Celtics complete sweep of Nets to advance to Eastern Conference semifinals

ISTANBUL

The Boston Celtics beat the Brooklyn Nets with a 116-112 result in a first-round NBA playoff sweep to qualify for the Eastern Conference semifinals on Monday night.

Jayson Tatum (29), Jaylen Brown (22), Marcus Smart (20) and Grant Williams (14) combined for 85 points in the away victory.

The Nets tasted the defeat despite a big performance from Kevin Durant at Barclays Center.

Durant finished the game with 39 points, nine assists, and seven rebounds.

Nets' season is over, while the Celtics are now waiting for the Bucks vs. Bulls series winner.

Doncic's big performance give Mavs 3-2 lead over Jazz

Luka Doncic's double-double sent Dallas Mavericks to a 3-2 series lead over Utah Jazz in Game 5 of the Western Conference First Round on Monday.

The Mavericks took control of the game from the beginning, leading 52-36 at the end of the first half at American Airlines Center.

Dallas took a 26-point lead at the end of the third quarter, 81-55 as they produced 29 points. The game ended with a 102-77 score in favor of Dallas.

Doncic, who made his series debut in Game 4 at Utah, posted a double-double with 33 points and 13 rebounds.

Jalen Brunson scored 24 points while Dorian Finney-Smith produced 13 points for the Mavericks.

Utah's French center Rudy Gobert notched a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds. Filipino-American guard Jordan Clarkson finished with 20 points.

Meanwhile, the Dallas Mavericks haven't advanced in the postseason since clinching the 2011 championship while Utah Jazz are in the playoffs for the sixth consecutive year, but haven't gone past the second round.

Raptors beat Sixers 103-88, still alive after being down 3-0

Toronto Raptors claimed a 103-88 against Philadelphia 76ers to stay alive in the first round series.

Cameroonian forward Pascal Siakam performed a double-double with 23 points and 10 rebounds while Precious Achiuwa played with 17 points and seven rebounds at Wells Fargo Center Philadelphia.

For the losing side, Joel Embiid made a double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds but his effort was not enough to win.

The Sixers are still up 3-2 in the series, they had won the first three games.

Grizzlies' Ja Morant wins MIP award for the 2021-22 NBA season

Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant has been named the 2021-22 NBA Most Improved Player, NBA announced on Tuesday.

"A first-time NBA All-Star selection this season, Morant averaged a career-high 27.4 points, 6.7 assists, and 5.7 rebounds in 33.1 minutes in 57 games. He also shot a career-best 49.3 percent from the field," NBA said in a statement.

Morant, who is a three-year veteran became the first player in league history to clinch both rookie of the year and most improved player.

The 22-year-old guard entered the 2021-22 season with career averages of 18.4 points, 7.3 assists, and 3.9 rebounds across his first two seasons.