The 2013 NBA Playoffs Thursday final scores were pretty interesting as the Miami Heat faced the Milwaukee Bucks, Chicago Bulls hosted the Brooklyn Nets and the Memphis Grizzlies welcomed the Los Angeles Clippers. Here are Thursday's results as the NBA Playoffs roll along.
Heat 104-91 Bucks
Ray Allen led the Heat with 23 points after going 5/8 from three helping Miami roar back as it trailed the Bucks by double digits early in Game 3. In the same motion, Allen surpassed the great Reggie Miller hitting his 322nd playoff three-pointer. The Heat took a 3-0 series lead and now can put the series away in Game 4, which is scheduled to be played on Sunday, Apr. 28.
The Bucks had their chance early in the game as, led by Ersan Ilyasova, Milwaukee was building a deficit over the Heat. Ilyasova finished with 15 points and an efficient 7-12 from the floor. A bulk of his points came early on as he was picking up steals and creating plays for the Bucks.
However, the Heat were too much in this one, They trailed 48-50 at the half, outscored the Bucks 30-18 in the third quarter and the rest was history.
Bulls 79-76 Nets
All of a sudden, it looks as though the Bulls were playing possum. They once again stole a victory from the Nets making it a 2-1 series and taking the lead. Though the Bulls deserve credit for the victory, the Nets' struggles were too evident in this one. Had the Nets not gone 0-14 between the first and secon quarters from the floor, then maybe they could have easily won this game by double digits.
As a team, the Nets shot under 35 percent. They trailed for most of the game despite starting things off, like the Bucks, with an early double-digit lead. The Bulls however, deserve their credit, when their shot wasn't falling they played defense. The Bulls shot just under 40 percent, so it's not like they completely outperformed the Nets.
Carlos Boozer led the way with a double-double scoring 23 points and grabbing 16 rebounds. Luol Deng joined him scoring 21 points and grabbing 10 boards in this one. Though Joakim Noah is still suffering from his foot issues, he made a different on the boards grabbing eight rebounds and blocking two shots.
The Nets' Brook Lopez had 22 points and he had a decent night shooting, rare for a Net on Thursday, going 8-16 from the floor. Deron Williams had 18 points on 5-14 shooting while Kris Humphries managed to get dunked on once again by Taj Gibson.
Game 4 is on Saturday, Apr. 27.
Clippers 82-94 Grizzlies
After a Game 2 that went down to the wire, Memphis was tired of the drama and wanting to avoid any issues late in the game, the Grizzlies open up the game in strong fashion. The Grizzlies won every single quarter, except the third when both teams scored 23 points. By halftime, the Grizzlies had built an eight-point lead, which they slow built on and by the fourth quarter, it was a given that they were going to make this a series.
Zach Randolph had a hell of a game. He finished with 27 points and 11 rebounds, six of these rebounds were offensive boards. Tony Allen created havoc in the passing lanes as he picked up four steals and finished with 13 points while Quincy Pondexter was responsible for helping the Grizzlies remain on top as the Clippers threatened to overtake their lead. Pondexter added 13 points off the bench.
The Clippers had solid outings from everybody as five players finished in double figures, but they lost the battle of the boards 45-33 while committing 18 turnovers. Blake Griffin led the team in scoring with 16 points while Chris Paul addied just eight with four assists and five turnovers.
The series is now 2-1, the Clippers still have the lead, but the Grizzlies have the chance to things up on Saturday in Game 4.
