Game 3s are bringing the drama in the NBA playoffs

The GIST: Game 3s are certainly a party in the NBA Playoffs as the series shift venues for two tilts, giving the lower seeds a chance to capitalize on home-court advantage. Here are the key updates heading into the weekend, which could bring the conclusion of some first-round showdowns.

Last night’s Game 3s: The Eastern Conference (EC) No. 6 Brooklyn Nets mounted a serious second-half comeback, but the No. 3 Philadelphia 76ers held on tight for a 102–97 win, taking a 3-0 series lead. The testy game included not one, but two ejections, as the Sixers’ James Harden and Nets’ Nic Claxton were tossed. Spicy.

• Even without Draymond Green, the Western Conference (WC) No. 6 Golden State Warriors dominated the No. 3 Sacramento Kings 114–97, and the defending champs now trail the series 2-1. This one has seven games written all over it.

• And in more Cali news, the WC No. 4 Phoenix Suns rocked the No. 5 LA Clippers 129–124, beating the home team as two of their sidelined superstars — Kawhi Leonard and Paul George — looked on.

This weekend’s Game 3s: They may be heading out on the road, but the red-hot EC No. 2 Boston Celtics and WC No. 1 Denver Nuggets look poised to improve their 2-0 series leads (and potentially start prepping their brooms) when they face the No. 7 Atlanta Hawks and No. 8 Minnesota Timberwolves tonight at 7 p.m. ET and 9:30 p.m. ET, respectively.

• Meanwhile, both the EC No. 1 Milwaukee Bucks and the WC No. 2 Memphis Grizzlies were without their stars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Ja Morant in Game 2, but still tied up their series, defeating the No. 8 Miami Heat and No. 7 LA Lakers, respectively.

• See who inches ahead when the Bucks face the Heat tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. ET, followed by the Grizz vs. the old guy Lebron James and pals at 10 p.m. ET.