Pels rout Suns to even series
Brandon Ingram scored 16 of his 30 points in the third quarter and the Pelicans beat the Suns — playing with 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.
Booker strained his right straight after scoring 31 first-half points in the topseeded 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 19point fourth quarters in the Suns’ two playoff wins, was held to four points in 35 minutes. He had 11 assists, but committed three turnovers.
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 the Nuggets avoid a series sweep with a victory over the Warriors.
Monte Morris’ 7-footer broke a 121-all 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.
Steph Curry led the Warriors with 33 points.
Heat 110, Hawks 86
In Atlanta, Jimmy Butler scored 13 of his 36 points in a dominant second quarter and the Heat beat the Hawks to take a 3-1 series lead.
The Heat can wrap up the first-round series in Game 5 on Tuesday in Miami.
Atlanta’s Trae Young scored only nine points with five assists and five turnovers as he was shut down by Miami’s defense.
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 series 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.