Pacers even series with Hawks; Mavs slip past Spurs for 2-1 lead

Dallas Mavericks guard Vince Carter, second from left, celebrates with Dirk Nowitzki (41), as teammate Monta Ellis (11) and San Antonio Spurs’ Manu Ginobili (20) look on, after Carter made the game-winning 3-point basket at the buzzer of the fourth quarter in Game 3 in the first-round of the NBA basketball playoffs in Dallas, Saturday, April 26, 2014. The Mavericks won 109-108. AP

ATLANTA — Paul George and David West hit key 3-pointers at the end as the top-seeded Indiana Pacers held off the Atlanta Hawks 91-88 to even the NBA opening-round series at two wins apiece.

Elsewhere Saturday, Miami moved to a 3-0 series lead by defeating the Charlotte Bobcats 98-85 and Vince Carter hit a three pointer after the buzzer to down Western Conference top seeds San Antonio 109-108.

In a game they had to have, the Pacers finally showed some grit and regained the home-court edge. George put the Pacers ahead 86-85 with a jumper beyond the arc, and West hit another trey with 1:33 remaining.

Atlanta had a chance after Kyle Korver was fouled in the corner and knocked down three free throws, taking advantage of a do-over after the Pacers were called for a lane violation on the third attempt. But George pulled down an offensive rebound to set up George Hill’s driving shot with 56 seconds left.

Pero Antic missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer that would have forced overtime.

Game 5 is on Monday in Indianapolis.

George scored 24 points and West added 18. Paul Millsap led the Hawks with 29, but the All-Star forward struggled in the final minute.

In Dallas, Carter hit a double-pump 3-pointer at the buzzer to give the Dallas Mavericks a 109-108 victory in Game 3 and a first-round series lead over the top-seeded San Antonio Spurs.

Carter took an inbound pass from Jose Calderon with 1.7 seconds left in the left corner. After a quick pump fake in front of Manu Ginobili, Carter released the ball just before the buzzer. The winning shot was held up on review.

Ginobili had given the Spurs a 108-106 lead on a layup before Dallas called timeout to set up the play for Carter.

Game 4 is Monday night in Dallas.

Monta Ellis kept the Mavericks close in the fourth quarter and finished with a game-high 29 points, while Tim Duncan led the Spurs with 22 points.

In Charlotte, North Carolina, LeBron James had 30 points and 10 rebounds, as the Miami Heat took an iron grip of its Eastern Conference first round series against the Charlotte Bobcats.

Dwyane Wade added 17 points for the Heat, who can close out the best-of-seven Monday night.

James, who was an efficient 10 of 18 from the field, pushed his record to 18-0 against the Bobcats since joining the Heat in 2010. Miami has won 19 straight overall against Charlotte.

Al Jefferson had 20 points for the Bobcats, who are still searching for the first postseason win in franchise history.