NBA Playoffs: Raptors Tie Cavaliers At 2-2; Spurs, Celtics Take 3-1 Series Leads; Rockets Hold Off Elimination By Beating Lakers

 The NBA Playoffs continued on Sunday with four games.

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

At Scotiabank Arena, Toronto:

Brandon Ingram and Scottie Barnes (with nine rebounds) each scored 23 points as the Toronto Raptors evened their conference quarterfinal series with the Cleveland Cavaliers at two game apiece with a 93-89 home triumph.

Donovan Mitchell and James Harden scored 20 and 19 points, respectively, to lead Cleveland.

At Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philaelphia:

Payton Pritchard came off the bench to score 32 points while Jayson Tatum added 30 (to go with 11 assists) and Jaylen Brown 20 as the Boston Celtics smothered the homestanding Philadelphia 76ers 128-96 in game four of their conference quarterfinal series.

Josh Embiid scored 26 points and pulled in 10 rebounds to lead the 76ers while Tyrese Maxey added 22 points of his own.

The Celtics, who now lead three games to one, can finish off Philadelphia with a home victory in game five on Tuesday (5:00 PM PDT, ESPN).

WESTERN CONFERENCE:

At Moda Center, Portland, Oregon:

De'Aaron Fox scored 28 points while Victor Wembanyama added 27, while grabbing 12 rebounds, as the San Antonio Spurs came back from a 15-point deficit to smother the visiting Portland Trail Blazers 114-93 in game four of their conference quarterfinal series.

Deni Avdija paced the Blazers with 26 points while Jrue Holiday added 20. 

The Spurs, now up three games to one, can finish off the Blazers with a game-five victory back home in San Antonio (5:30 PM PDT, ESPN).

At Toyota Center, Houston:

Amen Thompson scored 23 points while Tari Eason added 20 and Alperen Sengun 19 as the Houston Rockets, with all five starters scoring in double-figures, avoided elimination by knocking off the visiting Los Angeles Lakers 115-98 in game four of their conference quarterfinal series.

Deandre Ayton led Los Angeles with 19 points while grabbing ten rebounds.

The Lakers, now up three games to one, can still close out the Rockets with a game-five home victory in the City of Angels (Wednesday, 7:00 PM PDT, ESPN).