NBA FIRST-ROUND PLAYOFFS | Recaps of Saturday’s games

EASTERN CONFERENCE

76ers 112, Nets 108

NEW YORK

Joel Embiid had 31 points and 16 rebounds, and passed to Mike Scott for the go-ahead 3-pointer with 18 seconds left as the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Brooklyn Nets to take a 3-1 series lead. Embiid also had a flagrant foul that led to a scuffle and two ejections. Tobias Harris had 24 points, eight rebounds and six assists for the 76ers. Game 5 will be Tuesday night in Philadelphia. Jimmy Butler was ejected in the third quarter after Embiid’s hard foul on Jarrett Allen. Caris LeVert scored 25 points after being inserted into the Nets’ starting lineup. D’Angelo Russell and Allen each added 21. Jared Dudley also was inserted into the starting lineup for the Nets and had been agitating the 76ers with his defense and his talking, but was gone midway through the third quarter as one of the central figures in the scuffle that spilled into the stands.

Bucks 119, Pistons 103

DETROIT

Khris Middleton had 20 points and nine rebounds and the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Detroit Pistons to take a 3-0 lead in the first-round series. The Bucks can win the series Monday in Detroit. The Bucks overcame 27 points, seven rebounds and six assists from Blake Griffin in his return from a right knee injury. Brook Lopez and Eric Bledsoe each scored 19 points for Milwaukee. Giannis Antetokounmpo had 14 points and 10 rebounds. Andre Drummond had 12 points and 12 rebounds.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Nuggets 117, Spurs 103

SAN ANTONIO

Nikola Jokic had 29 points and 12 rebounds, Jamal Murray added 24 points and the Denver Nuggets beat the San Antonio Spurs, rebounding from a flat performance tie the first-round series at two games apiece. LaMarcus Aldridge had 24 points and nine rebounds for San Antonio. DeMar DeRozan added 19 points before he was ejected with five minutes remaining after arguing with an official over an offensive foul. Game 5 is Tuesday night in Denver. Derrick White was limited to eight points after going 15 for 21 on Thursday. Torrey Craig finished with 18 points. Will Barton finished with 12 points.

Associated Press