NBA Playoffs: Heat, Spurs reach conference finals

Share

MIAMI -- Ray Allen's 3-pointer with 32 seconds left highlighted a huge Miami rally, and the Heat advanced to the Eastern Conference finals by topping the Brooklyn Nets 96-94 on Wednesday night.

The Heat won the series 4-1, and will face either Indiana or Washington in the East finals starting next week.

Miami had not led since late in the second quarter before Allen's shot from the left wing put the Heat up 93-91. Shaun Livingston tried to answer with 24 seconds left, missing in the lane and Chris Bosh controlled the rebound for Miami.

Allen made a pair of free throws with 21.6 seconds to play, capping a 12-0 run that erased an eight-point deficit.

LeBron James scored 29 points and Dwyane Wade had 28 for the Heat. Joe Johnson scored 34 for the Nets, including a 3-pointer with 11 seconds left that got his team within one (see full recap).

Spurs cruise to series win over Blazers
SAN ANTONIO -- Danny Green and Kawhi Leonard each scored 22 points, and the San Antonio Spurs overcame an injury to Tony Parker to close out the Western Conference semifinals with a 104-82 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday night.

Patty Mills scored 18 points and Tim Duncan had 16 points and eight rebounds for San Antonio, which had four blowout victories in the five-game series.

It's the third straight conference finals appearance for San Antonio, which lost a heartbreaking seven-game series to the Miami Heat in last season's NBA Finals.

LaMarcus Aldridge had 21 points for Portland, while Damian Lillard added 17 points and 10 assists.

The Trail Blazers' bench contributed only seven points compared to 40 by the Spurs' reserves (see full recap).

Contact Us