Day 4 of the NBA Playoffs: 76ers qualify, Bucks close to elimination

The fourth day of the NBA Playoffs 2023 left us with the first qualifier for the semifinals. Philadelphia 76ers advanced to the next round after defeating Brooklyn Nets (88-96) in the fourth game of the series. 4-0 series lead.

Tobias Harris (25 points and 12 rebounds) and James Harden (17 points and 11 assists) led the Pennsylvania franchise, which did not notice the absence of Joel Embiid due to injury. The 76ers await an opponent in the Eastern Conference semifinals, where they will likely face the Boston Celtics.

Jimmy Butler sinks Bucks, Warriors tie tie playoffs

Milwaukee Bucks is one game away from elimination. The Eastern Conference regular season champions lost again to the Miami Heat (119-114) and are behind in the series (3-1). Sublime performance by Jimmy Butler (56 points and 9 rebounds), setting his personal scoring record. The forward was key in the Heat's comeback, who turned the score around in the fourth quarter after trailing throughout the game. Giannis Antetokounmpo's impressive triple-double (26 points, 10 rebounds and 13 assists) had no positive effect for the Bucks.

Golden State Warriors tie the series against Sacramento Kings (2-2). After losing the first two games, the team coached by Steve Kerr defeated its rival (126-125) in a frantic end of the game.

Harrison Barnes could have left the Warriors close to elimination, but his three-pointer in the last second of the game was repelled by the basket. The 80 points scored between Klay Thompson (26), Stephen Curry (32) and Jordan Poole (22) offset a strong performance by Kings point guard De'Aaron Fox, who finished the game with 38 points and 9 rebounds.

Suns and Knicks with a foot and a half in the semifinals

Phoenix Suns got their playoffs against Los Angeles Clippers (3-1) back on track after winning Game 4 (100-112). The Arizona franchise's Big Three was too much for the Angelina defense: Devin Booker (30) and Kevin Durant (31) scored more than 30 points, while Chris Paul finished with 19 points. Deandre Ayton's strong performance in the zone, recording 13 rebounds. For the Clippers, only Russell Westbrook (37 points) was able to stand up to his opponent. The Suns continue to be one of the great favorites to win the Ring.

One of the playoffs that looked to be the most evenly matched was between the New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers. And it seems to fall on the side of the Big Apple (3-1). In the fourth game of the series, the team coached by Tom Thibodeau defeated the Cavs (102-93). The performance of point guard Jalen Brunson was outstanding with 29 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists. The Ohio franchise finished the game with six players over 10 points, but it was not enough to even the series.

Nuggets miss chance to clinch qualification

Minnesota Timberwolves pulled off the upset in Game 4 of the series (3-1) and defeated Denver Nuggets (114-108). A loss that slows down the Nuggets' more than likely passage to the Western Conference semifinals. Point guard Anthony Edwards led his teammates to victory with 34 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Karl-Anthony Towns (17 points and 11 rebounds) and Frenchman Rudy Gobert (14 points and 15 rebounds) dominated on defense, despite 43 points from Nuggets center Nikola Jokić.

The Boston Celtics have put their foot down. In the fourth game of the series, the Green and White franchise defeated the Atlanta Hawks (121-129) to put the series 3-1 in their favor. The Hawks could do nothing to stop the Boston duo of Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. Each finished with 31 points. Four other Celtics players finished the game with more than 10 points: Marcus Smart (19), Derrick White (18), Malcolm Brogdon (14) and Robert Williams (13). Trae Young's 35 points and 15 assists did not benefit the Hawks, who will have to fight to prevent the Celtics from being the 76ers' opponents in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Day 4 concluded with a 117-111 win for the Los Angeles Lakers over the Memphis Grizzlies. The purple and gold franchise is one game away from qualifying for the Western Conference semifinals (3-1). LeBron James led the Lakers and was named MVP of the game. The forward finished the game with an impressive double-double (22 points and 20 rebounds), in addition to assisting 7 times. Sad performance by Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant (19 points and 7 assists). Only Desmond Bane (36 points) gave some hope for the Tennessee franchise.