LA Clippers out, but Miami Heat alive

SundayIndiana 93-101 Miami Series tied 2-2LA Clippers 99-102 San Antonio Spurs win series 4-0LOS ANGELES – The San Antionio Spurs became the first team to reach the NBA conference finals by sweeping the Los Angeles Clippers.The Spurs won 102-99 at the Staples Center in the closest game of the series, featuring 14 lead changes.Chris Paul scored 23 points and Blake Griffin 21 but it was not enough to save the Clippers. Tim Duncan led the Spurs scoring with 21 points, with four teammates also scoring in double figures.San Antionio will play the winners of the Oklahoma City Thunder and the LA Lakers (currently 3-1) in the western conference finals.Miami Heat 101, Indiana Pacers 93Series tied 2-2LeBron James and Dwyane Wade combined for 70 points as the Miami Heat recovered from back-to-back defeats to grind down the Indiana Pacers 101-93 on Sunday and level the NBA’s Eastern conference semi-final at 2-2.The Heat, who struggled in their previous games after Chris Bosh was ruled out with an abdominal injury, trailed by eight points at halftime but snatched the momentum when James and Wade took control in a dominant third quarter.“This is what the playoffs are all about. It’s just survival,” said Heat coach Erik Spoelstra.James, named last week as the NBA’s Most Valuable Player, scored 40 points, with 18 rebounds and nine assists.Wade, who was subdued in Game Three, responded with 30 points, nine rebounds and six assists as the Heat sparkled in a stunning return to form.Forward Danny Granger led Indiana with 20 points but the Pacers were powerless to curtail James and Wade in a rampant third quarter.The teams return to Florida for Game Five on Tuesday. “It’s still going to be a dogfight,” James said. “It’s a three-game series now.”

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LA Clippers out, but Miami Heat alive