In the NBA playoffs, Deron Williams, Brook Lopez and Joe Johnson each scored 17 points, and the Brooklyn Nets again avoided elimination, beating the short-handed Chicago Bulls 95-92 Thursday to tie their first-round series at 3. The series goes back to Brooklyn on Saturday. The winner gets Miami in the second round.
Despite coach Mark Johnson being fined $25,000 by the NBA for making public comments in an attempt to influence officials, Golden State won their first playoff series since 2007 beating Denver 92-88.
Lastly, the Knicks take on the Celtics in Boston tonight. The Knicks haven't won a playoff series since 2000.
Checking the NHL playoffs, the NY Rangers fell to Washington 3-1 in Game 1 of their first-round series. Ottawa doubled up Montreal 4-2. St. Louis beat Los Angeles 2-1 and Detroit won against Anaheim 5-4.
In baseball news, checking the American League, the Red Sox took advantage of a season-high 10 walks to beat the Toronto 3-1. Boston improved its major league-best road record to 9-3 and won its seventh series in nine tries this season. Elsewhere, the White Sox topped Texas 3-1. Detroit bested Houston 7-3 and Baltimore passed the Angels 5-1.
In the National League, San Diego doubled up the Cubs 4-2. Philadelphia cruised ahead of Miami 7-2. Washington defeated Atlanta 3-1 and St. Louis beat Milwaukee 6-5.
In other sports news, the entire Siena baseball team will have their heads shaved this Sunday to support childhood cancer research..
Finally, the Kentucky Derby is scheduled for Saturday at 6:24 p.m. Eastern time. The winner takes home nearly $1.5 million.
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