Game Capsules from The Sports Network:
May 9, 2015:
Chicago 99, Cleveland 96
Chicago, IL (SportsNetwork.com) - Derrick Rose put together a vintage performance on Friday. It was fitting that the game ended on his terms. Rose banked in a 3-pointer as the buzzer expired, giving his Chicago Bulls a 99-96 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers and a 2-1 series lead in their Eastern Conference semifinal. Rose netted 30 points with seven assists and seven rebounds while producing more than his share of highlights, but that wasn't enough for the former MVP. With the game knotted at 96 after Cleveland's J.R. Smith hit a deep 3 at the other end, Rose was hounded near midcourt by LeBron James, who appeared to foul Rose multiple times -- the whistles were quiet -- as the ball rolled out of bounds with three seconds to play. Chicago took a timeout, then went back to Rose out of the huddle. Rose received the inbounds pass and dribbled hard to his right before pulling up from 26 feet with Cavs power forward Tristan Thompson draped all over him. It was Rose's first 3-pointer of the game, and his first-career playoff buzzer beater.
LA Clippers 124, Houston 99
Los Angeles, CA (SportsNetwork.com) - The returning Chris Paul wasn't getting the loudest cheers on Friday night, that distinction went to his Game 1 and 2 replacement. Austin Rivers scored 25 points, most coming in a game-clinching run in the second half as the Los Angeles Clippers routed the Houston Rockets 124-99 in Game 3 of their Western Conference semifinals. Rivers netted 18 points during a 23-0 surge which began late in the third quarter and bled into the fourth. It began with a Rivers 3-pointer after Corey Brewer hit a 3 to pull the Rockets within 81-76 at the 3:50 mark of the third. Rivers tallied a pair of three-point plays to close the frame, with DeAndre Jordan splitting two free throws in the waning seconds to make it a 99-76 game heading into the final frame. Rivers capped the burst with another triple to stake the Clippers to a healthy 104-76 cushion, and the hosts cruised to the easy triumph from there. Paul, who had a minutes restriction and limped at times because of a hamstring injury, finished with 12 points and seven assists in just over 23 minutes of action.
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