TORONTO Raptors kept its title-retention bid alive following a 125-122 double overtime win over Boston Celtics in Game 6 of their Eastern Conference semifinals on Wednesday night (Thursday in Manila).
Kyle Lowry top-scored with 33 points to go along with eight assists and six rebounds, Norman Powell added 23 markers while Fred VanVleet contributed 21 points, nine rebounds and seven assists for the defending champions.
Down 112-115 midway in the second extension, Powell drained a triple and later completed a three-point play while Ogugua Anunoby added another as the Raptors took a 123-119 lead with under a minute left.
The Celtics made its last push as a triple by Kemba Walker trimmed the deficit to 122-123, but two free throws by Powell and a missed triple by Bostonâs Marcus Smart sealed the win for the Raptors.
Meanwhile, Los Angeles Clippers (LAC) moved a win closer from reaching the Western Conference finals after a 96-85 triumph over Denver Nuggets in Game 4 of their semifinals.
The Clippers set the tone early behind Kawhi Leonard and Paul George for a 26-12 start. Los Angeles maintained the advantage since then en route to taking a 3-1 edge in their best-of-seven series.
Leonard finished the match with near triple-double of 30 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds, Montrezl Harrel added 15 markers while Lou Williams contributed 12 points for LAC.
The NBA holds all matches of its 2019-2020 playoffs at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex inside Walt Disney World in Bay Lake, Florida, United States./PN
