B4 TUESDAY, MAY 8, 2012

THE ADVOCATE-MESSENGER SPORTS WWW.AMNEWS.COM Celtics Paul leads have Clippers pride ATLANTA (AP) — Boston’s Big Three still has some life in those old bones. to OT win Thirty-somethings , and LOS ANGELES (AP) — MEMPHIS (97) Gay 8-25 6-7 23, Randolph 5-11 2-2 12, Gasol 1-4 6- led the Celtics to One day after ’s 10 8, Conley 10-15 3-3 25, Allen 3-7 0-0 6, Mayo 1-6 their most recent NBA 2-2 5, Cunningham 2-5 0-0 4, Arenas 0-0 0-0 0, Pon- 27th birthday, the All-Star dexter 1-2 0-0 2, Speights 4-7 1-1 9, Haddadi 1-1 1- championship in 2008, and guard and his Los An- 2 3. Totals 36-83 21-27 97. this could be their last hur- L.A. CLIPPERS (101) geles Clippers showed Butler 5-10 3-4 14, Griffin 10-15 10-17 30, Jordan 3- rah together in Beantown. they’re growing up splen- 5 0-1 6, Paul 10-22 6-6 27, Foye 1-5 0-0 3, Williams If so, they’re clearly look- 3-10 2-2 9, Martin 1-4 0-0 2, Young 1-4 2-2 5, Evans didly together. 0-1 2-4 2, Bledsoe 0-0 3-4 3. Totals 34-76 28-40 101. ing to go out with a bang. Sure, it’s not happening 3-Point Goals—Memphis 4-13 (Conley 2-2, Mayo 1- “They have pride,” At- 4, Gay 1-6, Allen 0-1), L.A. Clippers 5-16 (Butler 1-2, without growing pains dur- Paul 1-3, Young 1-3, Williams 1-4, Foye 1-4). Fouled lanta Hawks Al Hor- Out—Griffin. Rebounds—Memphis 58 (Randolph 9), ford said Monday. “That ing a brutal series with the L.A. Clippers 49 (Paul 9). Assists—Memphis 18 (Conley . After 8), L.A. Clippers 18 (Paul, Griffin 7). Total Fouls—Mem- goes a long way.” phis 34, L.A. Clippers 26. Technicals—Cunningham, The Big Three (plus, let’s surviving overtime in their Gay, Randolph, Jordan, Paul. A—19,167 (19,060). toughest test yet, Paul and not forget, ) his teammates are on the have led the Celtics to a 3-1 verge of an achievement row of chairs in an attempt lead over the Hawks. Game with better rewards than to save a loose ball. 5 is tonight in Atlanta, with candles and cake. “He’s a great player, and Boston looking to wrap up Paul scored eight of his 27 that’s what great players do,” the series after a 22-point points in a dynamic over- Memphis coach Lionel blowout that wasn’t really time performance, and the Hollins said. that close. Clippers moved to the verge Game 5 is Wednesday “They’ve got guys who’ve of their second playoff series night in Memphis, with been in wars, who’ve been in the trenches, who’ve been victory in 36 years with a Game 6 back at Staples Cen- in these type of situations 101-97 win over Memphis ter on Friday if the Clippers more than we have,” Atlanta on Monday night, taking a 3- can’t close. After Paul hit consecutive coach said. 1 series lead. “When you look at their his- jumpers to put the Clippers The Clippers blew a 10- tory over the last few years, ahead 99-93 with 44 sec- point lead late in regulation they’ve always been a dan- before finishing without onds left, Mike Conley’s gerous team to me.” , who fouled layup with 8.1 seconds left The Celtics approached out midway through over- trimmed the Clippers’ lead the midway point at 15-17, time. It could have been an- back to two points. closer to missing the play- other disaster for a franchise But after Mo Williams hit offs than making any noise with more than its share, but two free throws with 7.2 sec- in the postseason. But they Paul wouldn’t allow it. onds left and were one of the best teams “It’s fun, it’s exciting,” said missed a meaningless 3- in the league the rest of the Paul, who atoned for his in- pointer, Griffin and Paul em- way, winning 24 of their last ability to score at the regula- braced while another AP Photo/Chris Carlson 34 games and carrying that tion buzzer. “The worst frenzied sellout crowd of Los Angeles’ Blake Griffin, right, gets called with a charging foul on Memphis’ during Monday’s momentum into the play- mistake I probably made in long-suffering Clippers fans game. Griffin fouled out, but the Clippers won in overtime to take a 3-1 series lead. offs. After three tight games the game was not getting the roared. with Atlanta, they took con- shot at the end of regulation. “Chris is always intense,” trol of the series with a 101- If I was at home watching it Clippers coach Vinny Del game between us. We have a giving away a big late lead. We can try and make it 79 rout Sunday night. on TV, I’d be talking so bad Negro said. “That’s what lot of competitive guys that After the Clippers rallied tougher on him, but still he’s The 34-year-old Pierce about me. But you’ve got to makes him special. Chris is don’t give up in this series. from big fourth-quarter going to make plays and scored 24 points in less than get through it. The (best) so good, not only at making We have two teams that are deficits in their first two vic- make his teammates better. 19 minutes — not bad, con- thing about it is that I have plays for himself, but mak- going to fight until the end.” tories, Memphis rallied to That’s what he’s been sidering he hurt his left knee teammates that have confi- ing the right play. That’s In their breakthrough 85-83 on Zach Randolph’s doing.” in the morning shootaround dence in me. Everything that what makes him a star.” season since pairing Paul jumper with 1:25 left. Gay hit The Clippers led 95-89 and the Celtics weren’t even we do is a team win.” Conley scored a career with Griffin, the Clippers the tying jumper in the final when Griffin fouled out, and sure he’d be able to play. Maybe so, but the Clip- playoff-high 25 points and need one more victory to minute of regulation, and the Grizzlies trimmed it to He’s averaging a series-lead- pers were ever so grateful to Gay had 23 on 8-of-25 win their second playoff se- Paul drove for the go-ahead two points on jumpers by ing 23.3 points a game, in- rely on their All-Star point shooting for the Grizzlies, ries since the erstwhile Buf- layup — his only points of Conley and Gay. Paul went cluding a gutsy 36-. who couldn’t match Paul’s falo Braves moved to the fourth quarter — before to work, shaking loose from effort in Game 2, when Griffin had 30 points and late-game poise in another California. Los Angeles beat Randolph coolly hit two defenders and hitting back- Boston grabbed a win on the seven assists before fouling thrilling chapter of a highly Denver in the first round in tying free throws with 20.4 to-back jumpers sandwich- road even with Rondo serv- out for the Clippers, who entertaining series with four 2006, but hadn’t been back seconds left. ing a by Conley. ing a suspension for bump- blew an 84-74 lead over the games decided by a total of to the postseason until this Paul couldn’t get a shot “Defensively in the over- ing a referee. The 35-year-old Garnett s final 4 1/2 minutes before 15 points. spring. on the final possession of time, we got three stops in a averaging 17 points in the Paul took charge in extra “It’s good TV, man, get the Caron Butler, playing with regulation, with row, and Chris came down ratings up,” Paul said. “We a broken bone in his left and Gay swarming him — and hit big shot after big series and leads the Celtics time. in rebounding (10.5 a don’t want any blowouts. hand, scored 14 points for but he didn’t quit. shot,” Griffin said. “We keep He played with the same game). Allen, 36, who had There’s a reason we finished the Clippers, who still can’t “It’s Chris Paul. He made telling ourselves, and we’ve intensity he showed late in not played since April 10 be- regulation, heedlessly fling- 4-5 (in the Western Confer- be comfortable after getting his name off doing that,” Gay said this all year, it starts on outrebounded 47-36 and said. “He’s a tough guard. defense for us.” cause of bone spurs in his ing himself over the front ence standings) with one right ankle, returned for the past two games in Boston to provide valuable minutes off the bench. He’s averaging Spurs can recharge after sweep 12.5 points. Rondo got off to a rough start in the series, bumping SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — layup that sealed the win. at forward, Jefferson SAN ANTONIO (87) Leonard 1-7 0-0 3, Duncan 4-10 3-3 11, Diaw 0-1 0- an official while complain- The were “I wasn’t making many at center and 0 0, Parker 4-14 2-5 11, Green 1-5 2-2 5, Ginobili 6- 11 2-4 17, Bonner 1-4 2-3 5, Splitter 3-9 4-5 10, ing about a call in the final feeling good Monday night shots, but I wasn’t taking moving to . Jackson 2-5 2-2 8, Neal 4-6 2-2 11, Blair 2-2 2-4 6, minute of Atlanta’s Game 1 after sweeping their first- that many either,” said Gino- After a slow start, they Anderson 0-0 0-0 0, Mills 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 28-74 21- 30 87. victory. round Western Conference bili, who was 0 for 8 from 3- made a difference, with Fa- UTAH (81) After sitting out Game 2, series with the . point range in the first three vors registering impressive Millsap 4-17 2-4 10, Favors 4-8 8-12 16, Jefferson 13-19 0-1 26, Harris 6-17 7-9 19, Hayward 0-7 0-0 Rondo returned to put up a They also were feeling games but had three 3s blocks on Parker and Tiago 0, Burks 0-8 0-0 0, Howard 0-2 0-0 0, Kanter 1-1 0-0 triple-double (17 points, 14 some pain. Monday and finished with a Splitter and dominating the 2, Tinsley 1-4 0-0 2, Carroll 3-5 0-0 6, Ahearn 0-0 0- 0 0. Totals 32-88 17-26 81. rebounds, 12 assists) in the “I’m sore,” said reserve team-high 17 points. boards. The trio combined 3-Point Goals—San Antonio 10-22 (Ginobili 3-6, Jack- next game, allowing the son 2-4, Parker 1-1, Leonard 1-2, Neal 1-2, Bonner 1- Stephen Jackson, who “I really wasn’t that wor- for 52 points, 39 rebounds 3, Green 1-4), Utah 0-13 (Tinsley 0-1, Jefferson 0-1, Celtics to pull out an over- played 26 minutes in the ried. I was happy that the and five blocks. Hayward 0-1, Burks 0-1, Carroll 0-2, Millsap 0-3, Har- time victory. He followed ris 0-4). Fouled Out—None. Rebounds—San Antonio down-to-the wire 87-81 vic- team was playing as well as It was the first game of the 52 (Jackson 6), Utah 68 (Millsap 19). Assists—San An- with 20 points and 16 assists tory. “Those guys play hard.” we were. We were 3-0 and series that Utah held an ad- tonio 12 (Parker 3), Utah 16 (Harris 7). Total Fouls— Sunday night. San Antonio 23, Utah 23. Technicals—Tinsley. Fortunately, the Spurs are winning those games with vantage in the paint (34-30). A—19,911 (19,911). going to get some rest before authority.” And the Spurs were feel- the next round. It was the West’s second ing it afterward. San Antonio awaits the first-round sweep as Okla- “It’s good to get this series winner of the Grizzlies-Clip- homa City eliminated de- over with and not have to pers series, which may not fending champion Dallas in worry about these guys be- Tri-County Feeds be decided until Sunday. four games. cause they’re definitely a The Clippers lead 3-1 after The Spurs won Game 1 by hard team to play against,” winning 101-97 in overtime 15 points, Game 2 by 31 and Jackson said. on Monday night. AP Photo/Colin E Braley Game 3 by 12, relying on Now it’s either Memphis, San Antonio Spurs center Tim “There’s going to be some Parker, Duncan, key young which knocked the Spurs Duncan (21) hugs Utah Jazz for- rust there,” All-Star Tim players and the deepest out in the first round last ward Paul Millsap (24) Monday at Duncan said of the wait be- bench in the league. year, or the Chris Paul-led the end of Game 4 in the first- tween series. “We have been Parker had 11 points on 4- Clippers. round NBA basketball playoff se- playing so many games back of-14 shooting Monday, “We’re gonna watch it,” ries. The Spurs defeated the Jazz to back, you’re going to lose Duncan added 11 points on Jackson said of the Grizzlies- 87-81 to take the series 4-0. your rhythm a little. ... But 4-of-10 shooting, and Clippers series. “We watch health-wise and for us to get starters , all the games. We’ll just con- 100 percent in the tank, it’s character of this team. We and Danny tinue to stay focused and be great.” take our hats off to them. Green combined for a total prepared so when the series The Spurs blew out the They fought to the end.” of eight points. The Spurs’ is over, we’re ready to go. It’s Black Gold Dog Food Retailer Jazz by 58 points combined The Spurs can thank their bench picked up the slack, a tough series either way. in the first three games but bench for keeping them in it. outscoring Utah’s reserves Both are good teams.” had to sustain a furious rally Star sixth man Manu Gi- 57-10 and finishing with 27 The Spurs are seeking BULK DELIVERIES & Monday after going up by as nobili hit consecutive 3- more points than their own their fifth NBA title. Yet Gi- CONVENIENT DRIVE-THRU many as 21 points in the pointers after the Jazz had starters. nobili said no one was look- fourth quarter. pulled within 61-58 late in “We’ve been a deeper ing that far ahead. “This is probably the the third quarter. And after team this year than we usu- “Our defense is good and Custom Grinding & Feed Mixing hardest-playing team in the the Jazz rallied from 21 ally are and it sure came in our offense is getting better league,” said Jackson, who down to get within four on handy tonight,” Popovich slowly,” he said. was part of the Spurs bench ’s put-back in the said. “We are just going to stay 6017 E. KY 70 • Liberty, KY 42539 that contributed 57 points. final minute, Ginobili Facing elimination, the humble and focus on our (606) 787-0874 “The way they played the turned a by MVP can- Jazz started their Big 3 next opponent and not on last five minutes showed the didate into a lineup, with the Finals yet.”