NBA Playoffs: Celtics, Spurs Take 2-1 Series Leads; Lakers One Win Away From Knocking Out Rockets

The NBA Playoffs continued on Friday with three games. 

EASTERN CONFERENCE:  

At Xfinity Mobile Center, Philadelphia: 

Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown each scored 25 points as the Boston Celtics defeated the homestanding Philadelphia 76ers 108-100 to take a two-games-to-one lead in their conference quarterfinal series.  

Tyrone Maxey paced the Sixers with 31 points.

WESTERN CONFERENCE:

At the Toyota Center, Houston:

LeBron James scored 29 points, grabbed 13 rebounds, and dished out eight assists as the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Houston Rockets 112-108 on the road in game three of their conference quarterfinal series.

Rui Hachimura added 22 points while Marcus Smart contributed 21 (and dished out ten assists) to the Lakers' cause.

Alperen Sengun paced the Rockets with 33 points (and grabbed 16 rebounds) while Amen Thompson added 26 (to go with his 11 rebounds) and Jalen Smith, Jr. 24.

With Los Angeles now up three games to none, they can finish off the Rockets with a game four victory on the road on Sunday at 7:30 PDT on NBC/Peacock.

At Moda Center, Portland, Oregon:

Stephon Castle scored 33 points while Dylan Harper came off the bench to add 27 (and grab 10 rebounds) as the San Antonio Spurs, minus the absent Victor Wembanyama, knocked off the Portland Trail Blazers on the road 120-108 in game three of their conference quarterfinal series, in which the Spurs now lead two games to none.

Jrue Holiday paced the Blazers with 29 points while Scoot Henderson added 21 and Deni Avdija 19 (to go with nine assists).