Pacers, Celtics, Timberwolves Close in on NBA Playoff Wins

Myles Turner scored 23 points as one of eight Indiana Pacers players in double figures during a dominant 129-103 win over the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Sunday night.

Andrew Nembhard tallied 20 points and Tyrese Haliburton added 17 points, 15 assists, and eight rebounds for Indiana, which now holds a 3-1 series lead.

T.J. McConnell chipped in 15 points, Aaron Nesmith scored 14, Obi Toppin contributed 13, and Pascal Siakam and Jarace Walker each had 12 points.

Indiana shot a blistering 60.2 percent from the field and made 18 of 39 3-pointers, recording 36 assists on 50 made baskets.

Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 28 points, 15 rebounds, and six assists, while Kevin Porter Jr. added 23 points and Bobby Portis scored 14.

Game 5 is scheduled for Tuesday night in Indianapolis, with the Pacers aiming to eliminate Milwaukee for the second consecutive postseason.

Milwaukee’s hopes took a major hit when star guard Damian Lillard exited midway through the first quarter with a lower left leg injury, his third game back after recovering from a blood clot in his right leg.

Lillard fell to the floor clutching his leg and left scoreless with two assists and two rebounds.

Indiana dominated the third quarter, shooting 68.2 percent from the floor to extend its halftime lead from 11 to 17 points.

Antetokounmpo scored 18 points in the third quarter, briefly bringing Milwaukee within 90-81 before Indiana closed the period with an 11-3 surge.

Toppin’s jumper early in the fourth quarter pushed the lead to 110-88, prompting Bucks coach Doc Rivers to call timeout as the game slipped away.

Nembhard’s 3-pointer and midrange jumper, along with Siakam’s inside score, sealed the Pacers’ lead at 122-98 with 4:32 remaining.

Turner led Indiana with 14 first-half points to help the Pacers secure a 63-52 advantage at the break.

Porter scored 15 points in the first half for the Bucks, who shot just 41.6 percent from the field overall.

Meanwhile, the Boston Celtics moved one win away from advancing after defeating the Orlando Magic 107-98 in Game 4 of their first-round series.

Jayson Tatum powered Boston with 37 points and 14 rebounds, as the Celtics converted 30 of 32 free-throw attempts to take a 3-1 series lead.

“All their guys are really hard to guard,” Orlando’s Franz Wagner said after posting 24 points, six rebounds, and seven assists.

The Magic tied the game at 91 with just over four minutes left, but Boston responded by scoring 10 of the next 11 points to seize control.

“We defended without fouling and we limited them to one shot — then there was some great shot-making at the other end,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said.

Jaylen Brown scored 21 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, while Kristaps Porzingis added 19 points and Derrick White finished with 18 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists for Boston.

Paolo Banchero led the seventh-seeded Magic with 31 points, while Wendell Carter Jr. posted nine points and 11 rebounds.

“We just have to be better,” Wagner said.

Boston can close out the series with a win in Game 5 on Tuesday night at TD Garden.

In another Western Conference matchup, Anthony Edwards exploded for 43 points to lead the Minnesota Timberwolves to a thrilling 116-113 comeback victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 4.

Edwards also grabbed nine rebounds and dished six assists as the Timberwolves rallied from a double-digit second-half deficit to take a 3-1 series lead.

Julius Randle scored 25 points and Jaden McDaniels posted 16 points and 11 rebounds for Minnesota.

Luka Doncic rebounded from an illness to finish with 38 points, while LeBron James contributed 27 points, 12 rebounds, and eight assists for the Lakers.

Minnesota dominated the fourth quarter 32-19, overcoming a 94-84 deficit after three quarters.

Austin Reaves had a chance to tie the game at the buzzer, but his 3-point attempt rimmed out.

The Timberwolves took the lead on McDaniels’ dunk-and-one with 39.5 seconds remaining after a key assist from Naz Reid.

Following a successful challenge by Timberwolves coach Chris Finch, Edwards was awarded two free throws after being fouled by James, giving Minnesota a 116-113 lead.

Los Angeles stormed ahead 72-61 with a 14-0 run to open the second half, fueled by four consecutive 3-pointers from Hachimura, Doncic, and Reaves.

Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert was called for a flagrant foul late in the third quarter after pushing James during a rebound attempt.

Minnesota led 61-58 at halftime before the Lakers’ surge, but finished strong to close in on a first-round series victory.