Nuggets avoid series sweep
Pelicans tie Booker-less Suns; Bucks, Heat take 3-1 lead
NEW ORLEANS, April 25, (AP): Brandon Ingram scored 16 of his 30 points in the third quarter and the New Orleans Pelicans beat the Phoenix Suns - playing without injured star Devin Booker - 118-103 in Game 4 on Sunday night to tie the first-round series.
Jonas Valanciunas reasserted himself in the middle with 26 points and 15 rebounds to help the Pelicans pull even heading back to Phoenix for Game 5 on Tuesday night.
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Booker strained his right straight after scoring 31 first-half points in the top-seeded Suns’ Game 2 loss. Deandre Ayton led the Suns with 23 points and eight rebounds, and fellow center JaVale McGee had 14 points.
Chris Paul, who had 19-point fourth quarters in the Suns’ two playoff wins, was held to four points in 35 minutes. He had 11 assists, but committed three turnovers. The Pelicans led 89-85 with 8:05 left and used a 12-0 run to ice it. Valanciunas, limited to six points in a Game 3 loss, scored 10 points in a 3:34 span of the fourth quarter to help the Pelicans pull away. He punctuated his scoring spree with a 3-pointer from the left wing.
Nuggets 126, Warriors 121
In Denver,Nikola Jokic scored 37 points and fed Will Barton for a 3-pointer from the left corner with 8.3 seconds left, helping Denver beat Denver to avoid a series sweep.
Monte Morris’ 7-footer broke a 121all tie with 33.5 seconds left after the Nuggets blew a 17-point lead. Austin Rivers then stole Otto Porter Jr.’s pass.
Morris finished with 24 points. He hit five 3-pointers in the third quarter, the most in a quarter by any player in these NBA playoffs.
Bucks 119, Bulls 95
In Chicago, Grayson Allen set playoff career highs with 27 points and six 3-pointers, Giannis Antetokounmpo had 32 points and 17 rebounds and Milwaukee beat Chicago to take a 3-1 lead.
Jrue Holiday scored 26 points, and the Bucks made it look easy again after beating the Bulls by 30 and handing them the most-lopsided home playoff loss in franchise history. The defending NBA champions led by 22 early in the third quarter.
Bobby Portis added 14 points and 10 rebounds in his second straight start with Khris Middleton out with a sprained left knee to help Milwaukee beat Chicago for the 19th time in 21 games.
Zach LaVine led Chicago with 24 points and 13 assists, DeMar DeRozan scored 23 points and Patrick Williams had 20 points and 10 rebounds.
Heat 110, Hawks 86
In Atlanta, Jimmy Butler scored 13 of his 36 points in a dominant second quarter and Miami beat Atlanta to take a 3-1 series lead.
Miami can wrap up the Series in Game 5 on Tuesday night in Miami.
Butler overcame a slow start. He made only 1 of 7 shots before hitting his final five shots of the first half to lead the turnaround. Miami outscored Atlanta 30-15 in the second period, holding the Hawks to a season scoring low for the period. Butler had 10 rebounds, four assists and blocked a shot.