Jazz even up series with a win over Thunder on the road
The Utah Jazz have evened their play-off series with the Oklahoma City Thunder with an intense 102-95 victory.
The Jazz, led by rookie Donovan Mitchell's 28 points, head home to Utah for the next two games of the best-of-seven series locked at 1-1 after outlasting the Thunder and defying Oklahoma City's boisterous crowd.
The Jazz's Australian duo Joe Ingles and Dante Exum had just three and two points respectively but played important facilitating roles in the team's victory.
Meanwhile, LeBron James scored 46 points as the Cleveland Cavaliers evened the first-round eastern conference play-off series at one game apiece with a 100-97 victory over the visiting Indiana Pacers on Thursday (AEST).
Game three is set for Saturday in Indianapolis.
James hit 17 of 24 shots and 10 of 13 free throws while pulling down a game-high 12 rebounds.
Cleveland’s Kevin Love, who left the game with a hand injury with 3:43 left in the fourth quarter, scored 15 points, and Kyle Korver added 12.
Head coach Tyronn Lue said that Love jammed a thumb but should be able to play.
The Cavaliers shot 50.7 per cent while the Pacers were at 52.6 per cent.
However, Indiana was six of 22 on three-point attempts while Cleveland was 11 of 28.
Victor Oladipo topped the Pacers with 22 points on 9-of-18 shooting. Myles Turner was right behind with 18 points on seven-of-12 shooting, and Darren Collison added 16 points for Indiana.
The Pacers were hurt by the fact Oladipo picked up two fouls in first 62 seconds and had to go to the bench for the rest of the quarter.
Oladipo picked up his third foul with 4:47 left in the second quarter, but he wasn’t whistled for another foul in the game.
AAP, Reuters