NBA PLAYOFFS FIRST-ROUND SERIES SCOREBOARD…
MIAMI 97 – Atlanta 94… The Heat held off the Hawks to wrap up their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series in five games. Victor Oladipo led the way with 23 points. Bam Adebayo finished with 20 points and 11 rebounds, which played without Kyle Lowrie and Jimmy Butler. Miami awaits the winner of the Philadelphia-Toronto series in the second round.
MEMPHIS 111 – Minnesota 109… Ja Morant laid in the winning basket with 1 second left as the Grizzlies came from 11 points down in the fourth quarter to upend the Timberwolves and take a 3-1 lead in the Eastern Conference first-round playoff series. Morant scored Memphis’ final 11 points and finished with 30 and had 13 boards and nine assists. Desmond Bane tossed in 25 points. Brandon Clarke delivered 21 off the bench for Memphis. Game 6 is Friday night in St. Paul.
PHOENIX 112 – New Orleans 97… The Suns led throughout and put away the Pelicans late to take a 3-1 lead in the Western Conference first-round playoff series. Mikal Bridges pumped in 31 points. Chris Paul scored 22 points and dished off 11 assists. The series returns to New Orleans for Game 6 tomorrow.