MANILA, Philippines — The Philadelphia 76ers pushed the Brooklyn Nets to the brink of elimination on Thursday as the Golden State Warriors clawed back in their NBA playoff series against Sacramento with a 114-97 rout of the Kings.
A rugged clash in Brooklyn featured two ejections and a controversial kick from Joel Embiid, who nevertheless remained in the game.
Philadelphia’s MVP candidate scored just 14 points but pulled down 10 rebounds and produced a crucial block with eight seconds remaining that helped the Sixers hang on for a 102-97 victory.
When the dust settled, the Sixers had a 3-0 lead in the Eastern Conference first-round series – the Nets well aware that no NBA team has come back from 3-0 down to win a best-of-seven set.
Across the country in San Francisco, the reigning champion Warriors avoided a 3-0 hole despite the absence of star Draymond Green, who was suspended one game for stamping on Sacramento’s Domantas Sabonis in Game 2.
The Warriors, who were 33-8 at home in the regular season, led wire-to-wire, pushing the advantage to as many as 23 points to cut the series deficit to 2-1.
The Phoenix Suns, fueled by Devin Booker’s 45 points, were also up 2-1 after a 129-124 victory over the Clippers in Los Angeles.
Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 36 points. Center Kevon Looney pulled down 20 rebounds – including nine offensive boards – winning the battle with Sabonis.