LOS ANGELES (AP) β DeAndre Jordan poured in 26 points and Chris Paul had a double-double as the Los Angeles Clippers crushed the Houston Rockets 128-95 to take a 3-1 lead in the NBA’s Western Conference semifinals. Jordan was 14 of 34 from the line, including an NBA playoff-record 28 attempts in the first half. Paul had 15 points and 12 assists as the Clippers posted their second straight lopsided victory since he returned from a strained hamstring.
CHICAGO (AP) β LeBron James hit a jumper from the corner as time expired to give the Cleveland Cavaliers an 86-84 victory over the Bulls at Chicago, tying the Eastern Conference semifinal series at two games apiece. James came through after Derrick Rose hit a driving layup to tie the game with just under 10 seconds left. James finished with 25 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists, while Rose delivered 31 points for Chicago.
WASHINGTON (AP) β The New York Rangers have forced a Game 7 in their Stanley Cup, second-round series by building a 4-1 lead before holding off the Capitals 4-3 in Washington. Chris Kreider scored twice in the first period before Rick Nash and Dan Boyle added third-period goals to put the Blueshirts ahead 4-1. Henrik Lundqvist made 34 of his 42 saves in the first two periods and blanked the Caps over the final 9:27.
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) β The Anaheim Ducks have eliminated the Calgary Flames in five games to move into the NHL’s Western Conference finals against the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Perry scored at 2:26 of overtime to give the Ducks a 3-2 comeback win over the Flames. Matt Beleskey’s goal knotted the game 2-2 59 seconds into the third period after Johnny Gaudreau put Calgary ahead early in the second.
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. (AP) β Rickie Fowler has won The Players Championship in a three-hole playoff with Kevin Kisner (KIHZ’-nur) and Sergio Garcia. Fowler rallied from a five-shot deficit on the back nine and fired a 5-under 67 to take the lead with several contenders still on the course. Fowler continued to wait until Kisner and Garcia caught him at 12 under to force the first three-man, three-hole playoff in tournament history.
