Durant steers Warriors past Spurs, Philadelphia advances
OAKLAND – Agence France-Presse
Kevin Durant scored 25 points as the Golden State Warriors powered into the Western Conference playoff semifinals with a 4-1 series victory over the San Antonio Spurs on April 24.
The reigning NBA champions, jolted by the Spurs in game four on April 22, booked their place in the next round with a nervy 99-91 win in front of the home fans at the Oracle Arena.
The Warriors will now face the New Orleans Pelicans for a place in the conference finals.
Durant finished with six rebounds and five assists while Thompson had 24 points. Draymond Green also contributed 17 points and 19 rebounds.
LaMarcus Aldridge led the scoring for San Antonio with 30 points while Patty Mills had 18. Veteran Manu Ginobili scored 10 off the bench.
Meanwhile in the Eastern Conference on April 24, the Philadelphia 76ers wrapped up a 4-1 series win over Miami to progress following a 104-91 victory.
J.J. Redick scored 27 points and Joel Embiid weighed in with 19 as the Sixers set up a second round meeting against either Boston or Milwaukee.
Meanwhile Boston edged into a 3-2 series lead after beating Milwaukee 92-87.
Al Horford scored 22 points, 14 rebounds and three assists to lead the scoring for Boston.
Khris Middleton led the scoring for the Bucks with 23 points while Giannis Antetokounmpo had 16 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists. Jabari Parker had 17 points and eight rebounds.
