Suns, Mavericks and 76ers make into Conference semis in NBA playoffs

WASHINGTON - Top-seeded Phoenix Suns moved past No 8 New Orleans Pelicans 115-109 on Thursday, winning the best-of-seven NBA playoff series 4-2 to make it into the Western Conference Semifinals.

Veteran star point guard Chris Paul made every single one of his 14 shooting attempts to collect 33 points. Paul, who will turn 37 in eight days, makes himself the first player in NBA history to make 13+ shots in a playoff game without a miss.

Devin Booker, playing for the first time in nine days, added 13 points and five rebounds for the Suns.

Facing elimination, the Pelicans entered the game with full energy. The two teams tied 30-30 in the first period, and the Pelicans established a 10-point advantage by the half-time whistle.

The Suns managed to catch up in the second half. Paul and Booker moved the team forward, and the deficit was cut to 3 points with one quarter left.

The Pelicans led 104-103 with two minutes left, only to see the Suns seal the victory with a 12-5 run.

Deandre Ayton had 22 points for the Suns. Brandon Ingram contributed 21 points and 11 assists for the Pelicans.

The Suns will face the Dallas Mavericks, which edged the Utah Jazz 98-96 thanks to Luka Doncic's 24 points, nine rebounds and eight assists.

Dorian Finney-Smith took home 18 points and 10 rebounds as the Mavericks defeated the Jazz 4-2 in the series.

The two teams leveled 94-94 with two and a half minutes left when Doncic's pass found Jalen Brunson in the corner, and Brunson knocked down the three-pointer to give the Mavericks a three-points lead. The Jazz shooters struggled on scoring in the final minutes, and the Mavericks closed the game after Brunson made the second of his final two free throws.

In the Eastern Conference, the Philadelphia 76ers smashed the Toronto Raptors 132-97, ending the series 4-2 to book a berth in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Joel Embiid had 33 points and 10 rebounds for the 76ers.