Nets get even with Indiana
Just like that, the New Jersey Nets regained home-court advantage from the Indiana Pacers.
Vince Carter scored 28 points, Richard Jefferson had 22 and the New Jersey Nets beat the Indiana Pacers 97-88 on Saturday in Indianapolis to tie the Eastern Conference first-round series at two games apiece. Game 5 is Tuesday night in New Jersey.
Nenad Krstic added 21 points for the Nets and Jason Kidd had 10 points, eight assists and six rebounds.
Indiana’s Jermaine O’Neal scored 22 points before fouling out with 1:21 left. Pacers forward Peja Stojakovic sat out with an injured right knee.
Clippers 100, Nuggets 86: At Denver, Corey Maggette finished with 19 points and Elton Brand had a double-double – 11 points, 10 rebounds – to help Los Angeles end a 13-year road playoff drought with a victory over the Nuggets.
The Clippers moved within one victory of the franchise’s first series win in 30 years. Game 5 is Monday night in Los Angeles.
Mavericks 94, Grizzlies 89 (OT): At Memphis, Tenn., Dirk Nowitzki scored 36 points, including a 3-pointer to send the game into overtime and six points in the extra period, to lead Dallas over Memphis for a 3-0 lead in the first-round series.
The Grizzlies, still without a postseason victory, slowed the Dallas offense that had overpowered them in first two games and held off the Mavericks until late in regulation. Nowitzki and the Mavs, however, were simply too much.
Bucks 124, Pistons 104: At Milwaukee, Michael Redd scored 40 points and T.J. Ford had a career-high 15 assists to lead the Bucks to their first home playoff victory over Detroit in 30 years.
Milwaukee set a season high for points by an opponent against the Pistons, who still lead the Eastern Conference series 2-1. Game 4 is on Monday night in Milwaukee.
O’Neal fined
Shaquille O’Neal of the Miami Heat was fined $25,000 by the NBA for publicly criticizing officials after Game 3 of the Chicago Bulls’ playoff series.
After getting into early foul trouble, O’Neal spent most of the second quarter on the sideline.
O’Neal said referees target him and he knew he was in trouble when he saw Bob Delaney was working the game.