Boston takes control 3-0; Hawks & Lakers take 2-1 leads

Paul Pierce scored 38 points, Ray Allen added 32, and Rajon Rondo had a Celtics’ playoff-record 20 assists as Boston beat the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden, 113-96 to take a commanding 3-0 lead in their first round playoff series.




Jamal Crawford banked in the long range shot from the top of the key with 5.7 seconds left to cap a brilliant second half, leading the Atlanta Hawks to an 88-84 victory over the Orlando Magic to take a 2-1 lead in their Eastern Conference playoff series.




Kobe Bryant scored 30 points and Pau Gasol produced a double-double with 17 points & 10 rebounds, leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a 2-1 series lead in the Western Conferece quarterfinals with a 100-86 victory over the New Orleans Hornets.