BBNBA: Booker and Maxey pick up Game 3 victories

by:Alex Weber•06/12/21•

@alexweberKSR

(Photo by Bart Young/Getty Images)

Tyrese Maxey and Devin Booker were the only ‘Cats to play in the NBA Playoffs last night as both picked up crucial Game 3 wins in the Conference Semifinals.

RECAP

Booker and Paul shine as Phoenix takes 3-0 lead over Denver

Any hope Denver had at winning this series went down the drain last night. Phoenix took the first two games at home in convincing fashion and not much changed when the competition moved to the mile-high city.

Chris Paul and Devin Booker combined for 55 points in this one as Paul tallied 27 and Booker poured in 28 along with 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Both guys torched the Nuggets with jumpers, Paul in particular with his usual midrange daggers from the elbow. It felt like every time Denver was able to get the lead back under two, Booker or Paul would wiggle free for a tough bucket to maintain the advantage.

(Check out this Kobe and MJ-inspired fadeaway by D-Book here)

TOUGH SHOT BOOK. pic.twitter.com/i6OS6hDTrO

— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) June 12, 2021

CP3 has improved tremendously during this series from the hobbled version of him we saw for most of the Lakers series. In the three games vs. Denver, Paul is averaging 21 points and 11 assists and he’s made 75% of his threes and 58% of his field goals. He may not be 100% but he’s certainly producing like he is.

At 3-0 the series is essentially over. It was a valiant Playoff run for the newly named NBA MVP Nikola Jokic with the adversity of not having Jamal Murray and having Facundo Campazzo and Austin Rivers as the starting backcourt instead, but the Suns have been in complete control since the series began.

Devin Booker and the Phoenix Suns are one game away from a Conference Finals and a shot at playing for the title.

Sixers take 2-1 lead in Atlanta

Trae Young and the Hawks punched Philadelphia in the mouth out of the gate with a Game 1 victory but in the next two games, the Sixers corrected the series.

For Philly, it all starts with Joel Embiid. He’s been on an absolute tear in this series. Despite the loss in Game 1, Big Jo poured in 39 and one-upped it with 40 in the bounceback Game 2 win. Last night he only had 27, but nearly added a triple-double with 9 rebounds and 8 assists.

Our guy Tyrese Maxey didn’t get a ton of playing time in this one. Just six minutes total, but he was effective when on the court, scoring a pair of baskets on three attempts.

Philly takes control 2-1 and could push the Hawks to the brink with a Game 4 victory.