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BOSTON took second place in the Eastern Conference Finals yesterday, beating Toronto 92-87 in a Game 7 thriller where all the drama was packed in the final 34.9 seconds.
After Kyle Lowry made two free throws to put Toronto within 87-89, Lowry scored a foul against Grant Williams.
Toronto got some respite, as Williams, a rookie, missed out on his charities.
But before that, Norm Powell went coast to coast in a reckless assault, his layup completely blocked by Marcus Smart, Boston’s contribution to the NBA’s best defensive team.
Jason Tatum was fouled on the Celtics’ next offense, settling for a split to Boston’s fragile 90-87 lead with 34.9 seconds left.
But Fred VanVleet, very hot from afar before, threw a three-point ground airball, his aim a bit blocked by Williams’ outstretched arms.
Kemba Walker was fouled and made both of his free throws, giving Boston a comfortable 92-87 lead with just 7.9 seconds to go.
Toronto coach Nick Nurse called for a timeout, but to no avail, his boys squandered rare opportunities when he saw his playoff record drop to 23-12, which remains the best in the league.
Boston will fight next Miami for the Eastern championship starting Wednesday, September 16.
Nurse didn’t give his team back-to-back crowns as the Raptors sorely missed Kawhi Leonard, their main star last year who moved to the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Clippers couldn’t close out their series with the Denver Nuggets yesterday, but Los Angeles still leads 3-2 in the West playoffs.
The Los Angeles Lakers will attempt to finish off the Houston Rockets in a Sunday West offering. The Lakers posted a 110-100 victory Friday for a 3-1 series lead behind Anthony Davis ’29 points and 12 rebounds and LeBron James’ 16 points and 12 rebounds.
But in US Open tennis, Dominic Thiem (No. 2) swept Daniil Medvedev (No. 3) 6-2, 7-6, 7-6 to set up a final showdown against German Alexander Zverev (No. 5) for men. crown monday.
I would pick Thiem over Zverev simply because the green-eyed Austrian has the most powerful forehand today.
Pinot de Kulas red wine is at stake.
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