Brown Fired After Sweep
Photo: Special to the NY Beacon
By Andrew Rosario
The Brooklyn Nets were not the only team to get swept in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. They were joined by the Philadelphia 76ers who were swept by the Boston Celtics and the Indiana Pacers who were swept by the Miami Heat. It cost Sixers head coach Brett Brown his job as he was fired the day after they were sent home ending his seven years running the team. Under his tutelage, Brown had guided them to the playoffs the last three years. Last year in the Eastern Conference semifinals, they would lose game 7 as Kawhi Leonard hit the game winning shot at the buzzer as Toronto went on to win the NBA Championship. Coming into the playoffs this year, they were without Ben Simmons who underwent knee surgery. A big blow to the team. College basketball coach Jay Wright and ex-Cleveland Cavalier head coach Tyron Lue will be considered for the job. Miami took out Indiana Monday night 99-87 and are waiting for the outcome of the Milwaukee/Orlando series. The Bucks took a 3-1 series lead and could have ended the series yesterday. Miami’s Jimmy Butler has been battling a shoulder injury and his health could determine the outcome their next series.
Photo: Special to the NY Beacon
The Western Conference playoffs have been more competitive with the exception of the Los Angeles Lakers and Portland Trail Blazers. Portland stunned the Lakers in game 1. Los Angeles came back to win the next 3 games. They scored 80 points (15-0 to start the game) in the first half of game 4 leading to a 137-115 blowout. The Lakers looked to close out the series last night. The Oklahoma City Thunder evened their series against the Houston Rockets Monday afternoon with their 117-114 win. 6 Thunder players scored in double figures led by James Harden’s 32 points. Game 5 took place last night. The Utah Jazz took a commanding 3-1 lead over the Utah Jazz with their 129-127 over the Denver Nuggets. Donvan Mitchell of the Jazz scored 51 becoming only the 4th player in NBA history score 50 or more points in two postseason games. Denver’s Jamal Murray ripped off 50 points in the loss. The Jazz looked to close out the series Thursday night. The best series has been between the Los Angeles Clippers and Dallas Mavericks. Dallas tied the series at 2 after Luka Doncic buried a 3-pointer in overtime in the 135-133 win. Doncic finished the game with a triple-double ( 43 points, 17 rebounds, 13 assist) as the team came back from a 21-point deficit. Game 5 took place Tuesday night and ex-Knicks Kristaps Porzingis, who sat out the game with a sore right knee, is expected to play. It would be a surprise if the series goes the full 7 games as many expect the Clippers to go to the NBA Finals.
