MVPs Take 5 🖐️

05/10/2023

By: Matthew Cahill

Embiid’s 76ers & Jokic’s Nuggets Dominate Game 5s to Take 3-2 Series Leads

Tuesday night’s two-pack of NBA Game 5s featured a pair of bullish performances from the league’s recent MVP big men. Joel Embiid manhandled the Celtics inside (33 points, 7 rebounds, 4 blocks) while Tyrese Maxey (30 points, Six 3s) got the hot hand from the outside to help Philly get Game 5 on the road. Out west, the Nuggets obliterated the Suns behind Nikola Jokic’s triple-double (29-13-12) and big nights from Michael Porter Jr. (19) and Bruce Brown (25). There was little drama late in either game with both MVP-led teams holding 20-point leads in the second half. And that means we’re officially “on the brink” in all four conference semifinals with the Heat and Lakers going for close-outs tonight.

 

Fun Fact: Nikola Jokic (30.6 ppg, 13.1 rpg, 9.5 apg) is the first player to average 30-10-8 through 10 postseason games since Oscar Robertson in 1963 (30.2 ppg, 13.5 rpg, 8.8 apg).

 

Conference Semifinal Highlights

Gm 5: 76ers def. Celtics (115-103) | PHI Leads (3-2)

Gm 5: Nuggets def. Suns (118-102) | DEN Leads (3-2)

 

NBA Playoffs Bracket

 

Top Performers

J. Tatum (BOS): 36 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists

J. Embiid (PHI): 33 points, 7 rebounds, 4 blocks

T. Maxey (PHI): 30 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists

N. Jokic (DEN): 29 points, 13 rebounds, 12 assists

D. Booker (PHX): 28 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists

K. Durant (PHX): 26 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists

 

Tonight’s Schedule

Gm 5: Heat at Knicks (7:30 pm ET) | MIA Leads (3-1)

Gm 5: Lakers at Warriors (10:00 pm ET) | LAL Leads (3-1)

 

Additional Storylines

SI: Sixers Stun Celtics With Emphatic Game 5 Win in Boston

USA Today: Nuggets Stay Unbeaten at Home, Take 3-2 Lead Behind Jokic Triple-Double

 

Photo: Maddie Meyer / Getty Images