San Antonio, Indiana and Phoenix wasted no time getting to the second round of the NBA playoffs. The Chicago Bulls look like they are on the verge of joining them.
The Spurs, Pacers and Suns wrapped up their first-round series Tuesday night by sweeping the best-of-5 sets, but each will have to wait for an opponent.After being sent home early in three of the last four years, San Antonio survived a rough-and-tumble series with Denver, winning 99-95.
"It's a small sprint," said Spurs guard Avery Johnson, whose team has home-court advantage throughout the playoffs. "We won the first sprint, but we know we have three more."
With a 105-89 victory over Atlanta, Indiana swept its first-round opponent for the second year in a row and will meet the winner of the Cleveland-New York series.
"It's special to go on to the second round," Pacers point guard Mark Jackson said. "We have a great opportunity to show the nation something."
Playing at home, Chicago seized its opportunity, taking a 2-1 lead with a 103-80 romp over Charlotte.
"This is one game, and that's all you can say. Momentum has to be built next game," Bulls coach Phil Jackson said. "But one thing we do know is that we're now in the driver's seat in this series."
Phoenix advanced to the second round for the fourth straight season with a 117-109 victory over Portland.
In tonight's games, Orlando and Utah hope to rebound from their Game 2 losses and regain home-court advantage in their series. The Magic play the Celtics at Boston Garden, and the Jazz visit the Rockets at the Summit.
Both series are tied 1-1.
Spurs 99, Nuggets 95
In a game marred by five technicals, the ejection of Denver coach Bernie Bickerstaff and a trash-throwing outburst by fans, San Antonio withstood a fourth-quarter comeback by the Nuggets.
Down by 12 at the end of the third period, Denver tied the game on Dale Ellis' 3-pointer with 37.1 seconds left. But Sean Elliott hit a driving layup with 33 seconds to play, and his free throw with 2.7 seconds to go sealed the win.
David Robinson and Avery Johnson had 24 points apiece for the Spurs, who will play the winner of the Seattle-Los Angeles Lakers series, which the Lakers lead 2-1.
After Bickerstaff was ejected just before halftime, fans at McNichols Sports Arena pelted the court with debris, and Spurs coach Bob Hill was hit in the head.
"Coming in here, I knew it would be a very hostile environment, but that was the most hostile environment I've been in - in America," said Hill, who experienced unruly fans while coaching in Italy.
Bryant Stith and Rodney Rogers scored 18 points each for Denver.
Suns 117, Trail Blazers 109
Charles Barkley again showed his ability to almost singlehandedly put away a playoff opponent in Game 3.
Last year, he had 56 points to complete the Suns' first-round sweep of Golden State. This time, he got loose for 47 against the Trail Blazers.
"Once you get off to a hot start, you feel it," Barkley said.
Barkley was 16-for-26 from the field, including four 3-pointers, and grabbed 12 rebounds as the Suns finished the season 8-0 against Portland.
The Suns will play either the Jazz or the Rockets.
Rod Strickland had 21 points and 12 assists for Portland. Clifford Robinson added 20 points, but was only 6-for-15 from the field and 7-for-14 from the free-throw line. Jerome Kersey added 17 points for Portland.
The Blazers, swept in the first round for the first time since 1989, never led. The Suns shot out to a 20-10 lead, were up 13 in the second quarter and led 63-54 at halftime.
Pacers 105, Hawks 89
After sweeping Orlando in the first round last season, the Pacers did the same thing to Atlanta.
Reggie Miller scored 32 points to finish the series with 95. He scored 12 of his points in a decisive 26-5 second-half run.
The Hawks bolted to a 7-0 lead and led throughout most of the first half before Miller and the Pacers took control.
Now Indiana awaits the outcome of the Cleveland-New York series. The Knicks have a 2-1 lead going into Thursday's game at Gund Arena.
Bulls 103, Hornets 80
Michael Jordan scored 25 points, and his double-teaming of Alonzo Mourning helped contain the Charlotte center.
Mourning, dominating in Game 2 with 23 points and 20 rebounds, was missing in action most of Game 3. He had two points and one rebound in the first half and finished with 13 and seven.
Jordan scored 13 of his points during a 19-4 run that allowed the Bulls to take command.
Toni Kukoc scored 14 of his 22 points in the third quarter for the Bulls, who haven't lost a first-round playoff series since 1987.
Outrebounded 45-34 in Sunday's 106-89 loss, the Bulls had a 38-26 advantage to hand Charlotte its worst playoff loss. They pulled down 13 offensive rebounds to Charlotte's eight, helping them shoot 58 percent.