76ers, Warriors slam the door shut
Philadelphia and Golden State finish their series in five games to advance to the second round.
Kevin Durant scored 25 points, Draymond Green led a smothering Golden State defense and the Warriors held off the late-charging San Antonio Spurs 99-91 Tuesday night to win Game 5 and advance to the second round of the playoffs.
Klay Thompson had another stellar shooting performance with 24 points, and Green contributed all over with 17 points, a careerplayoff high 19 rebounds and seven assists.
LaMarcus Aldridge, who had had 30 points and 12 rebounds, converted a threepoint play with 1:31 left that pulled the Spurs within 9389, and then a pair of free throws at 57.2 to make it a two-point game. Green responded with a long jumper, then two free throws with 9.1 seconds remaining.
Manu Ginobili had 10 points and seven assists in what might have been the 40-year-old’s final game.
The Warriors will host the New Orleans Pelicans beginning this weekend, having won 12 playoff games in a row at home.
at Boston 92, Milwaukee 87: Al Horford had 22 points and 14 rebounds, Marcus Smart provided a boost in his first game since midMarch and the Celtics took a 3-2 series lead.
Smart came off the bench and had nine points, five rebounds, four assists and three blocks in his first game since undergoing right thumb surgery. He played 25 minutes wearing a protective splint and had a key assist to Horford late from the bottom of a scrum beneath three Bucks.
“I just tried to make sure I got him the ball and it was going to take everything I had,” Smart said. “They weren’t taking it from me.”
The home team has won all five games. Game 6 is Thursday in Milwaukee.
Khris Middleton led the Bucks with 23 points, Jabari Parker added 17 points and eight rebounds, and Giannis Antetokounmpo had a series-low 16 points with 10 rebounds and nine assists while being guarded by rookie Semi Ojeleye, making his first career start.
at Philadelphia 104, Miami 91: A fired-up 76ers team playing at home in front of local rapper and celebrity fan Meek Mill, who was freed from prison earlier in the day, finished the Heat in five games to advance to the second round for the first time since 2012.
J.J. Redick scored 27 points, Joel Embiid had 19 points and 12 rebounds, and rookie Ben Simmons had 14 points and 10 boards.
Justise Winslow led the Heat with 18 points. Dwyane Wade, perhaps playing his last game, had 11 points on four-for-15 shooting.