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SPORTS Friday 12 May 2017
NBA Playoffs
Bradley scores 29, Celtics power past Wizards, 123-101

KYLE HIGHTOWER Game 7 would be in Boston
AP Sports Writer on Monday.
BOSTON (AP) — Playing in Boston led by as many as 26
the Garden has brought points, negating Washing-
out the Boston Celtics’ ton’s physicality by spread-
best basketball this post- ing the floor and knocking
season. down 16 3-pointers.
Wednesday night it was John Wall had 21 for the
home to one of the best Wizards, who haven’t won
nights of Avery Bradley’s a playoff game in Boston
career. since 1982.
Bradley scored a playoff The Wizards scored the first
career-high 29 points as four points of game but
the Celtics beat the Wash- that was followed by 16-0
ington Wizards 123-101 to run by the Celtics.
take a 3-2 lead in the East- “The great start kind of got
ern Conference semifinals. us going on both ends of
After being thoroughly the floor,” Bradley said. “To-
picked apart in losses at night we saw if we’re able
Washington in Games 3 to start the right way, the
and 4, Boston shared the game’s in our control.”
ball in Game 5, and again It marked the fourth time
resembled the team that in the series that one team
entered the game having has had a run of at least
won seven straight and 11 16-0, including three times
of 13 in the Garden against in the first quarter. Wash-
Washington. ington had a 16-0 spurt to Boston Celtics guard Avery Bradley (0) drives to the basket against the Washington Wizards during
Al Horford added 19 start Game 1, a 22-0 run in the second half of Game 5 of a second-round NBA basketball playoff series Wednesday, May 10,
points, seven assists, and Game 3 and 26-0 burst in 2017, in Boston. Bradley scored 29 points as the Celtics won 123-101. Associated Press
six rebounds. Isaiah Thomas Game 4.
scored 18 points and hand- During Boston’s first-quarter rebounded the Wizards were quickly beaten back him.
ed out nine assists. spurt Wednesday, the Wiz- 48-45, after being out- by Boston, which contin- He said he’s found matu-
“We’re a team. And it’s go- ards missed eight straight rebounded by 26 boards ued to share the ball and rity to step back and not
ing to take a team effort to shots before it was ended through each of the previ- take advantage of their force plays that he might
beat the Washington Wiz- by Otto Porter’s basket. ous two games (95-69). fast-break opportunities. not have had earlier in his
ards,” Bradley said. Boston did a good job of “They were the more physi- The Celtics’ lead grew to 26 career.
Game 6 is Friday night in sharing the ball, getting as- cal team today,” Wall said. points in the fourth quarter. “Now I’m seeing the game
Washington, where the sists on 12 of 13 baskets in “Throughout this whole se- Thomas said one thing differently,” Thomas said.
Wizards easily won their the opening 12 minutes. ries, whoever’s the most that became apparent “But at the same time,
two games. If the Celtics Thomas had five assists, physical team has won ev- in watching film from the that’s not going to stop me
win, they would move on more than Washington’s ery game.” Celtics’ losses in Games 3 from being aggressive and
to host the Cleveland Cav- entire team (four) in the The Wizards responded with and 4 was that he had to trying to make plays, not
aliers to open the Eastern period. more energy after halftime, adjust his game with three just for myself but for my
Conference finals. The Celtics also out- but each of their mini-runs or four defenders guarding teammates as well.”q
Candace Parker, LA champs get

WNBA rings after Turkey final

DOUG FEINBERG emony on Saturday when By moving the ceremony
AP Basketball Writer the Sparks opened their back a week, the Sparks
NEW YORK (AP) — It took season against Seattle in a will also be able to give
Candace Parker nearly nationally televised game. Kristi Toliver her ring. The tal-
a decade to win a WNBA Now Los Angeles will hold ented guard left the team
championship. Now the it before the game against to go to Washington in free
Los Angeles Sparks will try Washington on May 19. The agency in the offseason.
to make sure she’s there to Sparks trio should be back Los Angeles isn’t the only
enjoy another celebration for that game. team missing players to
of last season’s title. “We have always sup- start the season. Chicago is
The Sparks postponed their ported the WNBA athletes without Courtney Vander-
ring ceremony a week be- who play overseas during sloot and Allie Quigley In this Oct. 20, 2016, file photo, Los Angeles Sparks’ Candace
cause Parker, Jantel Lav- our offseason, and there while San Antonio doesn’t Parker, right, touches the trophy after the Sparks won the WNBA
ender and Essence Carson are times when select play- have Kayla McBride. All championship title with a win over the Minnesota Lynx in Game
are still playing overseas in ers will miss a few games,” three are still playing in Tur- 5 in Minneapolis.
the Turkish League finals. WNBA President Lisa Bor- key. Associated Press
“I’m glad they’ll be able ders said. “I am looking for- The Turkish playoffs aren’t Vandersloot will also miss who will leave for that tour-
to be a part of it,” Sparks ward to taking part in the the only time that WNBA time in June as she plays for nament. The top five teams
coach Brian Agler said. Los Angeles Sparks’ cham- players will miss games Hungary at the EuroBasket qualify for next year’s
The team was originally pionship ring ceremony on this season because of tournament. She’s one of women’s basketball World
going to have the cer- May 19.” overseas commitments. a handful of WNBA players Cup.q