavericks. In the East, the Boston Celtics, the best of the regular season, will face the team that qualifies on Friday in the play-in between Miami and Chicago; the New York Knicks will play the Philadelphia 76ers; Milwaukee Bucks, against Indiana Pacers and Cleveland Cavaliers, against Orlando Magic.
The eight qualifiers are played in the best of seven games. The first round of all of them is played this weekend, with four games on Saturday and another four on Sunday. In the NBA the moment of truth has arrived.
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