The Mavs Hang On: NBA Playoff Recap for April 27

In the nightcap, the Dallas Mavericks hung on to force a game 5 with a win over the Rockets. Elsewhere, the Cavs swept the Celtics but lose Kevin Love to injury, the Clippers even up the series with the Spurs with a gutsy win in San Antonio, and the Wizards sweep the Raptors.

Let’s get to the games:

Cleveland Cavaliers 101 (53-29)
Boston Celtics 93 (40-42)
Final

Boston ran out in the first and the Cavaliers dominated in the second quarter. The third quarter was owned by the Celtics while the fourth quarter was nearly even but the Cavs had enough to get the win and eliminate the Celtics. Boston shot a mere 38.8% from the field while Cleveland shot only 39.7% from the field. Cleveland was led by Kyrie Irving with 24 points, 11 rebounds, Iman Shumpert with 15 points, 10 rebounds, and LeBron James with 27 points, 10 rebounds. The Celtics were led by Isaiah Thomas with 21 points, 9 assists, and Jared Sullinger with 21 points, 11 rebounds.

 

Los Angeles Clippers 114 (56-26)
San Antonio Spurs 105 (55-27)
Final

The game started out close with the Clippers taking the early lead and it was a tight second quarter. The second half started out close while the fourth quarter was nearly even and the Clippers picked up the win in San Antonio. Los Angeles was led by Chris Paul with 34 points, Blake Griffin with 20 points, 19 rebounds, and Austin Rivers with 16 points. The Spurs were led by Kawhi Leonard with 26 points, and Tim Duncan with 22 points, 14 rebounds.

 

Toronto Raptors 94 (49-33)
Washington Wizards 125 (46-36)
Final

Washington jumped out to the early lead in the first quarter and it was a tight second quarter. The third quarter was owned by the Wizards while the fourth quarter was nearly even and the Raptors were blown out and eliminated from the playoffs. Washington shot 55.4% from the field including 57.7% from behind the arc. The Wizards dominated with 42 assists. Washington was led by Marcin Gortat with 21 points, 11 rebounds, Bradley Beal with 23 points, and John Wall with 14 points, 10 assists. The Raptors were led by Jonas Valanciunas with 16 points, 9 rebounds, and Kyle Lowry with 21 points.

 

Houston Rockets 109 (56-26)
Dallas Mavericks 121 (50-32)
Final

Dallas ran out in the first and the Rockets were outscored in the second quarter. The third quarter was owned by the Mavericks and Houston stretched the Mavericks in the fourth quarter but were unable to overcome the Mavs lead. Dallas won the rebounding battle handily, 52 to 38. Dallas was led by Monta Ellis with 31 points, Al-Farouq Aminu with 16 points, 12 rebounds, and J.J. Barea with 17 points, 13 assists. The Rockets were led by James Harden with 24 points, and Josh Smith with 23 points.