James Harden electrified a raucous Wells Fargo Arena, brushing off a scoreless first quarter to finish with 31 points.
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Monday May 9th
Harden had averaged 18 points in the opening three games of the series, hardly what the Sixers needed particulary given Joel Embiid was sidelined in the opening two meetings.
But Harden came up big on Monday, shooting 44.4 per cent from the field and 60.0 per cent from deep as he silenced his critics — at least temporarily.
Meanwhile, Embiid appeared anything but phased by a recently sustained facial fracture, contributing a much-needed 24-point double double.
Again, Jimmy Butler was nothing short of outstanding for the Heat, putting up 40 points and contributing 6 dimes after finishing with 33 points in Game 3.
Bam Adebayo was also a solid contributor for Miami with 21 points of his own.
The points flowed in the first quarter as Embiid exploded for 15 in the opening 12 minutes. And while the Sixers shot solidly as a collective (11 of 17 from the field), Harden was scoreless, picking up two early fouls and being forced to the bench by coach Doc Rivers.
However, the Harden of old was on full display for the remaining three quarters, as the 32-year-old knocked down several signature step-back threes to finish with 31 points and level the series for the 76ers.
PAUL FOULS OUT AS MAVS DOWN SUNS
The Dallas Mavericks have levelled their playoff series with the Phoenix Suns at 2-all after Chris Paul’s game to forget in a 111-101 loss.
Paul had a game-high 28 points in Game 2 as Phoenix jumped out to an early 2-0 series lead but the point guard was forced into a game-high seven turnovers in a Game 3 loss.
And on Monday, Paul had an even worse night, fouling out in the fourth quarter as Dallas evened the series.
It saw Paul end the game with five points, five rebounds and seven assists while fouling out for just the fourth time in his post-season career.
Luka Doncic led the way for Dallas (26 points, 11 assists, seven rebounds) but crucially was well-supported this time around with five teammates hitting double figures.
The Mavericks got off to a fast start, jumping out to a 37-25 lead after the first quarter after lighting it up from deep.
Dallas shot 62 per cent from the floor and 61.5 per cent from deep, with Dorian Finney-Smith (three) and Davis Bertans (two) pouring in the 3-pointers.