Celtics And Rockets Stay Alive – NBA Roundup For May 2nd

UNDATED (AP) — The Indiana Pacers, Oklahoma City Thunder and New York Knicks each own three-games-to-two leads in the NBA's conference quarterfinals. Of the three teams, only the Pacers are happy about their situation after both the Thunder and Knicks failed to close out their series for the second straight game.

The Houston Rockets have staved off elimination again with a 107-100 win at Oklahoma City. James Harden paced the eighth-seeded Rockets by shooting 7-for-9 from three-point range and finishing with 31 points. Harden also chipped in eight rebounds, while Omer Asik provided 21 points and 11 boards.

Kevin Durant had a game-high 36 points for the Thunder, who are 1-2 since losing Russell Westbrook to a season-ending knee injury.

The series shifts to Houston for Game 6 on Friday.

In New York, Kevin Garnett had 16 points, 18 rebounds and five assists as the Celtics downed the Knicks 92-86 to force a sixth game in Boston. The Celtics saw a 15-point lead shrink to 88-83 with 1:05 remaining before Garnett hit a jumper and two free throws to clinch it.

Jeff Green finished with 18 points, while Brandon Bass and Jason Terry each had 17.

Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony had a miserable shooting night, going 8-for-24 from the field and 0-for-5 from three-point range. Anthony ended up with 22 points and seven rebounds, while Raymond Felton finished with 21 points.

Game 6 is Friday.

The Pacers took control of their series as David West scored 24 points and Paul George had a double-double in a 106-83 romp over Atlanta. George contributed 21 points and 10 rebounds for Indiana, which opened the second half on a 12-3 run to open a 62-46 lead.

The Hawks shot just 33 percent and were outrebounded 51-28 for the game. Josh Smith and Al Horford each had a team-high 14 points for the Hawks, who will try to avoid elimination when they host Game 6 on Friday.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard is the fourth player to be unanimously selected for the NBA's Rookie of the Year award.

The sixth pick in last year's draft led all rookies in scoring at 19 points a game. Lillard also averaged 6.1 assists and 3.1 rebounds while playing all 82 games.

ST. FRANCIS, Wis. (AP) — The Milwaukee Bucks are in search of a new head coach after dismissing Jim Boylan yesterday. The Bucks were swept out of the playoffs by the Miami Heat after dropping 12 of their last 16 regular-season games to post their eighth losing season in nine years.

Boylan was promoted from assistant coach when Scott Skiles left the team on Jan. 8.