DONOVAN MITCHELL STACKED up 45 points to lead the Utah Jazz to a thrilling 112-109 win in their Western Conference semi-final series opener against the Los Angeles Clippers.
The visiting Clippers had the best of the start, leading 25-18 after the first quarter and 60-47 at half-time.
But with Mitchell to the fore, the Jazz got going to live up to their number one seeding by erasing the deficit to level the scores level by the last quarter before holding on in a tense finish.
Jordan Clarkson and Bojan Bogdanovic contributed 18 points each for Utah, while Rudy Gobert had 10 points and 13 rebounds.
Kawhi Leonard had 23 points for the Clippers, Paul George had 20 with 11 rebounds and Luke Kennard scored 18. They meet again in Utah on Thursday.
In the other match, Joel Embiid scored 40 points and Shake Milton added 14 in 14 minutes as the Philadelphia 76ers levelled their series against the Atlanta Hawks.
Milton was instrumental in a 14-0 run for the Sixers across the third and fourth quarters, which propelled the home side to a 118-102 win.
Tobias Harris scored 22 for the Sixers and Seth Curry 21, while Trae Young top scored for the Hawks with 21 points alongside Danilo Gallinari.
The best-of-seven series sits at 1-1, with Game Three to take place on Friday in Atlanta.
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Get rid of lukaku, he ain’t doin nothin for ya!
Well there’s a jynx if ever I seen one
I swapped lukaku for adebyor…… Seems to be getting the goals lately.
There’s no point having 2 arsenal players in your defence. 1 player is always sufficient cover.
Mata straight in there – captain
Did the exact same thing Jonathan
I’d be shocked if he starts! Match fitness will be shocking
If he’s not starting, it dosnt Mata
Assuming Cabaye goes to PSG anyone have any ideas about a replacement.
Henderson seems the best bet in the price range, but I wonder if anyone joining in the transfer window might present a greater opportunity.
Zaha now he’s on loan at Cardiff?
What premiership are you watching Tom feehan??, lukaku is in the top 6 point scoring strikers this year with 9 goals and he’s good value.
He’s not good value at all. He had a great run for a while and he will come good again but he’s just hanging in there getting the odd assist every week. There are far better options to have than him for the time being, adaboyer, wellbeck , Rodriguez ?
What was that????