The Painful G6

Not long after the showdown between the Warriors and the Rockets ended, the results of the two Eastern Conference series were in as well.

The Celtics won again, taking Game 4 by a score of 125–107 and an 18-point margin. They finished off the series, swept Chicago out of the playoffs, and advanced to the second round.

When it mattered most, Old Man Paul came through. Chris Paul finished with 24 points, 5 rebounds, and 16 assists. Midway through the third quarter, he led the team on a crucial 15–4 run that put the game away.

The matchup between the 76ers and the Heat played out in much the same fashion.

Miami wrapped up the series in five games. Kawhi played like a god, putting up 41 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists. His steady, high-volume production helped snuff out the last sliver of suspense.

With that, the Heat became the first team this season to upset a higher seed and reach the second round.

As for the 76ers, Joel Embiid, ranked fifth in the MVP race, played just 26 minutes and finished with 21 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists.

Early in the third quarter, Big Butt injured his knee again and had to leave the game.

His departure was basically the same as Philadelphia giving up on this year's playoff run once more.

Of course... they hadn't had much of a chance to begin with.

Ben Simmons' shooting woes showed no sign of improving. If anything, they were getting worse. The 76ers' front office had once pinned great hopes on him and had even been willing to offer him a massive contract to keep him. Now they were gradually running out of patience.

On top of that, Maxey had emerged as a rising star and was playing with