The Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks, and Philadelphia 76ers all punch their ticket to the Conferene Semifinals in the NBA Playoffs.
Heading into Thursday night, which featured a trio of Game 6’s, there were a lot of unanswered questions surrounding many of the teams who squared off.
Would Devin Booker return to the lineup for the Phoenix Suns? Would Rudy Gobert be hampered after being attacked by bees earlier in the day? Would Doc Rivers and the Sixers avoid Game 7?
The answer to each above question was a resounding yes. Each team closed out on the road last night, this was no fault of the crowds in Toronto, New Orleans, or Utah they were all loud. The result makes it interesting to see how homecourt advantage affects series moving forward.
Phoenix Suns in six
The level Chris Paul was on last night was on a level never before seen in the playoffs before, he went perfect from the floor 14-14, it was the first time any player has attempted that many shots and remained perfect. Paul’s efficiency helped the Suns earn the 105-109 closeout victory.
On an equally positive note for the Suns, Superstar Devin Booker returned from a hamstring injury and showed no signs of being hampered. Booker is expected to be ready for Game 1 of round two.
On the rise in New Orleans
New Orleans has nothing to hang its head on, the decision to trade for CJ McCollum has already paid off in a big way. Their rookie trio played a combined 90 minutes on Thursday night and gained valuable experience for next season. With an offseason to grow and get better, the Pelicans are poised for maybe a playoff berth next season, while perhaps avoiding the Play-In Tournament.
Closing down Jurassic Park
Sixers head coach Doc Rivers made some eye-raising comments during the week bout previous teams he coached blowing 3-1 leads. This led the discussion to become would he and the Sixers become the first team to blow a 3-0 lead. Although the game featured 9 lead changes, it was not a very competitive contest, as the Sixers lead by as many as 35 points. They now turn their attention to their next opponent the Miami Heat who they will meet on Monday for Game 1.
The Raptors had a fine season and like the Pelicans they are also on the rise and it would be fair to expect the Raps to have another post-season appearance next season.
Mavericks fine tune the Jazz in Utah
It was a rocky start to the playoffs for the Mavericks as they were without Superstar Luka Doncic. They were able to hold some ground without him, once he returned it was pretty much over for the Jazz. Doncic posted 24 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists to help put the Jazz to sleep in Game 6.
Unlike the Pelicans and Raptors the Jazz have many question marks surrounding their team, are they going to continue trying to compete, do they trade Rudy Gobert, do they move Donovan Mitchell, should they move both and blow it up? The only certainty is changes needed to be made because the current roster has maxed out.
Only one first-round series remains and the Memphis Grizzlies will face the Minnesota Timberwolves tonight in what could be an elimination game for the latter.