Two teams facing 2-1 series deficits in the NBA conference semi-finals tied up their respective series with wins on Sunday.
The Toronto Raptors started off the day by beating the Philadelphia 76ers on their home court by a 101-96 margin.
A close game throughout was dominated by Kawhi Leonard, whose monster 39 point, 14 rebound performance pushed Toronto over the top. He made a clutch three-pointer with a minute remaining to give the Raptors a lead that they would never relinquish.
The series will move back to Canada on Tuesday night.
Meanwhile, out west, the Denver Nuggets picked up a road win in Portland to tie up their series with the Blazers in another tight game. Denver triumphed by a 116-112 final.
Point guard Jamaal Murray led the Nuggets’ scoring attack with 34 crucial points. Center Nikola Jokic also did his part, scoring 21 points and gathering 12 rebounds and 11 assists.
This series will move back to the Pepsi Center on Tuesday, where Game 5 will give its winner a crucial 3-2 series edge.
