Original title: NBA Comprehensive | Heat, Sun “Battle of Tianwang Mountain” both won big
The 2021-2022 NBA playoffs will continue on the 10th. In the Eastern Conference semifinals, the Miami Heat defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 120:85, rewriting the total score to 3:2 and taking the lead in getting the promotion “match point” . In a Western Conference semifinal, the Phoenix Suns defeated the Dallas Mavericks 110:80 to win the “Battle of Tianwang Mountain”.
On May 2, Heat player Struss (second from left) dunked under the defense of 76ers player Harden (first from left).Xinhua News Agency/Midland
The 76ers trailed by as many as 18 points in the first half. Before halftime, the team recovered slightly and narrowed the difference to 12 points. At the beginning of the third quarter, the Heat scored a wave of 10:2, led by Max Struth, and extended their lead to 20 points. Since then, the difference between the two teams has been hovering around 18 points, and Joel Embiid, who only scored 6 points in the first half, scored 9 points in the third quarter. Nonetheless, the Heat had some experience in dealing with the 76ers’ zone defense and entered the final quarter with a 15-point lead.
Struth scored 5 consecutive points at the opening of the fourth quarter, leading the team to set off another 12-0 scoring wave. Then coach Rivers removed Harden and Embiid, and the game entered “garbage time” ahead of schedule.
In this campaign, the Heat scored in double figures. Jimmy Butler scored 23 points, grabbed 9 rebounds, and contributed 6 assists, becoming the team’s biggest contributor to the win. For the 76ers, Harden contributed 14 points and 6 rebounds, while Embiid had 17 points and 5 rebounds.
In the other game, the Phoenix Suns were at home, leading the Mavericks by only 3 points at halftime. At the beginning of the third quarter, the home team suddenly exerted force, and the visiting team suddenly “misfired”. After being blasted at 0:17, the Mavericks could no longer fight back, and the game entered “garbage time” in the middle of the fourth quarter. Before the end, the Suns were still trying to score, and the Mavericks Chriss were dissatisfied with his behavior and fouled him. Then the two clashed and both were ejected.
On May 10, Suns player Bridges (center) and teammate Booker (right) celebrated a teammate’s score on the court during the game.Xinhua News Agency/Midland
The Suns host Booker scored 28 points and 7 rebounds, and Chris Paul sent 10 assists. For the Mavericks, Doncic scored a team-high 28 points, 11 rebounds and 3 steals.
The semifinals will continue on the 11th. The Milwaukee Bucks, which have won two of each of the first four games in the Eastern Conference, will start the “Battle of Tianwang Mountain” with the Boston Celtics, while the Golden State Warriors, who lead the opponent 3:1 by a large score, will Will be away to the Memphis Grizzlies.
Editors: Zhang Yueshan, Huang Xuguo, Xiao Shiyao, Li Dongyao (internship)