Denver Dominates the Desert

05/12/2023

By: Jeff Yoder

Nuggets Go Nuclear on Suns, Set Records En Route to West Finals; Tatum Takes Over Late to Force Game 7 Between Celtics & 76ers

The first ticket to the conference finals has been claimed! And emphatically so… The Nuggets destroyed the Suns for the second straight game on Thursday night, this time on the road. Denver scored 81 points in 1st half, the most by a road team in NBA postseason history, and they led by 30 at the half (the biggest halftime lead in franchise postseason history). Nikola Jokic (32-10-12) statted his typical triple-double, and the Suns have officially been eliminated. In the east, it was a Jayson Tatum takeover in the 4th quarter to beat the 76ers on the road. Tatum came alive to score 16 of his 19 points in the final frame and outscore Philly in the 4th on his own (16-13). It’s the eighth time the Celtics and 76ers will play a Game 7 — the most of any matchup in NBA playoff history.

Nuggets move on. Philly-Boston going seven. The Lakers and Heat can close things out tonight in Game 6. And we’re one step closer to the NBA’s final four.

Conference Semifinals Highlights

Gm 6: Nuggets def. Suns (125-100) | DEN Wins (4-2)

Gm 6: Celtics def. 76ers (95-86) | Series Tied (3-3)

NBA Playoffs Bracket

Tonight’s Schedule

Gm 6: Knicks at Heat (7:30 pm ET) | MIA Leads (3-2)

Gm 6: Warriors at Lakers (10:00 pm ET) | LAL Leads (3-2)

SI: Jayson Tatum Stares Down Elimination, Abysmal Shooting & Wills Celtics to Game 7

Photo: Aaron Ontiveroz / Getty Images