The NBA 2013 Playoffs Roundup: April 28, 2013

The Bulls outlasted the Nets in a marathon 63-minute basketball game, the Grizz squared their series with the Clips, the Hawks blasted the Pacers, and the Thunder escaped the upset axe against Houston in today’s NBA Playoff action!

Today’s Best:

Nate Robinson didn’t do much but score today, but his scoring was exactly what Chicago needed to go up 3-1 on the luckless Nets. Robinson shot 14-of-23 from the field to score 34 points in just 29 minutes.
The Defensive Player of the Year did a lot more than just play solid D in Memphis’s big win over the Clippers. Marc Gasol shot 9-of-14 from the floor to finish with 24 points on top of 13 rebounds and 3 blocks as the Grizzlies protected their homecourt and tied their series at 2-2.
Kevin Durant scored 41 points and hauled down 14 rebounds in a mighty effort to push OKC to a 3-0 series lead over Houston. With Russel Westbrook out for ainindefinite amount of time, Durant might just have to score 40+ every night.

Taj Gibson and Nate Robinson congratulate each other
as the Bulls opened up a 3-1 series lead against Brooklyn.
(image by Jim Prisching/AP)

Today’s Worst:

Something tells me the Rockets had something else in mind when they signed Omer Asik to a $25 million, 3-year contract in the preseason. Certainly not 5 points and 8 rebounds in 31 minutes.
The Brooklyn Nets had it. They really did. And then they choked.

Final Score: Chicago 142, Brooklyn 134 (3OT)

Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - Powered by an improbable fourth quarter comeback, the Chicago Bulls scratched and clawed their way through a triple- overtime marathon at United Center to take a 142-134 victory away from the Brooklyn Nets in Game 4 of their Eastern Conference quarterfinal series. It was a Michael Jordan-esque performance by none other than Chicago reserve Nate Robinson, with the mercurial 5-foot-9 guard racking up 23 points in the fourth quarter -- including the first 12 of a game-tying 14-0 run in the last 3:45 of regulation. He totaled 34 points on 14-of-23 shooting from the floor. With plantar fasciitis plaguing his foot, Joakim Noah grinded through nearly 39 minutes of play -- 14 over his minute restriction -- to finish with a valiant 15 points, 13 rebounds and four blocks. Both players fouled out before it was over, but Chicago's supporting cast finished the job with a 13-6 surge in the third overtime to complete what was an utter collapse by the Nets, who will now return to Brooklyn trailing 3-1 in the series.

Final Score: Memphis 104, LA Clippers 83

Memphis, TN (Sports Network) - The resurgent Memphis Grizzlies dominated the fourth quarter and behind double-doubles from Marc Gasol and Mike Conley, tied their quarterfinal series at two apiece with a second straight win, a 104-83 triumph over the Los Angeles Clippers at FedExForum. Gasol tallied 24 points with 13 rebounds, while Conley scored 15 and dished out 13 assists for Memphis, which broke open a tight ball game by outscoring the Clippers 33-16 in the fourth. Zach Randolph powered his way to 24 points and nine boards, Tayshaun Prince chipped in 15 points and Tony Allen and Quincy Pondexter each poured in 10 apiece for Memphis, which shot 50.6 percent for the contest. The series will shift back to Los Angeles for Game 5 on Tuesday. The Clippers were held to 30 percent shooting in the fourth and converted just one of their eight 3-point attempts in the frame. Chris Paul and Blake Griffin each scored 19, with Griffin posting 10 rebounds in the defeat.

Final Score: Atlanta 90, Indiana 69

Atlanta, GA (Sports Network) - Atlanta wanted to get tougher defensively after getting blown out over their first two games in Indiana. After a few lineup changes, that's exactly what the Hawks did. Al Horford tallied a playoff career-high 26 points and 16 rebounds in the Hawks' 90-69 rout of the Pacers in Game 3 of this Eastern Conference first-round series. Josh Smith added 14 points, six rebounds and six assists for Atlanta, which will host Game 4 on Monday. Indiana still leads the best-of-seven set 2-1.

Final Score: Oklahoma City 104, Houston 101

Houston, TX (Sports Network) - Kevin Durant is tired of being second best, but without his running mate for the remainder of the postseason, he'll have to carry the Oklahoma City Thunder to the top of the mountain on his scrawny shoulders. His go-ahead 3-pointer with 41.9 seconds left capped a 41-point night and lifted the Thunder to a thrilling 104-101 triumph over the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of this Western Conference first-round series. Harden scored 30 points, Chandler Parsons finished with 21 points and reserve Francisco Garcia poured in 18 for Houston in defeat.