NBA ROUNDUP
Heat 96, Nets 94
Ray Allen’s 3-pointer with 32 seconds left highlighted a huge Miami rally, and the Heat advanced to the Eastern Conference finals by topping Brooklyn on Wednesday night. The Heat won the series 4-1, and will face either Indiana or Washington in the East finals starting next week. Miami had not led since late in the second quarter before Allen’s shot from the left wing put the Heat up 93-91. Shaun Livingston tried to answer with 24 seconds left, missing in the lane and Chris Bosh controlled the rebound for Miami. Allen made a pair of free throws with 21.6 seconds to play, capping a 12-0 run that erased an eight-point deficit. LeBron James scored 29 points and Dwyane Wade had 28 for the Heat. Joe Johnson scored 34 for the Nets, including a 3-pointer with 11 seconds left that got his team within one.
Kerr to coach Warriors, spurns Knicks
The Golden State Warriors have won the bidding war with the New York Knicks for Steve Kerr, hiring him away from the TNT broadcast table to be their coach. Kerr agreed to a five-year, $25 million deal Wednesday, said his agent, Mike Tannenbaum. Kerr had been in talks with the Knicks about becoming their next coach after Phil Jackson took over as team president in March. He won three titles playing for Jackson in Chicago and another two under Gregg Popovich in San Antonio, but has never been a head coach. Kerr also spent three seasons as general manager of the Phoenix Suns before stepping down in June 2010.
Pistons hire Stan Van Gundy
The Detroit Pistons say they have hired Stan Van Gundy as their coach and president of basketball operations. The team will introduce Van Gundy at a news conference today. Owner Tom Gores said Wednesday that Van Gundy is a proven winner and a teacher who can help shape the franchise. Van Gundy says he’s honored to help Gores build the Pistons into a team that competes for championships. Van Gundy is 371-208 in seven-plus seasons as a coach with Miami and Orlando. He reached the NBA Finals in 2009 with the Magic.
Late Tuesday Thunder 105, Clippers 104
Russell Westbrook scored 38 points and made three free throws with 6.4 seconds remaining, and Oklahoma City overcame a seven-point deficit in the final 50 seconds to beat the Los Angeles Clippers to go up 3-2 in the Western Conference semifinals. Westbrook was fouled by Chris Paul while shooting a 3-pointer with the Thunder trailing by two. After his free throws, Paul drove to the hoop, but Reggie Jackson stole the ball from him, and time expired. Kevin Durant scored 10 of his 27 points in the final 3:23 for the Thunder. Blake Griffin had 24 points and 17 rebounds, Jamal Crawford scored 19 points and Paul had 17 points and 14 assists for the Clippers.