PENNSYLVANIA – Toronto Raptors stays alive in the 2021-2022 NBA Playoffs. It posted a 103-88 win over Philadelphia 76ers in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference first round series on Monday night (Tuesday in the Philippines) at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Pascal Siakam spearheaded the Raptors with 23 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists, while Precious Achiuwa chipped in 17 markers, seven rebounds and three blocks.
OJ Anunoby and Gary Trent Jr. each had 16 markers, while Rookie of the Year winner Scottie Barnes had 12 points, eight rebounds, four assists and three steals as the Raptors trimmed the deficit to 2-3.
Holding to a 29-27 lead, the Raptors broke away in the second period with consecutive points from Barnes and Chris Boucher for a 41-27 lead. The 76ers cut it to 41-48 but back-to-back hits by Anunoby and Achiuwa widened it to 54-41.
The Raptors maintained the double-digit advantage in the second half before pulling away for good in the fourth quarter, where the lead reached its largest at 103-84.
Joel Embiid paced the 76ers with double-double 20 points and 11 rebounds, while Tobias Harris, James Harden and Danny Green chipped in 16, 15 and 14 points, respectively.
Meanwhile, Luka Doncic went to work for the Dallas Mavericks as they moved closer to the next round of the NBA Playoffs with a 102-77 domination over Utah Jazz.
Doncic, who was absent in the first three games of the series, tallied 33 points, 13 rebounds and five assists, while Jalen Brunson and Dorian Finney-Smith added 24 and 17, respectively, as the Mavs move up 3-2 in the series.
Boston Celtics, on the other hand, became the first team to reach the Conference semifinals after finishing off Brooklyn Nets in four games, 116-112, in Game 4 of their East series.
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown led the Boston offense with 29 and 22 points, respectively, while Marcus Smart contributed double-double 20 points and 11 assists./PN
