Cavaliers storm past Pacers at critical stage
Wizards and Bucks even series, Spurs stay alive
INDIANAPOLIS: LeBron James scored 32 points and Kyle Korver hit two clutch threepointers late in the fourth quarter to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 104-100 victory over the Indiana Pacers, evening their firstround play-off series at two games apiece Sunday night.
James grabbed a team-high 13 rebounds. Korver scored 18 points, including eight in the final three-plus minutes.
JR Smith and Jordan Clarkson each scored 12 points for the Cavaliers.
Victor Oladipo sank a three-pointer to cut Indiana’s deficit to 103-100 with 11.9 seconds to go. Pacers guard Lance Stephenson was called for foul after taking Jeff Green down trying to tie the ball up. Green hit one free throw.
Bojan Bogdanovic missed a threepointer with 3.9 seconds left, and James sealed it by grabbing the rebound.
“You don’t ever want to go down 3-1 against anybody, no matter if it’s the first round or if you’re fortunate enough to get all the way to the finals,’’ James said. “I0t’s just too difficult.’’
Meanwhile, Bradley Beal scored 31 points before fouling out, and John Wall recorded 27 points, 14 assists, six rebounds and three steals as Washington posted a 106-98 victory over visiting Toronto to even their Eastern Conference first-round series at 2-2.
Beal made five of seven three-point attempts before his exit as his teammates closed out the victory in impressive fashion.
Marcin Gortat and Otto Porter Jr added 12 points apiece and Kelly Oubre Jr scored 10 for the eighth-seeded Wizards. Shortly after Beal’s exit, the Wizards took control with a 12-2 burst to take a 104-96 lead with 21.9 seconds left.
In Milwaukee, Giannis Antetokounmpo tipped in Malcolm Brogdon’s missed floater for the game-winning bucket with 5.1 seconds remaining as host Bucks beat Boston 104-102 to even the series at 2-2.
Antetokounmpo had 27 points and Khris Middleton had 23 to power Milwaukee, who lost the first two games of their Eastern Conference quarter-final series in Boston before coming to life with two home wins.
Boston’s Marcus Morris missed a fadeaway jumper at the buzzer that would have tied it. The Celtics have never lost a playoff series when leading 2-0. Milwaukee have never won a series after starting in an 0-2 hole.
In San Antonio, LaMarcus Aldridge banked in a three-pointer to stave off a Golden State rally in the fourth quarter, allowing host Spurs to avoid a sweep in their first-round play-off series. Spurs won 103-90.
Game Five in the best-of-seven series will take place tomorrow (Thai time) at Golden State, with the Warriors leading 3-1, one win away from a second-round match-up with the New Orleans Pelicans.
The Spurs never trailed, leading by as many as 10 in the first quarter and 17 in the second as Ettore Messina coached the Spurs in the season-saving win as head coach Gregg Popovich missed his second straight game following the death of his wife Erin. Aldridge scored a team-high 22 points. Kevin Durant led the Warriors with 34 points and 13 rebounds.