Friday, May 11, 2012

NBA Daily Blog Playoff Edition: 76ers knock out top-seeded Bulls in Game 6 on Iguodala's free throws 79-78, will face the Celtics in 2nd round who defeat the Hawks in Game 6 83-80. Nuggets force Game 7 vs the Lakers.

Andre Iguodala and Lou Williams celebrate as the 76ers win Game 6 vs the Bulls
Photo ©NBA/Sixers.com

The Philadelphia 76ers become the fifth #8 seeded team in NBA history to knock off the #1 seed as they take the series 4-2 in thrilling fashion as they defeat the Chicago Bulls in Game 6 at the Wells Fargo Center on Andre Iguodala's two clutch free throws 79-78. The 76ers trailed by 3 75-78 with 25 seconds left. Thaddeus Young scored a lay-up to make it 77-78. Then the 76ers foul center Omer Asik who in turn missed two crucial free throws for the Bulls as Iguodala raised down the court and drew the foul which led to the two clutch free throws he sank. The Bulls had a chance to win but C.J. Watson's halfcourt heave went off the iron. The 76ers advance to the second round for the first time since 2003 and will now face the Boston Celtics who won in Game 6 of their series against the Atlanta Hawks (see story below). Their series begins on May 13 in Boston.

Iguodala led the 76ers with 20 points, 4 rebounds and 7 assists. Lou Williams off the bench added 14 points, 3 assists and 3 steals. Jrue Holiday added 14 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals. Evan Turner added 10 points and 5 rebounds. Spencer Hawes added 8 points and 10 rebounds. Thaddeus Young also scored 8 points with 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals.

Luol Deng led the Bulls with a double-double 19 points and 17 rebounds with 3 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks. Rip Hamilton also scored 19 points with 8 rebounds. Taj Gibson off the bench added 14 points, 5 rebounds and 2 blocks. Omer Asik finished with 10 points, 9 rebounds and 2 blocks. Carlos Boozer pulled down 13 rebounds but only scored 3 points.

In Boston, the Boston Celtics also advance to the second round as they take the series 4-2 against the Atlanta Hawks in Game 6 at the TD Garden 83-80. The Celtics will face the #8 seed Philadelphia 76ers who defeated the #1 seed Chicago Bulls (see story above) on May 13 in Boston. Kevin Garnett led the Celtics with a double-double 28 points and 14 rebounds with 3 steals and 5 blocks. Paul Pierce added 18 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists and 2 steals. Rajon Rondo added 14 points and 8 assists. Ray Allen off the bench added 7 points and 5 rebounds. Josh Smith led the Hawks with 18 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals. Joe Johnson scored 17. Marvin Williams added 16 points and 8 rebounds. Al Horford added 15 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists.

In Denver, the Denver Nuggets force a winner take all Game 7 in their first round series as they blow out the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 6 at the Pepsi Center 113-96. Game 7 will be in Los Angeles on May 13 as this series winds down to one final game, the winner will face the #2 seeded Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round. Ty Lawson led the Nuggets with 32 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists. Corey Brewer off the bench added 18 points and 2 steals. Rookie Kenneth Faried finished with a double-double 15 points and 11 rebounds with 2 blocks. Danilo Gallinari added 12 points, 4 rebounds and 7 assists. Andre Miller also scored 12 points with 4 rebounds. Kobe Bryant who played with a stomach illness led the Lakers with 31 points and 4 assists. Ramon Sessions added 14 points and 3 assists. Andrew Bynum finished with a double-double 11 points and 16 rebounds with 4 blocks. Devin Ebanks scored 10. Metta World Peace will return to action for Game 7 after serving a 7 game suspension after he elbowed Thunder guard James Harden during the final week of the regular season.

2012 NBA Playoffs Bracket (as of 13:58 PHT)

WESTERN CONFERENCE

#1 Spurs vs #8 Jazz
SAN ANTONIO SPURS WINS SERIES 4-0

#4 Grizzlies vs #5 Clippers (Clippers lead series 3-2)
Game 6: May 12, 9:00 am PHT on ESPN

#3 Lakers vs #6 Nuggets (Series tied 3-3)
Game 7: May 13, 10:30 am PHT Channel TBD

#2 Thunder vs #7 Mavericks
OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER WINS SERIES 4-0

EASTERN CONFERENCE

#1 Bulls vs #8 76ers
PHILADELPHIA 76ERS WINS SERIES 4-2

#4 Celtics vs #8 76ers
Game 1: May 13, 8:00 am PHT Channel TBD

#4 Celtics vs #5 Hawks
BOSTON CELTICS WINS SERIES 4-2

#3 Pacers vs #6 Magic
INDIANA PACERS WINS SERIES 4-1

#2 Heat vs #3 Pacers
Game 1: May 14, 3:30 am PHT Channel TBD

#2 Heat vs #7 Knicks
MIAMI HEAT WINS SERIES 4-1

K-Smoove

No comments:

Post a Comment

You are always welcome and free to comment on our posts whether it is positive or negative.

However, I may delete your comments if these are unwelcoming and detrimental not only to me, but to other people who visit this blog.

Thank you,
K-Smoove