NBA playoffs: Mavericks’ Carter nails jumper, beats Spurs

DALLAS — Vince Carter hit a double-pump 3-pointer at the buzzer to give the Dallas Mavericks a 109-108 victory in Game 3 and a first-round series lead over the top-seeded San Antonio Spurs on Saturday.

Carter took an inbound pass from Jose Calderon with 1.7 seconds left in the left corner. After a quick pump fake in front of Manu Ginobili, Carter released the ball just before the buzzer. The winning shot was held up on review.

Ginobili had given the Spurs a 108-106 lead on a layup before Dallas called timeout to set up the play for Carter.

Monta Ellis kept the eight-seeded Mavericks close in the fourth quarter and finished with 29 points.

Tim Duncan led the Spurs with 22 points.

Game 4 is Monday night in Dallas.

Ginobili, who scored 12 points, dribbled out most of the last 24 seconds before going around Duncan and scoring over Samuel Dalembert. His go-ahead shot spun around the rim and almost came out before falling in.

The Mavericks kept the home-court advantage they earned by taking Game 2 in San Antonio, even though the Spurs held Dirk Nowitzki under 20 points in a third straight playoff game for the first time since they did it to him in his first postseason in 2001. The big German finished with 18.

PACERS 91, HAWKS 88

ATLANTA — Paul George and David West hit key 3-pointers down the stretch, and the top-seeded Indiana evened the opening-round series at two wins apiece.

In a game they had to have, the Pacers finally showed some grit. George put the Pacers ahead 86-85 with a jumper beyond the arc, and West hit another trey with 1:33 remaining.

Atlanta had a chance after Kyle Korver was fouled in the corner and knocked down three free throws. But George pulled down an offensive rebound to set up George Hill’s driving shot with 56 seconds left.

Pero Antic missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer that would’ve forced overtime.

Game 5 is Monday in Indianapolis.

George scored 24 points. Paul Millsap led the Hawks with 29.

HEAT 98, BOBCATS 85

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — LeBron James had 30 points and 10 rebounds, and Miami defeated Charlotte to take a 3-0 lead in the series.

Dwyane Wade added 17 points for the Heat, who can close out the best-of-seven Monday night.

James, who was an efficient 10 of 18 from the field, pushed his record to 18-0 against the Bobcats since joining the Heat in 2010. Miami has won 19 straight overall against Charlotte.

Al Jefferson had 20 points for the Bobcats, who are still searching for the first postseason win in franchise history.

After trailing most of the first half, the Heat took a 42-40 lead on a 3-pointer by Mario Chalmers. Miami closed the half on a 16-4 run.

THUNDER 92, GRIZZLIES 89, OT

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Reserve Reggie Jackson scored a playoff-best 32 points, and Oklahoma City beat Memphis, tying up their first-round Western Conference series at two apiece.

Jackson had only scored 15 points combined in this series, but the guard shook off his shooting woes by hitting 11 of 16. He outscored Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, who struggled through their worst scoring game of the series. Durant was 5 of 21 for 15 points, while Westbrook was 6 of 24 for 15 points.

Game 5 is Tuesday night back in Oklahoma City.

FORMER NBA OWNER HEISLEY DIES AT 77

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Michael Heisley, the billionaire businessman who bought the Vancouver Grizzlies and moved the NBA team to Memphis, died Saturday. He was 77.

The Grizzlies said Saturday night that a family member confirmed Heisley’s death. The Commercial Appeal reported that Heisley died in Illinois of complications from a massive stroke he suffered nearly 15 months ago.

Heisley sold the team to Robert Pera before the start of the 2012-13 season.

Heisley, chairman emeritus and co-founder of The Heico Companies, LLC, bought the team in April 2000. He moved the club from Vancouver to Memphis and hired NBA great Jerry West as president of basketball operations.

By wire sources