Backcourt maestro Chris Paul powers Suns over Bucks in NBA Finals opener
PHOENIX (AFP) – Chris Paul, making his long-sought NBA Finals debut, scored 32 points to lead the Phoenix Suns over the Milwaukee Bucks, 118-105, in Tuesday’s opening game of the championship series. The 36-year-old backcourt maestro, in his 16th season, delivered clutch scoring and added nine assists while Devin Booker added 27 points and 22-year-old […].....»»
Sixers sweep Nets to advance, Suns on brink as Heat burn Bucks
The Philadelphia 76ers shrugged off the absence of Joel Embiid to complete a 4-0 sweep of the Brooklyn Nets in the NBA playoffs on Saturday as the Phoenix Suns edged closer to a second-round berth by beating the Los Angeles Clippers. The Sixers advanced to an Eastern Conference semi-final showdown against either Boston or Atlanta with a dominant second-half display to seal a 96-88 victory in Brooklyn. Elsewhere in the East, the Miami Heat thrashed the short-handed Milwaukee Bucks 121-99 to edge ahead of the top seeds 2-1 in their best-of-seven series. In Brooklyn, the Sixers trailed by 11 points early in the third quarter but transformed the contest with an 18-4 run to take the lead before closing out victory with a fourth-quarter rally. The Sixers' win was all the more impressive given the absence of star center Embiid, who suffered a right knee sprain in Thursday's 102-97 victory in game three. Embiid led the NBA with 33.1 points a game and is a finalist for the NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) award. Paul Reed stepped in to fill the void and finished with 10 points and 15 rebounds. Tobias Harris led the scoring for Philadelphia with 25 points and 12 rebounds, while De'Anthony Melton came off the bench to produce 15 points and lead the fourth-quarter surge. Harris said the Sixers were determined to use Embiid's absence as a motivator. "He's the MVP. And when we heard he wasn't playing, I think it was an opportunity for everybody else to really step up and understand that we've got to get a win without the big fellow," Harris told the TNT television network. "The whole group came together today. It's a great win for us and a great way to sweep the series." Asked what his message to the injured Embiid would be, Harris replied: "Hurry up and get your ass back out here." The 4-0 series victory was Philadelphia's first playoff sweep since 1991. Spencer Dinwiddie led Brooklyn's scoring with 20 points while Nic Claxton had 19 points with 12 rebounds. "Getting swept is trash," a dejected Claxton said. "It's not a good feeling." Suns on the brink In Los Angeles, Kevin Durant finished with 31 points, 11 rebounds and six assists to help Phoenix beat the Clippers 112-100 for a 3-1 series lead. Devin Booker plundered 30 points and veteran Chris Paul added 19 in a late burst of scoring as Phoenix bagged their second straight win in Los Angeles. "I'm in a good place and I'm enjoying playing ball," Durant said. "I've been out a few months this season, and I'm just happy I'm out here where the ball is." It means the Suns need just one more win to book their place in the Western Conference semi-finals, with game five set for Phoenix on Tuesday. The Clippers' hopes of squaring the series had been dealt a blow by the absence of Kawhi Leonard, who joined Paul George on the injured list. Russell Westbrook produced one of his best performances for the Clippers with a 37-point display. In Miami, the Heat took full advantage of the absence of Milwaukee's two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, leading by double digits much of the night. Jimmy Butler scored 30 points on 12-of-19 shooting before departing late in the third quarter after taking a hard fall. After visiting the locker room he returned to the bench but with the game in hand did not go back on the floor. Duncan Robinson scored 20 points and fellow reserve Kyle Lowry added 15 as the Heat bench delivered 59 points. "We just came out here and played with some intensity," Lowry said. The Heat will try to level the series on Monday, but Lowry said he knows they'll face a tough task. "Every game is a different game," he said. Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said the team would continue to "monitor" Antetokounmpo, who suffered a back contusion in game one, missed game two and was a late scratch on Saturday. In the late game the Memphis Grizzlies welcomed star guard Ja Morant back after a hand injury as they visited the Los Angeles Lakers with their series knotted 1-1. The post Sixers sweep Nets to advance, Suns on brink as Heat burn Bucks appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Sixers advance after Nets sweep, Suns on brink as Clippers downed
The Philadelphia 76ers shrugged off the absence of Joel Embiid to complete a 4-0 sweep of the Brooklyn Nets in the NBA playoffs on Saturday as the Phoenix Suns edged closer to a second-round berth with a victory over the Los Angeles Clippers. The Sixers advanced to an Eastern Conference semi-final showdown against either Boston or Atlanta with a dominant second-half display to seal a 96-88 victory in Brooklyn. The Sixers trailed by 11 points early in the third quarter but transformed the contest with an 18-4 run to take the lead before closing out victory with a fourth-quarter rally. The Sixers' win was all the more impressive given the absence of star center Embiid, who suffered a right knee sprain in Thursday's 102-97 victory in game three. Embiid led the NBA with 33.1 points a game and is a finalist for the NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) award. With Embiid out, Paul Reed stepped in to fill the void and finished with 10 points and 15 rebounds. Tobias Harris led the scoring for Philadelphia with 25 points and 12 rebounds, while De'Anthony Melton came off the bench to produce 15 points and lead the fourth-quarter rally. Harris said the Sixers had been determined to use Embiid's absence as a motivator. "He's the MVP. And when we heard he wasn't playing, I think it was an opportunity for everybody else to really step up and understand that we've got to get a win without the big fella," Harris told the TNT television network after the win. "For us to come out here and get this victory, it feels great for the whole group. "The whole group came together today. It's a great win for us and a great way to sweep the series." Asked what his message to the injured Embiid would be, Harris replied: "Hurry up and get your ass back out here." The 4-0 series victory was Philadelphia's first playoff sweep since 1991. Spencer Dinwiddie led Brooklyn's scoring with 20 points while Nic Claxton had 19 points with 12 rebounds. In Los Angeles, Kevin Durant finished with 31 points, 11 rebounds and six assists to help Phoenix take a 3-1 series lead over the Clippers with a 112-100 victory. Devin Booker plundered 30 points and veteran Chris Paul added 19 in a late burst of scoring as Phoenix bagged their second straight win in Los Angeles in the best-of-seven series. It means the Suns need just one more win to book their place in the Western Conference semi-finals, with game five set for Phoenix on Tuesday. The Clippers' hopes of squaring the series had been dealt a blow by the absence of Kawhi Leonard, who joined Paul George on the injured list. In their absence, Russell Westbrook produced one of his best performances for the Clippers with a 37-point display but ultimately it was not enough as the greater depth of the Suns' line-up proved too much. "I'm in a good place and I'm enjoying playing ball," Durant said after the win. "I've been out a few months this season, and I'm just happy I'm out here where the ball is." In later playoff games on Saturday, the Milwaukee Bucks travel to Miami looking for a win on the road over the Heat with the best-of-seven series finely balanced at 1-1. Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, who sat out game two after suffering a back injury in game one, was listed as questionable for Milwaukee. In the late game, the Memphis Grizzlies travel to Los Angeles to face the Lakers with their series knotted at one game apiece. The post Sixers advance after Nets sweep, Suns on brink as Clippers downed appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Chris Paul rues bad decision making in Suns Game 4 loss vs Bucks
Despite being known for his ability to take care of the ball, Paul struggled against a Bucks defense that limited him to just 10 points and an uncharacteristic five turnovers......»»
Paul powers Suns over Bucks in NBA Finals opener
Chris Paul, making his long-sought NBA Finals debut, scored 32 points to lead the Phoenix Suns over Milwaukee 118-105 in Tuesday's opening game of the championship series......»»
Milwaukee Bucks foil Orlando Magic, take series in 5 games
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Florida — Giannis Antetokounmpo had 28 points and 17 rebounds and the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Orlando Magic 118-104 on Saturday to close out the Eastern Conference series in five games. The Bucks advanced to face Miami in the second round, beginning Monday. Chris Middleton added 21 points and 10 rebounds for […] The post Milwaukee Bucks foil Orlando Magic, take series in 5 games appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Kiefer, Kobe team up in Bo Perasol s UAAP First 5
Bo Perasol has been calling the shots for the University of the Philippines from 2016 to present. Before this, the always amiable mentor was at the helm for Ateneo de Manila University from 2013 to 2015. Through all of that, he has had a hand in the discovery and the development of young talent for his teams as well as the game planning for the opposing rising stars. Among all of those, who are the best of the best for him? Here is Bo Perasol's UAAP First 5, as listed down by him in an online question-and-answer session organized by Hoops Coaches International: KIEFER RAVENA Ravena was the main man for each and every one of Perasol's seasons in Ateneo - the last two of which produced back-to-back MVPs for the former. What it fell short of producing, however, was a championship which was a different feeling - relative to them, at least - as Ateneo was coming off a five-peat. Still, under Perasol, Ravena was allowed to spread his wings to its widest reach and fly to the greatest of heights. KOBE PARAS Paras decided to come home to the Philippines and play for UP - coincidentally, his father's alma mater. What he found in the Fighting Maroons was a mean machine that had been newly assembled into a legitimate contender under Perasol's direction. In the first of his two years for State U, Paras wasted no time in putting on display just how much of a two-way force he could be. PAUL DESIDERIO Perasol picked up the pieces of the puzzle for UP and then put them all together into a working and winning machine. The heart and soul of that machine, however, was, without a doubt, Desiderio - he of "Atin 'to, papasok 'to" lore. Desiderio was never the most talented player on the court, but his love for the game and love for UP inspired all of the Fighting Maroons all the way to a historic Season 81. CHRIS NEWSOME Ravena, for the most part, got the headlines and highlights, but it should never be forgotten that right there with him was Newsome. A do-it-all swingman could turn the tide for Ateneo just as well as he could make a memorable play on either end. With Newsome and Ravena, Perasol's Blue Eagles had an argument to have had the most talented backcourt. ANDREW HARRIS Perasol has coached Season 81 MVP Akhuetie, but for his man in the middle, decided to go with Harris "for character." For sure, the 6-foot-4 big man is not a star player, but he never failed to go all-out each and every moment he was on the court. That energy and effort consistently brought by the now-Philippine national team player in handball is why Perasol has him on his personal list. --- Follow this writer on Twitter, @riegogogo......»»
NBA: James triple-double pulls Lakers past Grizzlies
LeBron James returned from a one-game absence to post a 23-point triple-double on Wednesday and lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 136-124 NBA victory over the Memphis Grizzlies. James sat out the Lakers’ come-from-behind double-overtime victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday with a sore left ankle. READ: NBA: Giannis tows Bucks over Thunder .....»»
‘Sama-sama sa Angel’s Pizza’ TikTok Singing Contest Grand Finals: A resounding success
The inaugural “Sama-sama sa Angel’s Pizza” TikTok Singing Contest, an electrifying celebration of talent and creativity, reached its pinnacle with the Grand Finals held at Viva Café in Cyberpark Tower 1, Araneta City in Quezon City......»»
Fil-foreign teams top NBTC finals
Global squads stamped their class as Fil-Am Nation Select-USA and Canada’s Top Flight Sports reigned supreme in the Smart-National Basketball Training Center National Finals Division 1 and 2, respectively, over the weekend at the Mall of Asia Arena......»»
Minglanilla ends 22-year title drought, wins Gullas Cup in dominating fashion vs. Talisay
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Abante Minglanilla hoisted the Rhea Gullas Cup 2024 First District of Cebu Inter-City/Municipality Basketball Tournament title after routing the visiting Talisay Aksyon Agad, 72-58, on Saturday evening, March 23, at the Minglanilla Sports Complex. Minglanilla, also known as the Archangels, beat Talisay in their do-or-die Game 3 of the finals, and.....»»
NCAA juniors champ, Finals MVP Manalili basks on day full of wins
Finals MVP Jonathan Manalili helps power Letran to the NCAA juniors basketball championship, then scores another winning romp in the NBTC All-Star just a few hours later.....»»
Migallen: Anak sa Sugboanong coach maoy NCAA Finals MVP
Migallen: Anak sa Sugboanong coach maoy NCAA Finals MVP.....»»
USC NABC Finals unwraps on Sunday
CEBU CITY, Philippines — The much-awaited finals of the “The Last Dance” North Alumni Basketball Club (NABC) Congressman Bingo Bagtik Matugas Cup of the University of San Carlos (USC) will fire off this weekend at the USC North Campus gymnasium. Four of NABC’s divisions will clash in the finals to determine the champions for this.....»»
With help from Paul Lee, Raymond Almazan rules inaugural 3-Point Shootout for bigs
Raymond Almazan credits former teammate Paul Lee for some valuable tips as he tops the first-ever Big Men Three-Point Shootout during the PBA All-Star Weekend.....»»
Room to improve: Oftana still wants to be better after 3-Point Shootout reign
TNT's Calvin Oftana dethrones Paul Lee for the Guards/Wings Three-Point Shootout crown during the PBA All-Star Weekend in Bacolod City.....»»
UAAP finals losses in last year of eligibility fuel UP s Cagulangan
It’s been a couple of months since, but graduating UP guard JD Cagulangan continues to hold near the sting of his most recent UAAP finals loss at the hands of the DLSU Green Archers last December......»»
Marina Summers enters RuPaul s Drag Race: UK vs the World 2 finals
Filipino drag queen Marina Summers made it to the finals of the second season of "RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs. the World" and is eyed as a frontrunner for the crown......»»
Adamson, Fil-Nation Select forge NBTC Division 1 finals clash
And then there were two......»»
Young Creatives Challenge discovers new breed of artists
Six months after the formal launch of the Young Creatives Challenge (YC2), playwrights, songwriters, graphic artists, and content creators trooped to the Samsung Hall at SM Aura for the grand finals and awarding ceremony......»»
Lovi Poe joins Prison Break director s upcoming Hollywood film
Actress Lovi Poe has joined the cast of an upcoming Hollywood movie with Canadian actor Adam Beach about Native American fire captain Paul Fullerton......»»