DALLAS — Caron Butler scored a career playoff-best 35 points and had 11 rebounds, and Brendan Haywood provided a strong inside presence at both ends in his first start of this postseason, keeping the Mavericks alive by leading them to a 103-81 victory over the Spurs on Tuesday night in Game 5 of their first-round series.
The Spurs, who lead the series 3-2, were outplayed most of the first half, but trailed by only seven at halftime.
Butler had a layup and two free throws during a 10-0 flurry to open the third quarter. After San Antonio finally answered, Butler came back with a 3-pointer with Tim Duncan charging at him. Soon after, Butler drove right at Duncan; San Antonio’s big man got a piece of the ball, but it caromed off the backboard and into the net anyway.
Butler ran away stifling a laugh, while Spurs coach Gregg Popovich began preparing for Game 6 in San Antonio on Thursday night. He pulled Duncan at the next dead ball, figuring rest was more important than trying to overcome a deficit that eventually hit 26.
Cavaliers 96, Bulls 94
CLEVELAND — LeBron James, playing despite an injured right elbow that went numb and forced him to shoot a free throw left-handed in the closing seconds, just missed a triple-double as Cleveland eliminated Chicago in five games.
James scored 19 points — 16 in the second half — and added 10 rebounds and nine assists. After making one free throw, James then hoisted and missed the second with his left with 7.8 seconds left and the Cavaliers only ahead by four.
James revealed after the game he underwent an MRI and X-rays two days ago.
“It bothers me because I don’t know what it is,” James said. “Hopefully it doesn’t continue to bother me. But I’m not concerned. Cleveland fans have nothing to worry about. They have no reason to panic. I don’t think it’s that serious.”
Antawn Jamison scored 25 points and Shaquille O’Neal 14 for Cleveland, which will face Boston next.
Celtics 96, Heat 86
BOSTON — Ray Allen scored 24 points, making five 3-pointers in the second half, and Rajon Rondo added 16 points, 12 assists and eight rebounds to help Boston win the series 4-1.
Lakers 111, Thunder 87
LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles led by 21 points at halftime and went ahead by 32 late in the third quarter en route to taking a 3-2 series lead.
The Associated Press
