2022 NBA Playoffs - Eastern Conference First Round

 2022 NBA Playoffs

Eastern Conference First Round

17 April 2022 (Singapore GMT+8)

Eastern Conf. First Round: TOR(5) vs PHI(4) Game 1

Toronto Raptors 111 - 131 Philadelphia 76ers

Led by Tyrese Maxey’s Playoff career-high 38 PTS, the #4 seed Philadelphia 76ers defeated the #5 seed Toronto Raptors in Game 1, 131-111. 

James Harden had 22 PTS, 5 REB, 14 AST for his 76ers playoff debut, and Joel Embiid's 19 PTS and 15 REBS added a combined 41 PTS for the 76ers in the victory, while Pascal Siakam tallied 24 PTS and 7 AST for the Raptors in losing effort.

The last time Raptors and 76ers faced each other in the playoffs, it was a moment of the decade in the 2019 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals, where Kawhi's buzzer-beating game-winner won the Game 7.

18 April 2022 (Singapore GMT+8)

Eastern Conf. First Round: ATL(8) vs MIA(1) Game 1

Atlanta Hawks 91 - 115 Miami Heat

With Jimmy Butler’s 21 PTS, 6 REB, 4 AST, and 3 STL, the #1 seed Heat defeated the #8 seed Hawks in Game 1, 115-91.  The undrafted professional shooter Duncan Robinson had a rough season but definitely caught fire today, by adding a Playoff career-high 27 PTS, including a Heat Playoff franchise-record 8 3pt FGM (8-9) in the victory.

Hawks' star Trae Young tallied ONLY 8 PTS (1-12 FG, 0-7 3pt FG), 6 REB, and 4 AST for the Hawks, in arguably one of the worst choke ever in recent playoffs performance history.

Eastern Conf. First Round: BKN(7) vs BOS(2) Game 1

Brooklyn Nets 114 - 115 Boston Celtics

Jayson Tatum made a spinning layup as time expired in regulation to lift the #2 seed Celtics over the #7 seed Nets in Game 1, 115-114. 

Jayson Tatum finished with 31 PTS, 4 REB, and 8 AST for the Celtics

Kyrie Irving (39 PTS, 5 REB, 6 AST) and Kevin Durant (23 PTS, 4 REB, 3 AST) combined for 62 PTS for the Nets. Clutch Kyrie was unstoppable in the 4th quarter, netting 18 points, including a few over DPOY finalist Marcus Smart.

Eastern Conf. First Round: CHI(6) vs MIL(3) Game 1

Chicago Bulls 86 - 93 Milwaukee Bucks

Led by Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 27 PTS and 16 REB, the #3 seed Bucks defeated the #6 seed Bulls in Game 1, 93-86. Jrue Holiday added 15 PTS, 6 REB, and 6 AST for the Bucks in the victory, while Zach Lavine (18 PTS, 10 REB) and DeMar DeRozan (18 PTS, 8 REB, 6 AST) combined for 36 PTS for the Bulls. The defending champion Milwaukee Bucks struggled with offense and had to rely on their defense in their playoff opener. Fortunately for the Bucks, that's the one part of their game that was at a championship level.

19 April 2022 (Singapore GMT+8)

Eastern Conf. First Round: TOR(5) vs PHI(4) Game 2

PHI leads 2-0

Toronto Raptors 97 - 112 Philadelphia 76ers

Under the dominance of 2022 NBA MVP finalist candidate Joel Embiid’s 31 PTS and 11 REB, the Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Toronto Raptors in Game 2, 112-97. Tyrese Maxey (23 PTS, 9 REB, 8 AST) and James Harden (14 PTS, 6 REB, 6 AST) added a combined 37 PTS for the 76ers in the victory, while Pascal Siakam tallied 20 PTS, 10 REB, and 5 AST for the Raptors. If the Raptors couldn't rally a win in Canada then it's most likely a sweep from the fourth-seeded 76ers.

20 April 2022 (Singapore GMT+8)

Eastern Conf. First Round: ATL(8) vs MIA(1) Game 2

MIA leads 2-0

Atlanta Hawks 105 - 115 Miami Heat

Led by Jimmy Butler’s Playoff career-high 45 PTS, along with 5 REB and 5 AST, the #1 seed Heat defeated the #8 seed Hawks in Game 2, 115-105. Trae Young tallied 25 PTS, 6 REB, and 7 AST for the Hawks.

21 April 2022 (Singapore GMT+8)

Eastern Conf. First Round: BKN(7) vs BOS(2) Game 2

BOS leads 2-0

Brooklyn Nets 114 - 107 Boston Celtics

Led by Jayson Tatum’s 19 PTS, 6 REB, and 10 AST, the #2 seed Celtics defeated the #7 seed Nets in Game 2, 114-107. Jaylen Brown added 22 PTS, 4 REB, and 6 AST for the Celtics in the victory, while Kevin Durant (27 PTS, 4-17 FG) and Kyrie Irving (10 PTS, 4-13 FG) combined for 37 PTS for the Nets. The Celtics had 7 out of 8 active players scoring in double digits, while KD and Kyrie struggled from the field, affected by the constant double-teams.

The Celtics are now up 2-0 and here's a franchise history trivia of Boston Celtics: 40-1 record in Best-of-7 series when leading 2-0. Now that's bad news for the Brooklyn Nets.

Besides holding the 40-1 franchise record in the Best-of-7 series when leading 2-0, the Boston Celtics adds 1 more achievement under their team as Marcus Smart became the first guard to be named Defensive Player of the Year since Gary Payton in 1995-96, and it's only right The Glove was on sight to hand the lockdown defender his award.

Smart helped lead the Celtics to the NBA's best defensive rating (106.2) and the lowest field goal and 3-point percentage against in the league. His 1.7 steals per game ranked third in the NBA and he also ranked in the top 10 in deflections, charges drawn and loose balls recovered.

Eastern Conf. First Round: PHI(4) vs TOR(5) Game 3

PHI leads 3-0

Philadelphia 76ers 101 - 104 Toronto Raptors

An almost disaster avoided by Head Coach Doc Rivers saved the Philadelphia 76ers from entering the 2OT without James Harden, who fouled out in the late seconds left in the 4th quarter of regulation.

And with the game tied at 101 with 0.8 seconds remaining in overtime, Joel Embiid sealed the game with this turnaround three to lift the #4 seed 76ers over the #5 seed Toronto Raptors in Game 3, 104-101. Embiid finished with 33 PTS and 13 REB for the 76ers, while James Harden added 19 PTS, 6 REB, and 10 AST in the victory. OG Anunoby tallied 26 PTS, 5 REB, and 4 AST for the Raptors. The 76ers look to sweep the Raptors in their next home game in Canada. 

Eastern Conf. First Round: CHI(6) vs MIL(3) Game 2

Series tied 1-1

Chicago Bulls 114 - 110 Milwaukee Bucks

DeMar DeRozan’s Playoff career-high 41 PTS, along with 7 REB and 4 AST, led the #6 seed Bulls to defeat the #3 seed Bucks in Game 2, 114-110, spoiling a history recording night for the Bucks. Giannis Antetokounmpo has passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for most points scored in Bucks playoff history tonight. 

Zach LaVine added 20 PTS for the Bulls in the victory, while Giannis Antetokounmpo tallied 33 PTS, 18 REB and 9 AST for the Bucks.

The clutch and difficult layup by DeMar DeRozan sealed the game for the Chicago Bulls against the short-handed Bucks, who lost Bobby Portis early due to an elbow shot by Tristan Thompson and Khris Middleton due to knee soreness after a slip.

23 April 2022 (Singapore GMT+8)

Eastern Conf. First Round: MIA(1) vs ATL(8) Game 3

MIA leads 2-1

Miami Heat 110 - 111 Atlanta Hawks

Led by Trae Young’s 24 PTS, 4 REB and 8 AST, including the go-ahead floater with 4.4 seconds remaining in regulation, the #8 seed Hawks defeated the #1 seed Heat in Game 3, 111-110. Bogdan Bogdanovic added 18 PTS, 8 REB, and 6 AST for the Hawks in the victory, while Jimmy Butler tallied 20 PTS, 10 REB, and 8 AST for the Heat. 

Ice Trae refuses to let the Hawks fall behind 3-0 to the Heats and came up huge at home.

According to ESPN Stats & Info, Trae Young, “joins Oscar Robertson as the only other player in NBA postseason history with 500 points and 150 assists in fewer than 20 playoff games.” The Hawks’ star took it a step further though, as he becomes the fastest and youngest player in Atlanta’s franchise history to secure this feat.

Eastern Conf. First Round: MIL(3) vs CHI(6) Game 3

MIL leads 2-1

Milwaukee Bucks 111 - 91 Chicago Bulls

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 18 PTS, 7 REB, and 9 AST leads the #3 seed Bucks to defeat the #6 seed Bulls in Game 3, 111-81. With Khris Middletown out for the series with a sprained knee, Bobby Portis added 18 PTS and a Playoff career-high 16 REB for the Bucks in the victory, while Zach LaVine (15 PTS, 5 REB, 5 AST) and DeMar DeRozan (11 PTS, 5 REB, 4 AST) combined for 26 PTS for the Bulls. It is the 1st home game back in Chicago in 5 years and they happened to suffer their second-worst loss in franchise history at 30. 

24 April 2022 (Singapore GMT+8)

Eastern Conf. First Round: PHI(4) vs TOR(5) Game 4

PHI leads 3-1

Philadelphia 76ers 102 - 110 Toronto Raptors

Led by Pascal Siakam’s Playoff career-high 34 PTS (10-19 FG), along with 8 REB and 5 AST, the #5 seed Toronto Raptors defeated the #4 seed Philadelphia 76ers in Game 4, 110-102. Gary Trent Jr. added 24 PTS for the Raptors in the victory, while Joel Embiid (21 PTS, 8 REB) and James Harden (22 PTS, 5 REB, 9 AST, 3 blocks) added a combined 43 PTS for the 76ers.  Double the happiness, Toronto Raptors Rookie Scottie Barnes named the KIA Rookie of the Year. 

Eastern Conf. First Round: BOS(2) vs BKN(7) Game 3

BOS leads 3-0

Boston Celtics  -  Brooklyn Nets

Led by Jayson Tatum’s 39 PTS (27 in the 2nd half), along with 5 REB, 6 AST, and a Playoff career-high 6 steals, the #2 seed Boston Celtics defeated the #7 seed Brooklyn Nets in Game 3, 109-103. Jaylen Brown added 23 PTS and 5 AST for the Celtics in the victory, while Kevin Durant tallied 16 PTS, 8 REB, and 8 AST for the Nets. 

25 April 2022 (Singapore GMT+8)

Eastern Conf. First Round: MIL(3) vs CHI(6) Game 4

MIL leads 3-1

Milwaukee Bucks 119 - 95 Chicago Bulls

Led by Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 32 PTS, 17 REB, and 7 AST, the Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Chicago Bulls in Game 4, 119-95. Jrue Holiday added 26 PTS (5-8 3pt FG) and 7 AST for the Bucks in the victory, while Zach LaVine tallied 24 PTS, 5 REB, and 13 AST for the Bulls. Giannis looks super unstoppable in the series.

Eastern Conf. First Round: MIA(1) vs ATL(8) Game 4

MIA leads 3-1

Miami Heat 110 - 86 Atlanta Hawks

Led by Jimmy Butler’s 36 PTS, 10 REB, 4 AST, and 4 STL, the #1 seed Miami Heat defeated the #8 seed Atlanta Hawks in Game 4, 110-86. De'Andre Hunter (24 PTS, 4-6 3pt FG) and Trae Young (9 PTS, 5 AST) paved the way for the Hawks. If the Hawks depends on their star player to win games but he doesn't perform, the Hawks wont go deep in any playoffs.

26 April 2022 (Singapore GMT+8)

Eastern Conf. First Round: BOS(2) vs BKN(7) Game 4

BOS wins 4-0

Boston Celtics 116 - 112 Brooklyn Nets

Led by Jayson Tatum’s 29 PTS and 5 AST, the #2 seed Celtics defeated the #7 seed Nets in Game 4, 116-112. Marcus Smart (20 PTS, 5 REB, 11 AST) and Jaylen Brown (22 PTS, 8 REB) added a combined 42 PTS for the Celtics in the victory, while Kevin Durant led all scorers with 39 PTS, 7 REB, and 9 AST for the Nets. The Celtics will advance to the Eastern Conference Semifinals to face the winner of the Chicago Bulls-Milwaukee Bucks series (Milwaukee currently leads, 3-1)

Eastern Conf. First Round: TOR(5) vs PHI(4) Game 5

PHI leads 3-2

Toronto Raptors 103 - 88 Philadelphia 76ers

Led by Pascal Siakam’s 23 PTS, 10 REB, and 7 AST, the #5 seed Raptors defeated the #4 seed 76ers in Game 5, 103-88. Scottie Barnes added 12 PTS, 8 REB, 4 AST, and 3 steals for the Raptors in the victory, while Joel Embiid tallied 20 PTS, 11 REB, and 4 AST for the 76ers.

27 April 2022 (Singapore GMT+8)

Eastern Conf. First Round: ATL(8) vs MIA(1) Game 5

MIA wins 4-1

Atlanta Hawks 94 - 97  Miami Heat

Led by Bam Adebayo’s 20 PTS, 11 REB, and 4 AST, the #1 seed Heat defeated the #8 seed Hawks in Game 5, 97-94. Victor Oladipo added 23 PTS, 3 AST, and 3 steals for the Heat in the victory. De’Andre Hunter (35 PTS, 11 REB) and Trae Young (11 PTS, 2-12 FG, 6 AST) combined for 46 PTS for the Hawks. Trae Young was dead ice cold in the playoffs after being Ice Trae in the playins tournament. The Miami Heat will advance to face the winner of the Philadelphia-Toronto series.

28 April 2022 (Singapore GMT+8)

Eastern Conf. First Round: CHI(6) vs MIL(3) Game 5

MIL wins 4-1

Chicago Bulls 100 - 116 Milwaukee Bucks

Led by Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 33 PTS (11-14 FG), 9 REB and 3 AST in 30 minutes played, the #3 seed Bucks defeated the #6 seed Bulls in Game 5, 116-100. Bobby Portis added 14 PTS and 17 REB for the Bucks in the victory, while Nikola Vucevic tallied 19 PTS, 16 REB, and 6 AST for the Bulls. The Bucks will now advance to face the Boston Celtics in the 2022 NBA Eastern Conference semi-finals.

29 April 2022 (Singapore GMT+8)

Eastern Conf. First Round: TOR(5) vs PHI(4) Game 6

PHI wins 4-2

Toronto Raptors 132 - 97 Philadelphia 76ers

Led by Joel Embiid’s 33 PTS (12-18 FG), along with 10 REB and 3 BLK, the #4 seed Philadelphia 76ers defeated the #5 seed Toronto Raptors in Game 6, 132-97. James Harden added 22 PTS, 6 REB, and 15 AST for the 76ers in the victory, while Pascal Siakam tallied 24 PTS, 7 REB, and 7 AST for the Raptors. The 76ers will advance to the 2022 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals to face the Miami Heat.

No Games 7