The 2013 NBA Playoffs 000 after the evening's action concluded Monday night. Here are all the final scores and results from all three playoff games played Monday.
The Brooklyn Nets opened up the evening with a 110-91 victory over the Chicago Bulls pushing the series to a Game 6. The Bulls looked like the team in Game 1, though this game was pretty close two minutes before the end of regulation. The Bulls offense was dominant scoring 91 points, but their defense couldn't hold it down late in the game.
Brook Lopez finished with 28 points as he proved indefensible using his length and strength to also grab 10 rebounds, six of which were offensive boards. All in all, Lopez was one way the Nets were able to defeat the Bulls, offensive rebounds, they had 17 in this ball game. Another key was Nate Robinson's inability to defend Deron Williams as the Nets' point guard scored 23 points with 10 assists for the double-double.
Game 6 will be played on Thursday, May 2 in Chicago at 8 p.m. ET.
Over in Atlanta, the Hawks defeated the Indiana Pacers once again in Game 4 as they tied the series 2-2. Josh Smith led the way in the 102-91 victory over the Pacers. He finished with 29 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and a blocked shot. The Hawks knocked down 11 threes in this game as they cruised to win this game.
The Pacers were able to cut into an early 20-point lead and cut it down by 15 points, but the Hawks were relentless with their attack. The Pacers got help from their leader, Paul George who scored 21 points, but the Hawks were simply too much backed behind their home crowd.
This series, one of the least followed as it featured lackluster players in comparison to teams like the Miami Heat, Oklahoma City Thunder, Los Angeles Clippers and New York Knicks, have made it a series.
As for the Thunder, they coudln't put away the series and the Houston Rockets won Game 4, 105-103. Russell Westbrook's absence was sensed in this game as Kevin Durant was attacked and held scoreless for far too long in this game. He still got his 38 points in the game, but the Rockets did a better job in this one, most noticeably in the third quarter when they grabbed a lead.
James Harden played great, but this one was all about Chandler Parsons as he scored 26 points and simply took over the game in the third quarter. He finished with a double-double grabbing 10 rebounds and falling two assists short of the triple-double. Harden added 15 points as he was in and out of foul trouble in this one.
Patrick Beverly picked up a big charge late in the game was the Rockets led 105-103 with under a minute left in the game. Harden missed the last three shots he took and was unable to ice the game with 12.1 seconds remaining and the Thunder had a chance to finish the game. Reggie Jackson took some contact late as he drove for the basket, but was unable to finish. Serge Ibaka picked up the offensive baord, but couldn't get the putback and he fell to the floor.
Game 5 is on Wednesday and the Thunder will have a chance to put this one away at home in Oklahoma City.
