NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The New Orleans Pelicans have knotted their series with the top-seeded Phoenix Suns at two games apiece. Brandon Ingram furnished 30 points and Jonas Valanciunas (YOH’-nuhs val-an-CHOO’-nuhs) had a double-double in New Orleans’ 118-103 win against Phoenix. Valanciunas came away with 26 points and 15 rebounds for the Pelicans, who took control by outscoring the Suns, 35-23 in the third quarter. Ingram had 16 points in the period.
DENVER (AP) — The Golden State Warriors were unable to complete a four-game sweep of Denver in the first round of the NBA playoffs. Nikola Jokic (nih-KOH’-lah YOH’-kihch) pumped in 37 points and fed Will Barton for a 3-pointer with 8.3 seconds left in the Nuggets’ 126-121 victory against the Warriors. Barton’s trey came after Monte Morris hit a seven-footer then broke a 121-all tie with 33 ½ seconds left.
CHICAGO (AP) — The Milwaukee Bucks are within one victory of advancing to the second round after completing a weekend assault of the Bulls in Chicago. Grayson Allen set playoff career highs with 27 points and six 3-pointers in the Bucks’ second straight blowout win over the Bulls, 119-95. Giannis Antetokounmpo (YAH’-nihs an-teh-toh-KOON’-poh) had 32 points and 17 rebounds for Milwaukee which outscored the Bulls by 54 points in the two games in Chicago.
ATLANTA (AP) — Miami Heat are up three games to one following a 110-86 pounding of the Hawks in Atlanta. Jimmy Butler delivered 13 of his 36 points while Miami outscored the Hawks, 30-15 in the second quarter to take a 14-point lead. PJ Tucker and Bam Adebayo ad-eh-BY’-oh) each had 14