For their entry into the running in these play-offs, the Philadelphia Sixers and the Golden State Warriors did not tremble last night to win their first home game against the Toronto Raptors (131-111) and the Denver Nuggets (123-123) respectively. 107).
Once again expected at the end of the season, the Sixers have made a successful debut. Opposed to the Toronto Raptors at the Wells Fargo Center, the Philadelphia franchise signed a first great success in this series (131-111). If the duo, made up of Joel Embiid (19 points and 15 rebounds) and James Harden (22 points and 14 assists), was logically scrutinized closely, it was Tyrese Maxey (38 points) who especially made the show in the night from Saturday to Sunday, as well as Tobias Harris (26 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists). Thanks to two good first quarters on their part (69-51 at the break), Doc Rivers’ players made things easier for their entry into the running in these 2022 play-offs. Behind, Pascal Siakam (24 points and 7 assists) and his family failed to recover and cast doubt on the locals, winners without trembling in this first match. Conversely, beaten, the Raptors also saw their rookie Scottie Barnes (15 points, 10 rebounds and 8 assists) being hit in the left ankle at the end of the game, his participation in game 2 in two days is therefore uncertain for time.
Winning comeback for Curry
For their part, everything has been going well for the Warriors lately. After a great end to the regular season marked by six straight wins, Golden State overcame Denver in Game 1 of this series (123-107) and also found Stephen Curry. Absent for exactly a month (March 17), the All-Star point guard was back on the court last night at his home at the Chase Center. Off the bench, he was able to help his franchise win (16 points in 22 minutes to his credit). If Nikola Jokic’s Nuggets (25 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists) started better (26-27), the response of Steve Kerr’s players hurt in the next two quarters (64-43 in these two -the). Behind 20 points before starting the last 12 minutes, the visitors then failed to worry Golden State, which was able to count on a precious Jordan Poole (30 points). While the Warriors machine seems to be working well again, Mike Malone will have to quickly find a way to stop it all by the second meeting of this series (April 19).
BASKET – NBA / PLAY-OFFS
Saturday April 16, 2022
Dallas Mavericks – Utah Jazz : 93-99 >>> Utah leads 1-0 in the series
> Frank Ntilikina (DAL) n’a pas joué
> Rudy Gobert (UTAH): 5 points at 0/1 on shots and 5/6 on free throws, 17 rebounds, 3 blocks, 1 loss of ball and 3 fouls in 35 minutes
Memphis Grizzlies – Minnesota Timberwolves : 117-130 >>> Minnesota leads 1-0 in the series
> Killian Tillie (MEM) did not play
Philadelphia 76ers – Toronto Raptors : 131-111 >>> Philadelphia leads 1-0 in the series
Golden State Warriors – Denver Nuggets : 123-107 >>> Golden State leads 1-0 in the series