Celtics & Mavericks Eliminate Bucks & Suns by Game 7 Blowouts
Both of the NBA Finals teams from last season exited the playoffs within hours of each other on Sunday thanks to a pair of shocking Game 7 blowouts. The Celtics forced Game 7 on Friday in Milwaukee, then they slammed the door on Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks Sunday afternoon in Boston. Hours later, it was an earth-shattering blowout by the Mavericks over the league’s top team in Phoenix. Let’s run it back in the Association now that the conference finals are set.
Gm 7: Celtics def. Bucks (109-81)
The Game 6 fireworks between Jayson Tatum (46) and Giannis Antetokounmpo (44) were off the charts as the Celtics forced a Game 7 back in Boston on Sunday. The Bucks jumped out to the early lead after the first quarter, but it was all Celtics the rest of the way as they outscored the Bucks by 34 in the final three stanzas. Giannis’ 25-point, 20-rebound night couldn’t thwart a Boston runaway despite Tatum (23 points) and Jaylen Brown (19 points) staying tame. Grant Williams (27 points) was the surprise hero for the Celtics with seven 3s. The Celtics are heading to the conference finals for the fourth time in six years, but they haven’t won the East since 2010. BOS Wins Series (4-3)
Gm 7: Mavericks def. Suns (123-90)
Destruction in the desert! Game 7 between Dallas and Phoenix could’ve went a lot of ways, but no one expected this. Don’t let the scoreline fool you — the Mavericks pounded the Suns 57-27 in the first half behind Luka Doncic’s 27 first-half points. Yes, Doncic matched the entire Phoenix lineup in the first half before finishing with 35. The onslaught wasn’t done there. Dallas amassed a 42-point lead after three quarters. They hit 19 triples, including 11 from Doncic and Spencer Dinwiddie (30 points). The Suns’ starters combined for just 37 total points. It’s the Mavericks’ first trip back to the conference finals since the franchise won a championship with Dirk Nowitzki in 2011. DAL Wins Series (4-3)
Conference Finals Schedule
Gm 1: Celtics at Heat (Tues. 8:30 pm ET)
Gm 1: Mavericks at Warriors (Wed. 9:00 pm ET)
Additional Storylines
B/R: Giannis Runs ‘Out of Gas’ as Bucks’ Supporting Cast Called Out for Poor Game 7
Yahoo! Sports: Doncic, Mavericks Embarrass Suns in Game 7 Blowout to Advance to West Finals
