NBA playoffs wrap: Spurs avoids sweep; LeBron James wills Cavaliers past Pacers

The Spurs is among the most injury-riddled teams in the league, but it fought hard Sunday to beat the Warriors.

Published : Apr 23, 2018 12:03 IST

Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) celebrates following Game 4 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers.
Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) celebrates following Game 4 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers.
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Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) celebrates following Game 4 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers.

The Spurs isn't going home just yet.

With broomsticks out of the closet, San Antonio entered Sunday's 103-90 win over the Warriors down 3-0 in the series, but staved off elimination with stifling defense against one of the more high-octane offenses in the league.

Read: NBA playoffs wrap: 76ers, Pelicans wins physical battles

LaMarcus Aldridge led the Spurs with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Despite seeing double teams, Aldridge was able to create space for points while continuing to dominate the glass.

Rudy Gay, a new member of San Antonio's starting lineup, scored 14 points with seven rebounds, and Manu Ginobili scored 16 points off the bench.

The Spurs jumped out to a 14-point halftime lead, but quickly watched it evaporate in the third quarter. But it rebounded in the fourth quarter, outscoring the defending champion by seven points to secure its first win of the series.

Kevin Durant led the Warriors with 34 points and 13 rebounds. Draymond Green flirted with a triple-double, scoring nine points with 18 rebounds and nine assists, but Golden State shot just 38 percent from the floor.

Meanwhile, LeBron James helped the Cavaliers stave off another second-half collapse by scoring 32 points with 13 rebounds and seven assists. Cleveland led by 10 points at halftime, but Indiana came roaring back in the third quarter, even taking the lead.

But James and Kyle Korver found their stride in the fourth quarter to help the Cavs even the series at 2-2 with a 104-100 win. Korver scored 18 points on 4-of-9 shooting from 3-point range.

Stud of the Night:

John Wall and Bradley Beal helped the Wizards even the series at 2-2 after a late come from behind 106-98 win over the Raptors. Wall scored 27 points with 14 assists and three steals, while Beal scored 31 points with five rebounds. 

Washington outscored Toronto by 19 points in the second half. Toronto blew a 14-point lead, tied for the second-largest blown lead in Raptors franchise postseason history. Its 18 fourth-quarter points were the fewest in any quarter this series.

Giannis Antetokounmpo helped the Bucks even its series against the Celtics at 2-2 after scoring 27 points on 12-of-20 shooting with seven rebounds and five assists. Milwaukee led by 16 points at halftime, but a late Boston run forced it to eek out a 104-102 victory.

Dud of the Night:

As Terry Rozier goes, so goes the Celtics. Boston's breakout guard has had two good games this series, and two underachieving games. Celtics won the two games he scored over 20 points, but lost the two he didn't. Sunday, Rozier scored just 10 points on 3-of-12 shooting (2 of 10 from 3-point range) in the Game 4 loss.

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