NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Stephen Curry scored 40 points, including a 3-pointer in the final seconds of regulation to complete a 20-point, fourth-quarter comeback, and Golden State beat New Orleans 123-119 in overtime Thursday night to take a 3-0 lead in their first-round playoff series.
Curry hit seven 3s in all, including one to start overtime that gave the Warriors the lead for good.
Klay Thompson had 28 points for the Warriors, who trailed 89-69 after three quarters, then outscored New Orleans 39-19 over the next 12 minutes.
Anthony Davis had 29 points and 15 rebounds for the Pelicans, but his missed free throw with 9.6 seconds left — as the crowd chanted “M-V-P!” — allowed Curry’s late 3 to tie it.
Davis had a chance to tie it in the final seconds of overtime, but Warriors center Andrew Bogut forced him into a difficult driving shot, which missed badly.
The Warriors go for the sweep on Saturday in New Orleans. No NBA team has ever overcome a 3-0 deficit to win a playoff series.
BULLS 113, BUCKS 106, 2 OTs
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Derrick Rose scored 34 points and Jimmy Butler added 24 as Chicago took a 3-0 lead in the Eastern Conference playoff series.
Butler’s steal and layup started an 8-0 run that gave Chicago a 109-101 lead with 2:44 left in the second overtime.
Rose scored six points in the second overtime, including a layup off an offensive rebound with 2:15 left for a 10-point lead.
Giannis Antetokounmpo had 25 points and Khris Middleton added 18 for Milwaukee, which went scoreless for more than 6 minutes in the first and second overtimes.
The Bulls will go for the sweep on Saturday in Milwaukee. No NBA team has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit to win a series.
CAVALIERS 103, CELTICS 95
BOSTON (AP) — LeBron James scored 31 points and Cleveland moved one win away from a sweep in its first playoff series in five years.
The Celtics kept it close, just as they did in the previous two games, and trailed 95-92 after Evan Turner hit a 3-pointer with 2:45 left. But Kevin Love hit two 3-pointers for a 101-93 lead with 26 seconds to go.
Cleveland can complete the sweep Sunday in Boston.
Turner had 19 points and Avery Bradley added 18 for Boston.
Love had 23 points and J.R. Smith added 15 for the Cavaliers.