All Even: Beard’s Big Shot
05/08/2023
By: Jeff Yoder
Harden Erupts, Plays Hero Again as 76ers (Celtics) & Suns (Nuggets) Even Series With Clutch Game 4 Wins
More Harden heroics? A 50-ball from Jokic? Another 30-30 from Durant and Booker duo? The Lakers by… 30?! The weekend of NBA playoff action was full of dramatic twists. No team is running away with the conference semifinals, even if there have been major blowouts. Every series is compelling, just the way we like it.
The weekend began with a 47-point night from Devin Booker (Friday) as the Suns got one back. Saturday saw the Lakers (30) and Heat (19) deliver blowout wins over the Warriors and Knicks, respectively, to take 2-1 series leads. Sunday produced two down-to-the-wire games. James Harden (42 points) hit a floater to force overtime between the 76ers and Celtics before drilling the game-winning 3 in OT. Marcus Smart hit a game-winner on the other end but didn’t get it off in time. And in the nightcap, Devin Booker and Kevin Durant (36 each) escaped Nikola Jokic’s 53-point outing to even the Suns-Nuggets series. Every series is 2-2 or 2-1 with more Game 4s on the docket tonight. The NBA is in “must-see TV” mode.
2nd-Round Highlights
Gm 3: Heat def. Knicks (105-86) | MIA Leads (2-1)
Gm 3: Lakers def. Warriors (127-97) | LAL Leads (2-1)
Gm 4: 76ers def. Celtics (116-115, OT) | Series Tied (2-2)
Gm 4: Suns def. Nuggets (129-124) | Series Tied (2-2)
Weekend Top Performances
Gm 4: N. Jokic (DEN): 53 points, 4 rebounds, 11 assists
Gm 3: D. Booker (PHX): 47 points, 6 rebounds, 9 assists
Gm 4: J. Harden (PHI): 42 points, 8 rebounds, 9 assists, 4 steals
Tonight’s Schedule
Gm 4: Knicks at Heat (7:30 pm ET) | MIA Leads (2-1)
Gm 4: Warriors at Lakers (10:00 pm ET) | LAL Leads (2-1)
Additional Storylines
B/R: James Harden’s ‘Legacy Game’ Hyped After Clutch Shot in Game 4
ESPN: Nikola Jokic Gets Tech After Contact With Suns Owner Courtside
SI: James Harden Shares Moment With Michigan State Shooting Survivor After OT Win
Photo: Tim Nwachukwu / Getty Images