LeBron Strikes at Buzzer, Cavs Take 3-0 Series Lead
For the seventh time this postseason, and second time at the buzzer, LeBron James has stolen the show in a Cleveland Cavalier victory. James took the ball up the floor and floated a shot off the glass and in at the buzzer, giving the Cavs a 3-0 series lead with a 105-103 win over the Toronto Raptors at home Saturday night. James finished with 38 points, seven assists, and six rebounds, as the Cavs moved one step closer to their fourth straight Conference Finals appearance. James's game-winner came just seconds after OG Anunoby's game-tying three-pointer with eight seconds left in regulation. The Cavs took the inbounds play from the other end of the floor, but no one else needed to touch the ball other than LeBron. Kevin Love added 21 points and 16 rebounds, while Kyle Korver scored 18, as the Cavs won their ninth straight postseason game against the Raptors. They are looking to eliminate Toronto from the postseason for the third consecutive season, including a second straight series sweep. Kyle Lowry led the Raptors with 27 points, as his normal All-Star partner, DeMar DeRozan spent the entire fourth quarter on the bench. DeRozan struggled at just 3-for-12 shooting for just eight points. He said after the game that losing in that style and sitting on the bench "sucks." The Raptors are now in must-win territory the rest of the way, including with what could be the decisive Game 4 back in Cleveland on Monday night.
Celtics Take OT Thriller From Sixers
The Philadelphia 76ers became many experts' favorites to represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals this season, especially with the return of Joel Embiid. After taking care of the Miami Heat in just five games in the first round, the Sixers have now dropped three straight deflating games after Saturday. The Boston Celtics got the go-ahead basket from Al Horford in overtime for a 101-98 victory and a 3-0 series lead. The more deflating fact about this loss was that the Sixers thought they had this won, confetti and everything, at the end of regulation. Marco Belinelli had what was the thought to be the game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer to end the fourth quarter. During the celebration, the play was reviewed and was said to be a two-point shot with Belinelli's foot on the line, which was just enough to force overtime. This comes just one game after the Celtics came back from a 22-point deficit for a Game-2 win in Boston on Thursday night. Jayston Tatum had 24 points to lead the Celtics, who had to wait seven minutes before the beginning of overtime as they cleaned the floor of all the confetti. Joel Embiid had 22 points and 19 rebounds, while JJ Redick had 18 points and Ben Simmons finished with 16, as the Sixers need to win four in a row to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals They are hoping to begin that process when they host Game 4 of the series on Monday night.
Capitals, Jets Go Up 3-2 in Series
Two teams moved one win closer to the Conference Finals in the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Saturday, both of which overcame tough Game 4 losses. First, the Washington Capitals scored four times in the third period, doubling up the Pittsburgh Penguins, 6-3, for a 3-2 series lead. Jakub Vrana helped an early rally with an assist on the tying goal, and then scored the game-winner in the third, as he took over for Devante Smith-Pelly on the top line with Alex Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov. That move looks genius-like as the Capitals are looking to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in the Ovechkin era, as well as the first time since 1998. If they can complete the series victory in Monday's Game 6 on the road, it would also be their first series win over the Penguins in four tries, dating back to 2009. Meanwhile, the Winnipeg Jets have just moved to the city a couple seasons ago, but are now a win away from the Western Conference Finals. They took care of business on the road Saturday night, as Kyle Connor had two goals and an assist in a 6-2 rout of the Nashville Predators. Dustin Byfuglien and Mark Scheifele each had a goal and an assist, while Paul Stastny and Mathieu Perrault both scored in the big win. The Jets got off to a quick start with four goals on their first 14 shots. That led to Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne getting pulled for the third time this postseason, as he gave up six goals on 26 shots. The Jets return home for a #Whiteout in Game 6, looking to advance on Monday night.
For the seventh time this postseason, and second time at the buzzer, LeBron James has stolen the show in a Cleveland Cavalier victory. James took the ball up the floor and floated a shot off the glass and in at the buzzer, giving the Cavs a 3-0 series lead with a 105-103 win over the Toronto Raptors at home Saturday night. James finished with 38 points, seven assists, and six rebounds, as the Cavs moved one step closer to their fourth straight Conference Finals appearance. James's game-winner came just seconds after OG Anunoby's game-tying three-pointer with eight seconds left in regulation. The Cavs took the inbounds play from the other end of the floor, but no one else needed to touch the ball other than LeBron. Kevin Love added 21 points and 16 rebounds, while Kyle Korver scored 18, as the Cavs won their ninth straight postseason game against the Raptors. They are looking to eliminate Toronto from the postseason for the third consecutive season, including a second straight series sweep. Kyle Lowry led the Raptors with 27 points, as his normal All-Star partner, DeMar DeRozan spent the entire fourth quarter on the bench. DeRozan struggled at just 3-for-12 shooting for just eight points. He said after the game that losing in that style and sitting on the bench "sucks." The Raptors are now in must-win territory the rest of the way, including with what could be the decisive Game 4 back in Cleveland on Monday night.
Celtics Take OT Thriller From Sixers
The Philadelphia 76ers became many experts' favorites to represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals this season, especially with the return of Joel Embiid. After taking care of the Miami Heat in just five games in the first round, the Sixers have now dropped three straight deflating games after Saturday. The Boston Celtics got the go-ahead basket from Al Horford in overtime for a 101-98 victory and a 3-0 series lead. The more deflating fact about this loss was that the Sixers thought they had this won, confetti and everything, at the end of regulation. Marco Belinelli had what was the thought to be the game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer to end the fourth quarter. During the celebration, the play was reviewed and was said to be a two-point shot with Belinelli's foot on the line, which was just enough to force overtime. This comes just one game after the Celtics came back from a 22-point deficit for a Game-2 win in Boston on Thursday night. Jayston Tatum had 24 points to lead the Celtics, who had to wait seven minutes before the beginning of overtime as they cleaned the floor of all the confetti. Joel Embiid had 22 points and 19 rebounds, while JJ Redick had 18 points and Ben Simmons finished with 16, as the Sixers need to win four in a row to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals They are hoping to begin that process when they host Game 4 of the series on Monday night.
Capitals, Jets Go Up 3-2 in Series
Two teams moved one win closer to the Conference Finals in the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Saturday, both of which overcame tough Game 4 losses. First, the Washington Capitals scored four times in the third period, doubling up the Pittsburgh Penguins, 6-3, for a 3-2 series lead. Jakub Vrana helped an early rally with an assist on the tying goal, and then scored the game-winner in the third, as he took over for Devante Smith-Pelly on the top line with Alex Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov. That move looks genius-like as the Capitals are looking to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in the Ovechkin era, as well as the first time since 1998. If they can complete the series victory in Monday's Game 6 on the road, it would also be their first series win over the Penguins in four tries, dating back to 2009. Meanwhile, the Winnipeg Jets have just moved to the city a couple seasons ago, but are now a win away from the Western Conference Finals. They took care of business on the road Saturday night, as Kyle Connor had two goals and an assist in a 6-2 rout of the Nashville Predators. Dustin Byfuglien and Mark Scheifele each had a goal and an assist, while Paul Stastny and Mathieu Perrault both scored in the big win. The Jets got off to a quick start with four goals on their first 14 shots. That led to Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne getting pulled for the third time this postseason, as he gave up six goals on 26 shots. The Jets return home for a #Whiteout in Game 6, looking to advance on Monday night.
