NEW YORK (AP) — LeBron James tied a playoff career high with 49 points as the Miami Heat downed the Nets 102-96 in Brooklyn to take a three-games-to-one lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals. James had 15 of Miami’s 23 third-quarter points and added nine more in the final period. But the Heat couldn’t shake the Nets until Chris Bosh drained a tiebreaking 3-pointer with 57.3 seconds left.
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Damian Lillard scored 25 points and the Portland Trail Blazers avoided a four-game sweep in the Western Conference semifinals by beating San Antonio 103-92. The Nicolas Batum (bah-TOOM’) delivered 14 points and 14 rebounds for the Blazers, who took control by outscoring the Spurs 35-20 in the third quarter. LaMarcus Aldridge added 19 points to the win.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling has apologized for the racist comments that got him banned from the NBA for life, telling CNN’s Anderson Cooper that it was a “terrible mistake” and that he is not a racist. Sterling also repeatedly disparaged Magic Johnson’s HIV-positive status in an interview that aired Monday, saying he was not a fit role model for children and dismissing his work in business and charity. Sterling has been banned for life by the NBA and fined $2.5 million after recordings of him making racist comments surfaced.
MONTREAL (AP) — The Montreal Canadiens beat the Boston Bruins 4-0 to force a Game 7 in the Eastern Conference semifinal series. Lars Eller scored the game-winner 2:11 into the game before Max Pacioretty (pash-uh-RET’-ee) and Thomas Vanek tallied 2:15 apart late in the second period. Vanek had two goals to support Carey Price, who stopped 26 shots in his fourth career playoff shutout.
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — The Anaheim Ducks have a 3-2 lead in the Western Conference finals after beating the Kings for the third straight game. Devante Smith-Pelly scored twice during an 83-second span early in the second period to give the Ducks a 3-1 lead in a 4-3 win over Los Angeles. John Gibson was sharp for the second straight game, stopping 39 shots after posting a shutout in his first playoff appearances.
