Celtics, Lakers advance to conference finals

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

 

The Boston Celtics just dethroned the Toronto Raptors in yet another classic Game 7 thriller, 92-87, to punch their ticket to the NBA Eastern Conference finals.

The young core of Boston led by Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart, and new addition Kemba Walker proved to be too much for the Raptors.

The Celtics enjoyed a lead heading into the fourth quarter only to see the Raptors claw their way back and cut the lead to just two.

Toronto had a chance to tie things up but Fred VanVleet’s three-point attempt missed short forcing them to foul and send Kemba Walker to the line with 12 seconds remaining and trailing Boston 90-87. Walker would make the free throws to seal the game.

With the win, Boston will meet the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals.

 

Lakers eliminate Rockets in 5

 

Lebron James and the Los Angeles Lakers dominated the Houston Rockets to complete their second consecutive gentleman’s sweep in the playoffs.

The Lakers came out blistering hot to start Game 5, turning an 11-point lead at halftime into a 26-point advantage heading into the 4^th quarter which allowed them to cruise to a series-clinching victory.

The Lakers went into the game determined to close out the Rockets and kept the gas on the floor for the most part.

Harden was able to bounce back from a dismal Game 4 to score 30 points on 12-20 shooting from the field but found little help from his supporting cast with only two other Rockets scoring in double figures.

Russel Westbrook scored 10 points while Jeff Green contributed 13 from the bench. The Rockets had trouble finding their touch from outside the arc, connecting only on 13 of their 49 attempts from deep.

With the win, the Lakers will advance to the Western Conference Finals where they await the winner between the Los Angeles Clippers and Denver Nuggets series.