NBA Playoffs: Mavs and Sixers keep it interesting with home wins

Dallas, Texas - The Dallas Mavericks tied up their playoff series in spite of a poor shooting night from Luka Dončić on Sunday, winning Game 4 against the Phoenix Suns 111-101.

Mavs forward Dorian Finney-Smith (c.) celebrates with his teammates after their win over the Suns.
Mavs forward Dorian Finney-Smith (c.) celebrates with his teammates after their win over the Suns.  © USA TODAY Sports

The Slovenian went one-of-10 from beyond the arc and converted on a total of nine-of-25 from the floor, but the Mavs were otherwise automatic from long-range and Dončić was the facilitator in that regard.

He ended up with 11 assists while the rest of the Dallas team went 19-of-34 from deep, with Dorian Finney-Smith scoring a career playoff-high with 24 points on eight-of-12 from the perimeter.

While Devin Booker scored 35 points, Phoenix lacked a reference point late in the game with Chris Paul fouled out early. The first-seeded Suns went three-of-nine from the perimeter in the fourth quarter, while Booker critically turned the ball over three times.

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The Mavs will get a chance to swing this tight series in their favor at home again on Tuesday.

Sixers turn up the Heat on Miami

James Harden (l.) and Joel Embiid hug as the Sixers tie up their series with the Heat.
James Harden (l.) and Joel Embiid hug as the Sixers tie up their series with the Heat.  © USA TODAY Sports

In the East semifinals, the Miami Heat find themselves in a series, with the Philadelphia 76ers claiming a 116-108 win in Game 4 to wipe out the top seed's advantage.

Joel Embiid's second game back from injury gave the Sixers a boost to tie up the series, finishing with 24 points on seven-of-13 shooting and 11 rebounds.

James Harden was the star of the show, however, coming up with 31 points, nine assists and seven rebounds, including some big buckets down the stretch.

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The Heat were able to generate open looks, and at timely moments in the game, but were simply not able to capitalize, going seven-of-35 from the perimeter.

Victor Oladipo and Tyler Herro were particularly unable to provide Miami with a scoring boost off the bench, combining for 26 points but off two-of-10 shooting from beyond the arc.

Game 5 sees the teams return to Miami on Tuesday.

Cover photo: Collage: USA TODAY Sports

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