New York, April 24: The Toronto Raptors and Philadelphia 76ers set up an NBA Eastern Conference semi-final showdown, while the Denver Nuggets moved ahead of the San Antonio Spurs.
Kawhi Leonard posted 27 points as the Raptors topped the Orlando Magic 115-96 in Game 5 on Tuesday (April 23).
The Raptors sealed a 4-1 series victory, with the 76ers next up in the second round in the east.
Philadelphia blew away the Brooklyn Nets 122-100 after a dominant first quarter at home.
The 76ers led 14-0 to start Game 5 and never looked back – Joel Embiid scoring 23 points and 13 rebounds in just 20 minutes of action to secure a 4-1 triumph.
Meanwhile, the Nuggets lead the Spurs 3-2 following Tuesday's 108-90 victory against San Antonio.
Denver became the first team in the Western Conference series to win two straight games and did so in a dominant fashion.
Jamal Murray finished with a game-high 23 points on nine-of-16 shooting, while LaMarcus Aldridge and DeMar DeRozan both contributed 17 points for Spurs.
Lillard eliminates Thunder
Portland Trail Blazers star Lillard scored a franchise-record 34 first-half points and finished with 50 to secure a dramatic 118-115 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder and a 4-1 series success. Lillard made a ridiculous buzzer-beating three-pointer over Paul George for the victory.
M V P pic.twitter.com/iu9Rz77UyQ
— Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) April 24, 2019
George scored 36 points and helped pull the Thunder back from a 12-point deficit, but the Trail Blazers' made all the right plays down the stretch to reclaim the lead.
Pascal Siakam totalled 24 points in Toronto's win.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson tallied 21 points for the beaten Nets.
Nikola Jokic had a quality night all around, racking up 16 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists for the Nuggets.
No magic for Isaac or Orlando
Jonathan Isaac scored three points on one-of-seven shooting in the Magic's loss.
D'Angelo Russell had eight points on three-of-16 shooting for the Nets.
Simmons shows no mercy
Ben Simmons ended Philadelphia's first quarter with a slam at the rim.
Ending the first with a BANG 💥
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) April 24, 2019
@BenSimmons25 #PhilaUnite | #HereTheyCome pic.twitter.com/zgANmjKuDo
Marc Gasol with the big block of D.J. Augustin's floater, which helped the Raptors get out on the break.
GIMMIE THAT pic.twitter.com/krgImpBcYx
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) April 24, 2019
Jazz at Rockets
The Houston Rockets missed an opportunity to sweep the Utah Jazz on Monday. But now, they will get a chance to finish things off at the Toyota Center. Should the Rockets and Golden State Warriors win on Wednesday, the much-anticipated matchup between the two could get underway soon.