Nets & Rockets avoid elimination; Hawks even series

Brook Lopez had 28 points & 10 rebounds and Deron Williams added 23 points & 10 assists as the Brooklyn Nets beat the Chicago Bulls, 110-91, to cut the lead to 3-2 in their Eastern Conference first-round series. Both teams will return to Chicago for Game 6 this Thursday night.




Josh Smith scored a career playoff-best 29 points as the Atlanta Hawks built a 17-point lead at halftime, then withstood an Indiana comeback to even the series with a 102-91 victory over the Pacers in Game 4. Kyle Korver added 19 points off the bench, most of which came off of 3-pointers. With the series tied at two, the teams will return to Indianapolis for Game 5 this Wednesday night.




The Houston Rockets escape playoff elimination with a 105-103 win over the Thunder on Monday night. Chandler Parsons scored 27 points and Patrick Beverley added 16 points with point guard Jeremy Lin out with a bruised chest muscle. The victory kept Houston from being swept in the playoffs for the first time since 1996. Game 5 will take place this Wednesday night in Oklahoma City.