Spurs fall 2-1 behind in best-of-seven series after dramatic ending…
The opening round of the NBA Playoffs has been sensational thus far with the Dallas Mavericks, Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder all winning on Saturday.
Vince Carter undoubtedly takes the play of the night after his double-pump three-pointer on the buzzer to give the Mavs the win over the San Antonio Spurs, which also puts them up 2-1 in their best-of-seven series.
Monta Ellis kept the eighth-seeded Dallas close in the fourth quarter and ended the game with 29 points after a back-and-forth style game in which the lead switched hands on numerous occasions.
However, Carter was to have the last word with his sensational last ditch shot to secure the win, and now the Spurs will be feeling the pressure as they look for a way back into this series.
Tim Duncan led the visitors with 22 points while Manu Ginobili steadied the ship with 12 points and key assists, but with Game 4 in Dallas on Monday, the Spurs will know they will need to bounce back.
Elsewhere, the Indiana Pacers levelled their series 2-2 with the Atlanta Hawks, as despite 29 points and seven rebounds from Paul Millsap, Paul George and David West hit key three-pointers late on to snatch the win.
The Pacers showed the type of grit and determination that got them through the regular season as the top seed in the Eastern Conference, and having taken back home-court advantage, they should now be confident of finding their feet and securing the series win.
Meanwhile, the Miami Heat are all-but in the second round after LeBron James (30 points, 10 rebounds and six assists) led them to victory over the Charlotte Bobcats for a 3-0 series lead.
James insisted that his team were locked in and focused on what needed to be done, and despite 20 points from Al Jefferson, this was always getting away from the hosts in the latter stages of the game.
Over in the West in the final game of the night, the Oklahoma City Thunder took a closely fought overtime win over the Memphis Grizzlies to tie up their series.
Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook were short of their best, but Reggie Jackson stepped up to score 32 points and add nine rebounds to guide them to the win on the road to make it 2-2.
Game 5 is on Tuesday night back in Oklahoma City, and given the nature of this series thus far, expect another battling performance from both teams.
NBA Results:
Indiana Pacers 91-88 Atlanta Hawks
San Antonio Spurs 108-109 Dallas Mavericks
Miami Heat 98-85 Charlotte Bobcats
Oklahoma City Thunder 92-89 Memphis Grizzlies
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