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Jazz get even, Raptors avoid sweep, 3 straight for Celts

By Bruce Kropp Apr 24, 2022 | 8:36 AM

UNDATED (AP) — The Utah Jazz, Minnesota Timberwolves and Toronto Raptors aren’t going away quietly in the first round of the NBA playoffs. The Jazz and Wolves have knotted their respective series at two games apiece and the Raptors have avoided a four-game sweep.

Rudy Gobert (goh-BEHR’) gave Utah the lead with an alley-oop dunk with 11.0 seconds left in a 100-99 win over the Mavericks. Gobert finished with 17 points and grabbed 10 of his 15 rebounds from the offensive glass.

Jordan Clarkson scored 25 points and Donovan Mitchell added 23 to help the Jazz withstand the return of Luka Doncic (DAHN’-chihch) to the Dallas lineup. Doncic provided 30 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists after missing the first three games of the series with a strained calf.

The Mavs had a chance to win it, but Spencer Dinwiddie missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer.

Game 5 is Monday in Dallas.

Karl-Anthony Towns roared back from two rough games with a career playoff-best 33 points and 14 rebounds, leading the Timberwolves to a 119-118 win over second-seeded Memphis.

Anthony Edwards scored 24 points and backup Jordan McLaughlin went 4 for 4 from 3-point range to pitch in 16 points.

Minnesota hit 31 of 40 free throws and limited All-Star Ja (jah) Morant to 11 points on 4 of 13 shooting.

Desmond Bane hit his eighth 3-pointer at the buzzer to finish with 34 points for the Grizzlies, who will host Game 5 on Tuesday.

The Raptors pulled out a 110-102 win over the 76ers as Pascal Siakam scored 15 of his 34 points in the fourth quarter. After being held scoreless in the second half of Toronto’s Game 3 loss, Siakam shot 10 for 19 and went 13 for 15 at the free-throw line.

Gary Trent Jr. had 24 points for the Raptors, who head to Philadelphia for Game 5 on Monday.

Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid (joh-EHL’ ehm-BEED’) started despite a right thumb injury that required him to wear a brace. He finished 7 for 16 and scored 21 points in 39 minutes.

Meanwhile, the Celtics are up 3-0 in their opening-round series after silencing Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in a 109-103 decision over the Nets in Brooklyn.

Jayson Tatum scored 39 points and Jaylen Brown had 23 for Boston, which has won the three games by a combined 14 points.

Durant took only 11 shots, finishing with 16 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists. Irving was 6 for 17 and also had 16 points for the Nets.

Bruce Brown had a team-high 26 points for Brooklyn.

Celtics center Robert Williams III played 16 minutes after missing a month with a knee injury. Williams had two points and two rebounds.

The Nets now have to decide if they will give Ben Simmons his debut on Monday in an elimination game.