NBA PLAYOFFS FIRST-ROUND SERIES SCOREBOARD…
Milwaukee 119 – CHICAGO 95… The Bucks rolled past the Bulls to take a 3-1 lead in the Eastern Conference first-round playoff series. Giannis Antetokounmpo had game-highs with 32 points and 17 rebounds. Grayson Allen made six 3-pointers on his way to 27 points. Jrue Holiday tossed in 26 points for Milwaukee, which will try to wrap up the series at home on Wednesday night.
DENVER 126 – Golden State 121… The Nuggets held on at the end to escape with a win over the Warriors that kept them alive in the Western Conference first-round playoff series after dropping the first three games. Nikola Jokic pumped in 37 points to lead all scorers. Monte Morris made five 3-pointers in the third period, scored a go-ahead basket with 33.5 seconds and finished with 24 points. The series returns to San Francisco for Game 5 on Wednesday night.
Miami 110 – ATLANTA 86… The Heat used a 15-0 second-quarter run to erase an eight-point deficit and smothered the Hawks defensively to take a 3-1 lead in the Eastern Conference first-round playoff series. All five starters scored in double figures, led by Jimmy Butler’s 36 points. Butler also pulled down 10 boards. Miami can close out the series at home in Tuesday night’s Game 5.
NEW ORLEANS 118 – Phoenix 103… Brandon Ingram scored 16 of his 30 points in the third quarter and the Pelicans put away the Suns to tie the Western Conference first-round playoff series at two games apiece. Jonas Valanciunas powered his way to 26 points and 15 rebounds. The series is headed back to Phoenix for Game 5 tomorrow.