Raptors, Denver pull level in NBA playoffs after recording wins

The Toronto Raptors beat the Boston Celtics to level their NBA play-off series at 2-2 in Orlando, Florida, while the Denver Nuggets defeated the Los Angeles Clippers to tie their series at 1-1.

Guard Jamal Murray top-scored for the Nuggets with 27 points as they won 110-101 in the Western Conference semi-final.

“Game one, we were tired. I hate to admit it, but we were tired,” said Murray.

“We came out sloppy, came out exhausted, fatigued. We didn’t make any shots, we didn’t get back on defence.

“Tonight we just upped the energy and that’s all it took to win.”

Successfully keeping out Clippers dangerman Kawhi Leonard also played a key part in the Nuggets’ win.

“They were the aggressor tonight,” Leonard said. “A few easy ones didn’t fall early, and that was it from there.”

Meanwhile, 11 rebounds and double-doubles from Siakam and Kyle Lowry, who also scored 22 points, spearheaded a second successive Raptors win.

“We just continue to focus on every possession, every game,” Lowry said. “We know how tough those guys are.”

Celtic head coach Brad Stevens said his team “weren’t very crisp” after watch

BBC Sports