Page 19 - aruba-today-20190506

A19
SPORTS Monday 6 May 2019
Leonard scores 39, Raptors

beat 76ers 101-96 to tie series

By ROB MAADDI ter played through an ill- to reject Tobias Harris dur-
AP Sports Writer ness and only had 11. Sixers ing Philadelphia's 3-on-1
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Kawhi coach Brett Brown said Em- fast break. But the Raptors
Leonard got some help biid texted him early in the missed a shot on the op-
from his teammates to stay morning saying he wasn't posite end and Embiid an-
close and then finished it sure if he could play. swered with an emphatic
off himself. "To his credit, he willed his dunk.Later in the quarter,
Leonard scored 39 points, way through it," Brown said. Embiid blocked Ibaka and
including a clutch 3-point- Butler banked in a 3-point- found Ben Simmons for a
er with 1:01 left, and the To- er from the top of the circle dunk. Embiid blocked Iba-
ronto Raptors beat the Phil- as the shot clock expired ka again 35 seconds later
adelphia 76ers 101-96 on after briefly losing the ball and Butler hit an 11-foot-
Sunday to even the Eastern to give the Sixers an 84-81 er. Butler's 3-pointer with a
Conference semifinal series lead in the fourth. But Ga- second left in the second
at 2-2. sol answered with a 3 to tie quarter got the Sixers within
"Just really growing up it and the Raptors went up 47-45 at halftime.
learning from great play- 89-85 on Leonard's jumper. Leonard scored six points
ers, I was fortunate enough Butler and Leonard traded during a 13-0 run in the first
to be on some good teams a pair of free throws before quarter to help the Raptors
early," Leonard said, "so I Redick hit a 3 to cut it to 91- take a 22-11 lead. But the Philadelphia 76ers' Jimmy Butler, left, goes up to shoot against
was able to see defenses 90 with 2:07 left. Sixers outscored Toronto Toronto Raptors' Kawhi Leonard, right, during the first half of
and go on deep playoff Following a turnover, Embi- 10-2 to cut the deficit to 24- Game 4 of a second-round NBA basketball playoff series, Sun-
runs and I feel that helped id missed a layup. Leonard 21 after one.q day, May 5, 2019, in Philadelphia. Associated Press
me out today." then nailed a step-back
Marc Gasol scored 16, Kyle 3 to put Toronto up 94-90.
Lowry had 14 and the Rap- Danny Green made four
tors rebounded after con- free throws in the final min-
secutive losses to reclaim ute to ice it.
home-court advantage. Brown called Leonard's
"We needed some punch 3-pointer a "backbreaker"
around the roster," Raptors and compared his ability
coach Nick Nurse said. "It to create his own shot to
was a different mentality. Kobe Bryant. The 3 came
Guys were looking to shoot, right before the shot clock
taking the first shot that was expired and Leonard had
there." Embiid in his face.
Game 5 is Tuesday night in "I came off a pick-and-roll.
Toronto. They were switching. Embi-
Jimmy Butler scored 29 id is a good defender, long,
and JJ Redick had 19 for and I just wanted to get it
Philadelphia. The 76ers are to the back of the rim,"
trying to reach the confer- Leonard said.
ence finals for the first time Playing before a raucous
since Allen Iverson led them crowd, the Sixers failed to
to the NBA Finals in 2001. take control of the series
Toronto, which earned the and now must win at least
No. 2 seed after winning 58 one more game on the
games, has been bounced road to advance.
out in the semis two straight "We got humbled," Butler
seasons. said.
Joel Embiid struggled after Serge Ibaka made the de-
scoring 33 points in Phila- fensive play of the game
delphia's 21-point victory in in the second quarter, rac-
Game 3. The All-Star cen- ing back down the floor