Monday, April 28, 2003
Celtics 101, Pacers 83
BOSTON -- Amid a flurry of flagrant and technical fouls, Boston defeated Indiana for a 2-1 series lead as Paul Pierce's 21 points led six Celtics in double figures. The Pacers, who trailed 48-44 at halftime, went without a field goal for a stretch of 14 minutes, 20 seconds in the second half. Boston's Mark Blount and Indiana's Ron Artest were ejected in separate incidents, two Celtics were assessed flagrant fouls and the Pacers picked up five technicals. Game 4 of the best-of-seven series is Sunday in Boston, where the Celtics are 44-17 against the Pacers.
Nets 103, Bucks 101
MILWAUKEE -- Rodney Rogers tied his season high with 18 points and hit the winning basket after he missed two free throws with five seconds remaining. Teammate Kenyon Martin outfought Anthony Mason for the rebound and tipped the ball to Rogers, who sank the shot from the top of the circle. After calling timeout with two seconds remaining, Tim Thomas inbounded the ball to Gary Payton, whose 3-pointer to win it banged off the rim at the buzzer. The Nets got 26 points from Jason Kidd and 23 from Martin as they took a 2-1 series lead. Sam Cassell led the Bucks with 24 points, Thomas had 22 and Gary Payton 21.
Timberwolves 114, Lakers 110, OT
LOS ANGELES -- With Kevin Garnett on the bench after fouling out early in overtime, Minnesota made seven free throws in the final 24.3 seconds of overtime. The Timberwolves, who have never won a postseason series, lead the three-time defending NBA champions 2-1. Garnett, who had 33 points and 14 rebounds, fouled out in the opening 12 seconds of the overtime period on a highly questionable call -- one of several that went against the Timberwolves in the fourth quarter and overtime. Troy Hudson added 27 points, Wally Szczerbiak scored 13 and Marc Jackson had 12. .
-- Associated Press