Pacers, Thunder, Warriors avoid playoff exit, equalize series with foes
Indiana Pacers forward David West (21) shoots as Atlanta Hawks forward Elton Brand (42) defends in the first half of Game 6 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series in Atlanta, Thursday, May 1, 2014. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
ATLANTA — David West led Indiana on a 16-4 run to end the game, extending the season for the top-seeded Pacers with a 95-88 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday.
Trailing 3-2 after losing at home for the second time in the Eastern Conference series, Indiana was poised for an early summer when the Hawks pushed out to an 84-79 lead with just over 3 minutes remaining, cheered on by a raucous crowd. But, for the fourth time in this back-and-forth affair, the road team won.
West seemed to make every big play down the stretch, scoring four straight points and forcing a huge turnover to begin the turnaround. West hit two more baskets in the final minute to wrap things up, finishing with 24 points.
Game 7 is Saturday in Indianapolis.
Paul George also scored 24 points for the Pacers, making four straight free throws to help finish off the Hawks, trying to become only the sixth No. 8 seed to knock off a No. 1 seed.
Jeff Teague scored 29 points for Atlanta.
THUNDER 104, GRIZZLIES 84
MEMPHIS—Kevin Durant scored 36 points to break out of a slump as Oklahoma City routed Memphis to force a deciding seventh game in the first-round Western Conference series.
Russell Westbrook added 25 points for the Thunder, who haven’t been eliminated in the first round of the playoffs since 2010. They took control early with Durant scoring 14 points in the first quarter, led by 15 at halftime and never let Memphis get closer in the second half in the first game in the series ended in regulation since the opener.
Durant also had 10 rebounds and made 14 of 15 free throws.
Game 7 is Saturday night in Oklahoma City.
Marc Gasol had 17 points and Zach Randolph 16 for Memphis. Guard Mike Conley strained his right hamstring, briefly returned and left for good with 8:48 left.
WARRIORS 100, CLIPPERS 99
OAKLAND— Stephen Curry scored 24 points and dished out nine assists, and the Warriors forced a decisive Game 7 by outlasting the Clippers.
Andre Iguodala added 15 points and Draymond Green had 14 points and 14 rebounds for the Warriors, handing Los Angeles one more obstacle to overcome in a week full of them after Clippers owner Donald Sterling earned a lifetime ban from the NBA for his racist remarks.
The Warriors limited big men Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan even after center Jermaine O’Neal left with a sprained right knee in the second quarter. The Clippers simply ran out of time in the closing minute, missing three shots before Matt Barnes made a 3-pointer with 1.1 seconds to play.
Game 7 is Saturday in Los Angeles.
