https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7c29LVJq9g

The Spurs built a 20-point lead and saw it crumble in the second half. The Mavericks took the lead and had Monta Ellis fighting to give them a surprising 3-1 lead. Boris Diaw changed that.

He hit a three late in the game and Ellis failed to answer, giving San Antonio the advantage. Ellis missed a game-tying 3-pointer on the following possession. And, down by two with less than 20 seconds to play, he missed an open layup to tie the game giving the Spurs a series tied at 2 on a 93-89 road win.

Manu Ginobili was brilliant with 23 points, looking to attack the rim at all costs throughout the game. Dallas was led by Monta Ellis’ 20 points and some surprising energy from DeJuan Blair off the bench.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NI5LMIlaCYA

It is hard to believe we are at this point. But Atlanta emphatically and dramatically pushed top-seeded Indiana to the brink of elimination with a dominant 107-97 win. The Pacers made a run at the end of the game to make this one close.

But throughout, the Hawks led the Pacers by 20-plus points, dominating the second quarter 41-19. Mike Scott his five 3-pointers in the quarter alone on his way to 17 points. It was part of Atlanta’s balanced attack that put five players with more than 15 points, led by Shelvin Mack’s 20.

The Pacers are still looking for answers and now have to win two straight games, including Game Six in Atlanta.

Paul George scored 26 points to lead the Pacers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gW9QWhhQjDY

Give the Bobcats all the credit in the world for trying. They tried their little hearts out without Al Jefferson in Game Four. They fought hard and were in the game.

Then the turnovers piled up. LeBron James awoke. And that was that.

Charlotte is the first team eliminated from this year’s postseason losing to Miami in four games with a 109-98 loss at Time Warner Cable Arena. And so sets the era of the Bobcats. Long live the Hornets.

LeBron James scored 31 points to lead Miami. Charlotte committed 16 turnovers which turned into 22 Miami points. Kemba Walker had 29 points on 11-for-15 shooting. It just was not enough when the Heat got themselves rolling.

Miami now stares nearly a week of rest awaiting the winner of the Raptors and Nets series.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnXrwwRUyss

The Rockets led the entire game until the Blazers made that last run. Beautiful passing and surprising hustle caught the Rockets off guard and allowed Mo Williams to drain a 3-pointer giving the Blazers the lead seemingly for good. James Harden found Dwight Howard for the game-tying dunk and this series was headed to its third overtime in four games.

Portland had the formula there too. Big shots. Composure. And the will to take a commanding 3-1 series lead.

The Rockets struggles on defense and over-reliance on 3-point shooting is hurting them in these close games. Even with Dwight Howard scoring 25 points and 14 rebounds. Even with James Harden scoring 28 points on a decent (for him in this series) 9-for-21 shooting. Even with Chandler Parsons providing a first half-heavy 26 points.

Portland had four players with 20 points too — LaMarcus Aldridge with 29, Nicolas Batum with 25, Damian Lillard with 23 and Wesley Matthews with 21 — played just enough defense to win and turned Houston’s mistakes (16 for 23 points) into opportunities. The Rockets are playing well, but have to play better to get back into this series.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k15Ahpc3T-U

Even without Nene, the Wizards found little trouble scoring on the Bulls. A lot of 3-pointers sure seem to help with that. Trevor Ariza was simply on fire beyond the arc.

He hit four of his six 3-point makes in the first half as he scored 30 points for the game. Chicago was slow to rotate out to him and close out as the Wizards moved the ball expertly around the basket. Chicago was simply unable to copy the success offensively from Game Three.

Chicago committed 16 turnovers which turned into 29 Washington points. The Wizards shot worse — a bit better than 40 percent — but were able to control the pace because of those fast break opportunities.

The Bulls got 32 points off the bench from Taj Gibson, but put only two other players in double figures. Offense remains a problem for Chicago. And so too does the score in the series. The Bulls are one loss away from going home.