Chicago came close to setting an NBA playoff record for margin of victory as the Bulls routed Milwaukee 120-66 on Thursday to complete a 4-2 series win against the Bucks and move into the final eight of the postseason.
In the day’s other playoff game, the Los Angeles Clippers pulled out an impressive road win at San Antonio to avoid elimination and square that Western Conference series at 3-3.
Amid all the Bulls’ star power, Mike Dunleavy was the unlikely top scorer with 20 points and also got under the skin of the young Bucks with some physical play that sparked retaliation.
The Bulls, who move on to face Cleveland in the second round, finished four points from the NBA playoff record for largest margin of victory. Minnesota beat St. Louis 133-75 on March 19, 1956.
Pau Gasol scored 19 points and Jimmy Butler added 16 for the Bulls, who started the series with a 3-0 lead before two straight wins by the defensive-minded Bucks put them back in position to tie it. Derrick Rose scored 15 points and all five Chicago starters were in double figures.
Clippers score win over SpursThe Clippers forced a Game 7 against the Spurs by pulling off a meritorious 102-96 win at San Antonio. Blake Griffin had 26 points and 12 rebounds and Chris Paul had 19 points and 15 assists for Los Angeles.
Marco Belinelli hit two 3-pointers in the final 80 seconds, including one with 14 seconds remaining, to cut the Clippers’ lead to 98-96. But Jamal Crawford hit two free throws to preserve the win.
The Clippers, who won for the second time in San Antonio, will host Game 7 on Saturday. No other first-round series this year has gone the distance.
J.J. Redick added 19 points and DeAndre Jordan had 15 points and 14 rebounds for Los Angeles. Belinelli led San Antonio with 23 points, including going 7 for 11 from 3-point range.
