NBA NOTEBOOK
Indiana Pacers fire Nate McMillan following 1stround sweep
Nate McMillan won dozens of regular-season games despite the Indiana Pacers' continual injuries.
The playoff losses cost him his job: On Wednesday, two days after enduring a second straight first-round sweep, president of basketball operations Kevin Pritchard fired McMillan.
“This was a very hard decision for us to make; but we feel it's in the best interest of the organization to move in a different direction,” said Pritchard, whose relationship with McMillan dates to their earlier days in Portland. “Nate and I have been through the good times and the bad times; and it was an honor to work with him for those 11 years.”
The decision was a surprise, given Pritchard's Aug. 1 2 announcement
that McMillan had been gi ven a one- year contract extension through t he 2021- 22 season. At the time, Pritchard cited McMillan's ability to overcome major injuries — like the one that kept Victor Oladipo out for 12 months
— and personnel changes, such as the trade of AllStar forward Paul George.
Clippers Mavericks roll 154-111 past to take 3-2 series lead
Paul George scored 35 points and the Los Angeles Clippers rolled past the Dallas Mavericks 154-111 on Tuesday night to take a 3-2 lead in their first-round Western Conference playoff series.
George had shot 29% in the series and endured fans' wrath on social media. He said he spoke to the team psychiatrist before Game 5.
George said it didn' t feel like the playoffs until his team mates decided to create the atmosphere that was lacking inside the NBA's Walt Disney World bubble.
Kawhi Leonard scored 32 points and Montrezl Harrell added 19 points and 11 rebounds for the Clippers, who set a franchise record for points in a playoff game. Los Angeles can clinch the series on Thursday.
Dall as ' Luka Doncic, who hit a game- winner at the buzz erin Game 4 to cap off a 43- point triple- double, was held to 22 points on 6-for-17 shooting.
Dallas coach Rick Carlisle was ejected in the third quarter of the testy game, which included six technicals and a flagrant-1 foul.
Murray scores 42, Nuggets beat Jazz 117-107 in Game 5
Jamal Murray scored 33 of his 42 points in a second half where he played every minute and the Denver Nuggets avoided elimination by beating the Utah Jazz 117-107 on Tuesday night in Game 5.
The Nuggets trail the sixth-seeded Jazz 3-2 with Game 6 on Thursday.
Murray was unstoppable down the stretch in nearly matching hi s 5 0- point effort in Game 4. He hit 17 of 26 shots and had eight assists, including a pass to Nikola Jokic for a 3-pointer with 23.6 seconds remaining that sealed the win.
Donovan Mitchell finished with 30 points while wearing a pair of bright, multicolored shoes. The sharpshooter is averaging 37.6 points over the five games