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Spurs Advance, Celtics Collapse in NBA Playoffs
๐Ÿ‡ญ๐Ÿ‡ท Croatia /Sports

Spurs Advance, Celtics Collapse in NBA Playoffs

From Veฤernji List · (8m ago) Croatian

Translated from Croatian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • The San Antonio Spurs defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 114-95 to advance to the Western Conference Semifinals for the first time since the 2016-17 season.
  • In the Eastern Conference, the Boston Celtics lost a 3-1 series lead against the Philadelphia 76ers, who forced a Game 6 with a strong second-half performance led by Joel Embiid.
  • The New York Knicks also forced a Game 6 against the Atlanta Hawks with a dominant 126-97 victory, led by Jalen Brunson's 39 points.

The San Antonio Spurs are once again a force to be reckoned with in the Western Conference, advancing to the semifinals after a decisive victory over the Portland Trail Blazers. This marks their first playoff series win since the 2016-17 season, fueling hopes for a championship run, their first since 2014.

Meanwhile, the Eastern Conference saw a dramatic collapse from the Boston Celtics, who squandered a 3-1 series lead against the Philadelphia 76ers. Despite holding a significant advantage for much of the game, the Celtics faltered in the second half, allowing Joel Embiid and the 76ers to storm back and force a Game 6. This unexpected turn of events highlights the unpredictable nature of playoff basketball.

He dominated, especially in the second half. He did an outstanding job and impressed with his presence on the court the whole time. We are very proud of him and these are the performances that need to be shown in the playoffs.

โ€” Tyrese MaxeyMaxey on Joel Embiid's performance in the 76ers' comeback win against the Celtics.

The New York Knicks also asserted their dominance, forcing a Game 6 against the Atlanta Hawks with a resounding win. Jalen Brunson was the star of the show, delivering a masterful performance that kept their playoff hopes alive. The Knicks' strong showing underscores their determination to advance in the postseason.

Embiid was getting shots too easily. We have to make it much harder for him. He was hitting some easy shots, which only emboldened him.

โ€” Jaylen BrownBrown on the Celtics' defensive struggles against Joel Embiid.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Veฤernji List in Croatian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.