Hawks, Grizzlies Win NBA Playoff Games

Al Horford banged his dislocated finger and spent much of the game fiddling with it. Jeff Teague twisted his right ankle and hobbled to the locker room for a quick tape job. By the end of the night, they both were feeling just fine. Horford and Teague scored 20 points apiece, helping the top-seeded Atlanta Hawks hold off the Brooklyn Nets 107-97 on Wednesday night in an NBA playoff series that's closer than anyone envisioned.

Down by 17 at the end of the first quarter, Brooklyn might have returned home with an improbable lead if not for Horford and Teague. With two fingers on his shooting hand taped together, Horford flew around the court in the fourth quarter, crashing the boards, knocking down jumpers and exhorting his teammates to hold off the eighth-seeded Nets.

In the final minutes, Teague darted into the lane on his taped ankle for a pair of baskets that sealed another hard-fought victory. He let out a rare burst of emotion, screaming and waving his arms to pump up the home crowd, which included prospective new owner Antony Ressler and his wife, actress Jami Gertz.

Grizzlies 99, Trail Blazers 93

The Memphis Grizzlies missed one chance to finish off their first-round series and get some much-needed rest before facing the Golden State Warriors. They didn't waste a second, especially on their own court.

Marc Gasol had 26 points and 14 rebounds as the Grizzlies advanced to the Western Conference semifinals by beating the Portland Trail Blazers 99-93 on Wednesday night, closing out the series 4-1.

In the West semifinals for the third time in five years, the Grizzlies will play Game 1 on Sunday at top-seeded Golden State. Vince Carter said older players like himself appreciate the rest more than anybody.

Wednesday, April 29 Scoreboard

Atlanta 107, Brooklyn 97
EASTERN CONFERENCE 1ST ROUND - GAME 5

Memphis 99, POrtland 93
WESTERN CONFERENCE 1ST ROUND - GAME 5

Thursday, April 30 Schedule (All Times Central)

Chicago at Milwaukee, 6 p.m.
EASTERN CONFERENCE 1ST ROUND - GAME 6

Los Angeles at San Antonio, 8:30 p.m.
WESTERN CONFERENCE 1ST ROUND - GAME 6