Welcome to the Yahoo Sports NBA playoff tracker, your daily one-stop shop for all the latest game results from each NBA playoff series. Here’s a look at Tuesday’s games.
James Harden, Nets eliminate Celtics
What’s that saying Giannis Antetokounmpo referenced when his Milwaukee Bucks swept the Miami Heat? “Don’t play with your food.” The Brooklyn Nets played with their food in Game 5 against the Boston Celtics.
The Celtics were once again missing three starters — Jaylen Brown (wrist), Kemba Walker (knee) and Robert Williams (ankle) — and the Nets let them hang around until midway through the fourth quarter, when Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden hit consecutive 3-pointers to turn a slim lead insurmountable.
Brooklyn’s superstar trio combined for 83 points in a 123-109 victory to eliminate Boston, 4-1. The Nets advance to face Antetokounmpo’s Bucks in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Game 1 is set for Saturday.
Harden led Brooklyn with 34 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. Irving scored 25 points. Durant had 24.
The Celtics hovered inside of single digits for much of the night, drawing within 97-89 on Evan Fournier’s three-point play with just under eight minutes remaining.
